Happy October everyone, it’s Hayley, filling in for Heidi today. Heidi is off eating all the pasta, cheese and olives she can possibly fit into her mouth and the rest is going into her suitcase. Head over to Instagram and Snapchat (her username is FoodieCrush on both) to get the play by play of her adventures in PA.
What a long, strange month September has been! We’ve literally had eight days in a row of rain and I feel like I’m losing my mind. Heidi convinced me it’s because Mercury’s in retrograde, and now through October 9th, any little glitch or mishap I detect, I’m blaming it on Mercury. Are you experiencing anything abnormal? You should just blame it on Mercury too.
Anyway, I’m relieved it’s October.
I like October.
Despite this relentless rain we’ve been having, this week hasn’t been too shabby. I haven’t seen much of my husband lately because he’s had to travel quite a bit, and some friends invited me over for dinner the other night, and I have to tell you it was pretty fantastic.
We made these butternut squash and sausage stuffed shells (with a few adjustments), and wanted to marry them. We enjoyed the shells with a salad of pink lady apples, shaved gouda and a maple-cider vinaigrette, and some really wonderful crusty bread (and wine). Thank goodness for friends who invite you over to dinner (especially when you’re feeling crummy).
And now my husband is back, and all is right around here (well unless Mercury has something up its sleeve)…
A lot has happened since I wrote my last Friday Faves. We moved! And we survived the move!
We celebrated our hard work with a picnic on the dining room floor (our first meal in our new home)! We picked up a pizza from one of favorite spots in our neighborhood and had some champagne (a wedding present we had been saving for awhile). In case you were wondering, the pizza had collards, prosciutto and fried chicken on it. We were happy campers.
Lots of unpacking, A LOT of help from family and friends and tons of re-painting and organizing later…
Our house is coming along!
The living room is probably the most finished room in the house (next to the kitchen). We just need to hang some photos and art on these walls, and I’m experimenting with decorating the mantle.
My dad built us a coffee table. And we’re so happy with how it turned out!
This is one of my favorite little spots in the house, in the dining room. Mainly because I’m obsessed with this mid-century telephone table I found (with elephant upholstery!!). I also like how the light hits this corner in the morning.
My talented dad put in these sweet shelves for us, from some old wood we found in our shed!
These shelves are my “baking shelves” in my baking nook (between the dining room and the kitchen). We’re working on re-purposing an antique desk into a baking table to go in this little nook, and I can’t wait to roll out some pie dough on it!
I’m in love with the butler’s pantry, and we don’t have a big kitchen, so it’s great to have this for storage! Right now, we’re using it as a bar until we find an antique server we like, for the dining room.
The back deck was definitely a selling point for us. We look forward to having many fun times out here!
Two months later, and Luma is feeling happy and comfortable in her new home.
So comfortable in fact, she decided to lounge on the couch when I wasn’t looking. (I let her stay on it just long enough for me to take this photo.) Mean mom, I know, but it’s a new couch and she sheds like the dickens!
But oddly enough, this little corner in the bathroom is one of her favorite spots. She likes to come in here when it’s raining.
Alright, on with it Hayley! Here are my Friday Faves for this week!
Did anyone catch the blood moon the other night? These photos are stunning.
I recently chopped about five inches off my hair (it’s still shoulder-length), but it hasn’t been this short in about 15 years. I’ve been having fun styling it more, and have become obsessed with these Youtube hair tutorial videos from Sunnie Brook Jones. She knows her stuff, and her voice is so soothing!
Ruth Reichl fans anyone? I really enjoyed reading this, and this.
Halloween is coming, and I’m excited because it’s one of my favorite holidays. I love being scared, and this scary movie is on my radar.
Speaking of Halloween, wanna hear some creepy podcast episodes? Check this one and these!
I’ve been really into podcasts lately, and am thoroughly enjoying The Dinner Party Download, and Food52’s Burnt Toast.
I just started watching Doll & Em, and am hooked. I think Emily Mortimer is one of the most adorable humans on the planet, and I love how real this show feels, cringe-worthiness and all! It’s a comedy about best friends, and how challenging the dynamic can be when you mix work and friendship. Plus, there are some pretty great cameos!
I also just started watching Togetherness (also on HBO), and am pretty into it.
This adorable video still has me laughing.
Are you a fan of pumpkin beer? Check out this guide.
