Friday Ramblings

I'm madly in love with this season.

I'm in love with how easily it awakens the senses...how quickly a breath of its fresh air can boost my mood..how the trees drop blankets of leaves in shades and colors I find most soothing...
Coffee and red wine taste even richer.
It's a time to be comfy and cozy.
It makes me feel the love even more.

Fall is just plain romantic.
Fall is just plain peaceful.

And yesterday, truly felt just that. With how on-the-go things have been around here, I took advantage of a day with nowhere to be. My car didn't move from the driveway once. I spent the day in an old shirt of Steve's and pajama pants. My friend, Kim, came over for our weekly breakfast, of Wegman's finest carbohydrates, coffee and chatter.

I did laundry. Cleaned our bathrooms (sounds romantic, right?!?)

Made dinner.

Yes, you read that right. I, Maria, made dinner.
I was nervous. But, I really wanted to give it a whirl. You see, I'm not the best cook. I'm actually horrendous in the kitchen. The first time I cooked for Steve, 6 years ago, in the beginning stages of our relationship...it ended with us going to the local joint down the street, 5 minutes after Steve tasted my nauseating creation. Angel hair with grilled chicken. Doesn't sound so tough. Well, the chicken was so undercooked it was still clucking, and the pasta was so overcooked, it all stickily clumped together, forming the shape of the bowl. It was so bad, if you turned the bowl upside down, nothing would've fallen out.

Let's just say, we like Steve's cooking around here. He loves to cook. I love his cooking. So, it works. But, it's time I start learning a few things in the kitchen.
Wednesday night, while on the phone with Kelly, we got on the topic of food. This happens often. I ended up jotting down a recipe she had just tried. She said it was easy. I like the sound of that. Still, it's me. I can ruin a bowl of cereal. I headed to the store afterwards for the ingredients. I figured if I had what I needed, I couldn't back out of giving it a try.


I don't know the actual name of this recipe, so we will call it, Gnocchi alla Spinach Garlic Onions and Sausage *super original*

I learned a few things right away.

*Onions REALLY do make you cry! I must be sensitive to those suckers. I had to walk out of room.

*Kelly was right, *Don't forget to take the casing off the sausage*. See, the old Maria would just throw the whole wheel in the pan and stare at it as it caught on fire.

*And, if you follow the directions, the meal will be edible...maybe, even taste good.

I set the table...put on some music...poured some wine...waited to surprise Steve...

The kitties sat and waited patiently...

yea, yea...NO CATS ON THE TABLE...we find Mr. Twinkie passed out like this far too often.


And after not much time at all, and surprisingly no mishaps...it turned out great!!  Thank you, Kelly!!

Steve was impressed, instead of choking and begging for Burger King. I genuinely believed him when he said he loved it. He's even taking leftovers to work today. And now, I feel a bit more confident. I'm ready to try another meal. Anyone want to share any great "fall" recipes? Send em' my way! :)

Krimpet relaxing with Steve after dinner

It was a nice little night with the Mr.

*
The pottery we painted for my birthday arrived.
It's awesome to see how much the colors change once they get fired up.

Before

After

We love how vibrant they became.

*
Everything gets sweeter this time of year...

Pumpkin cupcakes from a friend *down to the last one, Brie :)

gotta eat the icing first!

Lunch outside...on the perfect autumn day...with this pretty lady.
Gina and I don't see each other as often as we should. But, whenever we set up a date, we gab for hours and manage to catch up on all the lost time.
Thanks to her, I finally experienced all the rage that is "Kiwi Yogurt"
Once I realized I had control of how much ice cream trendy frozen yogurt stuff and toppings I could put in my cup, I went a little wild. And of course, managed to turn the candy corn thingy majiggy a little too hard, causing about 83 of them dance all over the floor.

pumpkin spice yogurt with candy corn and graham cracker crumbs...SUGAR!!!

our creations.

Speaking of sweet, how thoughtful and adorable are these homemade magnets I found in my mailbox, addressed to "Tacohead" Marino?!

kitties!!!


*

The next couple days, it's all about Girl Time. I've got a date to "get my craft on" with Jessica today. My friend, Jen, is going to be a Mrs. in 8 short days!! The celebrating begins tonight and throughout the weekend.  Lots to do.  Lots to love.


Fall, I adore you. I will take you any day over Summer.
You're brightening my days, even if the sun goes down earlier. You're warming up my nights, even if it's starting to get chilly out there.
You're making me slow down and calm down, even when things are busy, busy, busy. You're slowly but surely making sense out of things that don't make sense at all.
You're bringing me more hope.


*What are your Fall Favorites?


*Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend full of everything and everyone you love*

Friday Fall Lovin',