October 31, 2012 (October Foodie Pen Pals)

This month I got a super thoughtful box from Carla at Baking, not Banking. She was so sweet and sent me apple cinnamon tea, salt and pepper quinoa, chocolate pistachio espresso cookies (homemade!) and some really cute chevron cupcake wrappers and tiny spatulas. I binge ate the cookies in one sitting (seriously addictive, that girl can bake) and made the quinoa for Krystal, who has celiacs. I've been drinking the tea on the way to work - it's great with honey.







Thank you so much, Carla!

For more information on Foodie Pen Pals, and to sign up, head over to The Lean Green Bean for more.

October 27, 2012 (October Book Club)

The book club I am a part of took a field trip out to one of my favorite wineries, Delaplane Cellars, to discuss the October book, Anna Quindlen's Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. Anna is one of my favorite writers of all time. Her Newsweek column about September 11th remains one of the most poignant things I read about the attacks, and her book A Short Guide to A Happy Life has been an anchor for me at various points in my life. A trip to the country felt like the proper way to celebrate her memoir.

October 24, 2012 (Wine Club Cake Off!)

To celebrate Krystal and my's October birthdays, wine club threw a cake-off. Well, okay, specifically a gluten-free, soy-free cake off. We had shirley temple cupcakes, a flourless chocolate cake, a chocolate cake with almond and raspberry icing and a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie cake.









This happened.

October 20, 2012 (Autumn Morning)

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile. - William Cullen Bryant



















PS - This is my 100th post. Thanks for reading!

October 13, 2012 (Birthday Party)

All I wanted for my birthday was to sit by the water, watch the sunset, roast s'mores over a fire, and eat yummy food surrounded by the people that I love. I got exactly that. It was perfect. I could not have asked for anything more.




















































Some of these were taken by Krystal and Rebecca. They graciously took over the lens when I realized I should be in a few of my own birthday pictures!