Jungle oasis bathroom envy.
Ryan Adams covering Taylor Swift’s entire 1989 album is one of the best things that’s happened musically since…well…Taylor Swift’s album. His cover of “Bad Blood” is my favorite.
Bradley Cooper playing a chef? Yes please, and I’ll take seconds!
So I guess I’ve been living under a rock, but I just discovered Rachel Khoo (thanks to a friend), and I find her to be so endearing and I wish more cooking shows these days were like hers! Honest, no-frills, no fake sets, just a real girl cooking in her real tiny little kitchen (that’s really in Paris). If this woman doesn’t make you want to hop a plane to Paris, or make a quiche Lorraine immediately, then I don’t even know.
I’m a devoted HONY fan, and this powerful new series on the Syrian migrants is breaking my heart. We have no idea how lucky we are…
How you can help.
Recipes on my Radar
Here are a few recipes I found on the web this week. I liked them, and I bet you will too.
Butternut Squash Carbonara with Fried Sage and Caramelized Onions
I’ve been on quite the pasta kick lately, and I want to tuck into a big bowl of this autumnal goodness.
Brown Butter Chess Pie
I’ve been dreaming about this pie since I saw it last week. It’s tapping into my brown butter obsession, and I like it.
Mexican Chocolate Donuts
I’m a sucker for doughnuts, and chocolate, and chocolate doughnuts, so these beauties are beckoning me. I can practically taste the carbalicious calories now!
Happy weekending, folks (and if you’re in the Southeast, stay dry)!
As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own. Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest?
Thanks for reading and subscribe to FoodieCrush to have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Robert Smith
Find your site very useful. many thanks for the good sharing
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Bring on the pasta, I want a big bowl of carbonara! I’m loving your butler’s pantry and that back deck looks perfect for hanging!
Stefanie - Sarcastic Cooking
OMG we are in the middle of house hunting and I WANT YOUR HOUSE!!! It’s so cozy and clean and modern. I love it!
heidi
Hayley and her husband have done a great job on their new little abode. My first blog was a blog about us remodeling our home. I wonder if I should bring it back?
Hayley
Stefanie, you are too sweet! Have so much fun house hunting – such an exciting process!
And thank you Heidi! I definitely vote for you to bring back the home remodel blog! Or at least give us a home video tour! ;)
Jan
Your home is just beautiful! Those shells look outstanding. I may have to try those when I am pushing the vegetarian dishes on my husband who really only likes chicken and meat. I like your doggie too!
heidi
I agree Jan! Hayley has the cutest pup. Let her up on the couch Hayley!
Hayley
Thank you Jan! And you should definitely try those shells, so yummy! Have a great weekend! :)
holly
Your dad is so talented!! I love the coffeetable & shelves!! Our doggie is like that too, if its stormy or rainy, you’ll find him hiding out in the bathroom. lol
Hayley
Thank you Holly, I will have to tell him you said that! :) And who knew about other doggies in bathrooms? Too funny, those furry creatures! Enjoy your weekend!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
Oh I’m in love with that cute telephone table you have! Also, that bar storage is pretty dang cute and I love all the white in your house :) Happy Friday! I’ll take 4 of those donuts up there, please and thank you!
heidi
Donuts. Tables. They’re all essential. Have a great weekend Abby.
Hayley
Thanks Abby, it was definitely a special find (only $42 too)! I’m seeing them everywhere now, but typically not priced that low. Have an awesome weekend (you too, Heidi)! :)
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
Hi Hayley – can i attend the wedding with those stuffed shells ;) They sound incredible! The house is coming along beautifully … I need to convince my hubby to build me some cool shelves like that! Hope you have an awesome rest of October. And PS, mercury seems like the perfect escape goat – lets blame it ALL on him!
heidi
Gah. I’m serious about Mercury in retrograde. I had to replace the hard drive in my iMac this week because of it. I’m glad Hayley heeded my wisdom.
Hayley
Hi Philia! Thank you! We’re having a lot of fun playing house (pun intended) ;P Definitely make those stuffed shells if you have a chance! We found that we didn’t need to add the chicken stock to the sauce, we added some fresh sage to the filling (and on top, for prettiness), and we used some bangin’ hot Italian pork sausage, and I made ricotta because I’m a ricotta snob. So much yum! :)