Spaghetti Squash

One thing that I love about fall is all the squash. I found a recipe last year that I absolutely LOVE and it is so delicious, healthy and very easy to make. First, you need to buy a Spaghetti Squash. They are a creamy light brownish-yellow color. I know Vons and Trader Joe's have them this time of year. You cut it down the middle, scoop out the seeds, put it cut side-down on a pan in the oven for half an hour or so, until its soft.


While its cooking, you put together in a pan one chopped onion and one green pepper. You can add some oil and garlic for flavoring.
After this stuff is tender, you can add some tomatoes and even some meat. When I make this, I often buy chicken sausages at Trader Joe's and chop them up and put them in here to heat them up. They are pre-cooked, so they can be added at the end.

Instead of adding fresh tomatoes like I normally would, I had some (well, 2) cans of Italian-style chopped tomatoes that I had accidentally purchased. I thought it would be a good time to use them. It was perfect using them because the extra liquid in the tomatoes as well as the flavoring made this dish even better!
Anyways, about this time the squash was cooked so after it sits for a minute or two, you take a fork to it and pull the squash apart. Its called Spaghetti Squash because it comes out of the squash looking like spaghetti noodles:

Well, you mix everything together, or you can serve it like spaghetti - the "noodles" on the bottom with the sauce on the top. Add basil and feta cheese to top it off.

Flowers

So, in my quest for a little flower bed in the back yard, I have come across a website that is extremely beneficial for people living in Southern California. It is a wonderful resource that tells you what you should/can be doing in this month of October to build and make your garden. There is a different web page for each month! Also, you can search by flower or plant to get tips and hints about the best flowers and plants to grow in California. It is SO COOL! Take a minute to check it out if you are curious about what you can be doing in your yard. Also, now is the time to do planting if you live in California. Many plants are planted in the fall..... so..... get going!

Autumn

In the spirit of Fall, here are some things I'm dreaming of...

Thanks to BHG for the pictures

I'm planning a fall party in October and am so excited because I love this season! I grew up in a place where this was a common sight in the fall:

Anyways, these are some things I'm thinking we might have at our party:

Cute centerpieces are a must

Squash soup anyone?

While we're on the subject of food.... how about some pie?

I was thinking we'd have some autumn cookies - how about decorating them?

For entertainment, I was thinking we'd do some pumpkin carving.

One last picture that I just love...