In the Kitchen Pt. 5

It has been a little while since my last "In the Kitchen" addition, and all I can say is I'm sorry. I really have been cooking and baking up a storm these past couple of weeks, and I even took pictures of the food, but... There have been a couple of events that kind of took my mind off of posting. Things including the Phillies winning the World Series, which of course being a suburbanite of Philadelphia, you know I was down there partying it up at this place the night they won, joining in the crowds on Broad St. afterwards, and then traveling downtown once more on Friday to take part in the amazing parade. And then there was the Election and of course the stresses of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner. Finally, after my evening run with Metayo, I found some quite time to sit down in front of the computer and share a few of my cooking ventures with you. I now present you with an amazing cheesecake recipe by the incredibly talented and always dependable Dorie Greenspan. Being the first cheesecake I have ever made, I was quite proud at how it turned out, and so was everyone who tasted it. Since it is not a recipe of my own, I thought I'd take another photo of a Roasted Garlic and Butternut Squash Penne I conjured up for my sister, who always asks me to whip something up for her on Tuesdays. The recipe for the Penne dish is as follows, but you can find the cheesecake recipe here, and I do suggest that you try it immediately!!

Roasted Garlic & Butternut Squash Penne
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed.
5-6 whole garlic cloves
1 shallot, chopped or diced
6 sages leaves, julienned.
1 tbsp. E.V. Olive Oil
3 tbsp. butter + 1 tsp. E.V. Olive Oil
1/8 tsp. Anchovy paste (Incredibly subtle, nutty NOT fishy flavor)
Red Pepper Flake to taste
Pinch of Nutmeg
Salt and Pepper
1 Box whole wheat Penne


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp. oil with butternut squash, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour onto baking sheet and place in oven, mid rack for 10-15minutes until golden. If needed, you can broil them for a few minutes to get the tops nice and brown. Take out and and allow to cool. In a saute pan, add butter and 1 tsp. oil, anchovy paste and shallots. Allow butter to brown slightly, and add red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste, and sage leaves. Cook whole wheat penne until al dente, and add into saute pan, along with a splash or two of pasta water or white wine. Slice roasted garlic into thin or thick slivers, and add that and butternut squash to pan. Heat through and serve. (* This is the perfect dish for fall; nutty and comforting. You could also try adding a green such as broccoli rab or spinach as well!)










*Sorry for the not-top quality cheesecake photos, darkness had fallen by the time it chilled and I don't like using the flash.

Baby it's Cold Outside

Though it is almost the first of November, I am proud to say that South-Eastern Pennsylvania has already accumulated some small amounts of snow. Now of course, the location of your home dictated how long those feathery flurries lasted, but it was sure fun (at least somewhat) while it did. Yesterday we experienced 20-40 mph winds, constant showers, hail, and of course snow, that lovely lovely snow. With hints of what the day would entail from the big game the night before, Tuesday, October 28th was just one of those days where you wanted to sleep in all day, surrounded by comfy down pillows and warm blankets, watching through your frosted windows what mayhem sweeped across the land. But we are not all so lucky, and I had to venture out into the mess, with umbrella in hand, and boy let me tell you it was quite an experience. Inverted umbrellas, icicles in the rats nest which now made up my once straightened locks, and brush burns from being slammered in the face by sleet and snow always make a woman feel her best don't they? It was a long day but I was so glad to come back home, put on a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup and sip a nice hot cup of cocoa. Luckily, the Nor-Eastern which brought all this horrible weather about is finally passing through, and come Halloween it will be sunny and warm-er than yesterday or today (currently 38 degrees.) If I don't get to tell you then, I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

