October Friday ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday!  ♥

I hope you all had a wonderful week.  As I type this post it's late afternoon and I just finished up working for the day.  The best feeling on a Friday! I've eaten waaay too many candy corn over the course of the day and I can't imagine myself stopping any time soon. 

I've had a quiet week at home, keeping warm on cold mornings, and enjoying the warm sunshine in the afternoon.  This week I started cooking all my favorite comfort foods, including this chicken pot pie we had the other night.  It was so delicious.  I'll be making these on the regular until further notice! I had the leftover biscuits that I heated in the oven so they were warm and toasty.  

So so good : ) 

*chicken pot pie recipe*

 

This morning I noticed my mom's Christmas catus plant is budding!!! She always had so much more luck with hers than I did mine.  Mine, sadly, is no longer with us - her's on the other hand, is thriving!   I have her right by the front window and she's loving the sunshine.  See all those buds?  They will be beautiful bright flowers soon.  

I'm so happy ♥

We haven't had our first frost yet, but that may be happening this weekend.  We're getting awfully close.  I've dug out all my fall and winter sweaters and heavy socks to keep me warm.  

I have my pumpkins that we'll carve next week.  I didn't want to do it too soon.  Since Halloween is on a Saturday, I'll probably do it that day and cook the seeds that night. I'll snack on those while I give out candy to trick or treaters.  That will keep my hands out of the candy bowl! (hopefully!:) 

I LOVE roasted pumpkin seeds.  It was always a tradition of ours to roast them, coated in olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. 

They are slightly addictive ♥

*roasted pumpkin seeds*

The nature of October is so beautiful, isn't it? ♥ 

We have tons of yard work to do. There are so many leaves in our yard.  I honestly don't mind it though. I told Rob to let all the leaves fall and then we can rake just one time.  

Raking is highly overrated! ♥

The leaves are so pretty!  I say leave them alone....see what I did there? LOL 

So what are your weekend plans?  I want to make a squash soup and more cookies! Otherwise, I plan on reading and relaxing.  It's going to sunny but chilly so maybe a few walks here and there as well.  

I have some cards to write and phone calls to make.  It's going to be a weekend of catching up on things like that.  Nice and easy ♥

Nothing stressful.  

Just trying to enjoy the little things. 

I saw this on Pinterest the other day and just had to share it.  

It's so true ♥ 

And we know for sure that tree will be back in the spring - big and strong - sprouting new beautiful vibrant leaves.  I'll take that with me through the winter. 

Such a nice thought if you are feeling stuck ♥  

 

And with that lovely thought I'm going to have one of these pumpkin sugar cookies I got at the grocery store yesterday.  You know, because I haven't consumed enough sugar today with the candy corn! AHHH!  Hey, it's Halloween week.  Let the holidays begin! 

Have a great weekend, my friends!  ♥

I hope you get lots of rest this weekend and enjoy yourselves.  

Talk soon! Xx 

October weekending at home...♥

Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Monday morning!  

I have missed you! ♥

Well, it happened.  I turned the heat on for the first time this season.  We have arrived.  I tried to hold out as long as I could, but it was borderline frosty when I got out of bed this morning so here we are.  That sound of the furnace kicking on and that first blast of warm air through the vents brought me to life. Like a big hug! Next was coffee, I lit a candle, and my Monday began....so, hello....how are you today?! ♥

October is really October-ing now, isn't it? Leaves are falling and every neighbor on my street has a pumpkin, or mums, or something spooky in the yard. I can remember walking to school on chilly mornings like this when I was in jr. high school. I didn't drink coffee then.  I actually remember drinking diet Pepsi first thing in the morning before school! Can you imagine? That was my drink. It was the 80's :) 

I think about my childhood a lot and have so many de'ja vus, probably because I live in my childhood home and know this neighborhood like the back of my hand.  If my jr. high self only knew I would be waving goodbye to my son from the front door as he leaves for the day (with hot coffee, not Pepsi), she never would never believe it.  

