tonight i am having a party!  what could be better than a gathering of my closest friends for a potluck dinner, lots of wine, and pumpkin carving?

so in preparation i've been scrubbing my kitchen all morning.  it now looks better than i did than when i moved in (well - it will look that good momentarily, after i finish this wine and blog break)  i was lacking wine glasses, but after a trip to the SPCA this morning i now own 6 delightfully gaudy green wine glasses - only a dollar each!  they have gold around the lip and i giggle every time i see them.  so wonderful!

but yes, tonight.  party.  i'm putting ravioli and vodka sauce in the slow cooker to simmer for a few hours, and later i'll be baking this:

(courtesy of smitten kitchen)

pumpkin bread pudding!  nothing has sounded so decadent in a very long time.  i can't wait to have my house fill up with fall smells and to devour this with lots and lots of whipped cream.