Ipod Love

We are doing a new series on music. I think it is so important for kids to grow up with a love of music. The next time you reach for a dvd to put in, try putting on some music and playing on the floor. You will find your child dancing more, something every parent loves. So here is a new playlist I made last night.

Chillin' Like A Villian

Augustana-All the Stars and Boulevards

Broken Flowers Soundtrack

Lost in Translation Soundtrack

Garden State Soundtrack

The Last Kiss Soundtrack

Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs

Imogen Heap-Speak for yourself

She and Him- Volume One

It's mostly Indie Rock. But it just has such a lovely vibe for relaxing. Enjoy!

Pick a winner!

In honor of apples, and yes they deserve honor, here is a site devoted to finding a farm to pick your own produce. You may be asking yourself why you would do this, but your children will have a blast and it can be a way to sneak in one more outdoor activity before winter! Don't forget to ask about not only apples, but pumpkins and Christmas trees as well! If you have a wagon, this is the place to use it. Bonus: Look for products for sale in the main building. Many sell everything from fresh cider, to specialty honeys, to fresh apple butter (an amazing spread for toast that doesn't actually involve butter). Happy picking!

image via brownsnout

Apples

While there are far more varieties of apples than many other fall produce, I would just use what looks good to you.

So here are the two recipes I think are the best for apples without going into a pie (which I will in November).

Baked Apples:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 medium to large apples, any variety you like, I use Granny Smith, Gala, or Fuji

4 cinnamon sticks-optional, but beautiful and sooo tasty

4 Tbs dark brown sugar, you can use light brown if you have it

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp REAL vanilla extract (I'll teach you how to make your own, it's way easier than I thought)

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (I like buying a whole one but it's your call)

vanilla bean ice cream-optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a round cake pan with 2 layers of foil. Wash your apples. Lay an apple on it's side, on your cutting board. Cut off the top inch or so with the stem. It makes an apple hat. use a melon baller to scoop out a cavity inside the apple base. Do this to each apple. Mix the sugars, spices and vanilla in a small bowl and using a spoon, divide it among the apple cavities. Pack it tightly inside. Replace the apple tops. If using cinnamon sticks, pierce them each through one apple top into the apple, to keep it in place. Put the apples in the foil lined pan and bake for about 35 minutes, until easily pierced with a knife.

Place the warm apples in a bowl with a scoop of ice cream and top with the syrup in the pan.

Easy Apple Salad

This salad is is so easy and it goes really well with so many fall and winter foods. I really like it served with pork.

Ingredients:

1 bag of mixed salad greens or baby spinach

1/2 of a small red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 large apple, cored, and chopped

Poppyseed Dressing, I use Brianna's

Chill all ingredients well and prior to serving, toss with dressing. Easy.

Calling all crafters!

No matter what your preferred medium of crafting, here is a blog for you! Every entry is a project (most of which are free btw). From knitting, to sewing, to needlepoint and crochet, it never fails to inspire. I adore it. I am swooning over the Charlie Harper needlepoint designs currently. The perfect blend of traditional and modern, which is exactly my style, transitional. I have a deep love of mid-century modern, but my fondness for traditional pieces is undeniable. Go. Visit. Enjoy.

Acorn Squash

The first piece of fall produce we will focus on is this beautiful squash. The name acorn refers to the nut shape and maybe the slightly nutty flavor. I like using squash and many are interchangeable in recipes which I like because it encourages you to use what is on hand. But for today I wanted to use recipes that focused solely on acorn squash.

The first is Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with Goat Cheese. Now I hear some of saying, "Eww, goat cheese. I have never had it and I don't know that I want to." Well hear this: every person I have had in my house that has tried goat cheese has loved it. They all said they would have tried it sooner had they known how good it was. The consistency is like cream cheese, but it is one of the naturally lowest fat cheeses available. I

get mine with herbs already mixed in. My husband, who grew up a picky eater, spreads his on toast or bagels in the morning. It tastes just like a cows cheese, just way better.

This next one will rock your socks. It's Acorn Squash Spice Cupcakes with Orange Sage Buttercream Icing. I realize this may seem strange, but hey you make pumpkin into a pie? I love this for a halloween party or just a fun thing to make with your favorite munchkins. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.

image via liseed

Music we live by....

We love this album by Feist. It's called The Reminder. It is so great in the evening, smooth, slow, and a little funky. Word.

Date Night!

While I know most parents enjoy being able to get out of the house for a date, sometimes, it's just not in the cards. So we put the girls to bed, put on some fun evening music and are playing board games together! It may seem simple, but this is more contact/communication with Hubs than I would ever get at a movie. We get a six pack of imported beer or a good wine and some snacks. It's a fun way to have a small time together and we really cherish it. Tonight I am behind one-million dollars at the game of life, but couldn't be happier about it.

image via hh

Wall dolls

I stumbled upon these wall decals a few weeks ago and absolutely love them for a little girls room. They can be played with a repositioned without damage to the wall! My girls will love these! They are a bit pricey, but they function as both a toy and decor.

image via hipinfant

Fire-breathing tire swing?

I stumbled across these amazing creations and thought I would share the find with you. They are tire swings made from recycled tires and each one is amazing in it's own right. Here is the dragon, but there is also a horse, elephant, t-rex, bull, motorcycle, reindeer, and kangaroo. Most retail for $80 but a few larger ones go for $120. Amazing.

Grapes

Yep, we are starting here. I can hear you saying, "C'mon, this is hardly an unknown fruit to me or my family." Stay with me here, folks! I promise it will pay off!

While the summer draws to a close why not have one last picnic? Find a park, a zoo, or even the back yard to have your picnic. My preferred picnic basket is not a basket at all. In the above picture you see a layered melamine dream from Pearl River. All three layers come apart and could be refrigerated or left room temperature with their contents. This model is listed at $31.50 but there are many different varieties including insulated ones and stainless steel. I must say the stainless smaller ones would be great for the "Hubs" lunch. At only $15.50 I think it's a bargain!

Now to the grapes!

Chicken Salad With Grapes and Almonds

-I realize it may be unorthodox but try it once, if you hate, at least you tried it! The almonds provide monounsaturated fats (the good fat) and the grapes will provide a serving of fruit for the day.

Serves 4 hungry people

Ingredients:

2 cans of pre-cooked chicken, drained (found near tuna, I use the canned stuff as a huge time saver and pantry staple!)

2-2 1/2 cups red seedless grapes, cut in half or quartered if they're huge

1/2 cups sliced or slivered almonds

1 1/2- 2 cups Fat-Free Mayo or Miracle Whip (I don't like all the fat, but it's your call)

3/4 TBS fresh tarragon, finely minced (it's still summer, use fresh)

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

sea salt (there will be a post on this later)

Fresh Ground black pepper (again, a post will come later as to why this is so vital)

Whisk together your mayo and all the herbs, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place the chicken in a medium to large mixing bowl with grapes and almonds. Pour mayo mixture over chicken mixture and toss gently to coat. Refrigerate overnight for the best flavor. Keep cold until serving.

I would take some store bought croissants, the remaining grapes and maybe some baby carrots to complete this picnic.

image via Pearl River