Life is crazy sometimes ♥

But anyway...this past weekend I was embracing all the cozy fall things, because we are in it now, and I don't want it to slip by. 

I finally got around to clipping some of these hydrangeas to bring them inside.  

The muted colors are so pretty ♥ 

Hard to believe these are bright blue in the summertime. 

I think I prefer them this way ♥

I spent Saturday cleaning and "nesting" as my mother used to say ♥

I found this string of pumpkin lights and didn't know what to do with them, so I put them on this plant in the corner.  

...me and my tea were contemplating if they should stay or go...

...they stayed! ♥

I couldn't let the weekend go past without some seasonal baking.  Look at these spices.  

Only good things can come from this line up! ♥

...and it did ♥

The best fall cookie!  

And my kitchen smelled amazing! ♥

Soft Ginger Cookies! They are chewy and delicious.  I blogged the recipe some years ago and totally forgot about them.  How could I? I am going to make these again for Thanksgiving this year.  

They are so good! ♥

(click here for recipe - super easy too!) 

Ginger Cookies

I have realized I don't make cookies enough!  I'm going to start trying new cookie recipes every week. 

Stay tuned! ♥

Saturday supper was beef stew and homemade biscuits! ♥

I used Susan Branch's recipe for Best Biscuits out of her Heart of the Home cookbook.  

They were perfect! We are having the rest of them with chicken pot pie tonight ♥

**By the way did you read Susan's latest blog post about her Martha's Vineyard house being sold?  It's bittersweet indeed, but I'm so happy for her.  I'm more happy that she's going back to the island in December to experience another New England winter.  Those of us that live here know there's really nothing like it** 

I preordered her knew Christmas book and the latest news is that they are being shipped on November 1st. Yay! I cannot wait! A gift to myself and something to look forward.  My cozy reading spot is all ready for me to sit for hours and devour every page. 

 I'm 52 years old and still want to be Susan Branch when I grow up :)

My evening walks were very chilly this weekend.  Last night I actually pulled out my winter coat!  This is me coming home.  It's only about 7:30pm and look how dark it is! 

I finished this audiobook on my travels and let me tell you...it's completely unhinged!  

Loved it👌 

In a shocking contrast, the Hallmark channel has started its countdown to Christmas movies, so I've been watching too many of those already.  I had them on all weekend in the background while "nesting" about the house.  My mom and I used to watch all of them together.  Even when she was in the hospital we would put Hallmark on and make fun of how corny the movies were and we'd laugh about it. I miss her so much and every day I find new things that remind me of her. She'd be happy I'm still watching Hallmark and thinking of her.  Don't worry mom, I am ♥  

And with that I will love and leave you here for today.  I have lots to do so I better get to it.  Have a happy Monday, friends! I hope you all have a cozy day.  Have a hot beverage and a sweet treat and please take time for yourselves! 

Be back soon! Xx 

♥

Homemade pancake mix ♥

I stopped buying pancake mix as soon as I discovered how easy it was to make at home.  It's one less pantry item I have to worry about running out of when someone suddenly says "how about pancakes?"  

That happened today....:)

I thought I'd share the recipe I use. It's easy and the pancakes always come out perfectly.

  Honestly, I don't make pancakes all the time, but when I do, I want it to be worth it. 

 These are worth it ♥

 

2 cups flour

4 tbsp sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 3/4 cup milk

4 tbsp melted butter

2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

Whisk up the dry. Add the wet.  

Pour, grill, flip, and enjoy ♥

**add warm syrup and berries for extra points**

Tomorrow is the first day of October!! Yay! It's finally stopped raining, but the neighborhood is scattered with leaves and branches from the storm.  The cleanup hasn't started yet.  Some of my neighbors have already started decorating for Halloween. Perfect for an evening walk with a light sweatshirt, listening to an audiobook, and then home to my couch, blanket and hot tea. 

Happy October eve, friends. 

Maybe have pancakes in the morning ♥

♥

We survived the storm! ♥

Hello Dear Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

What you see here is chicken stock bubbling on the stove.  We have made it successfully through the storm, but since it's still raining and its Monday, which is a double whammy in my book, I thought soup might be just the medicine for today. 

