Fair Food and Hot Air Balloons

October is the month I most love to live in New Mexico. The weather is so beautiful. It almost feels like spring all over again, but without the 40 mph winds that we tend to get. And it's Hot Air Balloon season!

It is so much fun to see all the brightly colored balloons in our perpetually (or close to it!) blue sky. The sight of them makes you feel like a kid again, giddy with excitement. We're lucky enough to be on the right end of the wind most days to catch views like this in our front or back yard. And some of them get seriously close to the houses. Just check this out across the street from us.

We see balloons so often, that Madeline's first word - even before Mama - was "boon," for balloon. Balloon Fiesta - one of the biggest (or maybe even the biggest) Hot Air Balloon events in the world - happens every year in October, bringing thousands of visitors for the special event.

During the week it runs, we have the opportunity to attend glorious events like: Morning Mass Ascension where literally hundreds of balloons blow up and fly away, Balloon Glows in the evening where the balloons fill and light up against the dark sky. Ballooning races. Balloon rides. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this time of year. It's all so magical...and colorful!

I loved this ladybug sitting on a sunflower!

This year, we went to the Special Shapes Balloon Glowdeo. Instead of the traditional shaped balloons, there are balloons of all shapes and sizes. Vehicles, animals, characters, sports shapes...anything you can imagine there is a balloon for!

Guess who??

Once the sun sets, all the balloons look like glowing Christmas ornaments all lit up against the sky. The announcers will broadcast countdowns over the speakers and all the balloons will burn (glow) at the same time. And when it's over there is a firework show. So much to look at and see and super cool to watch all the balloons setting up before the sun goes down. More Balloon Fiesta photos here.

It was a really fun night! I had a late lunch that day, so I didn't think I would need to eat before we went and figured I'd just eat leftovers when we got home. By the end of the night my tummy was seriously growling at all the smells of fair food in the air. Those curly cut potatoes, funnel cakes, foot long corn dogs, falafel...the list goes on. Most of it is stuff I'd never eat, but the experience is part of the ambiance of these type of events. It always smells good. Especially when you're hungry. Sometimes your brain plays tricks on you and you're still smelling all the fair foods a week later. The only way to solve that problem is to make something at home! I hope you enjoy these traditional fair food recipes with a little bit of a fall twist.

Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake
adapted from DineandDish

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 2/3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• vegetable oil, for frying

Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla together and then add the milk, slowly beating. Add the dry ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy. Pour batter into a funnel and at the same time, use your finger to plug the hole. In a large cast iron pot, add 2 inches of oil to the bottom.

When the oil becomes hot, move your hand over the pot and slowly release your finger so the batter can start cooking. Move the funnel around to make designs. Brown on both sides, then immediately remove and drain well. Sprinkle with cinnamon and powdered sugar.

Tip: You can also put the batter in a large resealable bag, snip a hole in the tip and squeeze the batter out.

Curly Sweet Potato Fries

• 1-2 sweet potatoes
• vegetable oil
• apple corer, peeler, slicer
• a deep pot
• salt

Using the apple corer, peeler, slicer to cut the potatoes into thin, connected rings. Pour about 4 inches in depth of oil into the pot. Heat until water sizzles heavily when you flick a droplet of water on it. Gently drop the potato slices into the hot oil and let it fry until potatoes are cooked through and crispy. Kind of in between a french fry and potato chip. Remove, sprinkle with salt to taste, and let drain and cool on paper towels.