Experimentation.

I am not adventurous in the kitchen.

I stick to recipes with few ingredients and simple directions. I seldom stray from the recipe.

But tonight -- after getting home late from a pilates class (more on that later) -- I thought what the heck. Experiment, I shall.

The plan for dinner was four-cheese wheat tortellini in a package. I had some pumpkin and evaporated milk on hand. I mixed about a 1/2 cup of pumpkin and about a 1/3 cup of evaporated milk (I wasn't measuring, so this explanation could be off), together in a sauce pan over slightly high heat. I added in a tablespoon of olive oil, some garlic and shallots.

Does the combination repulse you? I would agree it might sound odd. But many of the ingredients were in a recipe I had looked at yesterday for ravioli with pumpkin sauce.

The tortellini and pumpkin sauce turned out. And the parmesan and red chili pepper flakes I added on top rounded out the sauce nicely.

On to pilates.

Some of you may know that I applied for a retail position. Not a dream job, but a girl's gotta make money to pay the bills. I will not name the store here. I will only say that it's an athletic apparel store.

I interviewed in a group nearly two weeks ago and was asked to come in for a yoga class this week to meet some of the team members. I decided tonight would be the night. The store was hosting yoga for athletes. And as a yoga virgin, I heard this would be a good starter class.

I showed up at 7 -- only to find out that yoga had been canceled. But I could try pilates -- another first -- instead. There was no way I could say "no thanks" and turn around. I had to make a good impression. And really, what was the difference between trying yoga for the first time and pilates for the first time?

So I stayed. I tried it. I hurt.

Really, it's just as good or even better than pumpkin pie

I may not have been Better Than Pumpkin Pie's biggest cheerleader when I initially wrote about it.

Turns out, the pie gets better with time. The spices come through. And the sweetness isn't as overpowering as it is when the pie first comes out of the oven.

The pie is so good that Ben gobbled up over half of it. With the exception of my initial slice, I only snuck bites in here and there. I baked the pie Friday night, and it was gone by yesterday afternoon. Yummy but oh so naughty.

I encourage you to make the pie for Thanksgiving or Christmas or for a dinner party. We're having it again on Friday night because Ben is inviting friends over for a steak dinner.

Well, I'm off to make pumpkin cupcakes for a dinner party tonight. 'Tis the season. Winter is here early.