Me in my kitchen: Happy Halloween!

Check out my spooktacular jack-o-lantern! I was aiming for extra creepiness this year.

Getting into the spirit

 For the first time ever I also attempted to roast pumpkin seeds…and had fabulous results. HERE is the recipe I used. DELICIOUS! (I added a little extra garlic, red pepper, and some olive oil to my recipe but that’s only because I wanted it to have some extra kick).

And this is my kitchen. Important things to note: the pig cookie jar in the background was a gift from my dad who used to collect them, the numerous bags of coffee next to the coffee maker (I have a slight caffeine problem), and the super cool cutting board from Sawbridge Studios given to us as a wedding gift.

P.S. I am aware that I have a little bit of the ‘wonky eye’ going on in the above photo. Not sure why that is. I don’t get botox and typically don’t cross my eyes when cameras are in front of me. Regardless…enjoy!

Three things I LOVE from Whole Foods

I am just  a little bit obsessed with Whole Foods. I am pretty much a Whole Foods junkie. I LOVE GROCERY SHOPPING. I LOVE IT!!! (I will attempt to calm myself down now, I tend to get a little too excited about these things)

This wasn’t always the case- however, this is the time of year when I love planning meals because with the cold weather rolling in, Fitz and I are spending a lot more time indoors (which allows for hours of cooking time!).

So here are my favorites from Whole Foods:

1. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup- this only shows up during the Fall/Winter seasons and I pounce on it. Best news ever? Whole Foods put the recipe online!!! I will admit that while I’m not a fan of using heavy cream in recipes, this doesn’t require a whole lot (2/3 cup) so I made an exception.

2. Guacamole- I really enjoy making my own guacamole (it’s all about the serrano peppers) but Whole Foods always does a bang up job with theirs. I’ve never had a bad batch! The sign of good guac (in my opinion), is making sure it has ‘kick’ without forcing one to down a huge glass of water.

3.  CHEESE counter!!! I could eat wine and cheese every day for the rest of my life and be perfectly content. Fitz and I are always trying out different textures and asking for recommendations. The coolest thing Whole Foods has implemented is the mini cheese basket. Like most people, I don’t want to pay $12 for a brick of unique cheese. Fortunately, Whole Foods has recognized this issue and has a basket of mini- bits (enough cheese for two people to nibble on) and the prices range from $2-$4. Not bad for the exotic.

And that concludes my random, pointless thoughts for the day. Enjoy.

On my agenda for this Fall: attempting to use my new slow cooker, whipping up spicy Turkey Chili, and perhaps some Jumbalaya???

A Fall palette has descended…at least in photos

When I see the changes in my environment, I’m reminded that there is something comforting about getting away from the routine and embracing the unknown. This is why Fall is my favorite holiday- you never know what you will get…but you have confidence in that whatever you get, it will be beautiful in its own way.

Fitz is headed up to his lake house this weekend and I’m sad to say that I won’t be attending, as I have a prior commitment: an open house at a college in which I’m exploring for grad school options. See? Change is encircling my world!

Oh and the picture below was taken at the lake house. God, I love nature. I keep waiting for Chicago to look like this, but to no avail…

explosion of hues

Next month: New Moon…you know, the movie

Let’s just say I’m extraordinarily excited (I’m going to the midnight showing with my little sis).

The trailer for New Moon already has Twilight beat by a landslide. I’m most looking forward to Michael Sheen’s Volturri debut- after seeing his brilliance in Frost/Nixon, I KNOW he’s not screwing around with some sissy vampire-in-an-Italian-castle nonsense.I think he’s going to b*tch slap some brilliance into this series.
On a side note should I investigate the Underworld films? Worth the time, effort, and countless eye rolling from my husband??? If you’ve seen them, please send a little movie review my way.

And the anticipation grows…

Disclaimer: I do not own this image. Found via Flickr: frozenheart11

I would so ROCK this…literally

How cool is this bag??!! I don’t have words. I found it at Fred Flare’s website, which is quickly turning into a kitschy obsession.

Other goodies that caught my eye:

This sweet feather headband is…sweet. I am not a fan of headbands with bows (why, you ask? Because I’m no longer 8), but the feather is kind of rock star meets peacock…which wouldn’t exactly be the look I would be going for but you get the picture.

Something else that rocks? A treasure chest ring! Who wouldn’t want to open a treasure chest and admire the goods?! And I dare one to find a chest so adorable and easily transportable…

Word.

Disclaimer: I do not own the above images. Found via Fred Flare

Everyone wants to know…about DAHLIAS!

No joke.

These flowers were everywhere at my wedding, and all night long people were asking me what kind of flower it is. At the end of the night I saw tons of female guests wearing the bloom in their hair!

Given my rather unfortunate lack of floral knowledge, I had to consult my contract with the florist to get the lowdown.

Turns out…everyone was just jonesin’ for some DAHLIAS.

Enjoy. Relish. Fantasize.

 

All the signs are there…

Have used the seat warmer in a car: CHECK
Have eaten grilled cheese and soup: CHECK
Have worn my warmest item of clothing (a white J.Crew turtleneck sweater): CHECK
Have realized that my light raincoat is not quite enough for the winds outside: CHECK
Everyone’s in a pissy mood: CHECK
Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving decorations are visible in store displays: CHECK
I am wearing tights: CHECK
Someone makes a joke about Christmas shopping: CHECK
I ask Fitz to throw the down comforter on the bed: CHECK
Fitz complains about my freakishly cold feet and hands: CHECK (in all fairness, this happens year round)
I contemplate making chili: CHECK

It’s abundantly clear…that Fall has arrived.

Eat this delicious grilled cheese sandwich

Love yourself a yummy cheese-based sandwich??? Who doesn’t?!

I have come across the most delectable grilled cheese recipe, and had to share. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, there is more to just cheese and bread!!! It’s an art form, kids!

Ingredients:
A thick bread such as sourdough or italian
American Cheese slices
Sharp Cheddar Cheese slices
Fresh grated parmesan cheese (not in the green can…FRESH)
Minced garlic
Butter
Garlic flavored sea salt grinder (found in any grocery store spice aisle)

Directions:
1. Butter only the outside of your bread, and lay the bread on a warm skillet (about medium heat).
2. Place one slice of American Cheese on one piece of bread, and one slice of Sharp Cheddar on the other. Using the Garlic Flavored Sea Salt grinder, lightly season each piece of cheese as it carefully melts on the bread. Don’t get too nuts- we could all stand to lower our sodium intake.
3. Freshly grate parmesan cheese into a bowl. Mince about 2-3 cloves of garlic into the same bowl (fluctuate garlic intake depending on your personal preferences).
4. Sprinkle parmesan/garlic mixture on each piece of respective bread. Be careful as to how much garlic you distribute per sandwich- a little goes a long way and I found that two cloves was the perfect amount for three sandwiches.
5. Assemble the two pieces of bread into a sandwich and finish grilling until bread becomes a toasty brown.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MAKE THIS TREACHEROUS MISTAKE! Your amount of cheese should coincide with the thickness of the bread. Too much cheese on thin bread means that you will likely burn the bread while attempting to melt all of the cheese, OR you will cook the bread til golden brown, yet the cheese will not be melted.