Last week I started my car to warm it up before I left for school. All of a sudden fall was in the air. You could feel it, smell it, hear it and taste it. Somehow summer gave way to crisp fall. Summer fought a good battle but eventually it gave in. I love fall. It was so nice to put on a sweater, enjoy some fresh picked apples and hear and feel the heater click on in the middle of the night. I wanted our bedroom to reflect this change so I added some fall touches…I think it looks quite festive.

I love the rich colors of fall.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . Wonderful Wednesday.. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Funtastic Friday. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri creative muster whimsy on the edge

By Emily Brontë

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;

Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;

I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . Wonderful Wednesday.. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Funtastic Friday. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri creative muster

Today it felt like fall. Kinda dreary but still warm, evening creeping in early, the faintest glimmer of red and yellow on the trees…I love this time of year. There is a contemplative quality about it. A time to gather at home and begin the process of “cozy”. Granted, it will probably still be in the 80’s so cozy dressing might need to wait a bit, but pumpkins, apples, darker colors are all fair game. I hope you enjoy some of my fall touches!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . Wonderful Wednesday.. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Funtastic Friday. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri creative muster

Life is busy these days, between work, school, field hockey practice, homework and the general busyness of keeping a home running slightly smoothly, it is nice to have a meal you literally dump into a pan, bake and enjoy the deliciousness. This Greek Orzo bake fits the bill and is on rotation for dinner. I find it makes enough for several meals and freezes beautifully. What are your favorite go to “fast meals”?

The Usual Cast of Ingredients

6 oz.feta cheese

2 cups orzo pasta

4 cups chicken broth

20 oz cherry tomatoes

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp oregano

1 cup packed spinach

Drizzle of olive oil

The Steps to Glory

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. In an oven proof pan, Place orzo evenly on the bottom. Drizzle Olive oil. Over low heat gently toast the orzo until fragrant.

3. Pour the chicken broth over the orzo pasta until it’s fully submerged. Add the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and dried oregano and feta cheese to the baking dish, distributing them evenly on the orzo.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through and the cherry tomatoes are soft and bursting with flavor.

4. Remove the baking dish from the oven and add the packed spinach to the mixture. Stir well to incorporate the spinach into the dish. Return the baking dish to the oven and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt slightly.

5. Once cooked, remove the dish from the oven and give everything a good stir to combine the flavors. Cool and enjoy!

Metamorphosis

Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire is a treasure trove of outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and historical significance. Known for its breathtaking vistas and rugged terrain.

It’s perhaps best known for the iconic Old Man of the Mountain, a series of five granite cliff ledges that, when viewed from a specific angle, resembled the profile of an old man. Though the Old Man sadly collapsed in 2003, its legacy lives on, with a dedicated memorial at the base of the mountain and a strong place in the heart of New Hampshire.

One of the highlights of a visit to Cannon Mountain is the Aerial Tramway. This unique experience allows visitors to glide up 2,022 feet in under 10 minutes, with unparalleled views of the White Mountains, Vermont’s Green Mountains, and even Canada on a clear day. At the summit, visitors can explore short walking trails, take in the views from observation decks, and enjoy a picnic with a view.

I was a bit apprehensive about the tram, heights are just not my thing, but with some handholding of my Hero I made it though the quick trip up. Coming down was much easier. Oh the views…worth it!

Metamorphosis

When that school bell rings I will answer it. The Princess and I both headed back to class last week. She is off to Sixth grade and I’m off to my own classroom of little ones. You can feel fall creeping in around the edges and my back to school decor always sets the tone beautifully. My favorite season!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . Wonderful Wednesday.. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Funtastic Friday. Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri creative muster

The weather felt a little cooler…relatively speaking and I was ready to turn on my new oven for a little late summer baking. I also had some things to use in the pantry. Muffins seem so cozy and used up things on my shelf that have been sitting around for a while. It had the added effect of making my home smell like a bakery.

