Cranberry Orange Bars...

Happy Monday! How excited are you for Thanksgiving? I'm stoked, and even more excited for Christmas. This past weekend set the "holiday" tone for me. I work at a restaurant at the airport and we were crazy busy, everyone going to see their families put me in the holiday spirit.

Just as promised another quick recipe before Turkey Day. These are a snap to put together, you can use a stand mixer or by hand if you choose. Today I had no choice but to make them by hand because I was at Boo's house, and his kitchen is lacking all the equipment that I'm used to. Its nice to actually get your hands in there and feel the product coming together.

This recipe will carry you through the rest of the holiday season as well, great to bring along to a party. I shared these with coworkers and received many compliments. Perfectly tart with sweet, buttery crumbly topping. These might make it into my annual cookie tins.

Sweet Potato Biscuits...

Its hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week, especially with the 60º days that we have been having around here. Growing up in Indiana we would usually have snow on the ground and looking forward to warmer times. I'm not complaining about the lack of winter like conditions, they will be here soon.

I wasn't sure what my work schedule was looking like for the holidays until last week. I'm happy to say that I will have most of them off, and I'm looking forward to spending good quality time with my friends and loved ones. Liam and I normally go up to the mountains, but this year we will be with my Boo and his family. I'm really excited to start new traditions and create new memories with my love and Liam.

Last year I made these Sweet Potato Biscuits and they were such a hit, so of course I will be making them to bring along. Everyone associates me with being a pastry chef, so the pressure is on!

Brown Sugar Panna Cotta and Dressing up for Halloween...

Burrrrr....its so cold here! Well, I'm probably overreacting just a little, but its freezing to me. Layers, scarves, and double socks; and we aren't even outside. I'm cold to the bones. I'm pretty sure we are done with warmer weather until spring.

This past weekend was spent celebrating Halloween, we went to a party up in the mountains. A blast was had by all! Halloween has to be one of my favorite holidays, I love dressing up! Boo and I dressed as a couple of Chicago legends, he was Harry Caray and I was Mike Ditka. It was such a blast! What's your costume this year?

Ditka is infamous for giving the bird!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins and planning my fall menus...

I've been wanting to make some muffins for my Boo for some time, he loves muffins and is always buying them at the store. Why I haven't made them for him yet is beyond me. I picked up some local apples at the store the other day and wanted to make a pie, a tart, apple butter, crostada...everything fall related of course.

Broke and Bored, installment 3

Hello and Happy Monday! Are you enjoying fall yet? Its been really starting to cool off around here and it couldn't be nicer. This past weekend Boo and I hosted a family game night, we played games, ate tons of food, and had plenty to drink. It was really nice seeing everyone, it was like the home-opener for the holidays. We had a chili bar, complete with chili (of course), all the toppings, baked potatoes, nachos, Boo's moms crab dip that was TO DIE FOR, and Pumpkin whoopie pies. I'm really happy to be involved with his family, its really nice for everyone to be so accepting. 

Last week Liam and I had a little fall scavenger hunt around our apartment complex; we collected leaves, pine cones, and sticks. He really gets into nature and I love his excitement about the change in colors and the seasons. Once we got home we inspected our findings and created a new fall vignette for our living room. We put our colorful leaves in an old frame that I had, scattered the pine cones, and saving the sticks for something else. Its not the most original idea out there, but it was fun spending time with him and watching his excitement and I get to look at something new and beautiful for a little bit. 

photo bomb!

There are so many different trees around our apartment, every color too! I think I might miss this place when we move, especially the pool! 

Are you bringing nature into your home this fall?

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies and Praying for Colorado...

I'm sure most of you have heard about the recent floods in Colorado, its been a trying time for many people and business'. I've never thought that our state would be a victim of flood damage, but I have been proven wrong. Its been very scary not knowing if our area was next, luckily we are all fine...truly blessed. Please visit HERE to donate to those affected by the floods, any amount will help.

Last weeks dreary weather definitely put me in the mood for fall treats. I got to break out the boots and sweaters a couple times and it was really nice. But this week the sun is back shining, the sky is as blue as the ocean is deep, and its hot again...too hot! But that's not stopping me from making the first treats of  long awaited fall. I'm welcoming fall weather with Pumpkin Whoopie Pies! I love a good Whoopie Pie, soft cake that stands tall and stuffed with fluffy filling.