Photo Challenge: Apple Picking Pouty Lips

I'm linking up with the Paper Mama for the first time with my favorite photo….look at her little pouty lips…I love our little girl so much!

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Fall Firsts - Part I: Apple Picking!

This year, we've decided to nix our usual holiday travel plans:  Thanksgiving in Ohio, Christmas in Seattle.  We've been all over the place the last couple of years and its time for us to take a break.  In order to make the most of this decision we've made plans to do things around NYC that we have never done before.  Instead of focusing on how we'll be missing out on our family traditions, we've broadened our horizons to participate in local traditions, and we'll be creating some of our own traditions as well.

I am so happy that my in-laws came out for a visit this past weekend, together we were able to do a lot of things we'd never done before.  So without  any further delay, I present to you a short series of posts which I will call "Fall Firsts."

We left bright and early from our place in Washington Heights, with a bounty of fancy coffee drinks, fresh baked cinnamon rolls and banana muffins, and headed over to the GW Bridge into New Jersey.  The drive was stunning, even in Jersey you can find beautiful red, orange and gold leaved trees lining the highway.  About an hour and some change later, we arrived at Stonyhill Farm & Gardens in Chester, NJ.

Apple picking was a blast, not only did we experience this very traditional NYC annual pilgrimage, we were able to bring our best friends and my lovely in-laws.  The weather was gorgeous, maybe slightly too warm, but not worth a complaint.  Zion had a great time, and I think we must of all heard, "Ahhh-pull" or "Aaahpuh-pie" a million times, plus as an added bonus she got to ride in a little red wagon for the first time.  :)

Stonyhill also had a wonderful farmers market with apple cider donuts, hot and cold apple cider and other delightful items.  After buying 10lbs of apples, I couldn't wait to get home and make my first apple pie using this fantastic recipe I found.  And it turned out DELICIOUS!!

Are you staying home this holiday season?  What local traditions do you enjoy?

XO,

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Faith Filled Marriage: Never Stop Dating Your Spouse

Inertia:  {A tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged.  Idleness.  A rut.}  This is where the hubs and I found ourselves after several dateless months.  We got used to not having time together as a couple, and struggled to break out of it, it became the norm.

Sure, we could make excuses to justify letting our relationship slip low on the priority list, and we certainly have.  Dates = costly, especially when you have to pay $15/hr for someone to sit on your couch while your little one sleeps.  And being away from family who'd gladly hang at your place for free…thats another big bummer.



But I don't want to focus on our excuses, I want to focus on what can be learned from our mistake of giving up on date-nights.  On September 30th, we went on our first date in probably over six months.  Our besties here in NYC offered to chill at our place and told us to "stay out late!"

Hubs planned a surprise dinner date at HK:Hell's Kitchen, near Times Square.  We arrived early to the area, so we enjoyed sipping some coffees and lollygagging to the restaurant.  Once there, we chose an outside table so we could people watch.  I enjoyed a virgin mojito and some of the best calamari I've ever had, before we were forced to move inside due to unexpected rain.

Our dinner was good, but the best thing about the evening was really enjoying the company of my husband.  For once I was not just Jerry's wife or Zion's mama, I was Courtney, again.  I was the woman Jerry fell in love with.  And I was able to appreciate Jerry as the one I gave my heart to, not just as the provider, or the father of my child.

We broke out of our inertia, forcing ourselves to stop making excuses and do the dang thing!  And I learned a valuable lesson…you should never ever ever, for any reason, stop dating your spouse.  That time spent, out of the house, with the focus of delighting in each other's company, can not be recreated through any other activity.

When you can't get out, I'm definitely a fan of throwing "Date-Night-in" where we make a romantic dinner, put on some smooth jazz, and detach from cell phones, hulu and other distractions - but I think getting out at least once a month is so very necessary.

I can hardly wait for our next date-night this Friday evening.  When was the last time you and your spouse got out of the house for a date night?  What is your favorite date night activity?

I'd love some ideas!!

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What's For Dinner? Menu 10/8-10/14

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sat. 10/8	Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit	On the Go	Meatball Lasagna w/Bread & Garlic Butter ((BHG p.48)
Sun. 10/9	Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon	LO Lasagna	Hubby's Cooking (Recipe undecided)
Mon. 10/10	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Dinner	Teriyaki Salmon w/Mushrooms, Orange Ginger Snap Peas (FFF p.199)
Tues. 10/11	Egg Scramble	LO Salmon	Lentil Soup w/Crackers (My Recipe)
Weds. 10/12	French Toast	LO Lentil Soup	Grilled Chicken & Veggie Arugula Salad (FFF pg.94)
Thurs. 10/13	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Chicken	Red Beans & Rice
Fri. 10/14	Cheese Omelets	LO Turkey	DATE NIGHT!

