Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

Get ready for your new favorite fall recipe.  This weekend I took my cousin and his girlfriend to a local apple orchard that makes the best apple cider.  When I woke up yesterday morning I was craving doughnuts and knew we had just enough cider left to make a batch of these little gems.  So I grabbed my mini doughnut pan, brewed some coffee, and got to work! 

I've made apple cider doughnuts before but these are even easier for a relaxed morning.  Baked and not fried which means they're ready to go in 30 minutes!  I'm so glad I took the time to adapt this recipe because I'm going to be making it all autumn.  Recipe after the jump.  Happy apple season!

Food Porn Friday

Holly autumn apple batman!  These brown sugar apple scones look exactly like what I need this morning.  Short story, somehow last night a mosquito got into my bedroom around midnight.  After waking up every hour hearing it buzz by my face I woke up this morning with two lovely mosquito bites on my face one of which is making my right eye completely swollen.  In short, I need a scone badly.  

This might just be a great weekend for these scones.  My cousin is coming into town with a friend to see the local pumpkin patches and apple orchards.  I'll be meeting up with them tomorrow evening for a pre-birthday dinner (I can't believe my birthday is next week)and showing them some of my favorite spots.  I'm so happy to have some time to catch up with my cousin especially since Mac will be out of town until next Tuesday.  What are your weekend plans?

Weekend Cocktail: Fig And Thyme

What better way to use up the last of the figs on my trees than with this delicious cocktail! This flavor combination looks perfect for the first week of autumn, especially since it's supposed to still be in the 70's here.  I have to admit I've never been a fan of fresh figs but I'm loving them in syrups and jams.  Who knew getting a house with fig trees would make me try knew things.    

First Day Of Autumn

Happy autumn!!!!  Darlings, you know how excited I am about autumn and today does not disappoint   It's a beautiful foggy morning, I have yellow sunflowers and orange dahlias by my desk from last weekend' wedding, and a cozy cup of coffee to keep me warm.  Here's to pumpkin muffins, brown leather boots, and great company on those chilly autumn nights!

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Food Porn Friday

Friday is finally here!  This afternoon I am off to my friend K's wedding location to coordinate the rehearsal, eat some fabulous food, soak in the hot tub, and sleep in the old farm house.  Then it's up bright and early Saturday morning to coordinate her wedding.  After being friends for 22 years I can't wait to see her marry the man of her dreams! 

In addition to traditional cake K and her fiance are having a variety of pies as their main dessert.  I made a slew of pies for my brother's wedding and they were a huge hit instead of cake.  What do you think, would you do pies to give your wedding that country feel?  

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Weekend Cocktail: Champagne Etoile

Darlings, with my friend's upcoming wedding this weekend I have champagne on the brain.  This cocktail looks perfect for a September wedding with champagne, bourbon, and vanilla. Even if we don't have time to try it this Saturday this drink is on my autumn to-do list.  Cheers!

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Brightening My Desk

Darlings, I don't know about you but every now and then my desk needs a little pick-me-up and these autumn touches hit the spot!  Trying to make space in my home office for all of the pictures and personal touches I had in my old office is difficult as my home office is also our guest room.  So adding these seasonal details and a reminder to enjoy everyday helps to make it feel like a cozy office space without taking up too much room.  How do you personalize your desk?

Food Porn Friday

Darlings, what a week!  This week has been delightfully busy and I can´t wait to slow down a little this weekend.  These crepes look like the perfect treat for this evening.  We just got a new TV and we´ll be watching one of my favorite autumn movies The Trouble With Harry.  If you haven´t seen it all I can say it it´s nostalgic foliage joy.  Other than this evening I´ll be working on some DIY gifts, organizing my closet, and helping to make a friend´s wedding cakes!  What are your plans for the weekend?

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Weekend Cocktail: Bourbon Bomber

I am way too excited about this cocktail.  Bourbon, apple cider, and autumn joy...this baby has my name all over!  We made something similar to this last year after getting cider from a local apple orchard.  It was delicious but needed a little something extra, turns out it was lemon zest and bitters.  This looks like the perfect September cocktail!

P.S. I would personally go without the agave this recipe asks for.  I love the sweetness of the apple cider alone.  

Food Porn Friday

 

Darlings, how scrumptious does this fig frangipane tart from Jillian Leiboff look?  As I mentioned yesterday our backyard is overflowing with figs and I need to use those babies up.  Mac will be out of town for the week starting on Sunday so I think it will be time for yoga, a pedicure, and a little baking.  What's better for a mid-week girls night then a prepared fig tart?  Well, maybe some white wine to go with it.  What are your plans for the weekend? 

Weekend Cocktail: Fig Manhattan

 

 

Doesn't this sound like a perfect September cocktail?  The fig tree in our backyard is overflowing and I have been looking for ways to use up all our figs.  This weekend I think I'll be making fig jam, fig tarts, and probably fig simple syrup which is where this Manhattan comes in.  I love manhattans like this recipe and I think adding a dash of fresh fig syrup would hit the spot.  What do you think?

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Loving Ankle Boots

Darlings, autumn is approaching and to me that means boots!  Last year I found my dream pair of boots with these gorgeous Frye's and the last month I've been searching for the perfect pair of ankle boots.  What do you think of these beauties?  I'm in love.  Of course they're from Anthropology and close to $200 but they just may be worth it.  I was also drawn to these lovelies but they may be too similar to my Frye's.  Do you have any ankle boots that you love?  I'd love to hear about your favorites! 

Happy September!

 

 

Loves, I can't tell you how excited I am that September is finally here.  I know it's not the official start of autumn but in my mind it's time for newly sharpened pencils, apples, boots, and pumpkin everything.  Does anyone else have fall fever?

I'm sorry for my absence last week but I was knocked down by the worst cold I've had in a while.  Has anyone else been sick lately?  Now that I'm starting to get back on my feet it's time to work on a new pumpkin muffin recipe!

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