Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal With Crunch Topping

I couldn't let October (Pumtober) end without another pumpkin recipe. This baked pumpkin oatmeal is great for one person or if you're in the sharing mood, there's enough for two. 

It's easy to whip this together, pop in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. It makes for a great fall morning breakfast. 

What Not To Do In a Haunted House...The Night My Nose Fell Off

You're walking down a dark hallway with a lantern flickering in the distance. The sound of screams and squeals deafen in the darkness. The musty smell and cool dampness in the air run shivers down your spine. As you try to find your way around a maze of corners, you grapple with the thought that something gruesome is about to appear or possibly won't appear. This anticipated fear can be a love/hate euphoria feeling when going through a Halloween Haunted House. 

Haunted Houses have always been popular with young and the old. People will actually wait in line just so they can SCREAM! They want the experience of creepy monsters, gory ghouls and evil creatures scaring them silly. 

Also in the lineup, are the protectors, the smug jokesters and the big "fear nothing" tough guys. The event is all for pure entertainment and a celebrated Halloween tradition for some. 

However, in my experience, what's even better than a good scream is, without a doubt, being the one on the reverse side. The one MAKING you scream.  Yep, I was the ugly spook lurking in corners and following behind you in the darkness. 

Women Are Like Fine Wine

Have you ever wondered why some people enter your life when they do? 

For years you’ve shared common places, common experiences and common friends. But, yet, really didn’t know much about each other. 

I took a road trip to Wisconsin as part of a “Women and Wine Weekend” and after 700 miles on the road, touring a vineyard, sampling some interesting wines and soaking in the beautiful scenery, I found that sharing some kooky stories and laughing until you snort, is a guaranteed way to know a whole lot more about women.

The vineyard was at Wollersheim Winery located in Prairie du Sac, WI.  If you think Wisconsin is just about making cheese, you'd be wrong. Things I learned about Wisconsin winemaking.

• You can make wine from harvesting frozen grapes in December, which is called Ice Wine.  It’s an incredibly sweet wine and a bit too rich for my taste buds.

• The first grape vineyard was actually planted on a hillside looking over the Wisconsin River by a Hungarian immigrant, Agoston Haraszthy. After failed attempts due to harsh weather, he went to California in 1840 to develop the state’s first winemaking industry.

• The different fields and the slopes (medium or steep) where grapes are grown determine the type of wine produced.

• Winemaking is a skill mixed with science, tradition and artistry.

Who's Calling?

Have you ever had a prank call?  How about a call that sent your mind into a tizzy?  

One VULGAR message I received inspired this true story.  As a guest writer for Sammiches and Psych Meds the article is featured here Why Caller ID and Voicemail Made Me Paranoid.

Excited that Sammiches and Psych Meds had me as a contributor to their website.  Check out the article and let me know if you've ever experienced paranoia from a phone call.

Put your smile on,

Laurie O

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Pumpkin Smoothie With Apple & Banana

Have you had enough pumpkin yet? Well, of course not, we're just getting started!

Happy October smoothie lovers! If you're not a smoothie lover, but a pumpkin lover - how about you give this smoothie a try just once. 

It's like having a healthier thick and creamy pumpkin pie in a glass. You can blend in a regular blender or NutriBullet. If you like less of this and more of that, then tweak it the way you want to get the flavor you want.