In the Kitchen Pt. 4

Come the middle of October I am completely enthralled with cooking; baking especially. I conjure up ideas in my head, gather the ingredients, and make tasty comfort food for my family, friends, and loved ones. I DVR all of my favorite cooking shows, watch them when I get the chance, and then use their recipes as the inspirations for my own creations. Seasonal magazines are also a must in my kitchen, such as Country Living, Martha Stewart Living, and Gourmet. The pictures alone get my creative kitchen juices flowing and I often times find myself jotting recipes on anything within reach, such as receipts, junk mail, etc. Just yesterday I felt like baking, so I made an apple crisp pie. Using, ehem.. store bought crust and store bought apple crumble, I used up all of my past-their-prime Macintosh's, added some pumpkin spice and cinnamon, and piled up the ingredients. There is nothing like compiling a recipe on a whim, simply based on whatever is stocking the kitchen shelves. I try not to waste food, so if a few apples begin to go bad I'll make apple sauce or if the tomatoes have reached their peak, "sun dried" tomatoes. Last night I brined some pork chops, and made a roux out of white wine, butter and flour, tossed in some thyme, dried cranberries and sauteed onions, and voila! Parmesan thyme risotto accompanied the dinner along with steamed broccoli florets, and dinner was served in no time. The chill in the air makes people crave those feel good foods that not only make your house smell amazing, but they taste amazing as well. Here's to using simple accessible ingredients to serve up delicious comfort foods!

Apple Crumble Pie:
1 store bought pie crust (or homemade if you're so inclined ;)
1 box T. Marzetti Apple Crumble Mix w/ 5 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 pound sliced Macintosh apples (or whatever you have on hand) about 2.5 cups
2 Tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. pumpkin spice or all spice
1 Tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 Tsp. Lemon Juice (to preserve apples)
1 Tbsp. flour
Pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lay pie crust in round pie pan, poking the sides and bottom with a fork as well as creasing the edges. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes until crust is golden. As crust bakes, cube 5 tbsp. cold butter and incorporate into Apple Crumble mix (or use a food processor.) Place in fridge. Mix apples, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, flour, salt and vanilla and fill pie crust. Top with chilled crumble topping and drizzle with maple syrup. Brush an egg-wash onto the crust prior to placing in oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until apples are tender and crumble topping is golden. Let slightly cool and enjoy!

Ps: Sorry no post-baking photo, my camera fell in Metayo's water bowl and I was frantically trying to save it ;) But it still works thankfully!

Fall Premieres

Has anyone caught the Food Network commercials that have announced a BRAND NEW season of Barefoot Contessa, as well as an all new series from Giada DeLaurentiis, called Giada at Home? Being that the two above are my all-time favorite show hosts on the channel, I am uber-excited. Not only does the fall bring new sights and smells, but also new shows! I have been watching these two cookin' ladies for several years now, and although I can only really say I've attempted a handful or so of their recipes, I love the way in which the shows are filmed, and the fresh ideas that they take on common grocery items.
Now that it is officially Fall, I have been bitten by the cooking bug and have been whipping up concoctions all week long. Last night at 9:00 P.M. I decided that I would make sweet potato pie. How do you make sweet potato pie you ask? Well I wouldn't be able to tell you, but I knew I had some ginger-snap cookies that were going to go to waste as well as a can of sweet potatoes, so I figured why not? After a few additions and mistakes, I whipped up a Sweet Potato pie which my family all loves, just in the knick of time too (10:30 P.M.) ;) Today, I saw some button mushrooms that needed to be used, so I figured that I would whip up some Chicken Marsala for my sister who has been asking me to make her a "creamy pasta dish." Theres something about fall, and that cold nip in the air that makes you crave comfort foods, and makes me yearn to be in the kitchen, creating some new dishes that will entice my loved ones senses and of course make their belly's happy. Please do tune onto the Food Network on October 18th @ 1:00 P.M. if you hadn't already planned, or of course set your DVR to record for the two lovely new shows. Heres to Falls new beginning and the start of some comforting kitchen creations and celebrations!

ps: How could I forget, Food Network has also created a new Magazine!! Check it out here

