Color Palette - Ombre Pumpkins

Happy October 1st!

I love this day because I finally get to dig our holiday decorations out of the attic,

give them all a good dusting, and proudly display them for all to see.

Can't you just feel the joy of the holiday's getting nearer and nearer.

I know I can.

image via: Martha Stewart

Sunday Morning Breakfast

Notice anything different?!?!?

Yep, you guessed it, finally a new blog design!

 

When I started blogging (going on 5 years ago),

I never really gave it a second thought when it came to blog design.

I was happy with the design blogger provided.

Plain white with different color font. It was plain and simple, but it was perfect to me.

Skip to 4 years later, me now engaged in the blogging world way more,

I was exposed to all the amazing personal blogs out there

and all the options I had to dream big on how I wanted my design to be.

So I started doing research, talking to friends, talking to bloggers, even shopping on Etsy...

(did you know you can buy blog designs on Etsy?)...

after months of that I finally found the perfect gal.

Hannah from signed, xoxohannah was able to take my vision, my personality, and my style

and create the perfect blog for me and I am more than pleased. 

 

So thank you Hannah for the hours of work and late nights (opps) you put into this.

I hope you were able to sleep in today.

My Week in Instagrams

This weekend is going to be full.
I'm throwing a huge Harvest Party on October 6th (like 300 people huge),
so today is going to be filled with shopping shopping shopping!
Shopping for pumpkins, corn, fabric, and anything else "Harvest-y" that catches my eye.
And then, my weekend will move on to logistics...
Logistically trying to wrap my brain around how this whole thing is going to happen.

Wish me luck!

Current Crush - Apple Desserts

Like I said before, September is the month for Apples.

And all I seem to be thinking about is what yummy apple dessert I can make next.

Mainly because I still have probably 5lbs of apples left from my picking that I need to use asap.

 But I only have two more days to get that out of my system,

because Monday is October 1st (the best month of the year in my opinion),

and October is the month for Pumpkin recipes!

images and recipes via: martha stewart

Cinnamon-Sugar Biscotti

Nothing goes better with an afternoon Americano, than crunchy Biscotti.

And cinnamon and sugar seemed to be the appropriate way

to spice up this Biscotti recipe. 

Cinnamon-Sugar Biscotti  

Adapted from Martha Stewart

Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tsp lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecans
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping:

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 egg, beaten with a splash of water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir in pecans.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and vanilla; stir into flour mixture. Dough will look VERY dry but will come together when kneaded... trust me. 

4. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface; knead until smooth. Divide dough in half; shape into two logs, each about 1 inch high and 3 inches wide. 

5. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Mix the topping sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Brush with egg water mix and sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar mix.

6. Bake until logs are puffed and outside is firm, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 2 hours.

7. Using a serrated knife, thinly slice the logs crosswise,1/4 inch thick. Lay slices on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until crisp and lightly golden, rotating pans and turning biscotti over halfway through, 20 minutes total. 

8. Cool completely before serving and enjoy.

Bad Girls Throughout History

I feel bad to say this...
but I am loving these handmade postcards!
Created by the wonderful illustrator, graphic designer, and writer Anne Shen.
She's got a great blog too!

Color Palette - Minnetonka

It's almost time!

Almost time to bust out my boot, scarves, and sweaters.
Speaking of boots, I would love to add these Minnetonka boots to my collection this year.

via: a beautiful mess

Sunday Morning Breakfast

Breakfast this morning was apple inspired.

September is always apple month in my opinion.

So I made an Apple Coffee Cake that was to die for!

 

After last weeks pear fiasco, where I had so many pears

I didn't know what to do with them all,

I am dealing with another fruit hoarding fiasco... too many apples.

Now, I don't necessarily consider this a bad thing,

I do have lots in mind for them...

Apple Butter

Apple Pie

Canned Apple Pie Filling

Apple Sauce

...the list could go on.

My only problem is finding the time

to do all of that before the apples spoil.

Wish me luck!

My Week in Instagrams

 

I am beginning to realize that

most of my Instagram posts are food related...

and I am completely fine with that!

Have a great first day of Fall.

I hope it is full of baking goodness.

Marchesa Resort 2013

I don't really have anything in my schedule that requires me to "dress up".
 But nonetheless, I am in love with these Marchesa dresses.
These puffed and ruched sleeves are amazing!

images via: {this is glamorous}

Current Crush - Feral Watches

I know that watches are more of a fashion statement
rather that actually something that is used to check the time
(we all have cell phones now right).
But I am just in love with these Feral Watches.
I would wear that mint watch everyday!

Peach Butter

There is Apple Butter and Pear Butter...

but have you ever heard of Peach Butter?

It is divine. Truly divine. 

At this time of year,

all I can seem to think about

is baking and canning.

So here is a "must make" recipe for you to make this fall.

