A Montreal Fall

Just when I thought we'd had our international fix for the year, Hubby whisked me off to Canada for a fun and fast weekend in Montreal. We're not used to being in driving distance to Canada, so of course we were happy to take advantage of our (relatively) insane proximity.

The trip was perfectly timed for some excellent leaf peeping along the way. I'll never forget my "first fall" last year - I was totally enchanted by the perfectly golden, coral and flaming orange trees around Cambridge, and I'm pleased to say the fixation has not grown dull. Montreal offered a grand display, and though the day was otherwise dreary, this lovely foliage offered life and vibrance to the city.

It is really a great city and I only wish we had more time to spend there. Because time was precious, our  goal in Montreal was simple: relax and eat tons of poutine. 

We were first introduced to this to-die-for dish during our summer in LA. Braised succulent meat atop delicious french fries and accessorized with cheese - if this is an excuse for a meal, I'm totally game. So for Hubby's birthday, we went to a fantastic spot called Animal - and the name basically tells it all. Those in the WeHo area must check it out. Don't get freaked out by the menu: pigs ears, bone marrow, braised oxtail, etc... the dishes are made to taste delicious and each new order is a true work of art. As you might guess, our hands-down favorite dish was the braised oxtail poutine - drenched in rich gravy and cheddar cheese, this spin on the classic Montreal treat really hit the spot and left us wanting more.

So, four months later, thanks to lots of research and first-hand recommendations, we found our palace of poutine at La Banquise. As our photos will show, this is no delicate dish. Now that we've tried a few varieties, we're dying to make our own version.

Just looking at the pictures makes me full. Hopefully we can follow through this fall/winter - you know I'll share the recipe!

Cambridge in the Fall

Just can't get enough!

Up next... our very New Englandy experience at Smolak Farms...

And the pie that resulted!

How to Get a Husband

It's simple, really. And Jane Austen's Mrs. Bennett would be proud, I think, of the scheme I'm going to show you. I'm certainly not in the market for a husband, but if I were, I'd make this. Hubby pretty much melted out of his chair when he ate this last night (and then again tonight).





















It is the ultimate love recipe - slow braised beef, creamy mashed potatoes, savory-smelling kitchen... all things good.

My brother and sister-in-law and their three sweet kiddos gave me an excellent birthday gift, which was really so generous - it was such a treat to receive.  Without further ado, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Since September, I haven't put this cookbook down. If you're not familiar with the Pioneer Woman (PW), I highly recommend you click immediately over to her blog, which is awesome, I must say.

This weekend, the temperatures were a little bit cooler, which left Hubby and me feeling a little cold and sorry for ourselves. But no fear, pot roast and mashed potatoes were on the way. The Pioneer Woman's pot roast and mashed potatoes, to be accurate.

You can see the recipes I used from her here and here. I could not recommend this dish more highly for a satisfying and cozy treat on a crisp fall day. Plus... pot roast atop mashed potatoes? Need I say more?

We bought a 3 lb. chuck, and it heartily fed us for two dinners, and I still get to bring a little to the office for lunch tomorrow (did I mention how much Hubby eats? This is saying something).

Happy cooking!

Yankee Foliage

Yes, it is Maine again. Though I've never been to Maine in my life prior to being a Texas-transplant-in-New-England, I had the great pleasure to visit the state twice over the past month.

The first visit, I just shared - we saw miles of sunny beaches, cheery cottages and overflowing ice cream cones! In my laundry I even found sand and sunscreen slathered t-shirts.

Now, seasons have changed. Our second trip to Maine showed us a side of the state we had not yet seen. This time, we were greeted by a sea of color unlike anything we'd ever seen.

















So this is true fall, I suppose! I hope you enjoy. I'm told the foliage will only get more beautiful as the month of October continues. Just pretty-please don't remind me what comes after this picture-perfect fall.

A simple thought, yes, but as my fellow southern friends can attest, we grew up hearing about Northeastern "fall." We were told that even though we went back to school in August when the thermometer read 106, it was still kosher to call this time "fall." So if you're sitting at home sweating today in Dallas, Austin or El Paso, you can totally relate to my state of awe that there is a season after all, happily squished in between scorching summer and frigid winter :)





















































Hopefully we'll be able to venture up to Vermont in the next couple of weeks for what yankeefoliage.com predicts to be the weeks of "peak foliage" for the region (I know what you're thinking... yankee? foliage? But it's a pretty great site, you have to admit).