In our house, Bluey, the Disney Cartoon, is a huge favorite. Honestly, I think it was written for adults. Brilliantly written. Each episode is 7 minutes long and it always ends in me either sobbing like a baby or choking back tears so my kids don’t hear me sobbing like a baby. There is this beautiful bond between a family of Australian Blue Healers. Mum, Dad, Bingo, and Bluey. There isn’t an episode where the Mum and Dad don’t play with their kiddos. EVER. Even the neighbors get in on it. And every time I watch it I think to myself, why am I not more like them?? Why am I not more present? Why can’t I just drop everything I’m doing and play pretend. All day long.
One of my favorite episodes is called Asparagus. In the episode, they are sitting around the dinner table eating and at some point, the Asparagus they are eating for dinner has now turned into a magic wand… and whomever has the wand has the power of turning everyone into another animal. At some point the Mum is a donkey and switches to a chicken and the Dad is an Elephant or a Goat. Bingo is a pig. And the whole family is on all fours… I love this episode!! There is always a lesson at the end of each Bluey. Teaching us about community. Farts and fighting happen, sleeping and dreaming, laughter and tears explode out of these unique episodes. The lesson of life and how it should ALWAYS be fun.
Speaking of FUN!!! It’s almost fall here in the Pacific Northwest. The mornings are becoming crisp and cool and the sun goes down a little extra earlier at night. Pears are beyond fruitful in our yard… so much so that I would like to share with you a Pear Butter Recipe that I have been so excited about. A crock pot MUST. Please please make this recipe!!!!
SLOW COOKER SPICED PEAR BUTTER
· 12 medium pears, peeled, cored, & chopped
· 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
· 1 cup apple juice
· 2 whole cinnamon sticks
· 1/2 tsp nutmeg
· 1/2 tsp ginger
· 1/2 tsp cardamom
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Toss the chopped pears in the slow cooker. Then pour in the apple juice. Dump in the brown sugar and the ground spices and then stir to mix. Add your cinnamon sticks to the mixture.
2. Turn your slow cooker on low and cook for 6-8 hours. Every hour or so, stir the mixture to make sure the cinnamon is getting mixed in well.
3. Remove the cinnamon sticks and then ladle about half of the cooked down pears to a blender. Blend until smooth. Mix back into the slow cooker with the remaining cooked down pears and spices. If you prefer a completely smooth pear butter, puree it all in batches in a blender or food processor. **Note- please make sure to let the pears cool slightly in the blender before placing the lid on and blending. The heat from the pears will cause the lid of the blender to get vacuum sealed on if you try to blend them before they have cooled somewhat.
4. You can choose to can your spiced pear butter or refrigerate it and use within 2-3 weeks. I typically do not can this as it makes a small batch, and it almost always gone within two weeks in my house.
5. Enjoy!
As I age in life, I’ve realized that I’ve missed out on what could have been the most magical moments. Mainly because I was too worried, too busy, or too distracted from life’s chaotic treasures. One of the lessons from the many Bluey episodes on rerun in our house. The song I want to pair this lovely deep fall recipe with you is from another Bluey favorite called The Creek. Where the dad takes Bluey and Bingo to the park and they get bored… so he walks them down to a creek. A place Dad knows well from his childhood… Bluey and Bingo find it boring at the beginning of this adventure and has no interest in being there. And then something changes. Something magical happens at the creek… and this is the Song they play. Creek is Beautiful. XO
I’m obviously trying to lure my audience to watch this incredible cartoon. Whether you have children or not, it’s just a beautiful show about life. With kids. Life with challenges. And how you tackle those challenges with a really simple perspective. Just be. Just be present. In all that you do. And don’t forget to laugh and cry and love deeply and play pretend along the way. Happy Fall Ya'll. More to come!