Sunday, October 29, 2006

Beware the Bat Baby

Happy Halloween!


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Originally uploaded by stacy's plate.

From, the Bat.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Couldn't be easier Butternut Squash Soup

This soup is so yummy and so easy!

  • 2 large butternut squash, peeled and chopped (you can usually find the squash already peeled and cut up in the produce aisle)

  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped

  • 2 onions, chopped

  • 1 large can of chicken stock

  • salt and pepper

  • nutmeg

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream


Dump the squash, apples, and onions in a pot. Pour stock over it all. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 minutes or until veggies are tender. Puree. Season with salt and pepper and a dash of nutmeg. Stir in heavy cream just before serving!

This goes well with crusty bread and a mug of spiked cider:

In a crock pot, add 4 tea bags of J. Crow's mulled cider spices to 1/2 gallon of fresh, local apple cider. Turn crock pot on low and let cook for 2-4 hours. Pour a shot of brandy in a mug, then fill with cider. Yum again.

Apple Picking


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Originally uploaded by stacy's plate.

If you live in New England, it is required that you go apple picking in the fall. If you live anywhere in the metro Boston area, you are required to go to Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, MA to pick your apples.

This weekend, we fulfilled our requirement for 2006 along with some dear old friends from my old job at MIT. Sam's favorite part was playing in the dirt by the pumpkins. After picking apples, feeding barnyard animals, consuming cider donuts, and taking a hay ride, we returned to our house for some spiked cider and butternut squash soup (see next post for recipe).

I've always enjoyed these types of activities -- especially if there are farm animals involved. Now that we have Sam, I suppose I can look forward to many visits to farms and orchards.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Cousins


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Originally uploaded by stacy's plate.

The cousins finally met. They mostly ignored each other, but at one point Andrew was really into Sam's feet.

Friday, October 13, 2006

10 months old


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Originally uploaded by stacy's plate.

Since Sam turned 10 months old last week, he's matured a great deal. He now points to lots of things and says "deh," which probably means something to him. He is starting to understand cause and effect and that he has some control over his world. For instance, he has learned how to use the light dimmer in our dining room. He will turn the knob and then turn his head around to look a the light fixture, now either more dim or brighter than before. Sam is also very generous. He loves to share his food while he's eatng, but we only pretend to eat what he offers!

Sam finally got to meet his cousin, Andrew (15 months old) this past weekend. We all met at my parents' house for a visit. It was great and also pretty chaotic to have the whole entire family under one roof.

All that excitement cause the three of us to come down with pretty bad colds. We're all on the mend now, thank goodness.

On another note, I want to thank my friends who actaully read this blog. I neither have the time, nor the energy to make it more interesting. I suppose it is just a gateway to look at pictures of Sam. I wish I could write more eloquently, but I'm too tired and lazy.

That's all for now.