la la land

All is nice and calm here today. Problems have not completely been resolved, everyone isn't in the happiest of moods, but I think we're in a good enough place to take a step back and just breathe. Ahhh, life in my very own Lala land.

Did I ever tell you that Lala is my nickname? Well, when I was a baby and trying to call myself by a name, I could not say Danielle nor could I form Daniela (which my family sometimes refers to me as) so "Lala" was born. My parents and my siblings still call me it from time to time :). I never received another nickname until Marie lived with us and she began to call me Dela (the letters make up my initials). Do you have a nickname that stuck?

Anyway, since I am participating in Vegan 4 a Day (hosted by Katy and Michelle), and it's only about 2:30 in the afternoon, I thought I'd save my reflections and meal pictures for tomorrow. Today I'm going to mix it up a little! Hm, maybe I got the nickname Lala for other reasons ;). Thanks to the wonderful Leslie, I've been tagged to partake in the fall-inspired survey. I'm so glad to take part in some autumn fun, it's one of my favorite seasons.

1. Favorite variety of apple? Honeycrisp.

2. Apples dipped in? Pumpkin butter.

3. Favorite way to enjoy pumpkin?  First thing in the morning with pumpkin oats!

4. Favorite soup? with crackers or bread? Any squash soup with bread (like focaccia).

5. Do you eat orange foods all year round? Of course I do! Carrots take me through every season.

6. Most used spice in your autumn cooking: Cinnamon, it's a chilly-weather comfort spice. 

7. You are baking some homemade bread, what flavor combination of bread would you like to make? Mmm, I'd most likely whip up a banana walnut bread, it's my favorite.

8. Favorite autumn vegetables and ways to eat it? Recently discovered my love of kabocha squash served roasted and stuffed. Check out my recipe!

9. Hot chocolate, hot cider, coffee or tea? Oh, all four! Green tea upon waking, coffee as an afternoon pick me-up, hot cider on special autumnal occasions, and hot chocolate while wrapped in a blanket in front of an evening fire. Warm perfection.

10. Favorite seasonal dessert? My mom's apple pie, hot from the oven, with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I cannot wait for Thanksgiving!

11. Lets make a fall stew! Pick any 6 ingredients to create your own: French green lentils, kale, cremini mushrooms, carrots, dill and sweet paprika. I really should try to make this happen! 

12. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts or almonds to snack on? Always almonds, simple yet satisfying.

13. Popcorn flavor/seasoning? Oddly enough, I'm not a popcorn fan. Plain?

14. Bowl of hot cereal you have been wanting to try:  Asian Fusion Oatmeal from HEAB, I have yet to take the savory oats plunge.

15. Post a link to a recipe that you recently bookmarked. I'm planning a little trip to Thailand with Red Curry with Vegetables. Happy Thursday :) I'm passing this along to the beautiful GC.