shocktober.

It's October--hooray! I'm going to spare you the excuses from this current absence--recovering from cancer, crippled dog who possibly needed surgery (and thankgodfully didn't), work madness--I've got them all. Instead, let's focus on what makes us happy right now--it's fall, even here in Los Angeles.

It's been fun watching all the decorations go up in the neighborhood, and kind of...

...scary!

This weekend, I made a curried pumpkin soup, and it was awesome. I put it together from a few different recipes and added my own spin. What's great is that I think this would work with any pureed-type soup--butternut squash, cauliflower, etc.

I just smashed up garlic, ginger and jalapenos, added the pumpkin puree, coconut milk and some vegetable broth, a few generous dollops of curry paste and seasoned it with curry powder, tumeric, coriander and a touch of cumin (I always use this sparingly). I ladled it over brown rice (quinoa or forbidden rice would work, too) and garnished with sour cream, pumpkin seeds and tortilla chips. Good, healthy stuff.

I know--I'm not really a food blogger, but sometimes I dream of being one, so indulge me here.

Unfortunately I didn't get back to my friend Lisa in time to snag a free ticket for the opening Jacaranda Music Series concert. Sad, because my favorite Lyris Quartet was performing. On the bright side, there will be more Jacaranda concerts to come, and Lisa offered me a ticked for the L.A. Opera next weekend! Dido and Aeneas/Bluebeard's Castle--so excited.

The very photogenic Lyris Quartet

Went to the Farmer's Market at Fairfax and Third, like I do most Sundays. I love the beautiful painting of it below, which was part of a recent art exhibit I attended. The show celebrated the book launch of 100 Not So Famous Views of L.A. by local artist and printmaker Barbara Thomason.

Artwork via Barbara A. Thomason.

Here is one more painting from the book. Of course, we're all familiar with the giant chicken man in Highland Park.

Artwork via Barbara A. Thomason.

 
After the Farmer's Market, I was excited to to attend the Academy Costume Exhibit at what will soon be the new Academy Museum. My friend Susan is a member and scored us some VIP tickets.

At top right: three of Edith Head's eight Oscars.

It was a fascinating (and exhaustive) look at Hollywood history through the lens of the costume designer. Having lived in L.A. for over fifteen years now, in such close proximity to the entertainment industry, there's very little of the "magic of Hollywood" that leaves me awestruck. This exhibit did. The sheer scope of the show (much like the Kubrick retrospective) is overwhelming. If you're reading this, and you're in the L.A. area, it is a must-see.

The many cinematic gowns of Queen Elizabeth. Photo via 

AP/Miami Herald (there was no photography allowed).

And of course, the best part of the year--along with the dropping temperatures, the addition of flannel PJ pants, the longer nights--is the crazy good sunsets.

Lots of fun stuff planned next weekend, too, so stay tuned for more! xoL