A Chill in the Air

Although the weekend did end up being quite sunny, hot and lovely the evenings lately have been reminding us that Autumn is definitely on it’s way.  It’s darker earlier, it’s cooler earlier, and more than once I’ve pulled out my fleecy blanket for curling up on the sofa in the evening.

I’m not very interested in letting go of Summer just yet, but the thought of a few Autumn eats is quite appealing.  With that first evening chill came the realization that it’s pretty much chili season. 

As always, I dug through my recipe box to find my Mom’s Basic Chili recipe.  Also as always, I gave it my own twist.  Typical.  Can’t possibly just make something according to plan!

It became Turkey and Black Bean Chili…

Ingredients:

• 1 pound extra lean ground turkey
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can Campbell’s tomato soup (plus 1/2 can water)
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup corn niblets, drained
• 3-4 tsp chili powder (could also use Mexican seasoning)
• 1 tsp cayenne or red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt & pepper to taste
• optional: 1 tsp cumin

Directions:

1. Sautee onion and garlic in a non-stick skillet (use a smidge of oil to get them going).  When about half cooked, add turkey and continue to cook until meat is no longer pink.  Break up larger pieces with wooden spoon or spatula so you have nice turkey crumbles.
2. Add soup, water, beans, vinegar and spices.  Stir well, and simmer over low-medium heat for about 4 minutes.  Stir occasionally. 
3. Add tomatoes and corn.  Stir and simmer 2 more minutes.
4. Serve it up!

Makes about 6-8 servings, depending on serving size.

Day 1: dollop of sour cream, avocado wedges, and side of tortilla chips.

Day 2: shredded cheddar and avocado scoop.

Day 3: over a salad of spinach, carrots, yellow peppers, and cherry tomatoes…topped with finely shredded cheddar.

Stash the rest of the leftovers in airtight zipper bags in the freezer.  You never know when another craving for homemade comfort food may strike.  Summer can’t last forever.

Cheer Up Buttercup

• Some girls buy shoes. 
• Some girls eat chocolate. 
• Some girls read love stories.

(OK, I’ve been known to do those things too!)

But to cheer myself up this weekend, I went to a farmers market.  Nothing says happy like a big bin of pumpkins!  :)

 

My haul for $14!!

Butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash…

99 cent onions, 99 cent carrots, $2 beets…

Zucchini, rutabaga, Honeycrisp apples, unknown Nova Scotia yellow apples…

That’s a lot for a “single” gal.  But it should make my menus a little more interesting over the next couple of weeks!

Pumpkin Spice Day

After brunch yesterday I had hoped to putter around the yard, but that gorgeous sunny autumn weather we had on Saturday completely disappeared and was replaced with dismal rain.  Booooo.

So instead I ran a couple of errands and came home to finally tackle the chores I’ve been talking about for two weeks.  I’m happy to say that the main floor is finally completely clean, including the reorganization of some photos, etc.  This includes a couple of Autumn decor pieces I put together.

My favorite being the centerpiece on the dining table, made using decorative gourds I got at the market in Mahone Bay.  Love this!!

Also did two candle holders using some pumpkin spice scented potpourri, a hurricane vessel, and a square vase.  Decorative and they smell great!!  It’s been months since we burned candles around here…yet another nice thing about this time of year.

Before heading home I picked up a tall 1/2 sweet non-fat pumpkin spice latte.  Yes, I’m an addict.  Who knew?!  ;)

While puttering around doing this I snacked on some grapes…

and some hummus, orange peppers strips, and PC organic crackers.

At the end of the day I had accomplished more than half of my to-do list so happily sat down to eat dinner in front of the TV.  :)  I heart The Amazing Race.

Warm Spinach & Potato Salad

Wanting to use up some of the items in my refrigerator, but not really in the mood for a cold salad I concocted this delight.

Over a medium-low heat I sauteed a bit of red onion in butter, then added some chopped leftover bacon I had in the fridge.  When warmed through I added diced tomato and four big handfuls of arugula/spinach mix and stirred around just until slightly warmed and wilted. 

Plated this and topped it with shredded marble cheddar, oven roasted farm market fingerling potatoes (just baked with olive oil and s&p), and a chopped boiled egg.

The cheese melted into the warm salad and onto the hot potatoes. 

Super deeeeeeelish.

Dessert consisted of a cup of decaf tea and a few slices of the pumpkin pie fudge.  nom nom nom.  Perfect way to end a rainy yet productive Sunday.

The One With All the Scarecrows

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia – Annual Scarecrow Festival

I heard about this festival last year after it was too late, so this year I made sure to find out the dates really early so as not to miss it again.  Mahone Bay is only about an hour+ past our place so it’s an easy day trip (Mom and I were just there a couple of weeks ago).

While waiting for my friend Sarah this morning, I snacked on a pear knowing we were stopping for yummy lattes on our way…and planned to eat lunch when we got to Mahone.

Tasty, tasty non-fat pumpkin spice latte from Java Factory in Tantallon…if this place was about 10 minutes closer to home it would be in serious competition with my Starbucks addiction.

Sarah and I took the scenic route and enjoyed how all of the fall colors have really taken over the trees and foliage.  So pretty.  I love Autumn!!  The sun was shining and it was so crisp and cool today. 

Once we got there and battled the small town, crazy tourist traffic we looked at a few scarecrows and then picked a lunch spot right away.  We opted for Gazebo Cafe because they have a cute patio right on the water and the menu looked good.

    Nothing like a water view for lunch!

It was insanely busy and understaffed here, but our server was super nice even though she was crazy flustered.  I had coffee to keep me warm on the cool patio and chose a simple BLT for my meal.  Lots of tomatoes just the way I like it. The fun twist was avocado mayo…very subtle but very yum!

Once fuelled up we just started walking with the throngs of people up the cute main street and tried to take photos of as many scarecrows as we could.  Some of them were sooooo incredibly creative!! 

 

Of course we had to stop at the candy store where I oogled the fudge case for quite a while, until I realized there was a pumpkin pie flavor and then my decision was made!!  (Don’t worry, I only got a wedge!!)

 

More scarecrows…

Before leaving town I had to hit up Jo-Anne’s Farm Market for a few local goodies.  $12 for a pile of loot that I’ll dig into tomorrow.

 

We wanted something cool and refreshing for the ride home, so stepped into a little cafe and found that they had local Propeller Ginger Beer.  Spicy and tickled my nose!

 

Today was Sarah’s first day out with me as a food photo blogger and she was a great sport.  Thanks Sarah for a fantabulous day!!

After Sarah dropped me off at home, it was way past dinner time and I was starving.  Thankfully that batch of chili from last night created a few servings so I stirred up a bowl with some corn and heated it up.

Served with light sour cream…and a corn muffin with a schmear of olive oil margarine.

And a sliver of the pumpkiny fudge. So effing creamy.  Deeeeeeeelish…totally the right flavor choice!!

Completely pooped from all the fresh air and comfort food, so I think the couch and I might have a date after a long, hot shower.  zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.