Oh my, where shall I begin?...
Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. Went in for the usual seasonal Pumpkin Latte, and discovered this new fabulousness. Oh my God! That's all I have to say.
Jeans -
I now, for the first time since Jude was born, own a pair of jeans that fit me properly! I may never take them off, I love them so much. I might sleep in them. They had a jean sale at The Gap, so I headed to the dreaded mall. When I got to The Gap, I walked right up to the perky, young greeter man, and said, "I need jeans." He asked, "Fashion jeans or just regular jeans?" I then looked him straight in the eye and said "I want the most fashionable jeans I can get that are on sale and won't look stupid on a middle-aged woman with a muffin-top." He seemed to appreciate my candor, and showed me to a nice pair of "Long and Lean" jeans - "mid-rise, fitted at the hip and thigh, with a flared, retro opening". I am very happy.
Mama's Pumpkin Bread -
I have started baking Jude his seasonal pumpkin bread treat. I have chosen to ignore the high sugar content of the stuff, and instead, pretend that it is a clever way to get a vegetable into my child. One batch of this makes two loaves, and it freezes extremely well!
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2 cups pumpkin (canned or fresh, steamed until soft and pureed)
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 cup water
In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs and pumpkin. Sift dry ingredients together in a small bowl, then add to sugar/pumpkin mixture, alternating with water. Pour batter into two lightly-greased loaf pans or one bundt pan, filling half full. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
"The Casual Vacancy" -
I've just started reading the new JK Rowling grownup novel, and so far I'm enjoying it tremendously. I've only read about 4 chapters, but it's funny and gritty and engaging. It's one of those curl-up-with-a-cup-of-tea kind of books. I'll let you know how it goes.
Fall Network TV-
It seems like it's been years since I found anything on the network Fall TV schedule that I thought was worth DVRing, but so far, I'm really liking two shows - Revolution and Last Resort.
Revolution is the latest from JJ Abrams, and it's definitely Lost- influenced. It's got that post-apocalyptic what-the-hell's-going-on thing. It might be a little too Hunger Games, but the acting is legitimate, and so far it's holding my attention.
Last Resort may be a show about the military, but it is definitely NOT NCIS. It also is very Lost-like. I've watched two episodes, and I don't have a clue what's really going on with these folks. But it's INTERESTING. And Andre Braugher is an amazing actor, who brings tremendous weight to any show he's in. If you've missed it, you can watch full episodes HERE.
Sausages with Caramelized Onions and Apples -
Yum.
1 lb. smoked sausage (pork or turkey), sliced
2 tsp. olive oil
2 yellow onions, sliced in thin wedges
2 apples, sliced thin
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage
Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet, add sausage slices and brown quickly on each side. Remove sausage from pan.
Add onions to pan and saute until soft and browned. Add brown sugar and vinegar and cook another couple of minutes, then add the apple slices and chopped sage. Cook another 10 minutes or so, until apples are soft. Add sausages back to the pan and cook another 10 minutes, until heated through.
So damned good.
Chinchilly -
I was kind of into this Essie Nail Polish color last winter, but I have now decided to make it my official fall nail color, inspired by Michelle Obama at the DNC...
Apparently, there was as much excitement on the internets over Michelle's "greige" nails as there was about her excellent speech. That's right, I rocked a trend even before Michelle!
Apple Strudel Martini -
A new autumnal treat!
1 1/2 oz. vodka
4 oz. apple juice
2 lime wedges
dash of cinnamon
Fill old-fashioned glass with ice. Squeeze lime wedges over the ice. Add vodka and apple juice and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Spookers -
It's scary movie season again on TCM. Jimmy and I LOVE our spookers! So far this month, we've DVRed The Haunting, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The House on Haunted Hill, The House of Dracula, The Mark of the Vampire, Doctor X and The Mystery of the Wax Museum! Tonight we're curling up on the sofa with Doctor X, a bowl of chicken chili and an Apple Strudel Martini. Or two. Can't wait!
So, how are you enjoying the Autumn in your neck of the woods?
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Don't you DARE leave without visiting each and every Autumnal spinner!
SuziCate at The Water Witch's Daughter
Vandy J at The Testosterone Three and Me
Jan at Jan's Sushi Bar - NEW on FRIDAY
Janice at I Got Nothing - NEW to The Spin Cycle!
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Next week on The Spin Cycle...
Beauty
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What makes you feel beautiful? What do you think is beautiful? Is beauty on the inside or the outside?
Write your spin, post it, let me know and I'll link it here! Don't forget to add the beautiful link below.
It's a beautiful thing!
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That pumpkin bread recipe sounds awesome! And I was wondering about Casual Vacancy.
Have you ever read Divergent? The photo for Revolution looks like it's straight from that book! I need to check it out.
Happy Autumn!
Posted by: Ginny Marie | 10/12/2012 at 04:50 AM
GET. OUT. I started The Casual Vacancy this week too. I'm in chapter 9 and yup, enjoying it thoroughly (there were a few times it felt like she was trying too hard, but then -- whatever). With you on the pumpkin bread (and I like having one that's not store-bought because I rarely cook from scratch) and the scary movies (though I haven't been watching much tv lately. I've DVR'd a few things but then when I get the chance to watch I have no desire to do so).
Posted by: Arnebya | 10/12/2012 at 05:56 AM
Yay - a preliminary "it's pretty good" for J.K.'s new book! And I want that martini, made with some of this fresh-pressed apple cider we've been buying (between The Young One, Beloved and The G Man, we went through THREE GALLONS this week).
And my Spin is up: http://www.janssushibar.com/harvest/
Posted by: Jan's Sushi Bar | 10/12/2012 at 06:02 AM
Oh wow, that coffee looks amazing. Damn you, diet, damn you!
Posted by: Alaina | 10/12/2012 at 06:41 AM
Hi! Autumn has FINALLY hit Seattle! Still not feeling the blogginess, but I had my first salted caramel mocha today...YUM, indeed.
Might have to try one of those martinis. Worth buying apple juice for, for SURE.
Second the recommendation to read Divergent.
I think I need some greige nail polish. The pinks aren't feeling right now that the rains have come...
Posted by: Aimee | 10/12/2012 at 04:46 PM
The salted caramel mocha is the best ever! I swore I was going to forego it and have the spiced pumpkin this week...no, I gave in to the salted caramel!
Dang, I'm gonna have to check out those Gap jeans..this muffin top of mine has got to go!
Posted by: suzicate | 10/13/2012 at 03:28 PM