Fall Fix Up

The season is changing, and with every seasons change I always tend to get into the mood for some inspiration early on. So this past weekend, while attempting to reach for October and November issues of my favorite magazines from years past, I found myself covered with at least 30 pounds of paper-inspiration. The closet shelf which neatly holds all of my magazines fell and poured over a hundred different copies of Country Living, Country Home and Martha right ontop of me. Angered, annoyed and a little bit bruised, I decided that it was finally time to de-clutterize and organize.
Completely skipping the whole "Spring-Cleaning" period this year, some areas of my home never received a thorough cleaning. I say areas, but truly just mean my crafts room. Full of magazines, paper scraps, glue bottles, glitter flecks and all other sorts of loveliness that would have looked great in containers, it was time for a serious clean-up. You see I have the tendency to collect things (ie: magazines and clothes) and when I find myself surrounded and overwhelmed by the vast quantities of each, I still have a hard time letting go. I have never liked to clip pictures out and discard the rest of a magazine, especially Holiday issues and Spring, Winter, Autumn, oh well pretty much all of them. But it was time, so I selected some of my old Martha's (keeping the holiday and autumn editions of course!) Gourmet, and some Country Living, and clipped and recycled. I still have quite a large supply of magazine inspiration, but it's a start. Once I was done with my clippings I organized them into folders labeled for each theme, and now I can just open the folders whenever I need some "Kitchen" inspiration or delicious recipe. Now that my crafts room revamp is over, I am planning on looking through all of my Autumn editions, lighting some of these lovely candles and sitting back to watch one of my fall favorites "Practical Magic." (It always get's me in the mood for chilly Autumn nights and hot apple cider. ;)

To Autumn

Every year, typically weeks before the official start of Fall (September 22,) the heavy summer air takes a vacation for a few days, teasing us with what beautiful weather is to come. Although these wonderful days last only a week or so, I am always so thankful to have them. Not only do they remind me of how much I love the upcoming season, but they also act as a breath of fresh air, after a summer stuck indoors, air conditioning on high, and a slight case of lethargy. Today is one of those days, morningtime and a mere 63 degrees with the bright sun shining. Had it not been a weekday, today would have been the perfect day for a yard sale run or an outdoor antique market visit. Alas, it is still Summer, and I still have a few more weeks until pumpkins and mums begin to pop-up at my local farmstand. Fall may not officially arrive for a few more weeks, but who says we can't start early? Feeling the "Autumnal blues" I thought I would look up some inspirational eye-candy for all of the creative bloggers who adore the season as much as I do, since the October issues of my favorite magazines do not come out for at least another week. Enjoy the little pieces of joy below for now, but remain patient, because Fall will soon reward you with all of its loveliness!



PS: *Site still UNDER CONSTRUCTION*

Shes a sneaky one...

Okay, Okay, I could not take it any longer... I must... post... my hat!!! I confess I did send it out later then the set due date because of some technical difficulties with some of the details, so therefore I have waited extra long to share the completed project with you all. Not that it is very important to your or anything, I thought I would finally post the pictures of the hat I made for Speckled Eggs Halloween Hat swap. Since it is just one more week until Halloween, and of course since I have been deserting you to the MAX, I thought I could quite possibly, make it up to you? I promise this is not the only thing that will come in the future. More "In the Kitchens" and perhaps even a few "Fashion Fridays" tucked in the schedule as well. I dont want to ruin anything, but hint.. hint.. my 50th post is coming up soon, just in time for the holidays!! I am going to try to make it to 100 posts before my blogs 1 year anniversary!! That is now my goal, and I promise I will try to reach it!!
Alrighty, now back to the hat... I took your basic party hat cone shape, made one out of heavy duty scrapbook paper, and then added some shredded paper, glitter, vellum, and all that jazz. A few squiggly eyes later, Voila! I was going for more of a vintage inspired Halloween, the classic colors, plus some sheet music and tea stained papers. I really love how it turned out, and I hope my partner Robyn loved it as much as I do. It was really hard to part with, and I believe that the UPS arrival date said Wednesday October 25th, so I'm patiently awaiting what she thinks. I also added a card (not shown) and a goody bag of some scrumptious candies.. Yummo, candy corn how I love thee!! Okay, now on with the rest of the pictures; enjoy the eye candy (pardon the pun!) Until next time wishing you goody bags full of candy corn and Halloween inspirations!

Thank you Mr. Postman....

