Happy Hallowe'en

May it be a safe, joyful and prosperous new year.

Harvest Breakfast

I serendipitously came across a recipe last night before falling asleep: Pumpkin Pancakes. If you've ever met me, you know my weakness for all things gourd and all things autumn. Therefore, of course we made them this morning. The recipe goes something like this:
2c self raising flour
2tsp cinnamon
2tsp nutmeg
1/2c brown sugar
1/2c pumpkin puree
2 eggs (or egg substitute of choice; applesauce would go well here)
1c water

Combine the dry ingredients, then make a "well" in the middle for the pumpkin and egg. Blend. Then add the water until you reach the desired consistency.
Yield: about 11 pancakes.


The yield was not mentioned, but on a whim I halved the recipe and it came out with 6 (well, 5 and a baby). Also, though I am mostly vegan I did decide to use a single organic, farm fresh, free-run egg. Next time I'll use applesauce, I promise.


I did, however, CREATE applesauce while the pancakes were... panning?


We heaped applesauce on top of the happy cakes...


Jim drizzled his with some organic maple syrup. I left mine mostly naked with a pile of pomme.


Jim and I both felt this was a huge success.


Definitely a repeat. Jim is thinking of a Sunday brunch with a few people next weekend with this on the menu. I am thinking of doing it tomorrow morning... and
all other mornings until I run out of puree.

Paris: Final Day

Breakfast at Juice Bar! Aptly named "Bob's Juice" it is run by an Englishman and his American girlfriend. They had fabulous juices, smoothies and muffins, and nearly everyone in the shop was english. And to think they were only a few doors away this whole time.

We strolled back along St Paul and the Red Wheelbarrow for books to read on the trip home. Along the Seine we collected a few more gifts (including a card holder for me and a pocket mirror for my mother). We lunched at Cafe de Luna near Montmartre because the nearby vegetarian restaurant had closed early. For the record, it wasn't so great. We re-visited Jeff de Bruges for more chocolates before heading to the "Musee Eroticisme."
This is indeed exactly what it sounds like. It was mostly historical and moderately depressing, but there were some hilarious cartoons of "Everready" and a few pieces of suggestivity.

We headed home to pack and tidy things before making one final sojourn to the Eiffel tower.


I convinced Jim to ride the carousel, finally.

I have a bit of a carousel problem myself. I've always loved them. Ask my mother.

The other problem is they make me a bit sick.

We rode the carousel beneath the glow of a twinkling tower in partnership. Then we took the lift once more to the second level, stairs back down to the first, then to the bottom.

This is he view of the elevator, from above the elevator. We were climbing down, it was pulling up.

They have nets draped and attached all over the place. I suppose if you're falling and feel the need to grab something (as one likely would) these would make a good option.

Look at all the tiny people!
We prepared for departure with immune-boosting elixers, sandwiches, and beer. Then we readied ourselves for bed, excited to see our kitties the following evening.