Key:  LO = Leftovers, FFF = Fresh Food, Fast Cookbook, GHK = Good Housekeeping Cookbook, SBD = South Beach Diet Cookbook, BHG = Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, MISC - Some random recipe I've collected, MOM = My Mom's Recipe, GMA = Grandma's Recipe


Let's Connect! XO, Courtney

       

Weekly Wrap Up

It was an excellent week.  Highlights: 1.  First DATE NIGHT with the hubs in like 6 months, seriously that is way too long!  2.  PEANUT BUTTER creme filled oreo cookies.  OMG.  Heaven in your mouth.  3.  I finally figured out how to take quality pictures using the iPHONE, lol, and I'm now having a blast with it.  And 4.  It is already UGG weather in NYC.  I'm not a fan of the cold, so the only thing that is making it better is: pumpkin bread, cinnamon sugar cookie lattes and snuggles with Jerry and Zion.

I'm jazzed for this weekend...Jerry's parents get here this afternoon for a weekend of fun, food, and our highly anticipated APPLE/PUMPKIN picking trip!

How did you week finish off?  Exciting weekend plans?

Much love,

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I'd Loaf A Slice of Bread!

What exactly is that you are looking at?  Probably a huge mess about to be made, but hopefully not!
I am about to embark on a strange journey into the currently unknown (to me) realm of good, old fashioned bread-making.  This is definitely something I've been wanting to do for a while, but had no idea where to begin.  That is, until my very sweet friend Kristina gave me the confidence boost and inspiration to go ahead and give it a shot, by posting this simple recipe for a sourdough starter.
I didn't even know what a starter was until I read her post, well, with the exception of the friendship breads I used to receive during my short stay in Louisiana a couple of years ago!  
I don't actually have any recipes picked out to use after my starter gets ripe (is that what you even call it? I have no idea!), so I figure I have a few days to come up with something while its doing its thing.  I am hoping to have some fresh baked bread for this weekend to share with Jerry's parents who will be visiting...perhaps I am being too ambitious.  We'll see!
Do you have any good sourdough recipes?  

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Body for God: Couch-to-5k in 9 Weeks

I've decided to do a 9 week program to get back into running.  I mentioned in my previous post, I have had a lot of injuries this year, due to thinking I am invincible starting out too hard and fast, and not giving my body enough time to adjust to new routines.
I was browsing training programs and stumbled upon this guide here.  I have a hard time accepting that this is where I am at, because I honestly do not enjoy running under 3 miles.  I am more of a distance runner, in fact, I love running 6 or more miles at a time.  I now understand that in order to get back there, I have to take baby steps or I'll be benching it yet again, waiting for my injury to heal.
The thing I love about this particular 5k training program is that it only requires 3x a week.  That is less than half of the days, which seems like less pressure to get out and run.  Time won't be so much of an issue either, 20-30 minutes per workout is all that it takes.  
I have to get my jiggly-self outside (rain or shine) and do it this week, or I'll likely be faced with the "it's too cold outside" dilemma.  If I can get back to an addictive 3+miles a run before the brutal chill of winter, there is a very good chance I will be in crazy-running-addict-mode enough to run in the 20 degree tundra that I expect will be hitting by December.
If I get my way, next fall I will run my first marathon, in Chicago!  I've been dreaming of running that 26.2 mile race for the last couple of years.  (Not to mention visiting Chicago, which I hear has some serious foodie-friendly restaurants!)  
What are your fitness goals for the fall and the winter?  Do you want to try the 9 week program? 
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Top 5: DIY Fancy Coffee Drinks (No espresso machine required!)

I LOVE COFFEE.  I'm obsessed with it.  Blame it on my Seattle roots, or the fact that I have a very energetic toddler who wakes up at 6am every morning, either way, it is one of two things that I will never part ways with.  (Ummm...the other is ice cream!)

Growing up in Seattle, the very LAST place you'd go to get coffee was a Starbucks.  There are just so many other quality breweries to choose from.  My favorite in the PNW (Pacific NorthWest) is Victor's Celtic Coffee.  Ahhh-mazing-ly delicious coffee---certified fair trade peeps.  I DARE you to try it.

