Fall Fun Weekend
In spite of the very warm and sunny weather this weekend that is more typical of early summer than mid-autumn I had a characteristically fall weekend filled with fallen leaves, pumpkin picking, beer and baking.
I was extremely excited when I came across this at the LCBO on Saturday:
Pumpkin Ale! Last weekend they were all sold out and told me they wouldn’t be getting any more in stock. I was so excited when I saw this one that I dished out $9 of Matt’s money for a bottle just to try it.
And it sucked.
One sip and I was done with it. It was too strong, too bitter, too hoppy. I was expected something more like a pumpkin lambic. This beer was an utter failure and unfortunately most of it ended up down the drain.
On a brighter note, Matt and I also went to pick out some pumpkins from Mr Goodlawn for decoration/eating. I had never been to their farm before (which is owned by a friend of ours) so I was really impressed by the awesome Hallowe’en set-up they have going on there with haunted houses, creepy props, and tonnes of pumpkins. I can’t believe I forgot my camera! I took a few pictures of the pumpkins on the stoop.
Let’s just call the dead leaves on my porch ‘festive’.
The green one is apparently the best for cooking so once Hallowe’en is over I’ll have to come up with something really creative to make with it (and by really creative, I mean pumpkin pie).
And speaking of baking. . .
My Nonna’s birthday is tomorrow. She will be 87 years young and she’s still going strong. What do you get for an 87 year old who has everything? Panettone.
I spent Saturday baking this beauty as her present:
Yes ladies and gents that beauty is straight from the Menzies’ oven (and onto the Menzies porch)
For anyone who doesn’t know what panettone is I feel bad for you. It’s my favourite festive bread (yeast cake? coffee cake? loaf of deliciousness?) . It’s a sweet bread that originated in Milan and is eaten by Italians primarily at Christmas time. It’s made with butter and eggs and a touch of sugar and is filled with orange-peel and raisins that have been soaked in rum. It’s as good as it sounds.
With the success of this bread I think I’m going to be making a lot more loaves for the Christmas holidays coming up.
Nonna certainly liked it.
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- e-mail: samanthaamenzies@gmail.com
- Samantha Menzies is an opinionated young firecracker who just happens to enjoy distracting web surfers with chronicles of her mildly entertaining daily pursuits.
I cant believe you baked a panettone! I absolutely love them around Christmas time, but have always shelled out money to bakeries.
It’s always a bummer when you look forward to something and it ends up bombing like that beer did for you. :/ It *sounded* good at least!
I have never tried panettone! I need some stat
Sucks about the pumpkin ale. I got excited just seeing that photo!
I love your Nonna. She’s the cutest/funniest lady ever. I still remember the advice she doled out to you in high school.
Yeah…I’ve heard mixed opinions on pumpkin ale…some ppl love it, while some ppl hate it. I’m not gonna try it since I don’t like alcoholic drinks, but my housemate, a beer snob, turns his nose up on “unpurist” drinks like that!
Too bad the pumpkin ale didn’t turn out great for you.
I really wanted to try it out too but hearing your thoughts, maybe I’ll hold back…
uh oh. I’ve never tried panettone. I guess I have a foodie mission now…
Sorry that the pumpkin ale didn’t live up to its expectations! Have you tried Dogfish’s pumpkin ale? I love it.
The panettone is adorable!! I’ve never even heard of it, but after seeing it, I would love to try it.
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Your bread looks delicious! I’ve seen them before but I’ve never made one — anything soaked in rum sounds delicious to me!
Too bad about the pumpkin ale — I tried the Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale (or something like that) and it was really good — not super pumpkiny and tasted smooth to me.
Aww what a sweet lady! I am sorry your pumpkin ale sucked. Don’t ya just hate that? I always make the hubby get one first before I try it ha
Happy Birthday to your Nonna! Did she enjoy it out on the porch, too?
I remember once when Peter and I were in Maine, we felt we had to try the local special – blueberry beer. Well, it was AWFUL. Never again.
Oh my gosh- how cute is your Nonna? What a fabulous treat too- looks tasty. Hooray for pumpkin time. I’ve never made a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin. I really want to try it.
That pic of your Nona is adorable
That photo makes me miss my grandmothers. What a beautiful smile!
That cake looks tasty. Is it sorta like a fruit cake but lighter?
I had never heard of panettone before but you made me want to try it so bad. I think I need a trip to Italy
i said i was going to make a yeasted baked good in october and haven’t done it yet. i get so intimidated by yeast and wuss out of trying
any tips to share with me?
Your Nonna is SO cute! Happy birthday to her! I’ve never heard of Panettone. What’s your recipe for?
I’ve never had panettone
Feel bad for me would ya?
Now I’m really curious and want to try it.
I had no idea panettone even existed before this post. Looks like your Nonna really enjoyed it!
That is one good-looking loaf of bread! Whoa. Don’t you just LOVE baking bread? It’s one of the most therapeutic and relaxing hobbies I have.
Awe….cute cute cute! She looks thrilled!
is that pan dulce? woooo!!! that’s what we have in new year in aRgentina! They’re delicious!!!
I’ve had a couple of good pumpkin ales, and then I had a really bad one last weekend. The bad one tasted like cinnamon water (and not pumpkin). Hope you’ll post the pumpkin pie when you bake it!
Glad to hear your thoughts on Pumpking. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m on the lookout for my favorite pumpkin ale. So far I’ve tried Dogfish Head’s – too bitter for my taste, and Kennebunkport’s – not flavorful.
If you find a good one, please let me know. I may have to stick to local ciders instead. (Love them!)