Fall - Ammoudts Apple Farm

It is officially Fall!

My favorite season of the year.  I love watching the leaves change color, the smell of crisp cool fall air in the morning, pumpkin spice lattes (or pumpkin anything for that matter), apple cider and of course apple orchards! 

This past Sunday Derek and I wrapped up our relaxing weekend by taking a trip to Aamodt's Apple Farm in Stillwater with my parents! 

Lets just say I was super excited to go to the apple farm, I was like a little kid bouncing around. 

We had a beautiful fall day, just perfect for going to the Apple orchard! 

Aamodt's Apple Farm is one of the well known apple farms in the area, I mean people from Minneapolis drive the 45 minutes to Stillwater just to go to get apples( I am going to have to go back and get pumpkins). 

I could spend the entire day at Aamodt's..ok maybe that is an exaggeration, but there is so much to do there! You can go apple picking, enjoy a hayride and even do some wine tasting: The St. Croix Vineyard is on site too!  How fun is that?

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It was the perfect way to end the weekend, and I came home with several pounds of the most delicious HoneyCrips apples... which fun fact is the Minnesota state fruit. 

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Just wait and see what I did with the some of the apples I brought home.

Happy Hump day everyone! 

26 Years

Birthdays have now become a time where I look back on the past year and reflect on what I have learned, I think that has to do with the fact that yes I am indeed getting older (26 seems so old)! 

I feel like 25 was a big year for me.  I moved home to Minnesota, spent countless hours job searching, finally found my "dream" job/company, moved to a big city, and started out on a new chapter of my life.  It has been a pretty exciting 25th year full of ups and downs, but I wouldn't have changed any of it.  

So today I thought I would share a few things I learned in my 25th year!  

You are never to old to move home.  This was probably one of the smartest things I ever decided to do!  

Listen to your family and value their advice.  Believe me your family knows you better then you think they do! 

Cherish the time with friends. 

Take time for yourself, sometimes you just need some quality you time.
Never stop believing in yourself because

Source: jhousetawk.blogspot.ca via Tessa on Pinterest

and finally try something new and don't be scared to look stupid doing it.  I feel like this quote sums it up...

Source: healthy-perfection.tumblr.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

it is so true! Who knows you might just discover something that your good at or enjoy! 

With all that being said it is time to celebrate my 26th birthday in style!  

I am going to make my 26th year one of the best I have seen, I think it is going to be a year of endless possibilities! 

Happy Hump Day Everyone! 

Medtronic TC 10K - New Years Resolution

Yesterday I signed Derek and I up for the Medtronic TC 10K race here in St Paul!  This is going to be my first ever 10K race and it as one of my New Years Resolutions - To run a 10k in 2012!  And ever since running the color run...

I have been dying to run another race, not sure why it has taken me this long to sign up!  

While I am a bit nervous for the race I am still extremely excited!  We still have a

 a few weeks to prepare for the race, since the race will be taking place on October 6th! 

The race will be taking place in our lovely capital of St Paul. 

"The TC 10K follows the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon course in reverse, beginning near the official finish line of the marathon at John Ireland Blvd. It begins with a climb past the majestic St. Paul Cathedral 

and follows tree-lined Summit Avenue as you run past historic mansions. 

This out-and-back course features a downhill finish with a spectacular view of the State Capitol" (Source)

Sounds like a great run to me, and a wonderful way to see St Paul!  

Now I just hope it isn't to cold!  

Are any of you running a race any time soon?

What is one of your New Years Resolutions you are sticking with?

2 Out of 3

Happy Friday Lovelies! 

We made it through the week!  

I am excited for this weekend because I get to go home and spend time with my family, my aunt, uncle and sister will be here for the weekend!  I also get to go to my dear friend Katie's baby shower!  I think it is going to be a good one! 

Do any of you have big plans?

Now on Tuesday I brought you three new pin recipes, check it out here if you missed them! 

 I am here today to give you the results of those new recipes, and as my title suggest I made two out of the three, and you know what the two I made were pretty stellar! 

Shall we take a look at what I made?

Here we go! 

Lets start with these Green beans

Source: kalynskitchen.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I was so hungry I forgot to snap a picture.  But these green beans were delicious.  Roasted with mushrooms with balsamic and parmesan cheese!  The mushrooms were amazing, and the green beans weren't mushy!   I served these green beans with rice and a little tofu! Perfect meatless meal!  These roasted green beans also made a great salad topper!  Love roasted veggies tossed in a  salad! 

