BEFORE THE COLD SETS IN - PUTTING THE "SUMMER" CLOTHING AWAY

The turn of the seasons is upon us, but in Southern California we are always braced for a last heat wave in October. Still, maybe it's just tradition, but even in a hot climate - and ours has been one "heat wave" after another - it's a good thing to give some of your clothing a rest for a few months before wearing  them again. 


End of the season clearance sales often feature the colors and thinner materials of spring and summer, whites and pastels. Then, though I can't imagine who buys these clothes other than perhaps people who are going to be traveling for work or to visit family in colder climates, the stores put out fall and winter wear that we probably won't wear but a few times, if and when the temperature goes down to about fifty.  An evening of about 50 degrees and some wind might bring us to freezing, and then we have to watch for the fine layer of ice that is on the pavement and cement from the automatic water sprinklers so that we don't fall.  It's rare.


A few years ago we did have a cold and damp winter, one that required that you put the electric heater on in the bathroom for fifteen minutes before you took a shower in the morning.  However, once fully dressed, sweater or light jacket and all, I would go outside and it was too hot to wear the same clothes I wore indoors; layering is essential.


The best thing about such evenings and nights is that some home owners who have fire places go ahead and build themselves a fire that they can enjoy, the wonderful sound of cracking wood and the wonderful smell, which wafts around the neighborhoods.


I was out here for years before I had the occasion to actually wear a wool coat that I had in my closet, and that was Christmas Eve, when I went to an old Spanish Mission for Midnight Mass.


Boots are often sold here, but the women who put on socks or stockings and wear the boots must be mad for fashion and be able to stand sweltering feet!  All shoes including sports shoes made of "man made fibers" hold the heat and so even with powders, socks, and charcoal inserts, such shoes can soon stink!


I have a sweater cloak that I wear in the early mornings when I take my dog out for a walk.  I also put a sweater on her.  But I'm still wearing sandals.


The best reason to put your spring and summer clothes away is that when you pull them back out in the spring, which is March here, they will seem to be a good change and somewhat new because you haven't seen them or worn them in a few months.


I try everything on and if there is something I no longer want to wear, I give it away, usually to the local hospital.


Whatever -  have a glass of wine, pull out your pumpkin recipes, and relax!



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SLOW COOKING AMERICAN VERSIONS OF HUNGARIAN INSPIRED FOOD!

SLOW COOKERS, previously known as CROCK POTS, are increasingly popular these days.  It's so easy to throw your ingredients in, set a temperature (high or low) and timer (6-8-10 hours) and go off to work or shopping, come home hours later to a ready meal, with the house smelling of wonderful cooked food. 

Hey, my dog loves it.  On days when I slow cook, upon arriving back home, she doesn't just leap up to say hello to me and wag her tail, she almost attaches herself to my ankle as I go from room to room, making sure that I don't forget about her when it's time to eat.  And I do give her a small portion of the meat or vegetables that were cooked.  It wouldn't be fair to torture her!

Now there are so very many recipes on the Internet and in cookbooks that I'm not going to give recipes here.  I'm just going to tell you about some of my versions of Hungarian food, call it Hungarian-American food, that I've been successful with.  Some of this may make you laugh!

Trader Joe's, a chain store, has a spice called 24 Seasonings Salute, and I swear by it.  It is the only prepared mix of spices I use.  According to their web site, "Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute is a smooth blend of onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne pepper, parsley, basil, marjoram, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, cumin, mustard, coriander, garlic, carrot, orange peel, tomato, lemon juice and lemon oil. Leave the other spices out and add 21 Seasoning Salute to a vinaigrette, sprinkle some on burgers, steaks, or chicken, before you cook them, or add a dash (or several) to soups, sauces, dips, and even scrambled eggs. Need a quick breakfast idea? Mash a scoop of avocado atop a slice of toast, and sprinkle 21 Seasoning Salute atop the avocado. It's always a good idea to sprinkle the blend into your palm first, and then break up the spices with your fingertips to release their essential oils, delivering the best of all the components. We're selling each 2.2 ounce jar for $1.99, every day."

Remember when you load your crockpot that the heat rises inside of it and so the meat should go ON TOP of all your veggies.  Also, how thick you should cut a carrot or potato, and other veggies, may also be about how long you plan to cook.  So the longer you'll be gone, the thicker the cut.

TRY THESE COMBINATIONS!

Carrots, onions, sour kraut, pork or beef, and (in the last hour of cooking put on top) egg dumplings with caraway or mustard seeds made by mixing flour, sea salt, seeds, and egg.

Kidney beans, Black Beans, and White Beans, green beans, chicken, and tomato.

Mix oatmeal and flour and sugar or brown sugar.  Throw some in the pot.  Add cut apples.  Or Apricots. Or Pears. Throw some more dry mixture on and around the fruits.  Cook on a low setting.  Serve hot over vanilla ice-cream or yogurt.