Why Fairies Do Not Like Rainy Days

Fairy houses are cleverly concealed in the woods and built in more sheltered areas. I have heard that fairies prefer to be hidden away from inquisitive human eyes plus they do not like to get wet. I certainly was lucky last week to discover a fairy cottage in the woods by the lake as I was taking fall pictures. With all the rain we have had lately that might explain why I have not even caught a glimpse of a fairy. But I know for a fact they are out and about because I am missing more socks. Actually I now have four pairs of mismatched socks. If you go back to the blog dated: September 6 Determination and Hard Work Pay Off I had written seeing a few sock fairies hurrying along the road carrying bulging leather bags. I suspected those bags held socks. Perhaps these fairies were in a hurry to reach a brick building at the top of a hill. Could this building be some type of sock bank? What do you think this building could be?

I would like to take the time to answer some reader requests. One person would like to know which wines from the first blog I wrote in September would work with some of my recipes.

I would choose a red wine for the Chili recipe (Blog Oct. 2)

Cline Ancient Vine Mourvedie (Italian)

Chianto Classico Riservia (Italian)

Old Vine Red Lot Number 49 (California)

I would choose a white light wine for the Mango-Peach Chicken recipe (Blog Set.16)

Nobilio Sauvigon Blanc 2008 (Australian)

Zeller Schwarze Katz 9 (German)

Pinot Grigio Vento Incanto (Italian)

Another reader was looking for a pumpkin bread recipe. Since today seemed like a good day to bake I experimented with several recipes and will include my final result. But you might be interested to note that I changed a few ingredients from some of the bread recipes I looked at to make it more healthy. Example: Decreased sugar from 3 cups to 2, 3 1/2 cups white flour changed to half white and half whole wheat and cut 1 cup oil back to 3/4 cup and added 3/4 cup chunky cinnamon applesauce. My family really liked the recipe so let me know what you think.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Bake at 350 45-50 minutes or when toothpick comes clean from center

Ingredients:

1 can (15oz) pumpkin puree

4 eggs

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup chunky cinnamon applesauce

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 3/4 cup white flour

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice mix

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

2 cups raisins

grated carrots optional

Directions;

Grease and flour two loaf pans

Beat together puree, eggs, oil, applesauce, sugars, spices till well blended

In a separate bowl whisk flours, salt, baking soda

Stir dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture just till blended, stir in raisins and walnuts

ENJOY