Fall Family Fun Day

 

A few weeks ago, Colin and myself, joined my parents for a family fall day! It was a gorgeous day and great weather for a farm and winery day! : )

 

 First up was this huge produce market! I love me some produce!!!!

 

 Brussels Sprouts Photo Shoot!!!!

 

Then we checked out a few other farms and got some lunch and bought some yummy pies!

 

Next up was a winery.  We just went to one, but there were tons! Next time we will need to go to more! My mom and I enjoyed a fresh glass of white wine while sitting outside to enjoy the music and view.  I wish we could do that every Sunday afternoon!

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Pot Pie

 

I don’t need to tell anyone that NY and NJ got pumbled by Hurricane Sandy this past week.  Thankfully we never lost power, but we were without cable and internet for about a week.  It just came back on, hence time to post!

 I worked from home as best I could Mon/Tues/Wed and then Thursday I went into work even though there was no power or water.   : (   So after a long COLD day at the office I wanted something warm and yummy for dinner, and without tv, I figured something time consuming was a good idea!

 I also decided guzzling half a bottle of wine while making dinner was a good idea! Haha I was on the verge of tears by the time I got home from work and the food store and needed to calm down.

Oh it was your turn to turn? Nope, I am going to cut you off!  Oh you wanted to get home? Nope, all streets into your neighborhood are closed down with police tape.  Oh you wanted to take a short cut home? Nope, all short cuts closed or blocked by gas lines, how about you feed back onto the highway! Want a smile at the food store? Nope, I got pushed by some crazy lady buying baking soda and ice cream. Wtf!

 Hurricanes bring out the best in everyone don’t they???

Ok back to the topic at hand…Chicken Pot Pie, which I have renamed Hurricane Pot Pie!  I made it once last winter so I decided it was time to make it again.  I kind of follow two recipes, so I am not sure how to write the actual recipe I use.  I open up and read Ina Garten’s recipe on www.foodnetwork.com and read the one from the Ezra Pound Cake Blog and kind of combine them/wing it. (click gray links to bring up the 2 recipes)

 

Last year I roasted a half chicken, this year I just baked chicken breast, since during a Hurricane, you buy what the food store has! Haha  And I used potatoes, carrots, peas and string beans!  I went light on the gravy in the pie, but that was fine since there was plenty of extra for anyone who wanted more for their plate. : )

Oh and I just use pre-made pie crust, if I ever make it from scatch and it makes the dish way better, I will update you!

 

 Colin was on gravy whisking duty, I was too out of sorts to do too much multi-tasking!

 

 

Please also notice the attempts at fall decorating in the apartment, not quite the same as my old place, but still something seasonal.Please also notice the Pottery Barn napkin. Love it! I only got one though, haha Pottery Barn is a bit more expensive than Home Goods. : )
 

 

More posts to come since with no cable, I had plenty of time for photo sorting and editing! : )  I hope you are all doing well and I hope those that are still without power are staying strong! 

 

A Summer Antique Trip

Nicole and I headed to a new town to look for old treasures this summer.  That is where I photographed the succulent planter. : )

We were quite happy with the trip, lots of store, and lots of good stuff! 
Certainly a town we would check out again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was one store there that was SO LOVELY! And of course, it was one of the most expensive stores we went to.  Nothing was bought, but it was fun to walk around all the classy- white- vintage- lovely-ness and snap a few shots! : )

 

 

 

 

There were fresh flowers tucked all around, my kind of store! I really wanted one of these large jars on the bottom of the rack, we saw them in a few stores, but they were $$$ and I didn't have a place in mind for it.

 

 

 

 

Nicole got a nice old dresser to use as a tv stand and I scored an amazing find, but I'll have to tell you about it another time, since it is all packaged up and I don't have any photos of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was also lots of flowers around town! yay!

 

 

 

 

 

I had eyed up this mirror, but it was way too much money to even considering buying, even though Colin told me to buy everything turquoise I saw!   A dangerous suggestion, even for a joke! ; )

Too bad this sign wasn't turquoise! Ha! (Just kidding, Colin can cook!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a cute town and a good time!  Yay Antique Lady Trips!

Harvest Chili

There was a whole chili section in Better Homes and Gardens last year, and one of the recipes was Harvest Chili.  All the flavors of fall in one pot! Yum!!! I made it last year, and I just made it again, although this time a half batch only. 

 

The squash and apples does tend to get a little mushy (think babyfood) so if you are sensitive to textures, you might not like this one, but I think it is great change of pace for a good fall lunch! : )

(Although I might over cook it, since I like all the flavors to blend together, the picture in the magazine looks less cooked, and you can see the individual ingredients better.
To each their own!)

 

Harvest Chili

from Better Homes & Gardens Magazine 2001

 

 

Ingredients:

2  tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken-apple sausage links, cut in 1-inch pieces

(I have used what you can find in shoprite, but this time I got the local made sausage from the farmer's market since it is so much fresher and yummier!)

2 large red onions, chopped (3 cups)

(I just use the sweet vidalia onion since that is what I had)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut in 3/4-inch chunks (about 6 cups)

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut in 3/4-inch slices

(I just used whatever type I had at home)

1 15 - 16 ounce can pinto beans, rinsed, drained, and slightly mashed

1 tablespoons nipped fresh sage or tiny sage leaves

1 Golden Delicious or other apple, sliced in rings

(I did not garnish since I just made this for work lunches!)

 

Directions:

1. In a large Dutch oven, (or large pot) heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage; cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon.

 

2. In the same pan, cook onion and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until nearly tender. Add the squash; cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, salt, and cayenne; cook for 1 minute. Return the sausage to pan. Add broth; bring to boiling, then reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 8 minutes.
 

 

3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Cook apple slices in hot oil for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until light brown. Transfer apples along with beans to chili. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until apples are tender. Top servings of chili with sage and apple rings.

 

  

(Sorry my pictures aren't that great, we have terrible lighting in our kitchen and I was also cooking at night!)

Hello Fall

Please enjoy some sights of the season! : )
 

 

 

Look how lovely this bark is!

 

 

Some flower still hanging in there.....

 

 

The lovely fall combo of Sedum and Beautyberry!

 

 

I really wanted to buy one of these, but I decided taking a picture would be cheaper! : )

 

 

And some pumpkins to put as my phone background. Yay Fall!

 

Fall Farmer's Market

Although I have not been posting about the Farmer's Market, we have been going.  And now that there are only a few weeks left, I want to make sure we get there a little more often!  Today it was overcast and not too crowded so I snapped away!  Enjoy!  I got veggies to make a veggie lasagna for the week! yum!