The Usual Cast of Characters

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ⅓ cup 165g all-purpose flour
• ½ cup 100g sourdough starter /discard
• 2 teaspoon 6g baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon 2g salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 5 tablespoons 75g unsalted butter softened.
• ¾ cup 150g Sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup 158g Apricots chopped
• ⅓ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

The Steps to Glory

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cardamom. Set it aside.
• In a large bowl, add egg, melted butter, milk , sourdough starter, vanilla extract and mix until it is light and fluffy.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to dry ingredients and then fold in chopped apricots mixing just until combined . Be careful not to overmix the batter.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup with about two-thirds full.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
• Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

And there you have it, let me know if you give it a try and how it turned out.

Maybe enjoy some after paddle boarding…

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri creative muster. Whimsy stylish song

The weather was so beautiful in Vermont, the air seemed so crisp and clean. Driving around is an event in itself because one picturesque view after another appears out your car window. Cute small towns, mountain view’s, lovely old farmhouses, great antique shops…it truly had it all.

Now, the Princess needed a little more to go on besides pretty views out her window so we scheduled two family friendly stops to enjoy. The fist was the Ben and Jerry ice cream tour and the other was the Von Trappe lodge tour in Stowe.

Ben and Jerry’s had ice cream…you can just stop there and I would be happy. The tour and tasting were both fun, and walking the grounds, especially the graveyard of retired flavors, was a nice way to spend some time. It was well organized and although crowded, you did not feel rushed. We were able to sample some yummy strawberry cheesecake ice cream. We also discovered the Princess is just a hair shorter than me…not sure how I feel about that.

Stowe was also a fun stop. The town was very cute but crowded. I can’t image how it is during ski season. We enjoyed our tour of the Von Trappe Lodge. I am a fan of the movie so I enjoyed the trivia and “real story” details. I think it would be fun to stay there sometime. It felt very European. There are a lot of outdoor activity options throughout the year. The Princess would love to try skiing sometime, I would enjoy the cozy fire in the lodge.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Tuesday .Wonderful Wednesday. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri creative muster whimsy

Maine has always been my family’s happy place. The weather, the food, the beautiful scenery…it is always a no brainer for us to pack our bags and head up there when we have a little time in the summer. Yes, I know my opinion would probably change if we visited in January but the summers are pretty idyllic and fill me with peace.

This year we added a little extra to our trip and included a stay in New Hampshire and Vermont as well. The reason, my long awaited bucket list visit to the King Arthur Flour Baking center and store. I enjoyed the most awesome four hour summer pie and tart baking class! It was hands on, informative and lots of fun. I had so much fun I forgot to take a picture of my completed pie.

It turned out beautifully and suppled us with dessert for the entire trip. My advice, book early, classes fill up quickly, bring a cooler bag and ice for your finished projects and allow yourself a lot of time to explore the shop and beautiful grounds around the company.

Another place I always wanted to visit was the Vermont Country Store. I have gotten the catalog for years and loved the quaint and vintage feel of the products. It was a bit of a drive from our hotel but worth the drive for the lovely drive alone. We didn’t buy a lot there but it was fun to walk the store and see products from yesteryear. They had a great Vermont food product area and we enjoyed some great local made cheese for a snack…honestly I could eat an entire meal of cheese.

We actually stayed across the state boarder in Hanover, New Hampshire, a quick five minute trip to my baking class. We stayed at the Hanover Inn, located on the beautiful Dartmouth College campus. It was a lovely city to walk in the evening and had plenty of fun, hip restaurants and stores to enjoy. We tried to get the Princess interested in maybe attending Dartmouth sometime in the future…the jury is still out on that one.

nspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri creative muster

These are my favorites days of summer, the bustle of 4th of July is over, that easy rhythm of slower mornings and later bedtimes has set in. The stores are full with of fresh fruits and vegetables and the flower garden is producing enough for fresh bouquets all over the house. I love the greens, soft blues and faded yellow of the season. I’m so excited to decorate my house again. Our renovation kept most of our basement off limits for most of last year. Enjoy my summer touches and see how the rest of my house looks outside of the kitchen.

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