A Timeless Tradition

Who says you ever get too old to make gingerbread houses? 

Gabby & Gelle took a nice break from their busy schedules 

to get their hands in gluing frosting and sprinkles. 

There was a lot of laughter. 

That's all I can ask for. 

When I'm a mom I hope I feel the same way. 

The mess was big, but the fun was bigger. 

They were keeping score. 

Fun won.

Hands down.

They were boxed kits, but we pimped them out with extra sprinkles and candy. 

 And for dinner a turkey pot pie...

I just wanted to show off my first lattice crust. 

Thanks for caring.

Sweet Potato Gratin

My contribution to our Thanksgiving meal was Sweet Potato Gratin. 

Sweet Potato Gratin Recipe

Our family tends to leave the sweet potatoes alone on thanksgiving. Something I DO NOT understand. I love them all the time. With sugar & syrup & candied nuts & marshmallows. I also just like them plain. This year I decided to go with something subtle. To let the sweet potatoes speak for themselves. The turn out was awesome. An empty pan. What more could I ask for?

 Thanks for the help Aunt Kristie!!! Including real whipping cream. That stuff is expensive on Thanksgiving. I think they jack up the prices on purpose.

 The ingredients: sweet potatoes, whipping cream, salt, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, & pepper. That's it.

 Layer with cream (with all the spices except salt & pepper) then potatoes then sprinkle with salt & pepper. Repeat until everything is gone.

Our pan barely fit in the oven...it was a close one.

Pike Place

Pike Place Market it one of my favorite places in the entire world. I could go everyday. I have always wanted to buy lots of produce from the market & make a meal the same day. Talk about a fresh meal. Well, it finally happened. 

COFFEE

BOOKS

FISH

SHOPPING

COOKING AFTER

Veggie alfredo with garlic bread & homemade pear pie

 Tri-colored carrots, zuchinni, purple asparagus, & homemade noodles

 Melissa & Whitney cooking

 Kyle

 Meg

 Elephant garlic...oh so good!!!! We ate so much it was lethal.

 Pear pie. GOODNESS!

Baking Fun

I find myself wanting to try new recipes or perfect an all-time favorite. Here are some of my attempts. 

The CHEWIEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

epicurious chocolate chip cookies

I always make cookies that are chewy & delicious right out of the oven but the next day hard as a rock. But, my life has changed. These stayed chewy & wonderful. Check out the recipe. It's a winner.

Jalapeno Cornbread

Emeril's Jalapeno Cornbread

 So the first time I tried this I left it in the oven too long...I wasn't aware you don't want the "bounce back" like you do with cupcakes/muffins. However, the second time I hit a home run. Good stuff! I took it to a friends house who was serving Autumn Chili in a pumpkin. Delicious! The whole corn kernels make it better than just plain cornbread. Also, the first time I went through the trouble of cooking & cutting corn, but the second time I just used frozen. It was worth saving the time. They also a perfect kick to pair with chili.

Classic Banana Bread

I decided to make banana bread since the bananas were going bad. Not wasting is a great excuse to bake. I added chocolate chips. Who doesn't love the banana-chocolate combo??? I have NO idea! 
Also, I like any chance to use a classic recipe. This was from a Betty Crocker Cookbook.
It tuned out really moist & messy. The chocolate was a bit much  but delicious.

 
Heather's Pumpkin Bread/Muffins
Gabby & Gelle are big fans of their mom's pumpkin bread, so Heather thought breakfast muffins would be a good idea. They were a hit. You can really taste the autumn spices. It is like fall in a muffin. I will definitely be making these at my place.

 This is a VERY loved recipe.

Fall Dinner Party

There is no other perfect place to serve Mason Jar Apple Pies than a Fall Dinner Party with great friends. We turned Matt & Whitney's back porch into an outdoor dining room. 

Here is what we used:

white christmas lights

wine glasses with tea lights lining the rail

lamps

beautifully clothed tables

mixed matched plates

pumpkin candle holders

cutests circle rug of my life

outdoor fire

mixed match chairs

anthropologie placemats

cloth napkins 

hanging mirror 

Here is what it looked like:

Please note the fall wreath on Whit's door. Does it look familiar?

Here is who was there:

 We were a bit crazy to have an OUTSIDE dinner party in October in Washington, but everyone just bundled up & enjoyed the fire & the dry sky. I think it was about 45 degrees.

 Menu:

Cider Roasted Pork & Cranberry Quinoa Wild Rice (Whitney saw it on The Today Show)

Garden Salad (Colby)

Mashed Potatoes (Robbins)

Bread & Butter (Jeanette)

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (Laura)

Mason Jar Apple Pies (Whitney & Lindsey)

Pumpkin Seeds (Whitney)

Mulled Apple Cider

Beer

French Press Coffee

Water

Thank you Matt, Whitney, & Quinn for opening up your home!!!

It was a magical Fall night full of laughter, good food, creativity, & lasting memories.

Winter Dinner Party anyone?