Pumpkins and Cubanos

More pumpkin play. I intended to decorate tables and mantels throughout my house with all of my thrift shop finds and pumpkins. However, with Teddy not being allowed to use the stairs, I had to block them off. Every time I go upstairs, I have to crawl over a big stuffed chair which would really make it difficult to carry all of this stuff into the house to decorate. So, I am just using the stone table outside to set up displays.


This dragon was a funky blue color when I bought it.


Painted black it becomes a cool Halloween decoration.


This bowl and both vases were originally white. Painted mat black they look rather elegant.


The birds nest that fell out of the tree last summer now snuggles a small pumpkin.



I bought this scale at a thrift shop too. I've gone through a lot of black paint!


I like the contrast between the formal gold pillars and candlesticks and the earthy pumpkins.


This old metal mirror was another thrift shop find which I painted.





Have you ever eaten a Cubano sandwich? If you are a fan of the tv show "Dexter" you will know it is his favorite sandwich. They are very popular in the south especially in the Miami area and also, of course, in Cuba.



They are made on a special bread which I can not buy so I make it myself.


Plus, everything tastes better on homemade bread.


This type of pickle works best.


I also roast my own pork. This looks really disgusting but it was very tasty.


I forgot to take a picture of it but you need a really good ham. I used Black Forest ham. These sandwiches use a lot of meat so don't skimp. Slice the roll in half and layer ham, cheese, pickles, more cheese (always use Swiss cheese).....


and sliced pork.


Also, spread yellow mustard on the roll.


Assemble the sandwich and spread the entire roll with butter. No one said these were low-cal sandwiches!


Place them on a griddle or panini press.


I use a grill pan with a weighted top. Grill over medium heat pressing down to flatten them.


Here is the finished sandwich. The cheese should be melted and the crust will be crunchy. YUM!!!



*Halloween Memories: Unlike today's trick or treat practice, we always waited until it got dark to start knocking on doors. We carried flashlight so we could see where we were going. All the houses had their Jack O'Lanterns lighted and their plastic pumpkins were glowing. It all added to the mystery of Halloween.