Buy a Pie!

Dear blog readers,


Nothing says "thank you" for all the blessings in our lives more than helping those less fortunate.
This Thanksgiving season, please consider joining me in the effort to raise money for those impacted by HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses in our area.

One of the places where I volunteer is Food and Friends, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization in Washington, D.C. that since 1988 prepares, packages and delivers meals and groceries to more than 1,400 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses throughout Washington, DC, 7 counties of Maryland and 7 counties and 6 independent cities in Virginia.


This fall, I am helping them raise money for their upcoming season by inviting YOU to participate in an exciting event -- SLICE OF LIFE.

By purchasing YOUR Thanksgiving pies from Food and Friends, you will directly impact the lives of children and adults that rely on Food and Friends. Your choices are:

-Picture Perfect Pumpkin Pie, Oh So Sweet Potato Pie OR Harvest Apple Crumb Pie for $25, or
-Southern Pecan Pie OR Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake for $35.


PURCHASE YOUR PIES TODAY AT WWW.FOODANDFRIENDS.ORG/PIE AND DELIVER HOPE, ONE PIE AT A TIME!


It's easy:

• Click on link above
• Select Buy a Pie
• Select Buy From a Sales Team or Pie Seller
• Select my team: Burketts and Friends Love Pies and help me reach and exceed my goal!
• Choose a close pick-up location
• Pick up on Nov. 24th and ENJOY!


• OR - Just click here.

Other Details:

• All purchased pies will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 24th at either Food & Friends' facility or one of 14 CVS locations.


• When you purchase pies for you and your family, you will also have the chance to buy pies for Food & Friends' clients. You'll receive one entry into a drawing for a pair of round-trip airline tickets when you buy a client pie.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and please feel free to forward this request to other family members and friends!

A New Take on Salsa!!

Many of you know that Jason and I grew a mini-garden in our neighborhood this year (and last year). We planted 3 tomato plants, 1 green pepper plant, one hot pepper plant, Romanian herbs and a cucumber plant. I am proud to say we did not buy tomatoes, cucumbers or green peppers all summer. It has been a fruitful garden.

Yesterday I went to check on it and clean it up after three days of crazy rain and low temperatures. I expected to see them all dead - it is the end of the season after all. The cucumber and pepper plants were done, but to my surprise our nutty tomato plants will NOT give up! We have about 4 pounds of green tomatoes still on the vines. Now, I am not delusional to believe these will actually ripen. So, I have figured out a way to put them to good use. I will let you know how these taste in a few days.

Tonight: green tomato salsa with onions, hot peppers, lemon juice and cilantro

Tomorrow night: fried green tomatoes Paula Dean style

Here's to a great harvest!

House Projects

House projects are our thing (and the "thing" of a bunch of our friends , in fact!). Better said - I come up with an idea for a project and Jason, the awesome handyman, gets his skilled hands dirty executing the project. I provide moral support, meals and encouragement.

This year we put in crown molding in our townhouse, built a gate for our patio, and tiled our guest bathroom. So what's next before the end of 2009? If I am really nice, we will continue boosting the U.S. economy by installing new lighting in our kitchen (whoever renovated those townhouses knew NOTHING about a woman's lighting needs in her kitchen...or the rest of the house for that matter). Maybe even get some new countertops and an island. Who knows? Maybe Santa will be generous this year:).

Wheather or not these things will get done, I already feel truly fortunate to look around our home and see all these things that came out of my husband's hands. So here's to you, Jason!

Ode to Fall

Fall is my favorite time of year. It didn't use to be the case when I was growing up because I hate rain. But putting rain aside, since living in the States I have learned to embrace and love fall.

I love football season with its heartbreaks (mostly because Jason and I are Redskins fans. enough said!), tailgaiting parties, gatherings of friends, snacks and beer.

I love the crisp morning air.

I love beautiful fall leaves and fall hikes when you can admire them.

I love all things pumpkin: lattes, pies, cakes, seeds.

I love a lot of people who were born during fall months. Recently added to this list is Catalin and Beth's beautiful baby girl Camelia, who was born Oct. 6th.

So welcome fall - please stay awhile!