One thing that Starbucks has going for them is that most coffee in NYC is, well...disgusting, I don't know how to put it nicer than that.  I call it "coffee water."  In order to avoid Starbucks, as much as possible, I prefer to make delicious fancy coffees at home.  I don't have the counter space for an espresso machine, so I've become quite creative at mimicking drinks I've had and liked or creating my own indulgences.

1.  Peppermint Mocha

8-12 oz fresh, hot, quality, brewed coffee

5 Andes Mints or if in season…2 Godiva Peppermint Truffles 

1 packet instant cocoa mix (Swiss Miss or Nestle are fine)

A tablespoon of creamer (optional)

Whipped cream (Reddiwhip or similar) if you like

Red sugar sprinkles 

Directions: In a big fancy mug…put contents of packet of cocoa mix, andes mints.  Pour in half of coffee, stir until mints are melted and cocoa is dissolved.  Add creamer.  Pour the rest of the coffee in.  Top with whipped cream & red sugar sprinkles if desired.  Enjoy.  

Is your mouth watering for more?

What's for dinner? Menu Plan 10/1-10/7

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sat. 10/1	LO Date Night Food	Turkey Sandwiches	Ginger Beef Stir-fry (BHG p. 68) w/Broccoli & Brown Rice
Sun. 10/2	Pancakes, Bacon	LO Stir-fry	Seasoned Tuna Sands/Warm Spinach Salad (BHG p.134/MISC)
Mon. 10/3	Granola w/Yogurt	Frozen Entrees	Spinach Pesto Tortellini w/Rosemary Bread (BHG p. 10)
Tues. 10/4	Egg Scramble	LO Pasta	Hawaiian Turkey Burgers (BHG p. 122)
Weds. 10/5	French Toast	LO Turkey Burger	Southern Camp Stew (FFF p. 29)
Thurs. 10/6	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Stew	Turkey Meatloaf, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes (GHK p. 131) (BHG p. 176) (MISC)
Fri. 10/7	Cheese Omelets	LO Turkey	Nachos & Chicken Tortilla Soup, Homemade Guacomole (My Recipes)

Key:  LO = Leftovers, FFF = Fresh Food, Fast Cookbook, GHK = Good Housekeeping Cookbook, SBD = South Beach Diet Cookbook, BHG = Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, MISC - Some random recipe I've collected, MOM = My Mom's Recipe, GMA = Grandma's Recipe

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From Mama B's Kitchen: Five Spice Salmon w/Orange Spinach

This is one of the easiest, and tastiest salmon recipes I have ever created.  Once you learn how to pan-sear salmon, it is the next best thing to grilling!  (Forgive me, these pictures DO NOT do this dish justice, better camera coming soon!)

Crispy on the outside and super moist on the inside with an amazing aromatic flavor from the spices - this dish is sure to be a hit (even with those who aren't die-hard salmon fans - like my husband!)

Pan-Seared Five Spice Salmon Recipe

Ingredients:
4 - 4oz Salmon Fillets, skins removed
2 Tbsp. Five Spice Rub
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil


Directions:

1.  With tweezers, remove any bones from salmon fillets.  On wax paper, rub salmon fillets until coated with rub mix.

2.  In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over MEDIUM heat until hot.  Add salmon; cook until just opaque throughout, about 4-5 minutes per side.  Makes 4 Servings.

If you ask my husband what my favorite foods are, there is a 1 in 4 chance he will say, "Spinach."  I don't know what it is about this leafy green vegetable that I love so much.  Perhaps too many Pop-eye cartoons when I was younger!  Whatever the reason, I love love love it.  In everything.  No lie.

I actually found this recipe attached to a fresh bunch of organic spinach from Lakeside Organic Gardens.  I was skeptical but willing to try it.  It can be tricky to incorporate it into a dish that the hubs will appreciate, but this one was a serious winner.  Even Zion enjoyed it!







Orange Spinach Recipe:

Ingredients:
2 bunches Spinach, washed thoroughly and stems removed
1 Tbsp. Orange zest
2 Oranges, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
1/3 cup Chicken broth
1 Tbsp. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp. Sugar

Directions:
1.  Place the spinach in a large saucepan.  Cook, covered, over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until leaves are just wilted; drain well.  Set aside in bowl.
2.  Use the same saucepan and bring chicken broth, orange zest, soy sauce, sugar to a boil.
3.  Stir in Spinach and Orange pieces, heat until warm.  Makes 4 Servings.