Grapefruit Cake with Grapefruit-Cream Cheese Frosting

    Let me start today by asking a question.  How many grapefruit lovers do we have out there? Are there really some of you who just can't get your day started until you've had your morning grapefruit?  Be honest! Well, I have to admit that my hand is not raised.  I think I've pretty well established that I have a big sweet tooth, so grapefruit is not exactly one of my favorite go-to foods.  That being said, a nice, ripe grapefruit can be very juicy and actually a little sweet.  One day, maybe I'll share with you a recipe for Grapefruit Zabaglione that is so delicious....almost addicting!

    So.....what's a girl who doesn't love grapefruit do when her husband (who, by the way, cannot say no to any young child selling whatever to raise money to help his or her school, soccer team, or sick puppy) brings home a huge bag of them?  Well, after some initial juicing events, this girl makes cake!!

Cream of Broccoli and Zucchini Soup w/ Cheesy Garlic Bread

    So, I've said before that I'm not really a big soup person, but the frigid temperatures we've had lately have definitely helped to change my mind!  A delicious soup is just the thing to warm you up when it's freezing outside.  And, speaking of frigid temperatures.... none of us want our children to be outside waiting for the school bus, etc. when it's dangerously cold, but is it my imagination or have my kids  been home on vacation since before Christmas??  It seems that school has become a bit of a distant memory!

    Anyway, today I thought I'd share two really simple recipes with you that might just make you glad it's chilly outside!  A delicious Cream of Broccoli and Zucchini Soup and some yummy Cheesy Garlic Bread!! 

Chocolate-Espresso Snowballs

    So, I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but........I love the snow!  I just love to watch it falling outside my window, especially if I'm inside baking Christmas cookies!  Now, if there are kids around, snow usually means.....snowballs.  And, that is why these are the perfect cookies to share with you today......that and the fact that they are delicious!!   Flavored with cocoa and espresso powder, laced with finely chopped pecans, and covered with a dusting of snowy white powdered sugar.....all I can say is YUM!!  Give these a try, and see if they don't become a regular on your Christmas cookie baking list.

Italian Pepperoni-Cheese Puffs

    Happy Holidays Everyone!!  I'm sure you're all in the middle of your baking, shopping, and the rest of your holiday preparations.  And many of you are probably finished and just waiting for the celebrating to begin.  I, on the other hand, have not baked one Christmas cookie yet!  Now, granted, the house is decorated and looking pretty festive, but the real baking doesn't usually start until two weeks before Christmas.  I always intend on starting earlier, but somehow, two weeks before the big day, is always when it begins.  Maybe it's because, when I home schooled the kids, we would be doing our school work up until
that time.  Then, when we were on Christmas break, I'd dive into all the baking.  Well, whatever the reason, it always gets done.  Then it's kind of like a baking marathon around here...... I love it!

    Since this is such a busy time and there are so many parties/get-togethers going on, I thought a quick and tasty appetizer idea would be a great thing to share.  These are like mini savory cream puffs, Italian-style!  They're very light and go well with a little pizza sauce on the side.

Italian Pumpkin Strata

    Hi all!  Well, the countdown's begun.  Only 5 more days until Thanksgiving!!  How are you doing with all of your preparations?  Here, at my house, things are moving along pretty well......I guess.  I'm finishing up my Thanksgiving dinner menu, so that I can go to the supermarket early Monday morning. The turkey is in the garage refrigerator, thawing.  At least, I hope it's thawing.  That fridge always acts a little strange when the weather gets really cold.  Nothing could be more frustrating than to go to retrieve the main part of the Thanksgiving meal, only to find a solid turkeysicle sitting there!  You can bet I'll be checking that bird daily to make sure that doesn't happen!


    This will most likely be my last post until after Turkey Day, so let me wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends!  I know things aren't always easy these days, but I, for one, have so many things to be thankful for....a wonderful husband and six children that I love very much, a warm and comfortable home, a loving, supportive mother (you're never too old to need your mom!), five great brothers and sisters and their families (who I really miss), as well as my husband's family, some good friends (you know who you are), and, well, I could go on for awhile, but I guess you probably stopped by to check out the recipe, so I'll sum up my thoughts by saying.....God has provided for me, been faithful to me, and blessed me above and beyond what I really deserve!  And, I'm so thankful!

     Now, onto the recipe....

Roasted Fennel and Carrots with Pecorino Cheese

    What can you make with a couple of root vegetables, some garlic, fresh thyme, cheese, and olive oil?  A delicious roasted vegetable side dish, that's what!  If I haven't mentioned it before, I love roasted vegetables! Roasting just brings out their natural sweetness and develops such a depth of flavor!  As the days are getting colder, this is a great side dish to go along with a meatloaf or roasted beef or chicken. So, what are you waiting for?  Grab those veggies and get roasting!  

Sweet Pumpkin Fritters

    Well, it seems that fall will soon turn into winter, as evidenced by our first real snowfall of the season.  That's right.  We woke up to a lovely covering of snow this morning......so pretty!  But, snow means cold and cold means we all want hearty, comforting foods.....Things like soups and stews, roasted meats and winter vegetables, like sturdy greens and squash.  And......let's not forget about pumpkin!  You'll find pumpkins around my house, used as part of my fall decorating, and I love to make the usual pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies (remember this recipe?) and pumpkin pie.  But, this recipe was a bit of a revelation!  I've shared a delicious version of apple fritters with you, but hadn't thought of using pumpkin as a main ingredient instead of apples.  Well, now I know....Sweet Pumpkin Fritters.....a great idea!