The kitchen is warm and smells really nice right now.  

I can't wait for supper ♥

This storm was indeed a rager.  Monsoon winds and SO MUCH RAIN. 

Thankfully we had no damage!  All our trees stayed in the ground and we never lost power!

I don't know how, but we didn't ♥

 

Another good thing is that our house is up on a hill so even though the river out back was flooded, we didn't get any water in our basement or anything like that. 

The rain will continue through today and even a little tomorrow morning too.  

This storm just won't end!  

However - the forecast shows sunshine in the 70's Wednesday and Thursday.  Go figure! 

I'm dying to get out for a walk as soon as the rain lets up. 

I spent most of the weekend being lazy, as did everyone else.  All of John's plans were canceled on Saturday so he was home too.  Apparently, no one wants to go to a football game during a nor'easter! 

I wrapped myself in a blanket read my book, slept, and watched an entire season of Downton Abbey.  Season 2.  I'm about to begin Season 3 for the 137th time and I still don't know if I'm emotionally prepared to do it again. If you know, you know! 

This was literally ME to my family this weekend ↓

*seriously, this is what I do for fun - I'm not kidding*

I also made some lists (during food breaks in between episodes:).  

I was thinking about things I want to do this fall. 

Here are some random examples of what crossed my mind:

make applesauce

get new winter pjs

simplify my makeup and eliminate products I don't need or want to wear anymore

make a Bath & Bodyworks run for wallflower refills

make a Pinterest board for Thanksgiving (centerpieces, decorations, recipes, etc.)

get a puzzle for future rainy days 

try a new cookie recipe (any suggestions???) 

...I told you it was random! 

♥

It crossed my mind how quickly summer flew by and I hardly remember it happening. Is it just me getting older or does this happen to everyone? One minute we are putting on the AC and the next I'm thinking about putting on the heat - of which I haven't done yet, but it probably won't be long now. 

Anyhow, today it's back to work and so far it's been a productive day.  Rob had work and John had school and we're back to our regular scheduled programming.  I made my Dad and I coffee this morning and a new week has begun.  The last one in September!  Thursday is October 1st and I must get some Halloween candy in this house.  

The time is NOW! : ) 

Oh, I wanted to tell you I put this movie on for background today while I was working...♥

Pumpkin Pie Wars! 🍂

It's one of my favorite Fall Hallmark movies! If you're looking for something soooo cozy to get you into the fall spirit, please watch this one. It's free on YouTube! 

 I hope you all had a cozy weekend and if you were in this storm's path, I hope you are OK.  

The sun will come out again. She always does ♥

Thanks for checking in with me today! Talk soon! Xx 

A storm is coming! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥

I just got back from the grocery store.  After I put everything away, I made myself a hot cup of tea (it just felt like a tea kind of day - as my mother used to say) and cut myself a piece of apple cake I made yesterday.  

Nothing like chopped apples with cinnamon and sugar to make it really feel FALL.  

The kitchen smelled heavenly! ♥

This is one of my go-to recipes the minute the season changes.  I've shared the recipe many times before but in case you missed it and want to bake something seasonal this weekend...here it is.  

I guarantee you have everything you need on hand to make it. 

You won't regret it 🍎

apple swirl cake 

The secret ingredient is orange juice! ♥

It gives it a little something special : ) 

It comes out perfect every time. It will keep your kitchen warm (because it's getting a bit chilly) and your belly too.  

I just love coffee or tea with a slice of cake in the afternoon. 

It's the little things in life ♥

We are currently battening down the hatches (is that the correct term?) for a big storm this weekend - heavy rain and high winds. If you are in its path, I'm sure you are aware.  

I just brought in my garden flag and a few little things I have outside because I don't want them to blow away.  I've forgotten to do that before and have lost things.  

Happy I remembered this time! ♥

The rain hasn't started yet, but it's already getting very windy.  The weather people on TV are having a field day.  Apparently, that's all that's happening in the world right now because they have the top story. 