Oh, and did I mention that when you make this

your house will be filled with the most amazing Fall scent!

Good food and a yummy smelling house,

what more could a girl ask for.

Peach Butter
Adapted from: Smitten Kitchen

4 pounds peaches
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice

1. Start off by removing the skin from the peaches.  To do that, all you have to do is cut a small “x” in the bottom of each peach. Place each peach into a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds, and then into a bowl of cold ice water. Leave the peach in the ice water for a minute or two, then begin to peal the skin off. The peels should slide right off.

2. Remove the peach pit and dice into big chunks. Place the peach chunks and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Simmer until peaches are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.

3. With an immersion blender, puree the peaches and water until smooth. Or you could just blend it in a blender then return it back to the pot.

4. Add the sugar and lemon juice and bring the mixture to a good strong simmer/gentle boil, cooking them at this level for 1 to 2 hours minutes, stirring occasionally in the beginning and more often near the end, as it thickens up and the fruit masses risk scorching on the bottom of the pot. The peach butter should be very thick by the end.

Color Palette - Fall Emerald

Will you believe me if I told you I forgot to blog pretty much all last week?
Okay... maybe I didn't forget... I was SUPER busy with work.

But it's Monday, and Monday means Color Palette day,
which has quickly become one of my favorite blogging days.
To be able to share a beautifully inspirational picture with you
along with colors that flow (or at least I think so) so perfectly together.

Today, I get to share my favorite color of all time with you...Emerald Green.
I blame the movie Return to Oz for my obsession with Emerald...
or maybe I blame Tinkerbell or The Great Gatsby.
All are scene stealing with the emphasis on Emerald.

Urban Bird & Co.

Maybe I have been watching too much Downton Abbey,

but I have been thinking a lot about Etiquette these days.

Etiquette... such a pretty word and tradition, yet so often forgotten.

One day, I would love to take an Etiquette class.

Learning all the do's and don'ts of how to "properly" behave. 

But until then, these cute napkins by Urban Bird & Co. will do the trick!

Color Palette - Fall Coral

I always thought of Coral as a Spring and Summer color...

but it looks amazing with this Fall sweater!

Image via: Happily Grey

Sunday Morning Breakfast

I can feel Fall approaching each morning I wake up.

Today I woke up to find foggy clouds covering the mountains, a chill in the air,

and a craving in my tummy for something sweet and cinnamon-y.

Doesn't that just sound like Fall.

On another note...

See these pears, I have a case of them that I need to do something with.

Canned Pears, Pear Butter, Pear Pie... those are the things I have planned for today.

Yet I'm afraid I'll still have more pears than I know what to do with.

Do you have any suggestions on what I should do with them?

Happy Sunday!

My Week in Instagrams

There was a lot of harvesting and canning going on in our home this week.
Peaches, Pears, Onions, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Pickles...
bunches and bunches of yummy stuff that will feed us through the winter.
Next thing on my list to can are tomatoes and apples!

Happy Art for Happy Walls

 

Wouldn't you just love to have these hanging in your house.

I am so in love with these prints created by UUPP.

And their Etsy tagline is so cute...

 

"Happy Art for Happy Walls"

Happy Friday!

Current Crush - Maxi Skirts

1, 2, 3 
 
I love maxi skirts for the fall.
When the weather is just a bit too cold to wear short skirts,
yet is still a bit too warm to wear tights. 
Yeah, the maxi skirt is perfect for this time of year.

I am seriously crushing on all 5 of these right now. 

 

Black Pepper Biscuits

You want to know something...
I think homemade biscuits are one of the most frustrating things to make.
But I love them so much, so I fight through.
Why are they so frustrating?
First, they are messy. When your done making them,
flour has somehow exploded all over your kitchen.
Second, they are sticky. The dough gets everywhere and in every thing...
even rings that you forget to take of before mixing the dough.
Third, they are super touchy to make.
Kneed them too much, they are stiff.
Kneed them not enough, they aren't mixed well.
Add to much flour, they are dry.
Add to much cream, they are sopping wet.
You get my point.
All that to say, I have tried to perfect a biscuit recipe for awhile now.
And this recipe is hands down (so far) my favorite.
And the black pepper on the top is divine.

Black Pepper Biscuits

4 cups flour, plus more to dust
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons cold butter, grated into small pieces (I use a cheese grater)
1 1/2 cups cold buttermilk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Add the butter and using a pastry cutter or you fingers, mix into the flour mixture until mixture resembles a coarse meal.

4. Add the buttermilk and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Mix until it just begins to come together. Do not overmix!

5.  On a lightly floured surface, place the dough. Pat the dough into a ball and with your hands press until it is about 3/4 inch thick.  Using a biscuit cutter (or just a plain cup) begin to cut out the biscuits.

6. Place the biscuits on a prepared baking sheet, brush with more cream on top of the biscuits and sprinkle with black pepper.

7. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.