October

The things I want to remember:

Fall slowing coming to life in the Northeast. Meeting at Home Depot on a Friday after work. Lying crammed on the floor side by side learning how to grout a tile floor. Canning a bushel of apples late at night: hovering over the canner to ensure nothing exploded.

Early Morning on the Lake

Before falling asleep on Sunday night, Katie and I discussed whether we wanted to get up in time to watch the sunrise. We knew that if we left that decisions till morning it would be far too easy to stay slumbering. The decision was that no matter how we might protest the early morning wake-up, we were going to grab our blankets and go to the dock.

Into the Woods

The first few seconds after turning onto the hidden gravel road make you wonder if you have the right place. The ruts which have been cut into the bluff twist and and turn for a mile, taking you deeper into the Adirondacks. Just when you've begun to wonder how you'll get yourself out of the tangle of overgrowth, the parking space suddenly opens in front of you and you've officially arrived at Pyramid Lake.

This hidden gem is a diocesan-run lakeside retreat center, compiled of cabins, lodge, and dining hall nested into the low-range mountains surrounding a lake which has never seen a motorized watercraft. When my childhood friend of 12+ years came for a visit, I knew it was the perfect spot for quality time and catch-up. The three of us piled into the truck and made the hour and a half trip North, bringing enough food for us and the cabin chipmunks. We played cards by the light of campfires, woke up to the sound of loons on the water, watched the early morning mist rise from the lake, hiked the bluffs, swam with the sunnies and the watersnake, read in the sunlight, kayaked and chatted over coffee. It was the perfect way to add a new chapter to this incredible friendship.

August

The sweetest of '"hello's" after a month-long drill. Poking about in 130+ year old farmhouses. Visiting Connecticut for the first time to wander through a playwright's personal castle. Hidden waterfalls on the Massachusett/New York border. Swimming in its ice-cold basin. Taking Michael to NY's largest garage-sale, watching his eyes grow bigger and bigger. Jumping into a new position (read dream job) at work: still pinching myself to make sure it's real. Goldenrod blazing the ditches along the drive home. Wedding planning dates after work, trying to tackle to-do lists while hungry and caffeinated (hint: not a good mix!). First taste of fried dough at the county fair. Flying to Bellagio with his entire family for his sister's wedding. Watching as their Italian heritage came out in full force. Eating gelato at least once, sometimes twice in a day. All the pasta. Climbing endless cobblestone steps. Waking up to the sound of church bells and doves in the eaves. Listening to the littles practice their "Ciao!" Scooter rides into Switzerland. Taking a wrong turn ending up on the speedway after being explicitly told that we weren't insured for that. Dancing the night away with family. Flying back to New York and having it feel like coming home.

Pumpkin Chocolate Scones

I'm not gonna lie. I bought a can of pumpkin on the last day of August. I knew that as soon as September hit I would be reaching for all the fall favorites ... chunky knits, leather booties, and everything pumpkin. While I've held out for a PSL (waiting for a really cool, crisp fall day for that!), these Inspired Taste pumpkin scones were quickly whipped up, spiced glaze and all. Best Friday night decision ever  made at 10:00 p.m.!

Pumpkin Chocolate Scones

for the scones:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup chocolate chunks

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold butter

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1 tablespoon molasses 

3 tablespoons half and half

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

for the spiced glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon pumpkin puree

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 to 2 tablespoons half and half

Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and chocolate chunks together until blended.

Cut the butter into small cubes then scatter over the flour mixture. Use two knives or a pastry cutter to “cut” the butter into the flour until the mixture resembled coarse cornmeal with a few pea-sized bits of butter, about 5 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, molasses, half and half, egg and vanilla extract until blended. Stir into the flour and butter mixture until a soft dough forms.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead three to four times until it comes together.

Pat the dough into a 10-inch by 7-inch rectangle (a rolling pin can be used here). Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise then cut into 4 even pieces crosswise, making eight rectangles. Cut each rectangle into two triangles, making 16 scones.

Transfer scones to baking sheet(s) then bake 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before adding glaze.

Serve with a piping hot cup of coffee!

July

So much life seems to happen during this hot and sticky month ... and this time around was no exception. This month was flying home for 4^th of July festivities with the family, sticky hugs and kisses from nephews, wedding dress shopping with all the girls on an early Saturday morning, sitting around the family kitchen table for coffee and conversations, everyone squishing into the pew for Sunday mass, visiting the little church where we’ll get married in the spring, wiffleball tournaments, fireworks bursting overhead on the family lawn, running through O’Hare trying to catch our connecting flight, a hard goodbye and watching the fiancé leave for a month-long training maneuvers, coming home from work to find Lizzie in my apartment, running down to NYC for the day,  keeping the phone close by just in case that spotty call came through, house-hunting and exploring foreclosed properties, coffee dates, spray paint and pinterest projects, battling the urge to come home and curl up on the couch to instead go for late night runs through the neighborhood, trying yet again to stay faithful to a daily prayer routine, relying on Blessed is She for daily devotions, late-night library book reading, and trying to lean into a grace a little bit more each day...

