Jessica brought this treat over last night. It was a ball of sinful goodness.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball Recipe

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  
• ½ c. butter, softened (NOT margarine!)
  
• ¼ t. vanilla extract
  
• ¾ c. powdered sugar
  
• 2 T. brown sugar
  
• ¾ c. chocolate chips, chopped (or just use the mini chips)
  
• ¾ c. pecans, finely chopped
  
• Graham crackers

Beat cream cheese, butter, & vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars & beat until combined. Stir in chips. Cover & chill 2 hours. On a large piece of plastic wrap, shape into a ball. Chill another hour. Roll in pecans just before serving. Serve with Graham crackers.

As the sun sets earlier and evening brings crisp air, the bounty of harvest makes its way to the local farmers market. I picked up a few zucchinis the other day and whipped up a couple of loaves of zucchini bread.

The condo smells fantastic! I am waiting patiently for the loaves to cool so I can slather a slice in butter and indulge!

Labels: farmers market, harvest, summer, zucchini bread

Jessica brought these tasty treats to our last party. She spiced up this recipe with some tasty Frango Mints.

Quaker Oats Oatmeal Cookies

• Ingredients:
  
• ½ pound butter, softened
  
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  
• ½ cup granulated sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
• ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
  
• 3 c ups old fashioned, uncooked oatmeal
  
• 1/3 –1/2 pound Marshall Field’s Frango Mints (ground into powder and slivers)

Labels: cookies, dessert

I thought a fantastic fall treat would be a great way to celebrate my new job. I threw together a simple pumpkin pie and added a bit of flair.

Pumpkin Pie

• 3/4 cup sugar
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  
• 2 large eggs
  
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
  
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) evaporated milk (I substituted 1 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk)
  
• 1 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie shell

I needed a simple crust for a pumpkin pie. I turned to an old stand-by, the quick and tasty Graham Cracker Crust.

Graham Cracker Crust

• 1 1/4 cups Graham cracker crumbs
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
  
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

I received a baking pumpkin in the Angelic Organics CSA vegetable box last week. I didn't have enough for a pumpkin pie, so I gave this pumpkin banana bread recipe a try.

The bread was tasty, but had a heavy banana flavor. I was hoping to taste more pumpkin flavor so I will keep an eye out for a true pumpkin bread recipe.

Pumpkin Banana Bread

• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
  
• 3/4 cup sugar
  
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
  
• 4 eggs
  
• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin
  
• 1 1/2 cups ripe mashed bananas
  
• 1 1/2 cup yogurt (plain or vanilla flavored)
  
• 4 cups flour
  
• 2 tsp baking powder
  
• 2 tsp baking soda
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 2 tsp cinnamon
  
• 1 tsp ginger
  
• 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Labels: bread

With summer fading and fall picking up the slack, I pulled the CrockPot out of the cabinet above the refrigerator for a test run.

I went to the store, picked out a roast, threw in some of the vegetables from our weekly Angelic Organics CSA veggie box, and added a few spices. As the day progressed, the condo filled with an amazing aroma.

Ted and Jared joined us as we broke bread, savored the feast and enjoyed some wonderful conversation.

Fall Roast

• One roast (beef or pork)
  
• Vegetables cut into large chunks (potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, etc.)
  
• Spices to taste (garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, etc.)

Chop the vegetables and place in the bottom of the CrockPot. Depending on how lean your roast is, add a 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water.

Place some olive oil in a pan and brown the roast over medium heat.

Place the browned roast over the bed of vegetables.

Set the CrockPot on low and cook for 8-10 hours (4-6 hours on high)

About an hour before it is finished, add additional spices if desired.

Labels: CrockPot, dinner