FFWD: all i have to say. . .

. . .is YUM. I love you, Marie-Hélène & Dorie. I made mine extra rum-y. :) Next time, I'll use a wider variety of apples, but these Fuji's held up well and are super delicious.

Wiksten

I, unabashedly, have a humungous girl crush on Jenny Gordy of Wiksten-made. For serious. Her blog is beautiful, she has impeccable taste, makes the most beautiful clothing and handknits, and is just an all around phenomenal gal. I envy her lifestyle as a lovely artist/maker with a fantastic studio with an awesome name (Dobbin Mews), a cute, city apartment, and a cute, loving hubby. I really, really, reeeeeeeeeally want to buy a Wiksten handknit item for Fall/Winter. *Sigh* Enough babbling.

(I'm really jealous of Jennifer Sarkilahti for getting these socks)

What A Surprise!

French Fridays with Dorie. Post #2.
I made Gerard's Mustard Tart last night for dinner. . . What an interesting dish! It was really tasty!! Even my picky eater of a Dad loved it!!!!! (SHOCKER) To be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect, but the delicate mustard flavor was certainly a pleasant surprise (and is what my Dad enjoyed most). I have to admit, I did not exactly follow the instructions, because. . .well, I was out and about all day until about 4:30 when I came home, read the recipe, and saw how long I was supposed to be chilling the dough! YIPES!!!!! My bad. . . so, that didn't happen. I got the dough together and chilled it in a disc for about an hour before I pressed it into my tart dish and immediately popped it in the oven to partially bake. And then again, I took the crust out of the oven and immediately poured in the filling; no messing around with waiting for the crust to cool (I just didn't have time for that!) Despite all of my poor planning and skipping steps, it came out fabulously! . . .thank goodness! :) Someone was on my side.

It was a yummy dish that we all really enjoyed! My parents might like it even more than I do! Funny, huh?! I think I'd really like to try the traditional recipe using tomatoes rather than carrots and leeks; those flavors sound totally delicious to me. This time around I may have used too many veggies (step-Mom disagrees; she loved all the veg). It was jammed packed (using 3 carrots and 3 leeks- they must have been much larger than what Dorie/Gerard used). So, next time, I think I'll lighten the load and see what happens. This one will definitely be making it to the table again, in some form or another! :)

Bon appetito miei amici! xo

Autumn

This is the first Fall I am experiencing with falling leaves, changing colors, crisp, cool nights, pumpkins out on doorsteps, in a very long time; since I was a little girl. And, I have to say, I am so deliriously happy about it! The prospect of apple cider, glowing candles, little kids all dressed up, smells of homey spices, beautiful, warm colors, leaves crunching beneath my feet, warm sun and cool air. . . what's not to love?!?!

Many of my fellow bloggers have been posting "to-do lists" and I'd like to share a list of things I would like to do in celebration of Fall. Please indulge me.

*Pick a pumpkin in a real pumpkin patch (Yes, I am 6 yrs old)
*Go on a hayride @ said pumpkin patch
*Roast a pumpkin and make something with it
*Create a really sweet jack-o-lantern
*Pick apples @ an orchard
*Pass out candy to little trick-or-treaters!!!!
*Take photos of the Fall foliage and demonstrate the passage of the season into Winter
*Break out the glory that are boots/scarves/jackets/thick socks (However, I am admittedly nervous about not being able to wear flip-flops all year round! You can't completely take the Arizona out of the girl)

By the way:
The end. :)