First Frost

Dahlias

I picked up some dahlias yesterday. One of my favorite flowers - they almost glow.

Organized

We finally went through our closet and dressers. We have 2 gigantic bags of clothes to donate, and now my closet doesn't give me an anxiety attack when I open it. So satisfying.

Sweet Holiday

My husband and I went down to New Jersey this holiday weekend to visit friends. Not only did we get to meet their sweet, baby boy, but we indulged in some seriously good local sweets. We really took advantage of what La Rosa's had to offer. The red velvet cupcake (above) was divine. The frosting was cream or cream cheese based and not-too-sweet, and the cake was fluffy and most.

But the other big star was the ice cream cannoli. I did not think it was possible, but I liked them better than regular cannoli. I can't even describe the deliciousness that was the ice cream filling. You'll have to make the trip yourself. It is well worth it, even if you live hours away. It is probably a good thing I have 4 hours separating me from the La Rosa's.

Adventures in Stitching

I made my first little quilt! I hadn't sewed this much since Home Economics, but this winter I fell in love with Moda's American Jane, Recess collection and I had to make something with it. Lucky for me I found out a friend was going to have a baby, so I decided to make a baby quilt for her shower.

I got some help with the backing and binding from my mother in law (Thanks P!). Seriously, fabric is a dangerous thing. Especially the vintage inspired and reproductions of fabric from the 20's, 30's and 40's. Not to mention all the new, bold graphic patterns. If I let myself, I would have a huge stash and I don't even really sew very much!

If anyone else out there has fallen desperately in love with a fabric, I definitely recommend a baby quilt made with charm squares as a great starter project. Here are a few more pics:

Yes, More Tea

Before you call me obsessed when it comes to afternoon tea, you should know I am not alone. I found this great resource for sampling tea services around Boston, The Boston Teacup. After reading their review, a friend and I celebrated her birthday in style at the swanky Taj Lounge.

After settling into our decidedly posh surroundings, we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon sipping, chatting and snacking. We were not in the gorgeous sunlit windowed room at the front, but our corner was cozy, and time flew by. They were very accommodating to vegetarians, I gave them a heads up when making reservations.

If you are celebrating a special occasion, be sure to let them know when making reservations. Because it was my friend's birthday, we were treated to complimentary Champagne and a candle lit plate of chocolate desserts along with a mini serenade by the violinist.

Clutch

I just had to share this gorgeous clutch that my very talented cousin made me. He is an excellent knitter and the proud owner of a "Real Men Knit" bumper sticker. He made this felted clutch on his own and worked up a pattern for it that I believe you can find at Knit or Dye in Brattleboro, Vermont. A great shop if you are in the area or want to shop online.

I love the organic lines and square button clasp. Thanks B!

Afternoon Tea

Today we had some friends over for afternoon tea. I have been dying to make it since I enjoyed the full spread with a friend at our nearby tea house. And of course, who could forget the Four Seasons back in March?

I would like to say I made everything from scratch, but I am no Martha Stewart. I made the sandwiches and bought the baked goods. It was a great way to spend the afternoon, snacking, sipping tea and talking. I highly recommend it. It is such a fun excuse for gathering and trying new things. I'm hooked.

Season of Donuts

In my absence I have been very busy. Eating donuts. We went to Wilson Farms for fresh cider donuts, not once, not twice, but weekly for about 6 weeks. Lucky for me, the craving has largely passed (or at least I can occasionally say no when we are there for produce). Here are a few photos of the glorious donuts and other fall ephemera there. Mmmm, donuts...

Apple Picking Heaven

Saturday was the most gorgeous day for our annual trip to the orchard. There were so many apples! I have never seen such an amazing crop. It even looked like some trees/branches broke under the weight of the apples. We also came across two beautiful plum trees.

My husband and I roamed around the grounds and I took a lot of pinhole photos. I ended up taking 6 rolls this weekend and you will see some of them in the next week or so.

Anyway, here are some regular photos from the day. I wish every day could be like Saturday - sunny, breezy, and rounded out with giant homemade peanut butter cookies...