Orange Dark Chocolate Scones

Some recipes contain more than just their ingredient list. This particular one for example, not only conjures up the warm scent of citrus and dark chocolate melting together in the oven, but also sweet moments of family celebrations. My first recollection of this recipe was years ago around the holiday season when my brother and I worked at the local Christmas tree farm. My mom would stop by armed with a basket of these scones, still warm from the oven and sticky with icing, and make the two of us, along with our boss, take a break to warm our fingers and tummies. Now every I bake these up, images of freshly cut pines and the smell of balsam rush into memory and I'm whisked away to family Christmases.

Then there was the morning of my sister's wedding. We made a double batch and served them up with hot coffee as we all ran about getting ready. How we avoided getting chocolate and coffee on everyone's dresses I don't know, but these started the festival day off in a special way. And then just few short months later, we were serving them up at her baby shower!

Regardless of the occasion, this is a recipe you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Donna's Heavenly Orange Chip Scones

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup dark chocolate chunks

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into pieces and softened

1 cup buttermilk

3 large eggs, divided

1 teaspoon orange extract

1 tablespoon milk

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

COMBINE flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add chocolate chunks and orange peel; mix well. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine buttermilk, 2 eggs and orange extract in small bowl. Pour buttermilk mixture into flour mixture; mix just until a sticky dough is formed. Do not overmix. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Combine remaining egg and milk in small bowl. Brush egg mixture over top of dough.

BAKE for 18 to 22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes. Drizzle scones with icing.

FOR ICING: 

COMBINE 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon grated orange peel and 1 teaspoon orange extract in medium bowl. Mix until smooth.

Consignment Shopping: Five Survival Tactics

I sat scrolling through the rabbit hole that is pinterest a couple months ago (as well as over lunch today), admiring breezy linen sundresses and lacy tops. I was gathering up inspiration for fresh summer outfit ideas, which were part Jackie Kennedy, and part Kate Middleton, only to find myself dismayed at the prices of the items I was finding. As anyone who is attempting to remain faithful to a budget knows, it’s impossible to justify spending $168 on one article of summer clothing. I realized that if I wanted to freshen up the wardrobe while still being able to grocery shop, I would have to be a little more creative in my hunt…

Cue one of my favorite weekend activities … rummaging through the local consignment shops! A treasure trove of possibilities, this method of shopping is not for the faint of heart. It requires a decent amount of time and a large dose of patience, but the thrill of finding quality pieces for a fraction of the cost make it easily worth the time and effort. I’ve learned, too, that there are few strategies that make the daunting task of sifting through endless racks not only easier, but also far more enjoyable. So next time you tackle your local thrift store, keep these things in mind:

1.  KNOW WHAT FLATTERS YOUR BODY TYPE

Have a pear shaped figure that looks fabulous in an A-line silhouette? Or are you more rectangular and want to showcase the curves you do have? Knowing the styles that flatter your figure will naturally narrow your choices and cut down on your shopping time: you’ll spend your time trying on items that actually work with your body rather than frustratingly wading through an endless assortment of items.

2.   SHOP FOR STAPLE PIECES

Think oversized cotton tops, chic button downs, pencil skirts, jeans, and oversized sweaters.  Buying these staples second-hand means you’ll have basic pieces at a fraction of the cost and you’ll have a little wiggle room to splurge on the cute pair of fall booties.

3.   INVEST IN HIGH QUALITY ITEMS

Hidden in the racks you are guaranteed to find the Madewell, Nordstrom, Anthro, and J. Crew, tags that will wear well and stay stylish season after season. Holding out for the higher-end items might mean it takes a little longer to build your wardrobe, but you’ll be happier with the result rather than settling on the cheaper pieces that need to be quickly replaced.

4.   BUY AT THE END OF THE SEASON

Consignment shops are usually small and want to move inventory. I have seen shops mark their summer items down to a $1 just for the sake of making room for a fresh season. Again, if you are looking for staples pieces, end of the season is the perfect time to stock up since those items will not go out of style.

5.   ONLY PURCHASE WHAT YOU LOVE

If you don’t absolutely fall in love with it, and you are only buying it because it’s a good deal, put it back! It will sit in the back of your closet and will never be the item that you find yourself constantly wearing. Only bring home the items that you love, and you’ll never find yourself standing in front of your closet exclaiming, “I have nothing to wear!”

Happy thrifting! What are some of your favorite tricks for savvy shopping?

The One Where I Find a Desk in my Apartment

You saw a glimpse of the tiny apartment I call home. But my favorite part in it? That would be the desk that I found waiting in the living room when I came back after a visit to MN. It was just a few days after Christmas: I had taken a 5:00 a.m. flight out of Minneapolis, worked a half-day, and then tiredly stumbled into my dark apartment, dragging my bags after me. I almost dropped everything in surprise when there, waiting for me with a bow on top, sat the desk that I had pinned and asked Michael if we could build one day. While I had been home for Christmas, he found the plans, bought the lumber and spent his Christmas break on a labor of love!

What he didn't realize though, was that he'd have to help me pick a stain for it! We spent countless hours in Home Depot: he'd wander around the store, while I sat staring at samples, swing around to check on me, and would keep on going. Talk about nerve-racking ... I didn't want to mess it up! I finally picked a color, and we tested it out. It was too dark, so when Mom came out for visit, back we went back to Home Depot! Her many years experience in home decor saved the day, and we came home with a beautiful stain. Since I was still scared to touch it, she spent hours working the wood, and bringing it to life.

It's an incredible gift to be loved in tangible ways, isn't it?

(Oh and the shelf that is above it? Another Home Depot project!)