When October rolls around, we are ready for cooler weather in the Carolinas. This means it’s time for some of my favorite cooler weather meals. This always includes a variety of soups, heartier meals like roasts and one of our favorites – pumpkin pasta. This dish is not only a family favorite but an easy crowd pleaser. Our friends and family always request this meal when the weather gets cooler and the days start getting shorter. We typically serve this for dinner with a side of roasted vegetables and a fresh spinach salad. Not only do we prepare this dish for family dinners, but we have also brought it to other family’s for dinner, offered it at tailgating events, and made it for parties. Our version of this recipe has been modified from the original to make it slightly healthier. We use brown rice penne pasta (Trader Joe’s organic brown rice penne pasta is the brand that we prefer) and substitute evaporated milk for the cream. We do like the bacon flavor in this dish, but it could easily be removed and made vegetarian style. This is a very versatile meal that can be prepared ahead of time and is easily heated right before serving. If you are looking for something different to serve your family, try this pumpkin pasta. We encourage you to try this family favorite this fall. You never know, it might just become one of your favorites too!
Ready for Fall…
As soon as the weather begins to cool down and the Carolinas get a break from the summer heat, I’m ready to decorate our house for the fall. I enjoy this time of year, not only because the autumn ushers in a welcome relief from the late summer scorch, but because the cooler temperatures invigorate me to spend more time outside. October is a great month to enjoy outdoor living spaces. In mid-September, I spent a weekend bundling cornhusks, arranging pumpkins, planting mums, and putting up fall decorations including our fall floral pumpkin. I like transforming my house to welcome the new season – we’re ready for fall. This fall we will have very few visitors who will appreciate the time it took to make our home welcoming. However, I still believe it’s nice to decorate our house. I think it helps uplift my family’s benevolent spirit each time they walk through the door, gather in the front on rocking chairs or relax on the back porch. Another highly anticipated activity is the first fire of the season in our outdoor fireplace. We are fortunate enough to have a beautiful fireplace on our back porch. On cool weekend mornings and crisp evenings, my family likes to gather around the fire. We enjoy coffee together in the mornings, cocktails in the evenings and our young adult children still like to make smores together over the glowing coals. The time we spend together in our outdoor spaces helps strengthen our family bond. It’s this simple time together that fortifies our resolve to make it through this difficult year. Typically, this time of year is full of activities. This year is much different. I view this time as another one of life’s little moments to enjoy. I am thankful for this unexpected opportunity to spend quality time together!