A day at the farm

Hello from sunny Southern California! 

It's currently 83 sunny, breezy degrees here and p-e-r-f-e-c-t autumn weather. 

Go ahead and hate me now ( I would too).

We wanted to give Sal a break from our on-the-go shopping/visiting/appointment schedule and do something just for him. A few years back when my friends Liz and John visited, we took them to Underwood farms and their daughter really liked it so I have been looking forward to taking Sal. 

Today was the day.

He was slow to warm up, but quickly fell in love with the animals and really really enjoyed feeding them carrots with his dad. He especially liked when the sheep would "baaaaa" and the pygmy goats would use their horns to knock on the feed chute to ask for more. We tried to get him to ride the miniature horses but he wasn't having it. He stuck his lower lip out and started doing his "how-can-you-do-this-to-me"?! face so we backed off and opted for the train ride instead.

 There were play structures and hay bales and tractor slides....and we did them all. On our way out, Sal got to select his very own pumpkin. He tried to pick it up himself but still needed some back-up from dad. He picked a winner!

Sweaters & socks

Fall has arrived in China.

 

Thank goodness!

That summer heat was NO joke.

Sweltering, I tell ya.

I whole heartedly welcome the cooler, slightly crisp mornings we've been having. In fact, I've even started running with Sal after NZ leaves for the office. I use the term "running" loosely..it's more of a run, jog, speed walk, gasp for air, flail my arms kind of outing..but I do it, and that's all that matters, right? I suit up in Capri leggings and a short sleeve T, and Sal usually sports a long sleeve onesie and some athletic pants. Perfect for the weather.

It's quickly become apparent to me, that Sal and I (and some of our expat friends) are the only ones who find this weather enjoyable.

Looking at any Chinese out and about, it's obvious they believe otherwise.

We're talking winter coats on adults, children in layers upon layers, and babies dressed up in fleece suits and covered with blankets.

Clearly, it's cold in their eyes.

So, as with anything here that's different, or out of the norm, we get stared at on our daily run. I get stares, glares, and even yelled at.

Why are they yelling at me?

Because Sal needs a sweater.

Yes, I've been flagged down more than once to be reprimanded for my child a) not wearing socks, and b) not wearing a jacket.

People, we're talking high 60's, low 70's here.

Not cold. Comfortable.

I usually charade back and forth ( or just keep running) that he is okay. He's not cold ( the sweaty nape of his neck seems to be sufficient evidence-my kid's a furnace), he's not going to get sick ( Chinese culture believes that cold weather makes one catch colds), and we're just fine without the unsolicited advice.

Most of the time I let the looks of disgust roll of my back, but every so often it really gets to me. I have to remind myself that this is just a cultural difference between us and them...and that neither way is wrong. Just different.

I can't wait to see what happens when true winter rolls around. I picture little Chinese boys and girls wobling around like the kid in "A Christmas Story", barely able to move in his/her snowsuit..all the while, we finally cave in and put sweaters on.

Cause you know, we don't want to catch a cold or anything.

Apple Slab

Ahhh, fall.

I love you.

..and your apples.

I decided I needed to make our house smell fall-ish by baking something...

...with apples..

I have had a King Arthur Apple Slab Recipe "pinned" ( Have I mentioned I might have a little pinterest problem?? Uhm, yeah--love that site!) for about a month now, and I would start my fall baking extra-curriculars with this delicious looking dessert.

There are so many great apple varieties out there.. I went with granny smiths (plus they were on sale for 49 cents/ lb at Sprouts) for this project because I love the

tartness of them.

Pictured below: Apple slices layered over pastry crust ( store bought, I cheated) and panko crumbs, then covered in a sugar cinnamon mixture.

Next step, cover with top layer of pastry crust and pierce top randomly to let steam escape.

Bake.

Drizzle maple or apple cider glaze while still warm.

Slice and serve.

Welcome Fall!