The year is coming to a close which means, busy holidays, desserts as far as the eye can see, precious memories made with friends and family, decorating with pine cones and Douglas Fir and long lines practically anywhere you go.

But the year end also means a new one is right around the corner. I love getting my home organized for the new year. Today at Target I bought my 2010 calender and was giddy. (yes I get that excited) about filling in birthday’s, anniversaries, trips, family visits and new things. 2010 is going to be a good year…

Fall has gotten me thinking all things plaid…

I’ve had my nose buried in this book for the past couple weeks.

Something about the cool weather of fall has gotten me in the mood to bake bread; it’s sort of romantic I guess. Cold, rainy, windy outside only to retreat inside our cozy warm little apartment with the smell of fresh yeasted bread baking as you walk through the door. Well friends those recipes are to come, but this one I wanted to share with you today is as simple as it gets.

We woke up later than normal Saturday (after 9 eek!) and this was the perfect thing, simple ingredients and done in 25 minutes. Not to mention only one dirty pie plate later breakfast was served. This is a mix between a pancake and a popover, just lovely with your morning coffee, not to mention the smell of the cloves will send you in a fall frenzy; that is if your not there already.

Apple Pancake Sam
recipe from The Tassajara Bread Book

• 2 tbsp. butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 med. apple, sliced into wedges
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. flour
• 1/2 c. milk
• 3 eggs
• Ground cloves
Put butter into 9 inch round pie plate, heat in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Don’t brown. Squeeze lemon juice over apple slices and toss with brown sugar. Set aside.Combine flour, a pinch of ground cloves, milk and eggs; whisk briefly. Batter will be lumpy. Remove baking dish from oven. Pour in batter. Arrange apples in circle around dish. Top with the remaining lemon-brown sugar mixture. Bake until firm and puffy. Dust with ground cloves. Serve with warm syrup. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.



Images: sammyw

I am always searching blogs, magazines, cookbooks you name it for new and different seasonal dishes, but sometimes you gotta resort back to what you know. Here’s a look at some of my favorite fall yummies…

This cream cheese pumpkin bread was a huge hit with my hubs.

Or how about this Farfalle with roasted butternut squash, pancetta and sage? It’s squashes galore here in Seattle.

Mmm I remember these muffins, perfect to bag up and bring to your friends and neighbors.

Caramelized Brussels sprouts make a perfect side dish to any dinner.

Forget the pasta when you can have Garlic & Shallot Spaghetti Squash.

This caramel apple dip is crazy good, trust me.

And if you make nothing else do yourself a favor and make these, they are my favorite and I promise they will quickly become yours as well.

Images: sammyw

A couple weeks ago my boy and I took a day trip to the adorable Jubilee Farm in Carnation, WA. Here’s some memories from our day

on the drive up – lovely view to my left

and a lovely view in front of me.

Row after row of pick your own flowers

Acre after acre of u pick fruits and veggies

Apples picked fresh off the trees

Then came the farm animals

These beauties pulled the quaint hay ride around the farm

The star of the season. Hope you are out enjoying this beautiful fall season!

Images: sammyw

Loving this clean simple pumpkin decorating look. Get the directions here.

Rain, warm socks, soup, farmers market, flowers from my hunny sitting on the kitchen table, reuniting with old friends…hope your weekend is delightful as well.

Rustic Potato Chowder
recipe adapted from 101 cookbooks

• 8 to 10 slices bacon
• 3 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, diced
• 3 shallots, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, diced
• 4 cups unpeeled new potatoes, cubed
• 2 t salt, divided
• 1 T Dijon mustard
• 4 cups organic milk
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
• freshly ground pepper
• fresh chives

In a large pot cook the bacon according to package instructions, until browned and crisp. Cool and chop into small pieces. Set aside. In the same pot add the extra-virgin olive oil, onions, shallots, and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes, or until the onions start to get soft. Add the diced potatoes and teaspoon of salt and saute for about two minutes. Now add the mustard and milk. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the soup thickens and the potatoes are soft throughout. Whisk in the Gruyere cheese, another teaspoon of salt, and a couple pinches of pepper. Garnish with the bacon, fresh chives.

Image: sammyw

Sigh…Have you seen the movie Marley and Me? I saw it a couple months ago and needed tissues, a shoulder to cry on, my mama, the whole nine yards. What an amazingly sad and wonderful movie. These past couple weeks I’ve been glued to the book and am how on the last three chapters. The book has been amazing thus far and as Marley gets older, I know what these last chapters entail and to be honest I’m not looking forward to reading them. I know I will, I must, but man is this a real pull at your heartstrings kinda book. If you haven’t seen the movie, watch it. If you haven’t read the book, read it. I promise you will thank me later…

I know, I know this poor little deserted blog. She is always here waiting with open arms for a post or two. Well I started about a month ago working full time and from there life hasn’t slowed down. My hubs and I are striving to simply our life and use our time wisely for Jesus, thus putting this little blog on the back burner. I love documenting, writing, photographing our little world and plan to continue as time permits. Would love to see ya’ll stick around…

Today, I have a little extra time; I took the day off work today to take care of this dear boy who is battling the flu.

Poor thing, it’s the first time since we’ve been married (3 1/2 years!) that one of us has gotten sick. *crossing my fingers that I don’t catch it* So far the steel oatmeal that I made him for breakfast is agreeing with him; the kale, salmon and beets for dinner last night sadly weren’t so lucky…

In other news, it’s beginning to look and feel like fall around here. Acorns and crispy dry leaves are beginning to fall around me as I walk to work in the morning, it’s a total joy to watch the seasons change. An excellent reminder of the Lord’s character and faithfulness to us. Last weekend we went down to the market and ordered a pumpkin spice latte from the first Starbucks, a little tradition we started last year to welcome the fall season. Our weekly trip to the farmers market is beginning to look different as well. The peaches are being replaced with crisp apples, the soft lettuces with hearty kale and beets.  Pumpkins, acorn squash and apple cider are all making their debut. While surveying the bounty we were showered with small golden leaves that fell from old old trees that lined our path, it was picturesque. I absolutely love fall, a time for weeknights snuggling under a blanket, cool evenings, sipping tea, wearing scarves, mittens, and hats, what a charming time. Looking forward to sharing the little joys of the holiday season with you all.

Image: sammyw

I’ve never owned a leather bag and with my current cloth bag literally falling apart, I’m in the market for a new one. Being a city dweller, walking everywhere my purse gets a lot of wear and tear so leather seems like the perfect way to go. I can’t decide which one of these beauties from Anthropologie I like more. I guess which ever one goes on sale first…