Hello all, yes I am still here, and no I am not going to appologize for deserting you once again because I know you are all tired of hearing about it ;) So on to why I made this blog, to keep in touch, inspire and be inspired by others! Okay, so the other day I am watching my DVR'd episode of Martha, when I hear the mailman come to drop off the mail. I pause my Martha, go outside, and as I turn around to go back inside I notice I large brown UPS box in the corner of my eye. I was soo excited and shocked that I dropped the mail and ran into the house for a pair of scissors. Once it was opened I found a sweet handmade card from Robyn, my Halloween Hat Swap partner. I also found a cute Halloween inspired ribbon and as I dug through the seemingly endless array of styrofoam balls, I spotted it. Orange glittery goodness in all of its glory!! I picked it up and admired the details, the fabrics she used, the vintage childrens hat, and the glitter. Not to mention that gorgeous 'G.' How had she known I had been wanting one of those? Anyways I am proud to say that it is now being displayed on a vintage urn with the rest of my fall decor. And might I add that it just goes so well!! I cannot thank you enough Robyn, and I can't wait for you to recieve mine!
I know I told you that I would share a few sneek peaks at the hat, but before I got to take some close up details, I had to ship it off to California. So I will wait until I get news that Robin's postman delivered it, and then I will show you because I want her to be surprised! Alrighty, well these past few weeks (ughh... has it really been that long?) have been very busy. My great Uncles came over from California for the first time in my life, and might I add they are super-fun!! I cannot wait to visit them, and since I'll be in CA, I might just have to travel to some of the great spots I read about in Blogland. As some type of payment for my time away I thought I share with you some pictures of the hat Robyn made. Until the next time, perhaps Saturday (when I buy some pumpkins and those flowers I've been talking about) I wish you beautiful fall days and some suprises in the mail!!
ps: Did anyone catch Wendy Addison on Martha yesterday?? And VICTORIA magazine is BACK!!!

Octobers Splendor...

Ahh, the brisk days of fall have fallen upon us and the leaves are beginning to change color. I'm tellin ya, October 1st has got me all to excited for the fall (like I have said oh so many times before!) I have been working on getting out my Halloween/Fall decor out, but I still haven't found the time. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be the day that I unearth all of those annual goodies. Am I the only one who feels like its Christmas morning when I open up the fall decor box and see all of the goodies that I have long forgotten and sometimes even forgot that I had? If so, then call me crazy because I am crazily in L.O.V.E with Fall!! As you can see I am starting to get in the mood for fall, with my small purchase of 3 mini pumpkins and some of the scraps from my Halloween Hat swap project.
I did not want to show you too much, in fear that the woman I am sending it to might get an early surprise. I worked on finishing it up this weekend and I just have to add a few more details to make it beautiful. I'm starting to get orders for these hats now, everyone that sees the in-the-process Halloween Hat is always saying "Oh you should make one for so and so, she loves Halloween." So maybe that will be my new venture, a world in creating lovely party hats. There are just so many creative souls out there, that hold so much talent, and are an inspiration to me everyday! Anyhoo, back onto Halloween, I am hoping on getting over to the farm stand to pick up my pumpkins and mums and pansies. Ohh, I was there last week and they hat black and caramel colored pansies which I am hoping are not sold out by now. I'm thinking them along with some baby cabbages for the front, and of course some carved jack-o-lanterns! I promise, more fall adventures lie ahead, so dont miss out, and oh yeah Ill sneak a few more peeks of the hat for you as well! Wishing you crisp and beautiful fall days!

Bundles Of...

Well, Fall has finally arrived and although the days are hot, the nights are nice and cool and I dont mind the warmer then usual temperatures. The trees have a slight auburn color which is slowly covering each tree with the brilliant palette of fall. I must apologize for my two week vacation from blogland. I did have things to show you (yeah, yeah, how many times has she said that?) I really did, but I have just been soooo busy. Busy with all sorts of things, especially work. Ughhh, anyways I have been waiting to post up my new blog header, made by myself for this fall season. I finally got Photoshop Elements, so I was able to start doodling in digi scrapbooking. Remember, I'm a newbie at this, so dont expect too much ;)
I have been soo excited lately for Fall, all of the events that happen, the hayrides, and mazes, as well as the trips to buy pumpkins, mums and gourds at the farm. I pass by my local farm stand every morning, and I just love it as the sun is rising and the ghostlike fog is still hovering over the remaining sunflowers and zinnias. I also drive by slow everyday, and even at seven o'clock in the morning, the workers are out their loading those beautiful cinderella pumpkins and the new halloween decorations. I'm tellin ya' these people probably think I'm crazy since I slow down to see what new items they are loading. Over the weekend they began to lay out the pumpkins for selection, and the rows and rows of soon blooming mums are waiting to be transplanted. Today I thought I would show you some books I found at the thrift store, from 1867 (top) to 1951 (bottom) these books along with their colors fit perfectly with the colors in my room. And of course I had to show you a collection of the ever-growing October magazine issues which offer tons of Fall inspiration. That reminds me, tomorrow I have to take out the fall decorations and start getting this place cozied up. Goodbye pastels and hello burnt orange and cranberry! I promise I will share some sneak previews of my Halloween Hat swap project that I am working on, I'll post them this week! Okay, well thats all for now, wishing you crisp fall mornings, and a tasty orchard fresh apple!

ps: How much do you enjoy fall?

