Fall

On my agenda for this week!

Part 3 Chicago

Our last day in Chicago, Lynne and I started out by leaving a few pumpkins for Jackie and her family to enjoy outside.  It was perfect, the lawn people just mowed minutes before we were leaving.

 The clematis still in bloom.

We had a great breakfast just down the street at The Southern Belle.  Corn Beef Hash and Egg Skillet.
Lasted for three meals!  We then stopped at the Shop n Save --- wanted to pick up some Perogi and Polish Sausage for home.  Was able to get fresh polish sausage also and some fresh itlaian sausage for soup.  I also got my favorite soup, Dill Pickle Soup.  I know it sounds gross but it really isn't.

Then, Lynne and I got really brave and drove on into the city.  Oh my gosh.  Thank God for the GPS.  The traffic.....all of sudden eight lanes of traffic....then everyone merges into about four ....some needing the exit on the right...some then deciding on the exit on the left.  One way streets, stop lights, parking garages, no parking, and to our destination.

One of my favorite bloggers, Razmataz.sent an email stating this was a favorite store of hers in Chicago.  I like her style and taste so we went for it.

 Nice shop....a lot of european flair, restaurant ware, silver, flea market finds.  We walked on over to Starbucks for a coffee and decided to head out.  Short visit but wanted to get out of town before rush hour started.

Back on the road, headed home, great conversation,  wonderful friendship, and home again!

Wonderful adventure!

Blogger Meets Bloggers

It all started about two years ago.  Penny and I met through our blogs.  I saw a post she did on perogi.  She made them from scratch.  Just the way my mom has for years.  I commented on Penny's post and we connected...so many similarities/connections.  Fast forward, we met when I was in Chicago a year and a half ago.  Met over coffee.  It was delightful.

My friend Lynne started to blog....she finally got it!  She was interested in knowing a few of my favorite blogs.  Of course, Penny was one.  Lynne fast became a friend.  How can you not with Lynne!

We've planned to all meet one another, and it took a while.  Finally the day arrived.  We met Penny at her home in the Chicago area this past week.

Lynne and Penny meet at last.

Penny is such a gracious hostess.  We sat down to refreshments and some of Penny's sweet treats.

We visited so naturally....like we've know each other for years.  We had the pleasure of meeting Tyke, Penny's husband and her son Michael.  How nice!

Penny is so organized...she even had everything all set for us to create a craft.  How fun was that!

 Crafting in action

Simmering Fall Potpourri Packets....smells fabulous.

And of course, Penny could not let us leave empty handed.  Recipes, Book of Quotes, Handmade Towel, bookmark, Angel for our keychain, doggie bag of sweet morsels of goodness and lots of love!

The time went by so quickly and we had to say our goodbyes.

Wonderful visit, friendships cemented, connections made, memories created!  Thank you for hosting us Penny.

Fine Dining in Chicago

As I posted previously, Lynne and I headed for Chicago to meet up with a blogger friend, Penny.
This outing will be a few posts to capture the highlights.

This one is a quick and easy.  Lots of travel today so I am just unwinding after some stressful traffic.

One highlight of the trip was Wednesday evening dinner.

"LA NOTTE CAFE BERWYN, IL. Voted 2012 Best Italian Restaurant By Suburban Life Magazine. Voted 2012 Best Seafood By Suburban Life Magazine.

We met these two lovely ladies for dinner.

Dinner and conversation was fabulous.

 Baked Cavatelli with Ricotta and Mozerella

Pollo Picatta with tomatoes, artichokes and capers

Pollo Saltimboca

Few glasses of Pinot Grigio and some live entertainment:

Next up, our visit with Penny!  Time to snuggle with my hubby...I missed him.

Chicago Bound

My good friend Lynne and I are headed for Chicago for a few days.  We take off in the morning.

On the agenda is IKEA, Crate and Barrel, Trader Joe's, Shop n' Save (Polish Kielbasa).

The highlight will be meeting up with our fellow blogger Penny.

Penny and I have met however, Lynne has not met her.  We will be meeting at her house for coffee.  So Excited.

Next up, we will be meeting this little Peanut and her Momma for dinner and then spending the night at their home.

We will get up in the morning and stroll to the Southern Belle for breakfast and then start heading back home.  Probably a few stops along the way....antique shops, a little lunch, more cute little shops....you get the picture?

Looking forward to a nice girls outing!  I'm taking my camera!  Hope to show you a few highlights if I remember to take pictures!
Babs

Baked Oatmeal

I prefer my oatmeal serving to be in the form of cookies, no bake cookies, crumbled on apple crisp, etc. you get the picture.

I cannot bring to my lips a bowl of hot oatmeal for breakfast. Its a texture thing.

My husband found a recipe in the current issue of Readers Digest for Baked Oatmeal. He's been asking me every day at breakfast if he can have blueberry oatmeal for breakfast.




Finally getting him off my back. I'll let you know how it is. Wonder if this can pass my lips? Oatmeal, blueberries, pecans, cinnamon, maple syrup....yum?

Church Suppers

Do you frequent your local church suppers?  Are you one of those that seek them out?

