vacation, sweet vacation

Last week, the Hubs and I took Friday and Monday off work and had a nice long weekend in Saugatuck. It was also my birthday weekend!


We stayed at a cute little B&B called the Twin Oaks Inn. It was only two blocks from downtown.


Neither of us had ever been to Saugatuck before but found it really nice. I can see why it's referred to as the Cape Cod of Michigan. We went on the paddle boat Star of Saugatuck for a cruise down the Kalamazoo River and out onto Lake Michigan. We also toured SS Keewatin, a docked passenger liner that was build in 1907.

My favorite pictures from the trip!










For my birthday, we got some super yummy chocolate flourless cake from the local coffee house, Uncommon Ground, and drove to the beach to watch the sunset over Lake Michigan.

We can't wait to go back.

Fawning Over - 3.5.11

This week I'm fawning over...

From Etsy


From Pinterest



1. etsy seller merriweathercouncil
2. etsy seller prettythingsbymeg
3. original pin
4. original pin

new recipe wednesday!

In an effort to get out of the winter blahs and a major food rut, every Wednesday I'll be trying a new recipe. Hooray for week one!



For dinner tonight I made an adapted version of this recipe from Saveur.



I wasn't able to find Rapini (broccoli rabe) at the market so I substituted it for asparagus which was on sale for $1.99 a pound! The results were great! The garlic and red pepper flakes made for a nice kick which was balanced by the goat cheese. Yummy!

Cooking, Baking and Eating!

Last weekend the Hubs and I headed down to Eastern Market to get our hands on some great Michigan produce.

We came home with a haul!


For dinner that night I made Acorn Squash soup


and for dessert, roasted nectarines with slivered almonds


which we ate over ice cream


This whole week, I've felt so behind with work and trying to get our yard in order for the coming winter. I've been so behind that I almost forgot about my pending Daring Kitchen challenge!

The September 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mandy of "What the Fruitcake?!", Mandy challenged everyone to make Decorated Sugar Cookies based on recipes from Peggy Porschen and The Joy of Baking.

I have to say that I almost didn't do this challenge. The sugar cookies were no problem, it's the decorating part. I can not decorate a cookie to save my life. Slab on some frosting, sure! So I went the easy route and colored my cookie dough and made First Day of Autumn cookies!

Fawning Over - 9.17.10

This week I'm fawning over...

1.


The fair city of Ferndale, Michigan will be hosting the 3rd Annual DIY Street Fair this weekend. Beer Garden, Bands and Crafters galore. More information can be found at the Fair's Website. I will be volunteering at the event this year.

2.


In case you didn't realize, Christmas is only SIX paychecks away! This necklace from Etsy Seller Lana0Crystal will be on my wish list!

3.


Last Sunday, the 12th marked my first wedding anniversary to my dear husband. I so love how our wedding photos turned out. Our photographer Amy Boeve did an amazing job and would love to work with her again for some family photos one day.

4.


This year was our first try at having a vegetable garden and we have tomatoes up the wazoo. Smitten Kitchen posted this seemingly super easy recipe for homemade pasta sauce I might need to try out.

5.


On our last Ikea outing I picked up a couple of these vases. They look really cute grouped together with a few small blooms or alone with one statement flower.

wall art

Now that our living, dining and kitchen have all been painted (pictures coming soon) I'm been thinking about what to put on the walls. We have a few things up now, like some of our wedding pictures. I love the idea of something like this!


monkey & squirrel on Etsy


the spiced pear on Etsy

These seem like they would be pretty easy to make, especially the second ones. Maybe it's time for a trip to Joann Fabrics to look for supplies!

Autumn resolutions

I have been a terrible blogger. I need to develop a better routine in many areas in my life. Can I create Autumn resolutions? Turn a new leaf, perhaps? This week I have felt the start of Fall deep in my bones. Waking up to darker skies and temperatures in the 50s has been refreshing.


Paper Leaves by Kellie Dykast on flickr.

I view Autumn more as a time of rebuilding than of retreat. As the leaves fall, it seems as though Earth is releasing a sign of relief, letting go of a backlog of burden held on to through the hot dry days of summer. It's a time to grow new roots.


tinatarnoff on Etsy.