White Halloween

Ironically I was taking pictures of the beautiful cabbage plants around the yard on Friday; admiring their colors and the way their edges curled in and out. Saturday they lay in shambles pummeled and damaged by the devastating October snow. So as this post began in my mind on Friday as one that would spotlight the beautiful colors and textures of the fall landscape, it will now document in photos the before and after effects of the Nor'easter that ripped through Northern NJ this weekend. 

Small City America

Being as my husband reads every yahoo story written each morning, I get the nicely trimmed down, only what would peek my interest, stories sent to my email from my loving husband. This morning he sent me an article which sparked the idea for this blog post. It was a yahoo story from Forbes rating the top 10 small cities to visit in America.

Now I don't know about you, but majority of the world has New York, LA, Dallas, Miami, US city's like this on the top of their bucket list, but I on the other hand love the small city feel. I fell in love with a few of the small cities we've visited in our travels. Charleston, SC being my top favorite, then comes Savannah, GA which is #6 on Forbes list, Nashville, TN and Franklin, TN.

If you are in the Nashville, area you must drive a few miles outside the city limits and visit Franklin, TN. The quintessential small American city. Dripping in history and southern charm, you instantly feel right at home. We were there earlier this year when my husband, myself, and our good friends hopped in a car and trekked down to Nashville, TN for 4 days of CMA Fest. When we found ourself in Franklin I didn't want to leave.

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake...Now thats a mouthful. No seriously you'll fill your mouth with this deliciousness and think all your dreams have come true. I made this goodie for my husbands birthday knowing he LOVES ice cream and he LOVES cheesecake, put them together and I thought I had a for sure winner, and I did. He L O V E D it!

Mystery Image Reaveled

Anyone want a Corn...Dog?

I hope I didn't throw you too off the mark with my hint, but I couldn't help myself. I fell in love with the fields of corn we walked past on our way to the "Run for Your Lives" Zombie 5K last weekend.

"Take A Back Road"

For those of you who know me well, you know that my ideal life would be living way back in the sticks "off an old dirt road, 40 acre farm, no highway, no interstate" if I might borrow a line from the JaneDear Girls. So when I get a chance to venture out to a place my heart calls home I try to snap as many photos of it's beauty as I can. 

For our latest adventure to Baltimore for my husband, my sister and some friends 5K Zombie Run, we found ourselves out in the Boondocks of Maryland. I was lovin' every minute of it! 

Mystery Image

So we haven't had one of these in a while and I thought it about time. 

So here is the mystery image.

Hint: dogs

Apple Blackberry Crumble Muffins

Food is inspired by just about anything. Even something as simple as sunshine in the morning.

Morning Rituals

Yawn, stretch, get your belly rubbed, bite your feet, scratch your ear, roll around a little, poke around in some dirty clothes...sound like your morning ritual? Maybe but hopefully not. 

This is how Eva starts most of her mornings. It's a little scene she plays out sunrise after sunrise. This particular morning I was able to catch it all with my camera (to both Eva and my husbands dismay). Apparently no one likes to wake up to the click click of my trigger finger.

Nyack Street Fair

Guess what we did last weekend? Street fair! October is fair season and up until this weekend, we haven't missed one. So we made our way up to the beautiful town of Nyack, nestled on the edge of the Hudson River. We had visited this fair last year, but this year was a huge success.

Lobster Corn Chowder

Warm up those chilly fall nights with some Lobster Corn Chowder. Borrowed from the Martha Stewart Living Magazine, this recipe is sure to make your belly rejoice! 

Orphaned Kittens Need A Home

Meet Angel, La Belle, Mystery, Diamond, Tiger and White Socks. They are 4 month old kittens who have been abandoned by their mother and are living behind a home in Wayne, NJ. A very kind friend of mine has been feeding them daily, but with the cold approaching fast she is looking for homes for these beautiful creatures. None of their genders have been confirmed. Since they are feral as of now, they are still a little hesitant of humans, but my friend has been working with them every day and they are getting more trusting.

NYC Landmark: McSorley's Ale House

So after Katz's Deli on Friday we made our way to another NYC first, McSorley's Ale House. Established in 1854, McSorley's is one of NYC's oldest bars. 

Walnut Honey Apple Pie

Apple Pie is one of my favorite desserts to make. My recipe is easy as pie, pun intended. No really, its super simple, anyone can make it and it's almost fool proof and it's never ever watery. With apples in hand this weekend from my in-laws trip to the Warwick Winery, I decided to make my apple pie but add a little twist to it. 

NYC Landmark: Katz Deli

Did someone say Pastrami on Rye? No? Oh it must have been my stomach talking then.

 The moistest, most flavorful, most tender pastrami I have ever eaten in my life was served up to me at one of NYC's oldest Kosher Deli's on Friday at Kat's Delicatessen.

Fresh Eggs

Fresh Eggs anyone? Ok I'm not really selling fresh eggs, don't even have any chickens...oh but do I want some...no this is about my amazing find. 

She's Like the Wind

She's like the wind or more like she likes the wind. The Diva strategically places herself in front of the fan in the basement in order to get the best breeze.

Dreaming of Islands

You may think that I am talking about Caribbean Islands from my post title, but in actuality I am talking about our kitchen island... far less fun or glamorous or warm for that matter. We have purchased a 1950's cupboard which we are completely overhauling in order to turn it into our dream island. I have many ideas of what I want the finish product to look like and here is a collection of images I've been using as inspiration. 

Color: I'm thinking a blueish gray. Think rustic, vintage, distressed.

Applefest

  The hubby has always said that Autumn is his favorite season and I'm starting to warm up to the cool weather season. It seems that with the changing leaves and the bite in the air also comes one of my favorite things, Street Fairs and Flea Markets! So October began on a high note, a cousin's wedding and a day in spent with family at Warwick, NY's Applefest.

Two generations.

Cat and Mouse like Dachshund Games

Just another day in the life of a cat and dog friendship. It's a love hate relationship, like most species I'm sure. One minute they are peacefully staring in one another's eyes.