Now lets take a look at the sweet corn risotto!

This risotto was studded with sweet corn, and the green onion added a nice flavor punch!  Derek really enjoyed it!  I served the risotto with these crab cakes from How Sweet It Is, easy to make and delicious!   Be prepared for lots of leftovers with the risotto, but it is totally worth it! 

If you have some time this weekend I highly suggest trying both of these recipes! 

And don't worry the third recipe (for stuffed acorn squash) I am trying out Sunday or Monday.

Source: luxhippie.tumblr.com via Laura on Pinterest

I can't let my perfectly good acorn squash go to waste!  So stay tuned for my review of this stuffed acorn squash recipe.  Loaded with veggies this recipe just screams fall! 

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend, see you all Monday! 

Wish List Wednesday - Birthday Edition

Happy Hump Day everyone, we made it to the middle of another week! 

I thought that since my birthday is exactly a week away (wow that came up quick) that it would be fun to share mn "Birthday Wish List" with you all! 

Because a girl can dream!  Right?

So in no particular order here are the things I have been lusting over! 

Love this Tory Burch Tote:

The Small Robinson East to West Tote, perfect for work or whenever! 

Dying for these Tom Wedges as the weather starts to cool down. 

The Toms Desert Wedges - I would get them in the tan color.

This Monogram Bracelet from Swell Caroline

and 

This Hobo Wallet!  

I am in need of a new wallet!

I like that you could carry this as a clutch! 

What have you been lusting over lately?

Happy Wednesday! 

Farmers Market Inspired Pin Recipes

Happy Tuesday Loves. 

Since my fridge is now stocked with wonderful Farmers Market produce from this past weekend I decided it was appropritate to pick pin recipes to incorporate my wonderful goodies!   And after these three recipes I will have less then 1,000 recipes on my food pin board!  That means I have made over a hundred new recipes thanks to this pin challenge - I have only kept 83!  

Should we take a look at this weeks Pin recipes?

Lets get started...

1- Fresh Corn Risotto from Relish. 

Source: relish.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I am going to serve some light crab cakes along with the risotto instead of the pork tenderloin the recipe called for. 

2-  Roasted Green Beans with balsamic, parmesan and Mushrooms. 

Source: kalynskitchen.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I think this combination will be delicious.  Serve with some quinoa and tofu for a complete meatless meal! 

3- Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash.  

Source: luxhippie.tumblr.com via Laura on Pinterest

Looks so good! Loads and loads of veggies! 

I cannot wait to share the results with all of you!
Have you tried any good recipes lately?

Mill City Farmers Market... Finally

This past Saturday I finally made it to the Minneapolis Mill City Farmers market. And I loved it! 

The Mill City Farmers Market is located in the Mill District of Minneapolis.

The market is tucked between  the Guthrie Theater (we saw Roman Holiday there),

and the Mill City Museum.

And you have a beautiful view of the Stone Arch Bridge going over the Mississippi.

Whats not to love?  Such a beautiful location!

This part of the city has some great stone apartment buildings, and cute little restaurants.  I wouldn't mind having a condo in the Mill District - then I could walk to the farmers market!  Wouldn't that be great?

Alright now more about our Saturday morning outing!  Saturday morning was one of those perfect fall days, you know the kind that are not to hot and not to chilly.  So Saturday morning with fresh coffee in hand I slowly meandered through the farmers market with Derek.

I would say that my first Mill City Famers Market experience was a success  because 1 fresh Raspberry donut and a very full market basket later Derek and I were headed back to my apartment.  

I ended up bringing home fresh sweet corn, an acorn squash, the most beautiful heirloom tomatoes, asian green beans, fresh salad greens, baby potatoes and some pickled cabbage.   I was so excited about all the fresh produce that I immediately turned to my very dusty recipe binder - You know the black hole of recipes!  I cannot wait to try a few new recipes with all the wonderful produce I brought home! 

Do you love going to Farmers Markets?

What is your perfect Saturday morning?

The Tragedy of First Position

Happy Tuesday Wednesday lovelies! 

It is always nice having a 3 days off in a row! 

Did everyone enjoy their Holiday weekend?  I know I did, it was full of relaxing, good food friends wineries and family!  Derek and I headed down south to our hometowns this past weekend. It was nice to be home!  

I have a video that for you today that I sure hope puts a smile on your face! My friend sent this video to me on Monday night, and it just made my day!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!