Brimfield Antiques

Last weekend I went to the Brimfield Antique Show. It is so massive it is a little overwhelming, but if you relax and realize you can't possibly see everything, it's fun to just explore.

This is the second time I have gone and both times I have gone on the last day of the week-long event. If you are not scoping out a specific rare and hard to find piece, I don't think it is necessary to wait in line on the opening morning. On the last day the vendors really want to get rid of what they have left rather than lugging it back with them, so you can find some good deals.

I did buy a large white pitcher and washing bowl, which I love. Other than that I just took some photos, had some fried dough, and enjoyed hanging out with my mom and a friend.

Seattle: Food

Fair food, market food, street food - call it what you will, I love it all. I am a sucker for food from a stand or a stall. Which is part of the reason 90% of my meals were had near Pike Place Market, which had a nice mix of stalls and restaurants. But also, if like me you are short on time and short on cash it is a good place to be. Here is my "best of" food list at or near the market, in no particular order:

1. The "world's best" mac and cheese at Beecher's. While I don't know if it is the world's best, it was really, really good and had a little red pepper or something to give it a lift out of the ordinary.

2. One of the lightest, fluffiest, airiest croissants I have had in a long while from Le Panier.


3. A maple butter smothered crumpet and good Irish tea from The Crumpet Shop. A perfect way to start a cool, grey morning!

4. Piroshky Piroshky! This was probably my favorite. The potato, cheese and onion filled piroshky was completely divine. Potato filled bread. How can you go wrong?

5. Gelato from Bottega Italiana. I loved mixing Pannacotta with anything citrusy. It was like a rich, fancy creamsicle. I am pretty sure I had gelato every day, and twice on at least one day. It is a good thing I was walking a lot.

6. Veggie Combo at Pan Africa Market. A delicious arrangement of cabbage and potato stew, red lentil stew, curried split peas, greens, carrots & green beans served with injera. I really wanted to try the curried corm but knew I couldn't eat that and my combo. The food was good and the price was great. The same dish would have cost me almost twice as much at home.

As you can see, I ate very well in Seattle. If I go again I hope to spend more time in the neighborhoods surrounding the downtown. This time I had limited time and a limited ability to get around. That leaves me something to look forward to (aside from another piroshky!).

Seattle: Market

Pike Place Market was crowded and touristy, but like everyone else there I fell in love with the stalls filled with fresh produce and gorgeous flowers. The market also ended up being one of my go to places for lunch, but more on that later. I don't know if peonies always grow in the Northwest, or if it was their season, but there were millions at the market when I was there in June.

Here are some photos that I took. There are more on flickr.

Library Cards

Links:
Poeteic Home
Catalog of Love
Card Generator

Treats from the Yucatan

Lorena of Hungry Gringos has finally returned from Mexico. And she came home bearing gifts! I was so happy to get a package last week that contained a number of treats from Yucatan. This embroidered panel was one lovely gift, and then there were the edible gifts.

I already ate the Língua de gato and I think the packaging might have been the best part about them anyway. But last night I cooked up my fresh from the field gift of squash seeds.

I tossed the seeds with olive oil, salt and pepper and then baked in the oven. They were warm, delicious, and addictive when they came out of the oven and they made noises like Rice Krispies as they cooled. My husband and I ate about a million before looking up the nutritional value. At least I got 150% of my protein at the same time as 150% of my fat!

The other charming and old world treat in my care package was an adorable package of table chocolate. I haven't tried it yet, I'll have to wait for a cool night to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa.

Thanks so much for all the great gifts Lorena! I am glad you are home, happy and healthy! I am about to brew the hibiscus tea to enjoy iced today...

The big plans this weekend include checking out paint colors and floors at Home Depot, and hopefully taking some pinhole photos of the flowering trees before they are gone for another year.

Through the Pinhole

Over the long weekend we were in Pennsylvania visiting family and I took advantage of the time and weather and took some pinhole photos of our environs. Here are a few of my favorites, you can see more here.