Hats Off to You!

I am just going to say that I am truly, deeply and completely sorry for deserting you once again. I do have some reasons as to why I took a "Blogiday" (ehem.. more like week(s)" but I know from some of the blogs that I read daily that even when they are busy, which is a much busier busy then mine, they still take the time share a few creations or inspirations. I not only ignored you for a week, but I also ignored my favorite blogs. Boy I'll tell ya, I have got some reading to do!!
Anyways, I promise I will try to update it at least twice a week, if not three times, especially now with the new Fall season coming up, and adventures for buying mums, pumpkins and ghourds, as well as finding the perfect Halloween candy and showing you the process of my Halloween Hat swap!! So, you know you are in for a treat in the next few months with all of the Holidays and get togthers. Ladies I just can't wait!! The images I am sharing with you today are of some of my Great Aunt's old hats full of vintage millinery flowers, and velvet ribbons, ohh and I especially love that pink one!!! I grabbed as many as I could hold, since she is planning on throwing them away. Now I can display them and whenever I look at them, I will always remember my Aunt Cida! Since today is a very important date in the lives of many, I am sending hats off to you, as well as to those who have lost a loved one on todays anniversary six years ago. I send my hopes and prayers to those who have lost someone, and many thanks to those who helped in the dismal weeks after as well as the many years fighting in the war. God Bless you all!!




9/11 Forever in our Hearts...
"Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark."
~Rabindranath Tagore

Sweet September

I cannot believe that it is already the first day of September!! I am happily suprised, but Summer just flew by so quickly. I have been reading my daily blogs throughout the night, and I have discovered that today was a beautiful day all throughout the country. In my neck of the woods it was sunny, bright blue skies all day, with puffy white clouds and a cool breeze. The perfect entrance into Fall. I believe that Fall is my favorite season, since it's not too hot and not too cold, and the natural surroundings are glorious. The smell of apple cider and pumpkin pie entice your senses, and haystacks and pumpkins line every doorway. Fall is a time, that no matter what neighborhood your passing through, every house takes the time to spruce up a little bit. If I am not mistaken, I believe Fall is a world renowned favorite season of us bloggers.
Alrighty, well lets change the topic for a bit and travel on to craft supplies... Long story short, my Great Aunt is moving from the house that she has occupied for I believe her entire married life, and she is giving away all of the "stuff" that she has. Now, I like to collect things, pretty things, but my Aunt, well she is the hoarder of all things "vintage." Whether it's a plastic bag for a plaid comforter from 1978 or my Great Grandmothers writing desk, you can find it in her basement. She is planning on putting everything to the curb in a few weeks, and when I heard this, my sister and I drove over to her house to get as many family heirlooms as possible. I mean, I don't want the trunk that my grandparents brought over from Sicily getting picked up by some stranger. So we discovered so many things in that basement, and we even need to rent a storage unit to hold it all until we find more space. As for little things, I now have found the family culprit as to where I get my "creative gene." I know my gardening comes from my maternal Grandmother, maternal Great Grandfather, and paternal Grandfather. And my decorating/ housekeeping/ cooking gene comes from my two Grandmothers, but I never knew where I got that little crafty gene, even though my mom did enjoy sewing at one point in her life. And when I uncovered that old plastic sheet in a dingy corner in her basement, I unearthed countless numbers of mica flakes, glass glitters, buttons, and bags of colored glass which I took as well. Even though my Great Aunt was into knitting and crocheting, she still enjoyed Glitter!! I brought home countless goodies, such as old hats, my Great Grandmothers tea cup collection, family linens, etc. I am just happy to have these items passed down the family tree instead of into some strangers living room! The pictures today show the glitter I found and my method of getting the dingy smell out of old buttons... Good old soap n' water!! Until next time, wishing you fabulous "Fall" days and some family treasures!