Happy Hour: Raspberry Orange Mocktail

Happy Halloween!  What are you dressing up as and what are you doing?

We're not really doing anything.  We bought some candy to give out to trick-or-treaters and maybe this year we'll actually get some.

We'll probably just end up eating the giant bag of chocolate like every other year though.

Last weekend, we celebrated at a Speakeasy Party (in a real speakeasy) - I'll share the picture sometime.  Not to brag, but our costumes were pretty amazing.  The best actually.

At the 20s party, I had so much fun that I think I'll stick to the mocktails for a little while.

Jack Daniels Gravy

Austin helped making our registry, I promise he did.  But that didn't mean that when we were opening the china and the kitchen accessories after the wedding that he didn't seem a little...unenthused.  (Despite the fact that he got things he specifically registered for too!)

I don't know if this was just our experience, but I'm guessing it's not.  I'm guessing when a lot of newlyweds start opening the presents, the excitement is not exactly evenly distributed.

The thing Austin just couldn't seem to get over was why we needed a gravy boat.

'Can't we just eat gravy out of the pan like we always do?'

Well, yes, we can.  But now we don't have to!  And I promise when we have people over or maybe when we host our first Thanksgiving, he'll be excited that we can do it properly.

*We didn't have a gravy boat when I made this Jack Daniels Gravy, otherwise there wold be pictures of my our very pretty, new, teal gravy boat :)

Butternut Squash & Fried Sage Panini

When you go to a restaurant, do you order the same thing you always get or do you try something new each time?

I fall somewhere in between.  I'll definitely try out new stuff from time to time, but if something was good, I'm gonna go back for more too.

I've never understood how people can eat the exact same things over and over again.  From time to time, I'll get in a rut where I find myself eating the same thing for breakfast for a few weeks straight, but that's about where it stops.

For the most part, I like to try new foods (even though it means there will be failures) and mix those meals in with the classic standbys (spaghetti and hamburgers).

If I never experimented with my food, I would have never had crispy sage.  If I'd never had crispy sage, I don't know if my life ever would have felt complete.

It's that good.

Especially when you pair it with some smokey provolone cheese and sweet butternut squash melted between two slices of golden toasted french bread.

So good!

365: Week 43

October 20 | Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie.

Happy Hour: Apple Cider Moscow Mule

This year, I was so ready for fall to start.  Mostly because I was excited to get married and at the same time really excited for the wedding planning to be over.

I cannot wait to spend the weekends binge watching Netflix shows, crafting, knitting and cooking.

When I reread that, I realize that I sound like the oldest person ever, but I don't really care.

In fact, I kind of like being older.  I like that I've moved beyond my shots-with-chasers days and now I can have a proper drink.  In a real glass - made of glass.  Growing up is not all bad, I promise.

You Only Need These 6 Pumpkin Recipes This Season

It's true.  You make these 6 recipes with that big, orange gourd and you'll be totally set.

Although I wouldn't blame you if you tapped into your inner mixologist and created a fall, pumpkin cocktail too.  But who would blame you for that?

1. Pumpkin Soup with Cranberry Apple Relish (to bring in all the fall flavors!).

2. Pumpkin Pie (it has to be included...it just has to).

Mushroom Flavored Pasta

See that cat back there in the picture?  His name is Bill.  Bill E. Goat to be precise.  My sister and I took him to the vet the first time so we got to pick his name.

Everyone else calls him Bucky.

Whatever you want to call him, he's a good cat.  And by good, I mean he hangs around a lot hoping that you give him some food.

By cat standards, that's being 'nice.'

But I can't really blame him.  He gets absolutely zero variety in his diet.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all exactly the same.  The only thing special are his treats each night, which are actually just 4 or 5 pieces of a different type of kibble.

Humans have tons of variety in our diets.  We can even have different flavored pasta if we want.  I rarely eat the same thing for 2 meals in a week.  If I were a cat, I'd probably beg too.

365: Week 42

October 13 | Glamping was fun, but I think I'll stick with real camping.

Happy Hour: The Brindle

Hey guys!  Guess what?!  Today, Call Me Fudge turns 3!

This is my 483rd post and I'd like to be able to say that a lot has changed around these parts, but in all honesty, it really hasn't.

I still ramble about nothing.  I still share recipes with you.  I still sometimes take blurry, dark, poorly composed photos (like these!).  Most importantly, I am still grateful for every single person that stops by to read my humble words.

Thank you for your support for the past 3 years - I'll keep writing if you keep coming :)

xo
Sarah (aka Fudge)

Layered Taco Dip

Hey guys, guess what?!

I'm married!

That's a really weird thought.  After being someone's girlfriend for almost 10 years, 'wife' might be a hard word to get out for a while.

Austin and I have lived together for years already.  We literally graduated from college together...oh, and high school.  I'd say we know each other pretty well.

I've always wondered what it's like for people who get married so soon after meeting.  Or for people who don't live together first.  They probably have to figure everything out that first night or week or month.

I'm glad I don't have to do that right now.  The wedding was stressful enough :)

For example, I know that Austin hates olives and refried beans.  I also know that he's allergic to avocados.  So, I know that this app is not going to be his favorite.

Doesn't mean I can't make it anyway - so glad we're already past that stage of doing everything for each other ;)

365: Week 41

October 6 | Gettin' our 'tonies' painted.

Happy Hour: Elderflower Manhattan

The other night, Austin and I went to a barbecue at a friend's house and it was all pretty ordinary.  The burgers and brats weren't too crazy, the beer wasn't noteworthy, the company was good, but not weird.

Then we went into the basement.  Then we went into the sub-basement.

...And we found a speakeasy!

A legitimate prohibition-era speakeasy.  A 1920s homemade bar, ceiling supports made out of airplane parts, a hidden door. The whole, extraordinary thing!

The type of abnormal experience that makes you want to dress up in period-specific costumes, drink a strong cocktail and just generally pretend like you're friends with Gatsby.

Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze

Ok, I might pretend that I'm not into the whole pumpkin craze, but...

I'm a liar.

Basically, that's it.  I actually love pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bars and even those candy corn that are shaped like pumpkins.

I've only had roasted pumpkin seeds once but those were addicting too!

Sorry, I'm such a liar.  I'll make it up to you with this pumpkin bread dripping with cream cheese glaze.  How's that?  Let's not mention my misguided posts of the past, k?

365: Week 40

September 29 | Birthday Boy.

Peanut Butter Coconut Smoothie

At this point, I think I've posted about 8000 smoothie recipes.  But you don't mind right?

I don't ever get sick of new smoothie combinations personally and this particular one tastes like a candy bar!  Which is...amazing.

I have an insatiable sweet tooth so when I can get started with candy bar-like drinks first thing in the morning, you know it's going to be a good day!

Plus, since it's not actually a candy bar, you don't have to hide it in shame.  I'm not saying I would judge you for chowing down a Snickers first thing, but I think we all know that some people would.