Fall Treats

Little Owl Cupcakes

Fall is by far my favourite season. The crisp air, snuggling under cozy covers, the comfy layers and boots, waking up with a cup of warm coffee and the smell of pumpkin and spice. . . everywhere!

I wanted to spread the fall festive cheer and decided to make some super simple fall treats!



These cute little owls are adorable and so easy to make!

Here's what you'll need!

• Cake mix of your choice (I wanted pumpkin but they were all out so I went with a rich red velvet)
• Frosting of your choice
• Two packages of Oreos
• One bag of Reese's Pieces

How to create these little critters:

• Bake cupcakes according to instructions and let cool
• Put on a thin layer of frosting on all cupcakes
• Split oreos in half and use the side with creme filling for the owl's eyes, push firmly onto top of cupcakes
• Use the brown pieces for eyes and stick in a yellow or orange piece for the beak
• To create the feathered look I filled a sandwich bag with icing and clipped the tip to make a makeshift icing bag. I pipped eyebrows above the eyes and little squiggles in rows below the beaks for the body.
• Let sit, then share and enjoy!

WhOo's Going to Make These Sweet Treats?

Vegetarian Twist on a Classic

An Old English Favourite

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Along with being a Midwest Girl, I'm also an English one. I have dual-citizenship and am very proud of my English roots. Cottage Pie or also known commonly as 'Shepherd's Pie' is an English staple and one of my personal favourites growing up! Once you get the base of the recipe down it's so easy to substitute ingredients and make a million different varieties. Any night we had this as a kid I was always looking forward to it. It's great for a Fall time dinner because it's hearty and warm.

My version of the famous recipe is so veg-heads like myself can enjoy the old classic as well. It's also great to use for a healthier version for those of you watching what you eat or more health conscious, I have cut out all butter!

Here's What You Need:

• 1/2 cup Vegetable Broth (Or you can make your own like I did!)
• 4 Large Whole Potatoes
• 2 tbs Milk
• Olive/Vegetable oil
• 1.5 lbs Pack of Soy or tofu beef or sausage
• 2 cups of your favourite veggies diced. I used corn, carrots, onions, peas and zucchini (*cheap trick: grab a bag of frozen medley and viola!)
• Soy sauce and Teriyaki/Steak sauce or traditional Worcestershire sauce
• Salt, Pepper and any other seasonings of choice
• 9X13 greased pan

Here's What You've Got to Do:

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
2. Boil your whole potatoes (peeled or not- your choice!) in a large pot of water
3. Sauté your chopped veggies (you'll want to start with the tougher ones first like carrots) in a dollop of vegetable oil over medium heat. 
4. Mix in the other vegetables half way through cooking, continually stirring
5. Once all your veggies have started to cook mix in the tofu sausage, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and 2 teaspoons of teriyaki sauce (or 1 tbs of worcestershire instead) continuing to stir as it cooks.
6. Once the tofu sausage has began to brown mix in half a cup of vegetable broth and let simmer
7. When your potatoes have finished cooking, start mashing them and add in salt, pepper, and any other seasonings to taste. (*Thyme is a good one) and a touch of milk until the potatoes are of a soft, mashable texture.
8. After you've greased the pan pour in the mixed tofu sausage and veggies, spread to fill the entire bottom of the pan.
9. Next, start putting on the mashed potatoes patting them down with a spoon as you go
10. Once the whole pan is covered with a layer of potatoes create peaks with a fork to insure parts will brown really nicely.
11. Stick in the oven until bubbling and browning (about 45 min) then take out and let cool for 5 minutes
12. Slice, Serve and Enjoy!

Made this veggie Shepherd's Pie for the boy for the first time this month and he loved it. 

It's now his new favourite as well. Try it out!

Yum. Yum. Yum. 

Fall Favourites

Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice

Fall is by faaar my absolute favourite season! 

The air turns crisp, the leaves start to turn, you get to break out your favourite comfy sweaters, dust off your boots, warm up with some hot chocolate and add pumpkin to just about anything you eat. Besides everyone knows layering is the best part of fashion, I mean come on there are so many more options this time of year!

-FAVOURITE FALL PASS TIMES-

Curling up with a good book and a warm cup of tea

Taking a walk through Central Park to see all the changing leaves

Tour a winery

Roasting marshmallows for s'mores over a bonfire

Taking the pups for a walk around the block

Sip on fresh apple cider

Carrying on family traditions or starting your very own

Meeting up with friends for a delicious cup of coffee

The Holidays! Food and Family!

Trying out old (or new) family recipes

Cuddling up with the boy under a heavy blanket and watching a good movie

Watch a hockey game

Making adorable Fall outfits-just because I can

Baking/eating/consuming/smelling anything apple or pumpkin

Making a list of everything you have to be thankful for this past year

Visit a museum

Being a kid again and playing in the leaves with the boy

Laying under the stars with a blanket and bottle of wine

Here's one of the Boy and I's new favourite fall treats:

Baked Cinnamon Apples

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
2. In a oven safe casserole dish mix:
• 4 cups of diced apples, any variety (I like to mix red apples with one green!)
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sugar
3. I top it off with an extra sprinkling of cinnamon, because who doesn't love cinnamon
4. Throw it in the oven for 30 minutes and viola! (It makes your house smell amazing too!)

*Serve with Vanilla ice cream or whatever you have in your freezer- in our case, chocolate.

You can also serve this as a Fall side dish and hearty it up with two cups of oats