Ugh!

Unfortunately, my computer fizzled out yesterday. Posting from my phone or iPad really won't cut it, I promise to be back ASAP!

Quick: A Note

Happy Monday! It's in the 30's!!! this morning  and I'm quickly working through my first cup of coffee. We put up our tree on Friday night, and then decorated it on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, decorating with a nearly one and a half year old leaves much to be desired.. We went to my in-laws' new house here in town on Saturday and I made a pretty tasty dinner, but after two mai tais I forgot to take photos... groan. But, I'll be making it again later this week, (It was that good) so the recipe and photos coming soon!

I've been thinking a lot about this fresh little blog, I am working with Sara on a little revamping and have realized that I want to change things up a little bit. I will be posting everyday instead of the M,W,F scheduled I have been sticking to. I also plan to roll out a new weekly series or two. There are a lot of ideas floating in my head that I am anxious and excited to execute... Back to brainstorming today.. See you tomorrow!

* graphic by Sara Mueller for Society 6, buy it here. 

Happy Weekend!

I've (almost) made it through my first week home with Emma or 'retirement' as my husband calls it. It has been both tiring but most importantly fun, with trips to the park, lots of playing, and numerous on demand readings of the book, Opposites. This weekend I'm looking forward to going out to get our Christmas tree, (which reminds me, does anyone have any advice for keeping a 16 month old from ripping ornaments off?!) We'll also be decking our house in what might be an obnoxious amount of decorations. We're expecting rain tomorrow, with temperatures in the 50's through the early part of next week, so we'll be hanging out in front of the fire with a cocktail and filling our bellies with something warm and delicious, (yet to be decided, but I'll be sure to share next week!) Until then, something to think about:

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."    - Nelson Mandela

*Image by Erica George Dines for Atlanta Home and Lifestyle

Pasta: Butternut Squash, Bacon and Sage

I'm going to be honest, when I first made this it just wasn't doing it for me... it was very 'one note.' It was missing something, something to mellow out the sweetness of the butternut squash, the answer? Why, the answer to almost all of life's quandaries of course, bacon! The bacon not only balances the sweet with salt, it also gives it some crunchy texture. Another confession, until this, I had never cooked with sage, but after crisping it in the rendered fat from the aforementioned bacon... I will never-not cook with sage again!

Salad: Persimmon and Watercress

In case you missed my announcement on my birthday a few weeks ago, Friday was my last day at my job, (we were all in a food coma from the day before but if the market is open so are we.) As of today, I am a stay at home mom, yay! Unfortunately,  in my absence the last few weeks, (tying up loose ends at work) I missed posting some amazing Thanksgiving recipes... [sad face] but! today's recipe tastes so good (see what I did there!!) you'll want to make this tonight, tomorrow night, and every night this winter, (or until persimmons are out of season.) I added some toasted pepitas, (shelled pumpkin seeds) for added crunch and depth, you'll want to too... please, please, take my word for it.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday I quit my job.
(Responsibly, with notice of course!) 

Today is my 30th birthday.

I am happy (and incredibly lucky) to start a new decade of my life home with Emma, free to pursue my passions.

" For what it's worth: It's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you find you're not, I hope you have the strength to start over again."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald

image via

Thanksgiving Essentials: In the Kitchen

The right tools for the most important food day of the year. Note: Pop a bottle of something bubbly early!

1. Large All-Clad Stainless Steel Roaster w/ Thermometer $159.95
2. Stir Crazy Wooden Spoon $7.95
3.  Hedley and Bennett Oh Joy! Apron $80.00
4. Stainless Steel Flat Whisk $12.95
5. Buena Vista Social Club $4.95
6. Ruffled Pie Dish $19.95
7.Acacia Salt Cellar $9.95
8. Food Mill $50.00
9. Stainless Steel Salad Spinner $49.95
10. Four Event Timer with Eraser Board $14.95
11. Nicholas Breed Free-Range Turkey $62.00-$110.00
12. Wusthof Classic Carving Set $149.95
13. Mosser Glass 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set $65.00