Rainy days

When I left the house at 5:54 a.m., a very light rain misted the windshield. By the time I got off the bus just over half an hour later, I needed to use the umbrella for the quick, quarter of a block walk to our building. It's been raining all day, the mostly gentle, soaking rain that we really need.

It's pretty cool, as well - only sixty-three degrees at the moment. I love cool, rainy autumn evenings. While some people would close the windows, I prefer to drag out one of the quilts that have been sitting forlorn on the shelf since April, and curl up on the couch. It's almost - but maybe not quite - cool enough to think about making a cup of hot chocolate.

A dear friend is coming to dinner Saturday, after we spend part of the afternoon wandering a local craft fair. Because of the change in the weather, my thoughts have drifted to autumn-like foods. That's the only explanation for the menu plan:

Maple-brined pork tenderloin with a maple/mustard crust and apples
Cheesy scalloped potatoes
Steamed carrots with honey glaze
Steamed broccoli
Caramel Apple Pie Trifle

It's easier than it looks. The tenderloin is soaked in a saltwater, maple syrup and spice brine for about four hours (the longer, the better), then coated with a mix of maple syrup and dijon mustard prior to baking. The potatoes cook at the same temperature as the roast, but for just a bit longer. That particular recipe I can make in my sleep; you really can't mess it up. Veggies are simple (mix melted butter and honey for the glaze for the carrots). The trifle...this particular friend brought the trifle bowl to the joint rummage we had. It left the rummage with me. This is a new-to-me recipe involving yellow cake, vanilla pudding with apple pie spice added, roasted pecans, cool whip, caramel ice cream topping and apple pie filling. It sounds scrumptious - and not too difficult to make. I'm only making half a recipe, but will still use the big bowl.

The weather is supposed to remain suitably fall-like: high of seventy-two, cloudy and a bit of drizzle. Dinner should be around six on Saturday; you're welcome to drop in if you are in the neighborhood. There will be plenty of food and quilts to hand around.