Fall? Python.

To me this is incredible, it’s early August, not even September and there are stacks of leaves on the ground everywhere. I don’t know if the trees are shedding because of the lousy weather we have been having, not a naturalist, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this were so. Maybe they think winter is coming. Rain may have something to do with it as well I suppose, we certainly have had lots of that.

Yesterday I read that the Pet Shop owner who’s python killed the two little boys, didn’t have a permit to run the pet store in the first place. Not only that the authorities have searched the place and come across 15 illegal critters, reptiles I assume, which at least they are going to place with zoos and so on. Boy that man is in trouble. Reading some more of the story  HERE it seems to imply that this wasn’t totally his fault. Someone mentioned the alligators in the Florida swamps, this is what the pythons do to them. They say do not handle these on your own or try to feed them alone. Advice I would certainly take. Anything give you the idea I am fascinated by these snakes? Not a pleasant fascination you understand. I am especially horrified at the conditions in the Forida Everglades.

Here’s an easy little recipe which came from Web MD. It calls for ricotta cheese, but you could also do this with mascarpone too.

Quick Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes

WebMD Recipe from EatingWell.com


Here we stir a little melted chocolate into ricotta cheese for a cheesecake-like topping for chocolate wafer cookies.

Ingredients
1/4 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta
12  chocolate wafer cookies
1 tablespoon 100% fruit jam, such as raspberry or cherry
Instructions

1. Combine melted chocolate and ricotta in a small bowl. Spoon a scant 1 tablespoon of the mixture on each chocolate wafer and top with 1/4 teaspoon jam.

Tip: To melt chocolate, microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted. Or place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.

Have a great day