october into november

 Saturday was the last farmer's market for the season (that we'll be able to walk to, anyway). I've never seen leaves still on the peppers, as here:

 Happy apple (in a shirt and tie!)

Cute terrier sporting a Halloween scarf:

We went back to Old Town Leesburg to explore some more--stopping this time for a late breakfast at the Leesburg Restaurant, in business since the mid 19th century. In the present, it features charmingly worn 1930's details throughout:

Tasty veggie omelet with zucchini and peppers and home fries....

Many colorful flowers in bloom, even as we enter November:

A white picket fence festooned with vibrant morning glories:

Delicate pink camellia

Lots of nostalgic pleasure to be found in a rambling antique shop with endless rooms to explore...

Copper terrier cookie cutters...hmmm, bento inspiration!

A nifty 1930's cookbook

Vintage kawaii--a hand embroidered ladybug with umbrella!

A plump guy...

Today's bento was inspired by this cute nibbler...a squirrel shaped pastry filled with spiced kabocha squash.  Broccoli, chanterelle and baby bella mushrooms, market greens and a lady apple also for lunch.

Have a great week!

halloween kitten bento

Hi bento pals! A quick post for today with a bento of farmer's market greens, edible flowers, tangy green tomatoes and in keeping with Halloween, a tiny nori kitten peeking out from behind a baby yellow pepper! Her pink nose is pickled ginger.

Rounding out lunch: teriyaki saury, asparagus and maple-cut polenta...

A cute hand painted Halloween pumpkin seen at the farmer's market

Our crepe myrtle turned electrically bright in the last few days and has started to drop its vibrant leaves...

I've been enjoying all the cute and spooky holiday bentos this week...Happy Halloween!

savoring late october

Hi bento pals! This was a weekend of savory, foliage-bright food and fun. As is my custom, Saturday morning included a walk to the farmer's market...

Some market selections, back home

We spent Saturday afternoon making some nice appetizers to bring to a get-together that evening. One was a decadent squash, Gruyere and cream casserole, from a recipe I heartily recommend! Everyone seemed to enjoy this combination of rich and savory tastes.

Here's the butternut squash before being layered with cheese and cream:

Fresh from the oven...comfort food indeed

Today was warm and clear, a perfect day for ambling around outside and exploring. We visited Old Town Leesburg to try a Cajun restaurant recommended by friends.

Housed in a charming old building, The Cajun Experience serves up hearty homestyle fare...

A starter of crispy crawfish

Jamison's savory seafood gumbo

The Oyster Po' Boy was really delish

 This meal has me inspired to pore over my Cajun/Creole cookbooks!

Jamison's capture of a crow-filled tree, observed from our table in the courtyard

An 18th century stone building just up the street from the restaurant

Many antiques shops line the streets of this cute town, plus a bounty of cafes I'll want to explore when the weather turns cold...

I think I'll need to return to a sweet boutique of imported French items for this "Brown Bear" honey:

Tomorrow's bento features a variety of colorful and autumn-spiced foods. A purple pepper is filled with sauteed mushrooms, garlic, shallots, parsley and bread crumbs and keeps company with bright pomegranate seeds. In the upper right section, chicken in spicy red pepper-eggplant sauce with Greek yogurt, topped with dill and little butternut squash decorations.

Red stemmed spinach, walnuts, radish and baby marigold in the big section, to be dressed later with walnut oil for extra fall flavor...