Spaghetti Squash Pesto Pasta With Chard & Sun Dried Tomatoes {Gluten-Free, Paleo & Vegan Option}

Have you ever tried to recreate a food memory? We all have them, right? Things that were simmering or baking during significant moments in our lives. Certain dishes that remind us of someone or something special. They can also go the other way on you… for example, I will most likely never again put a Sun Chip in my mouth — Thank you windy road to the beach for all the memories #nope.
When I was making this dish, I wanted to recreate what I ordered on my first date with my husband. The smell of pesto always brings me back to that evening. I wore a denim skirt that in hindsight was gloriously too short. He wore a button down that looked just like the checkered table cloths at the Italian restaurant. He was nervous. He wiped his mouth incessantly with his napkin. We joked. We laughed. Our waitress was totally drunk and boisterously exclaimed “You’re such a beautiful couple! When’s the wedding?!” Perfect for a first date. After the date, I asked him if he wanted to come over and meet my cat, Gunther. Smooth, right?  I made out with his face. The rest is history. Some might consider Gunther our Yenta (Fiddler On The Roof reference, anyone? )  Classic love story, right? Totally.  […]

Killer Pumpkin Granola {Gluten-Free & Vegan }

Alright, it’s official. I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is more pumpkin.
I’ve caught a case of the pumpkins. It’s not hard to do. Have you been on pinterest lately? It’s like taking a visual pumpkin bath. I dipped my toe in. It was warm. Now I’ve taken off my pants and  am sitting in a full-on metaphorical bath of pumpkin puree and cinnamon sticks. I’m even thinking about turning on the jets and staying for a while (that visual might have gotten out of hand).  Seriously though, try not to crave something with cinnamon in it after trolling pinterest. Dare you. Also, just so we’re clear (and I don’t get a bunch of weird emails later) I’m only METAPHORICALLY bathing in pumpkin puree. I DO NOT in any way literally suggest you fill up your entire tub with a festive fall squash and then bathe in it. Unless that’s your thing. Who am I to rain on anyone’s pumpkin parade?! We all celebrate seasons differently. Press on, dear friends! But seriously, consider the clean up. That’s one heck of a mess. […]

Curried Delicata And Sweet Potato Bisque

Let me be straight with you.

This recipe was created for the sole purpose of using my brand new immersion blender.

I had a very domestic birthday. I received a sewing machine (note: I totally sewed that place mat you see there. The hems are ALMOST straight. Pretty much a professional.) a three piece cupcake carrier, an immersion blender, tart pans, ramekins and a collection of amazing cooking and food styling books. (Oh, and a hangover. We will get to that in another post. Coming to you soon.)  Serious jackpot. I had never used an immersion blender before, but knew it was something that I wanted to try.  Who likes to puree their soups two cups at a time in a semi functional blender?  Not this girl.  I’ve scalded myself multiple times.  I have hot soup battle scars. I can be kind of a hot mess. My parents always said, “there’s a reason we didn’t name you Grace.”  I would like to say that comment is rude, but it is just ever so true. Darn it. […]

Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Shake

Good Morning, Friends!

I don’t know about you all, but I’m up early. This whole daylight savings hoopla has got me running on a geriatric schedule. I go to bed at 9:30. And by go to bed, I mean pass out in a puddle of my own drool on the couch without warning. It’s something to behold. When my body is tired, it goes down for the count. I realize that this explanation sounds similar to narcolepsy. Funny. Or is it? Should I get this checked out? Meh.

Naturally, since I have clocked out early, I am waking up before the sun is out. I get up, inconveniencing our dog. She’s tired. She doesn’t understand this nonsense. Not a morning dog.  Typical teenager. […]