I sometimes forget how good they can be!  We purchased tickets in advance for the Spaghetti Dinner at Our Lady of Grace Church here in Muskegon.  This is their annual festival and it's a good one - surely not to miss.

This is one serving of spaghetti with two meatballs.  You also are served a salad, roll and a dessert.

Apple Crisp.  All this for $7.00.  It's enough for two meals for us. 

I understand the volunteers made 10,000 meatballs during the course of the past week.  The proprietor of a local Italian eatery, Teddy's Spaghetti,  orchestrates the event.  The spaghetti is delicious.  You may also purchase just the sauce and meatballs to go to freeze for later.  Should have done that!

They also have a baked good sale.  Lots of good things to choose from if you arrive early enough.

I bought a jar of salsa, it looked so pretty.  Also a jar of Grandma David's Pickle Relish.  Hmmm...wonder who Grandma David is?  I also bought a loaf of Date Nut Bread.  My mother was the recipient of that as well as a Spaghetti Dinner.

The only other one we for sure attend is the annual Turkey Dinner with all the fixin's at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Ravenna.  I think that one is in October.  Real turkey, real dressing, wonderful squash, cranberries, real mashed potatoes and gravy and of course,  pumpkin pie.

Tell me about your church suppers....any real good ones in your are?

Today is the perfect day to stay inside.  It's only about 50 outside, gloomy....looks like it wants to rain.
Time to get crafting while the hubby watches football!

Nothin' Says Lovin' Like Somethin' From the Oven

Little dark .... it was last evening.  Apple crumble tarts!  Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream = heaven!

So many things to do!

I found a really cute fall wreath to make.  Went to  my local craft store to get supplies and they didn't have canvas.  So that one is on the back burner.  I do think this would look even cuter with a damask, black and white bow.

The next thing I want to make is a dish drainer quilt for my camper/glamper.  Really cute...no picture as it is in my Glamping book I won.  I will photograph it after I make it.

We went to the Farmer's Market this morning and picked up a big head of cabbage.  I will be making cabbage rolls (Glombki) for dinner.  I also picked up a nice winter squash...yum.  And some apples...I think it will be mini apple pies or apple crisp.  I'll let you know.

Time to get busy on this glorious fall day.

Watch

I haven't worn a watch since I stopped working four years ago. However, I would wear one again if I could get this one. A lovely black ceramic Chanel.




I would love it if I could get a knock off as this one has a price tag of $3350.00. A friend got one from China...a flight attendant got it for her. Any leads anyone?

Birthday Surprise, Birthday Fun!

Fun Day in Chicago for Jackie's 30th Birthday!

30, 60,90

Well, 60, 90, 30 and the Peanut

Celebrated my nieces 30th birthday today in Chicago.

My sister on the left (60), my mom in the middle (91 actually)

and Birthday girl (30) on the right with her little

one in her lap.

Four generations.!!!!

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Florida Favorites

 My sister-in-law, Marlene and my two darling nieces, Miss Staci and Miss Sarah.

Great picture of you gals!  I  miss you!

Pumpkins and More Pumpkins

I've recently noticed all the pumpkins fellow bloggers are making. I guess it's time to get some fall decorating going. I particularly liked a few of these pumpkins.









Last fall, Lynne and I made some pumpkins from recycled felted sweaters. They turned out pretty darn cute.

I saw this mantle in Better Homes and Gardens.



I particularly like the glass candlestick holders. Looks to me like recycled glass. I have many pieces remaining from our garden totem adventure this past spring. I think I may make a few...add some bittersweet vine and a candle and I'm good to go.

Have you started any fall decorating yet?

Temperature is dropping a bit today...looks like rain too. Perfect day for meatloaf and scalloped potatoes...in the oven right now!

Cupcakes and Cookies

Yesterday was a day for baking!  Just felt it in the air...know what I mean?

 These chocolate chip cookies turned out perfect.  I read in a Cooks Illustrated magazine yesterday the trick to perfection is more brown sugar than white sugar, and after you mix the butter and sugars together, let the mixture set for 10 minutes to allow the sugars to dissolve a bit more, and one egg plus one egg yolk, not two whole eggs.  I tried that and they are very good.  They have a nice crispness to them.  I baked one batch and froze the rest of the dough in individual scoops.  I can take them out as needed!

Next up, German Chocolate Cupcakes.  My brother Phil and Sister Ginny have birthdays today!  Happy Birthday you two!  So, in honor I made two dozen cupcakes and a mini-cake.  Anyone want a cupcake.  I have about 20 extra!

This recipe is from Get Off Your Butt and Bake blog.

I thought I would just add this also.

The dahlia's are coming to an end.  The garden, umm, not too much going on there!

Remember our fellow American's we lost this day eleven years ago.

Fun Class Day

I attended a class today by guest instructor, Sue Spargo. Sue is a world renowned instructor in the world of applique and embroidery work. She does fabulous design work and her work is incredible.



There are so many varied stitches, fibers, threads, embellishments and creativity. So much to learn.



This is the project I am working on. I did learn that the fabric shop that hosted the class has an embellishment class once a month. You better believe I signed up for that. It sounds perfect for continuing my progress in the world of handstitching. That's what I am really getting into these days.



Perfect fall and winter project.

Have a great weekend everyone!