Hi. I'm Penuche. But you can call me Smooooth.

Food is my absolute favorite love language. I seek out opportunities to bake for the people I love, and I derive great pleasure in the filling of their tummies and tickling of their taste buds. So if you have any requests, I will be happy to fill them!

Today I took a pan of penuche (puh-noo-chee) to some fellow mamas at a play date, and the recipe was requested. I love chocolate, but I also adore butterscotch and caramel flavors! That makes this fudge my favorite to make. Not to mention it's a special New England treat. The ingredients are simple; the instructions are simple enough. But it is certainly a treat that requires patience, attention, and presence in the kitchen. (And a candy thermometer.) Basically, don't make it until the kids are in bed. Added bonus: you'll be the only one around to lick the pan. And you will lick the pan.

Penuche

(Better Homes & Gardens recipe, doubled)

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 1/3 cups half-and-half or light cream

4 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup walnuts (optional if you absolutely hate nuts. otherwise, a must!)

1) Butter an 8x8 baking dish, set aside.

2) Butter sides of medium-large saucepan. In saucepan combine sugar, brown sugar, and half-and-half. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils. Clip candy thermometer to side of pan. Reduce heat to medium low; continue boiling at a moderate, steady rate, stirring frequently, until thermometer reads 236 degrees F, soft-ball stage. (About 15 minutes.) Boiling at a steady rate-not too fast or slow-will ensure the consistency of the fudge is neither too hard nor too soft.

3) Remove saucepan from heat. Add butter and vanilla but do not stir. Cool, w/o stirring, to 110 degrees F (about 40 minutes).

4) Remove thermometer. Beat mixture vigorously w/ a clean wooden spoon until it just begins to thicken. Add walnuts and continue beating until penuche becomes thick and just starts to lose its gloss (about 10 minutes total.) Your tricep will curse you.

5) Immediately spread penuche evenly in the prepared pan. Score into squares while warm. When penuche is firm, use foil to lift it out of pan. Cut penuche into desired size squares. Store tightly for up to a week.

As The Leaves Fall

This season is certainly being true to form. We have been delightfully busy with family, cooking, cleaning, work, activities, lessons, play dates, etc. And this week we are gearing up for even more!

Our visit with Nana and Grandpa was absolutely wonderful; what a blessing to have had them in our home! Also, our visit with The Long Lost Hunt Family was glorious. (I'm quickly running out of synonyms for delightful.) It was such an encouragement to our hearts to be near Doug and Shelley, and all the kiddos played so well together. Basically our kids were on Cloud 9 throughout the entire month of October.

Believe it or not I did actually get a little pumpkin-ed out. I guess when you become infatuated with anything (or anyone) and obsess over it and manipulate it and devour it, you're bound to get bored. (Draw profound analogy to failed relationships in past.) I must admit I was a little disappointed in myself when October 31 rolled around and I had an unopened can of pumpkin in the cabinet--and no aspirations to turn it into something delicious; it's still sitting there. I'll get the pumpkin itch again, and it'll just have to keep until then.

In the midst of all of this delightful, wonderful, great, glorious chaos, we have still had several opportunities to sneak away, just the five of us, and enjoy our city in this beautiful season. And I must say, That is no small thing for this young family!

Breaking in our new boots "Mountain Climbing":

Daddy was throwing armfuls of leaves into the air for the kids to enjoy.

And they were enjoying it. :)

Making a Leaf Angel. It was actually a very convincing Leaf Angel.

My little buddy for this day's excursion. We did a lower level of mountain climbing than the other spider monkeys.

The most fun daddy ever!

Possessed by Pumpkin

And we continue our October journey through all things pumpkin! My kitchen is constantly in shambles, I've hardly worn make up all month, and my two year old spends most mornings running around stark naked. But, Oh, those Pumpkin Muffins do smell delicious!

I stumbled on this next recipe when I was still a new enough bride to try unusual recipes. I have since been conditioned to shy away from anything that doesn't obviously tout Meat, Cheese, and Potatoes--with no weird vegetables messing up the good stuff.

And here is where I clarify that my husband will eat anything I make, and not complain...per se. He swears he's not a picky eater. ;) An ongoing debate in our house. I resolve within myself that he is a very Respectful and Kind Picky Eater. Meaning, I know when he doesn't like something, but he'd never be rude enough to comment on it. And since I am the Help Mate in this whole thing, I do not want to make something he won't enjoy.

So, here's the weird recipe. And B.daddy does indeed like it a lot. "Maybe not as much as regular chili... But it's good. I like it. I do!"

You get the picture.

Pumpkin Black Bean Chili

~10-12 servings; fills up a big Crock Pot or dutch oven

2 lbs. chicken or turkey, ground & browned or breasts cooked and shredded

1 medium onion, chopped

2 yellow bell peppers, chopped

3 tsp. minced garlic

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

3 T. chili powder

3 tsp. ground cumin

2 19 oz. cans black beans, drained

2 16 oz. cans pumpkin puree

28 oz. can crushed tomatoes (or diced if your husband doesn't mind the chunks) ;)

water & chicken bullion

1~Prepare the meat and set aside. Saute the onion, pepper, and garlic in oil till tender. Stir in spices and cook for 1 minute.

2~Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Add enough water and appropriate amount of chicken bullion to fill pot.

3~Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours.

Now, this Chili doesn't need the Southern fixin's of Fritos, cheese, and sour cream. It is so delicately delicious that it's perfect with corn muffins or plain ol' Saltines.

And without further ado, here are some more photos of our children. i.e. Grandbaby Pictures!