Song of the Day

Paul McCartney & Wings - Maybe I'm Amazed

Sunday Pot Roast

On Sunday we had a couple of friends over for a later lunch. I wanted to make something hot and comforting because the weather is much cooler now so I decided I would make a pot roast. Usually I will make it in the crock pot but because I didn't have 8 hours to roast the meat I went with a dutch oven roast. It turned out pretty tasty...not as tender as the crock pot option but still pretty good. I served the roast, sauteed green beans and my guests brought soda bread and homemade butter.  I also squeezed in some baby red potatoes in the crock pot. 

Just a quick tip, I would puree the gravy in either a large food processor with a hole on top or a blender. I have a tiny food processor with no hole at the top so it literally overflowed and exploded all over me TWICE. I have burns on my wrist, I had gravy all over my new sweater and my kitchen was a disaster. Lesson learned.  

Company Pot Roast

This Weekend

I am happy to report I am almost done with my chairs. I have four down, two more to go. It was pretty frustrating figuring out how to get the fabric folding technique down. Both fabrics are completely different so once I finally mastered the first one I had to start all over with the second. But I am very happy with the turnout. We had friends over for a late lunch on Sunday and it was the perfect first meal at our new table. 

(Note to self....buy place mats) 

Hard to tell, but it's pink velvet

Saturday night at cousin Dan & Leanne's house w/ Monty

Brian tucked Olive in

Music of the Day

Rabbit Fur Coat by Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins

Over the Weekend

Trying to decide if I want to keep my bangs or not...

Olive always finds the new blanket or pillow and has to break it in

Game Night

Spent late Sunday afternoon in Woodinville and did some wine tasting

Things I am Loving This Week...

I got my fabric in the mail! The other fabric is a velvet pink so I will be doing 3 chairs in this one and 3 in the pink. 

Walked into the gym with fog, walked out with rain

We have this little halloween picture contest at our apartment complex to win a gift basket...Brian drew this up last night. Hope we win! 

After finishing Desperate Housewives starting from season 1 I have moved on and started watching Sex and The City from the very beginning...love this show! 

It will be raining all weekend so not too sure what we'll be doing. I hope everyone had a great week and enjoys the weekend! 

Music of the Day

Perfect foggy day albums

Over the Weekend

New Recipes

Tonight was a success! (as far as I'm concerned) 

Garlic, Rosemary and Chili Almonds

1 tbsp butter

1/2 of a trader joes raw almonds package

2 big cloves of garlic crushed (I actually put a couple more bc I am a garlic freak)

1 handful of fresh rosemary leaves

1 tsp coarse sea salt (I put a tad more of this also)

Chili to taste (I put about a teaspoon)

Melt the butter in a cast iron skillet, add the almonds and stir until they're heated through and starting to brown. Take off the heat and add the condiments, stirring through. Be sure not to burn the garlic! I also sprinkled a bit of garlic powder on top as well. 

No Sugar Added Oat Drops

1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats (I used whole wheat oats from trader joes)

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup almond meal (I used whole wheat flour bc I don't have almond meal)

1/2 cup mixed nuts, finely chopped

1 cup raisins 

3 ripe bananas

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond meal, mixed nuts and coconut flakes. Stir in cinnamon. Add dried fruit and stir until well and evenly mixed. Make sure the raisins aren't sticking to each other in big batches.

In another bowl, combine canola oil, mashed banana and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined. 

Take a large spoon and scoop onto a cookie tray. Bake for about 20 minutes or varied depending on your oven until edges are golden brown. 

Not going to lie...I literally just realized the recipe calls for 3 bananas when I only put two. Maybe I need some reading glasses? Oh, and also please excuse the poor pictures. Night!

Movie of the Day

(from yesterday actually...I was too tired to post it late last night)

Dark Shadows

This movie didn't have the best reviews but I actually really liked it! It was intentionally cheesy and overly dramatic and really funny. I would definitely watch it again. 

The cloud cover has finally arrived. We will have cloudy days until Friday then the infamous rain comes. I kind of laughed a little yesterday at Trader Joes because one of the employees I see there regularly said hello and mentioned the rain and how he was excited about it. I hope after this winter season I will have the same attitude! I mean, living here it just comes with the package. I knew what I was getting myself into. I hope it just enhances my experience here in the pacific northwest. 

Anyhow, with the gloom brings me to listen to one of my favorite bands - Coldplay! Parachutes is my favorite album by far and brings back so many memories. 

Movie of the Day

Annie Hall

Over the Weekend

I would first like to report that I have finally made my final decision and ordered fabric for the dining room chairs. I won't get the fabric in the mail for about 2 weeks at the most so all I can do now is wait. I'll show you which fabric I picked once I am all done and have a final reveal! 

This weekend has been absolutely beautiful! Everyone keeps saying this is not typical weather...usually the rain is here by now. Well, I will enjoy every second until it does decide to show up (supposedly next weekend). I have been really pleased with this cliche autumn...sun, crisp cool air and glorious colors. It has been everything I had hoped for and more. Yay! 

On Thursday night Brian and I made a trip to Target and bought some essentials plus some fake cobwebs. Last year we did them as well and had such a fun time decorating we have made it our little tradition. Friday we had a couple last minute overnight guests...our friends from home Shaun and Cat (not sure if she uses a C or K). It was so nice to see some old friends and great being able to actually host people. So we went into Seattle and had dinner then afterwards had some ice cream that was SO good. I will definitely be back. On Saturday morning we went out for breakfast which Brian and I hadn't done yet so we winged it and went to this place called Todem. It is a very small, locals only kinda place. The four of us walked in through the door and literally everyone stopped eating, quieted their conversation and all turned to stare at us. It was very awkward and I certainly have never experienced that in my whole life! It was like we entered the saloon in the wild west or something. The food was good though so I would go back. Saturday Brian and I wanted to take a drive up north so we went to Fairhaven and Bellingham. The drive was just beautiful and what a cute town! We got started later than usual so we didn't see all of Bellingham but I know we will take another trip very soon. It happened to be homecoming that night so we saw all the little high schoolers all dressed up and excited. Sometimes I forget my age and am then reminded every time I am around high school kids. Wow. I know I'm not "old" by any means but I definitely feel the age gap. I never thought that would happen. Sunday Brian and I met some friends at a pumpkin patch in Snohomish, a bit inland of Everett. I saw so many great looking pumpkins I just wanted to adopt them all and really wished I had a porch to put some on. One day! Here are some pictures from the weekend. I hope you all had a great weekend as well! 

Our spooky bar

In Fairhaven we split a smoked salmon crepe

Bellingham

Their trash cans are quite festive

Pumpkin Patch

I definitely wore the wrong shoes