Happy Hallow's Eve

I think that tonight is going to be a good night to watch Zombieland and/or Phantom of the Opera while handing out candy (if kids show up.)

Hope you have a fun Halloween!

Image from Pinterest

Recipe Box: Channeling TeaBerry Smoothies

I was introduced to TeaBerry last summer. It is a little shop in downtown Fargo that serves bubble tea and crepes. Since moving down to the greater MPLS area I don't get to have TeaBerry that often anymore. I tried a place in the Cities and it just wasn't the same, it tasted like pure sugar. Sad.

My favorite is a honeydew/watermelon fruit smoothie. And the best part? They use real fruit. Delish. So upon my adventure home last weekend I went and got my favorite. On the drive back to Hutch I was trying to think of how I could make a recreation of it. And then I stumbled upon a smoothie recipe at Food Network. I made it and it was ALMOST like I was walking down Broadway with my camera and smoothie in hand. 

Honeydew Almond Smoothie


1 cup chopped honeydew, chilled
1 cup ice
1/2 cup almond milk
squeeze of honey


Blend together until smooth. Drink up!
Makes one serving

Strawberry Banana Smoothie


1/2 cup chopped banana
1/2 cup chopped strawberries
1 cup ice
1/2 cup almond milk


Blend together until smooth. Enjoy!
Makes one serving

Yeah...I know, it's fall and I should be enjoying a cup of hot apple cider or something. I find smoothies to be a very filling and satisfying treat. And hey, I need to get in my fruit somehow right?

Yellow & Gray

 

Yellow and gray is definitely my favorite color combination right now. It's sophisticated and classy yet fun and playful. Plus there's tons of different shades and tints that can go from being super modern to a pretty vintage. I just can't seem to get enough of it. And that's find of funny because I used to loath the color yellow.

Dear blue, you have a tough competitor...

 

Images found on Pinterest

Fall Forever

 

 

  

I want to live someplace where it is fall all year around. A place where the leaves are always red, orange, and yellow and there are plenty of pumpkins around all the time. And somewhere there is a farmer's market every Saturday morning for a great start to the weekend.

Is there such a place where warm apple cider, the smell of cinnamon, and sound of crunching leaves never go out of style?

Images found via Pinterest

Halloween Light Show

Too good to wait and post. Saw a snippet of this on the news this morning so I had to look them up.

 

 

 

Clever, clever, clever. How can that not put a smile on your face?

Vintage Inspired: Apron Allure

Discovered this great little gem on DesignWorkLife today. The design is by Make & Matter, a design firm in Austin, TX. Love the vintage inspired typography and overall style. And how clever is that logo?

Also check out Make & Matter's website. Not only is the rest of their work great, so is their website.

Puts me in the mood to design something great.

Recipe Box: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

I've been meaning to post this recipe for awhile now. Better late than never, huh? I made these a few weeks back and brought them into work. Great mid-morning snack with a cup of your favorite coffee. Just make sure you mix your frosting better than I did, so there's not lumps of powdered sugar.

Anything pumpkin just screams fall to me. Quintessential Halloween and Thanksgiving desserts. And anything made with pumpkin NOT from a can is even better. Last week I made pumpkin pie with from scratch pumpkin puree. Never going back to the canned pumpkin again.


PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLLS
1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 (1/4 ounce) pkg dry yeast
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted butter

1. In small saucepan, heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter just until butter is almost melted. In large mixer bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
2. Add milk and butter. Mix well. Beat in egg and yeast.
3. Add half of the flour to pumpkin mixture. Beat mixture on low speed 5 minutes. Add remaining flour and mix. The dough will be very soft.
3. Spray bowl with cooking spray and turn dough into bowl. Spray top of dough lightly with spray.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and dish towel. Let rise in warm place 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto floured surface. Knead a few turns to form a smooth dough. Sprinkle dough with flour when needed to keep from sticking. Roll dough into 12×10 inch rectangle.
5. In small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Brush surface of dough with melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture.
6. Beginning with long side of dough, roll up jellyroll style. Pinch seam to seal. With sharp knife, cut roll into 12 1- inch slices. Place rolls in greased baking pan. Cover with towel and let rise about 30 minutes.
7. Bake rolls at 350 degrees about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to waxed paper-lined wire rack. Cool 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Drizzle with Caramel Frosting and enjoy!


CARAMEL FROSTING
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar

1. In small saucepan, heat butter until melted. Stir in brown sugar and milk.
2. Cook over medium low heat 1 minute.
3. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
4. Stir in vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and powdered sugar. Mix until well blended.
5. If necessary, add more confectioners’ sugar.

Your house/apartment/dorm/whatever will be smelling delicious in no time! 

Original recipe found here.

Jace, Jesse, & Lacey -- Fall Family Photos

 

This past weekend in exchange for getting my car fixed I took some family photos for a couple of friends from high school. Let me tell you, this kid loves the simple things. Give him a stick, leaves, and an acorn, he will be entertained for hours!

What a Home: Sabrina Soto

 

Sabrina Soto is an interior designer who owns this bright penthouse apartment in New York City. Love the black, white, and gray neutrals with little pops of color here and there. Great way to keep things modern and classy but fun. I may take some tips from this one. 

Found on Apartment Therapy

What I'm Listening To: Imelda May

 

 

 

Rockin' some Imelda May this week. Getting in some great 1950's sounds floating through the apartment with the wonderful smell of fresh made pumpkin pie (try 2, which is a success). 

I'm making the 3 1/2-ish hour trek to the homeland this weekend. Maybe I'll try out the Blogger mobile thing I've been meaning to test out. Meh, we'll see. I'll be taking some family photos while I'm home. It should be fun. I'm excited to be behind the camera again shooting something besides trees and leaves. 

So until Sunday night, have a great weekend!

My Past Life with Pumpkin Seeds in Hand

I think in my past life I was like a 50's/60's housewife to an Ad Man. It's only makes sense right? A love for design, baking, and cooking. Definitely makes sense.

At the Farmer's Market on Saturday I bought three cute little pumpkins. There is currently a homemade pumpkin pie baking in my oven. And then I discovered I still had leftover apples that I picked from the apple tree outside my work. So I made applesauce. And with the leftover cream from the pie, I added some honey and made whipped honey butter.

Oh, I also roasted the pumpkin seeds. Mmmmmmm. My apartment smells strongly of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin. The great scents of fall.

Sweet & Salty Pumpkin Seeds

• 1 c. pumpkin seeds, washed and dried
• 1 tbs. melted butter
• 1 tbs. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 300. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. 
2. Spread pumpkin seeds out on sheet and back for 50-60 minutes until dry.
3. Toss seeds with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. 
4. Spread out on pan again and put back in oven for 5-10 minutes until crisp and crunch. 
5. Let cool and store in an air tight container. 

If you have a pumpkin laying around. Definitely make these. Sweet and salty, delicious snack. And while they're baking, have a dance party to this classic.