We are on storm watch from now to Monday and that's all we will be hearing about.  I for one am happy putting on a movie or TV show and shutting off the world for the weekend.  Sometimes it's just a little too much chatter, you know what I mean??

Thankfully, none of us have any place to go so we'll be hibernating in our bubble ♥

I have candles, books, and plenty of previously mentioned baked goods on hand in case we lose power.  

I'm praying we don't! ♥

After the storm passes the sun will come out again and the birds and the squirrels will be back.  I'm sure they are getting all cozy as well, waiting for this to pass. 

Can you believe this is the last weekend in September? Where did the month go?? We are on a fast track to holiday season and there's no stopping it now.  

Is anyone thinking about Thanksgiving yet or am I the only one? 🦃 It's the one big holiday I host so it means a lot to me.  Plus, a full turkey dinner is my favorite meal of life.  Oh, how I miss my mother's homemade stuffing - and do you believe I never learned her recipe.  How could I not? I'm so mad at myself. I mean, mine is ok...but it's not the same. When I really think about it, I can remember the taste so clearly - especially the crispy bits on the edges, those were my favorite.  Oh well...such is life.  I'll try again this year.  I'm sure she'll be watching and cheering me on ♥

Wishing you all a comfy and restful weekend.  If you are hibernating like me, enjoy it! Stay in your pj's, bake, read, binge a favorite show, and maybe take a nap.  

That's what I'll be doing ♥

Stay safe, everyone! (and dry too!).  Right now I'm off to meal plan for the upcoming week before I forget what I just bought.  Does that ever happen to you?  I have big ideas at the store and by the time I get home they are all goneeeeee!  I need to be better at writing stuff down! :) 

Talk to you all soon! xo 

Happy First Day of Fall! ♥

 Hello Lovely Friends! 

Happy first day of FALL! 🍂🍁

My windows were cracked open last night, and I woke up to a 62-degree breeze wafting in. At 6:00 am it was still dark.  All the vibes were there. I was wrapped in my blanket feeling so very cozy.  I got up and poured myself a hot cup of coffee (the first of many today) and brought it back to bed. 

This is Fall I thought. And what a welcome! ♥

It's a blustery Winnie-the-Pooh kind of day - minus the colorful foliage view out the window. We're not there quite yet, but soon.  I love waking up when it's still dark out. Sometimes I light a candle or my twinkle lights.  It's my favorite time of the day.  Slowly the world wakes up with me.  

John had a late class today, so I was able to make him some breakfast before he left. We had egg sandwiches.  I am happy to save him a few bucks from the Dunkin Donuts drive through! : )  

I won't see him again until late tonight, so it was nice to catch up over breakfast. I'll treasure these mornings while they last. Over the years back to school season has always had its own special routine and this is now. 

Anyway, how was your weekend? 

The weather here was wonderful! Saturday was sunny and cool - a perfect fall day.  Rob and I got up early and headed into Boston for coffee and a nice walk around the city.  

We go cappuccinos and a treat at one of our favorite bakery's.

 

The fruit tarts are so good! 

It was one of the best Saturday mornings I've had in a while ♥

We had fun roaming around for a few hours.  

I told Rob I want to come back at Christmastime to shop and see all the decorations.  That's where my mind goes.  Believe it or not, its not that far away! : )

In the meantime, some of my favorite fall products are making their appearances around the house...

All the smells and feels are here! ♥

I also have to mention my current book, which is fitting in quite nicely to this time of year.  By the title and cover you can probably tell what it's about.  It's a bit freaky, not gonna lie...but I'm loving it! 

This with a blanket and hot beverage on a cool autumn night....bliss! 

Happy Fall, my friends! I wish you the best season ever! ♥

Let's enjoy it while we have it. 

Have a pumpkin coffee and bake something with apples (that's what I'll be doing anyway :) 

It's just beginning! xx 

*PS THANK YOU to my friends who offered clothing suggestions! You ladies are my people! I've looked at all websites.  Such great choices.  I'll give you an update (with a haul) soon! ♥