Let's start with dessert! Pumpkin Parfait

I came up with this light and airy "parfait" for New Year's eve. I'll post info on the innnnn-gredddd-able! dinner we enjoyed before this dessert later this week. 

Disclaimer: I rarely really measure anything, especially if I'm not baking. 'Round these parts I'm considered a "Recipe Pirate" (catch the Chowder cartoon reference? Good!)

Ok, as I mentioned Mr. VCA (aka Santa) gifted me a brandy new (my first) Vitamix this year and I've used it just about everyday since it was unwrapped. I bet this would work with a regular ol' blender or even a hand whisk/beater as well.

*about a 1/3 can of pureed pumpkin (wish I had more and will use at least a half can next time). Think the can was 15 oz.
*about a 1/2 can of full fat coconut milk (the rest of the can went into a fabu cocktail to be discussed at some other time)
*a bunch of powdered cinnamon
*some good quality all spice
*good amount of powdered sugar
*few dashes of table salt
*a bit of ground nutmeg

Whizzed the heck out of these ingredients, tasted, amended, whizzed again then scraped it into two glasses. Then I put them out on the porch for a while to chill up. The action of the Vitamix warms this up which might be nice too, but I was going for a chilled dessert. Then:

*topped with Ghiradelli bittersweet (I think) chocolate chips. Look at the packages in the market...use the one with no dairy/milk fat. I really like this brand. Usually less than $4.50 per bag.

It was super yum! And not that terrible a dessert health wise, right? Ok, sugar, full fat coconut milk...whatever ;)

I am really happy with how light it came out. Would be a great topping (sort of like cool whip but a lot better) for a cake!

How will you play with this recipe?

...a year later....

Well, we've been busy...

And SOOOO happy living in the country! One of my hopes in the new year is to recharge this blog and keep journal-ing this adventure. We've learned A LOT and have tons and tons more to learn. I've had some success in the garden and some sad disappointments.

We've made, remade and remade again the rabbit hutches. Santa brought me a Vitamix this past Christmas so our kitchen activities are off-da-hook! But... we're still living with a dorm sized fridge so we've had to compensate by using our "white trash" porch cooler system.
I've started a new fashion design biz with an artist in Ithaca called
Amelia Filomena Adorn and  just recently began working at our local library (and I LOVE it!). I am still working on growing my photography biz and have had the honor of working with some of the areas best artists, helping them to promote their 2 and 3 dimensional works.

So, welcome back and thanks for reading! Would love to hear from you in the comments section...especially gardening tips and vegan recipes.

xoxox
Mrs. & Mr. VCA

Spring Time Ruka

First Real Snow + Cobbler Memories

So our first "real" snow of the season has fallen. Ruka Dog is loving it and we've moved the rabbit troup to the wee cabin for safe sleeping.

Note Ruka, bottom left, keeping the grounds secure :) Good dog!

Here's a photo from this past summer. We love cooking on the fire and "cabin cobbler" is a family favorite. I open a can of fruit (peaches), drain the liquid into a bowl, toss in some vegan choco chips and make a batter with the fruit liquid and what ever I have on hand (flour, backing powder, sugar, salt). Throw it on the fire and viola! (like the flower), you've got cobbler! CAUTION: it's hot! Be careful with it!