Fall Favorites: Crockpot Granny Smith Applesauce

Fall favorites is back - as is my favorite season!  This past Saturday we made a trip to a local farm which has a 100-year old apple press.  It's been a tradition to go every year at the brink of fall, but this time my daughter was much more alert and interested in "the apple store."   We picked up some granny smith apples, apple butter, and cold pressed cider.  

I'd seen this recipe for granny smith crockpot applesauce on another blog, and thought I'd give it a whirl, thought honestly I was a bit skeptical as my last attempt at crockpot applesauce was a huge flop. However, this recipe did not disappoint, and today at lunch she gobbled her helping right up!  It's the perfect balance of tart and sweet with the warmth of the cozy spices of fall (in addition to being crazy easy, throw everything in the pot and cook for 4 hours).

image/potterandfinch

Podcast Recommendations?

What are you listening to these days?

I am trying to up my podcast ante, as I know with a new baby due in three short weeks, my days of reading an actual book cover to cover might be slim to none.  Here are some of my podcast favorites:

* The Moth Podcast (my favorite!)

* America's Test Kitchen

* Bon Appetit Foodcast

* This American Life

* Stuff You Should Know

I've dabbled in a few others like Mortified and Burnt Toast, but these 5 are solidly in my queue.  So, what are you listening to? Do tell...

image/pheartache

Weeknight Baking: Homemade Rainbow Chip Cake

{my cake}

Well I did it!  It was a goal of mine to make rainbow chip cake from scratch and now I can officially say I did it! I whipped up this labor of love cake for my daughter's birthday, and thankfully it was quite delicious - though the birthday girl refused even one bite!  

Part of what takes so much time is not the cake itself, but the melting and coloring of white chocolate to make the chips.  Note: I did take some iPhone pictures of the chips I created, but the photos from Ashley's blog were so much prettier I'm just going ahead and sharing hers.

{rainbow chips}

Overall - the cake was good, albeit time consuming.  Truth be told, rainbow chip cake is not my fave, however I could eat a tub of the frosting single handedly with a  box a graham crackers.  

Friday Fun

+ a cozy poncho for crisp fall days

+ this meyer lemon tart looks pretty delicious

+ can't resist this apple beanie for baby

+ for the DIY over-achiever, pumpkin straws

+ pretty excited for the fall ice cream flavors at Molly Moon's

+ speaking of ice cream…care to host an ice cream craw? (yum!)

+ ever considered a capsule wardrobe?

+ pumpkin apple muffins with cinnamon cream butter

+ dreaming of the amalfi coast

+ upcoming season of serial has a topic

+ cider braised chicken - perfect fall dinner

Fall Wreathes

With cooler weather just around the corner, I'm eyeing all of these delicious fall wreaths to add some zip to our front door as the seasons change.  What's your favorite?

fall burlap ribbon wreath

harvest wreath

fall berries

 oak leaves

pumpkins and sunflowers

images/etsy, crate and barrel

Quote of the Week

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so."
― Mary Jean Irion

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Grilled Peaches

Have you ever made peaches on the grill?  I don't know why I waited so long.  We grilled up peaches using this recipe on Friday night (sans bleu cheese) and they were superb!  The peaches were even a little on the firm side, so I was doubtful if they'd sweeten up, but sure enough, a little sugar, balsamic vinegar, and voila!  Holding onto summer as long as we can!

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The Astronaut Wives Club

I am hooked on a new show - The Astronaut Wives Club - have you heard of it?  It's a period drama based on the true story and events of America's race to the moon.  Plus, the 60's wardrobe of the characters is pretty fun!  

Of course, I just learned that the first season is unfortunately the only, as it was recently cancelled. However, it makes for a great new binge-watching show since you can't get sucked in too deep with a cap on episodes.  Available on Hulu streaming in case you're interested. :)

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Friday Fun

Have a lovely weekend!  Wrapping up week 2 back at school and hitting 35 weeks pregnant today, woot, woot!  Baby is coming soon!!  Now if we could only come agree on names...  

+ this airbnb looks a-mazing!!

+ Mindy Kaling's new book!

+ a stylish fishtail updo tutorial

+ chic lego decor

+ back to school picture books

+ an ikea hack we may try...

+ helpful laundry tip I used this week (it works!)

+ green goddess quinoa salad - yum!

+ ever had a rose spritzer?

+ Turks and Caicos for a next vacay?

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Dinner Last Night: Summer Skillet Gnocchi

With back to school starting this week, I was looking for relatively easy dinners to make at home to help simplify the dinner hour, as I knew I'd be more tired that usual.  This dish - summer skillet gnocchi - was a pleasant, filling dinner followed by decent leftovers.  We didn't have shiitake mushroom on hand, so I subbed in some zucchini from our garden.  The grilled corn adds a lovely element of sweetness to the dish, and thank goodness for Trader Joe's boil-for-3-minutes gnocchi to save the day.  Yum!

image/yummly