October I welcome you...

(sigh) October...this wondrous time of year, when orange scatters the horizon and pumpkin is the popular flavor. I realize not everyone celebrates the first day of October. Maybe it's because of my Birthday in October, which subsequently influenced my love of the Halloween Holiday, or because of my love for cats, even black ones, or the joy of crunchy leaves, (oh wait, I grew up in San Diego, where there is no such thing as seasons and falling leaves, now I am just getting carried away!). Today, my joy increases for the first day of October, let me tell you... I have been craving one of my favorite Korean meals that I was actually introduced to in the states (I tried to go back for more, but the management was changed and this item taken off the menu, hence my tastebud's dying quest to find it somewhere), and strangely hadn't had since coming to Korea and have been looking for just the excuse (it is a little high in price for our currently budget happy mentality). Happily, I found an occasion, October 1st. Oh glorious October 1st, please let me indulge in some Pumpkin Porridge (pronounced Hobak Jook in Korean). Ground up rice, pumpkin, sweet red bean, and "rice balls," (picture pumpkin, cream of wheat style) Hobak Jook, you make my October 1st complete! And who could resist after just one look...

Okay, I realize it doesn't look very appetizing, but I knew it would help you visualize my favorite Korean Meal of all times! I absolutely love pumpkin...pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pudding, pumpkin porridge...you name it! In fact, just for being the loving friend that you are and taking the time to read my post, I will indulge you with my favorite and easiest pumpkin dish: Pumpkin Pudding. 2 cups of pumpkin, 1 instant pudding package, 12 oz can of evaporated milk, pumpkin pie spice and voila this delight can be yours! Whisk pudding package and evap. milk, stir in pumpkin and spice (sometimes I just use Cinnamon and Nutmeg or Allspice if I don't have pumpkin pie spice), put this blessed treat in the refrigerator and prepare for a pumpkin lovers paradise! You may not know it now, but once you prepare this dish, you will realize your life has just been deeply enriched!

While we are on the topic, a perfect pumpkin picture worth posting twice...

And then it was over, another perfect day passed by and soon this month will be over... you know a day has reached perfection when... you forget that weather exists... the air is so perfect you can't even feel it...you are taking pictures of the back of your child's head at a playground...you couldn't help it... the glow of the sunshine is hitting her little curls just so...you are wandering slowly because you finally remembered to enjoy the moment...hold her little hand...let her run wherever she wants to go...

Such a perfect day your heart is aching...if only Winter didn't come after Fall... a lingering sad thought that all days couldn't be this wonderful...and will you remember how perfect Lucy is today? or will you forget...please don't forget...oh please October 1st live on in my memory...