Such a crazy busy week! I don’t know about you, but my kids went back to school this week and between their school schedules, their extracurricular activities, and my crazy work schedule-it’s been one wild ride. School has started, summer has ended and fall has begun! I love fall with my whole heart, in fact it’s my favorite season-so sit back and relax-enjoy the Good Food Reads: Welcome Fall Friday Five and find out what we’re loving and what is happening behind the scenes at With Two Spoons!
When it comes to fall, it is hard to limit anything to just 5, but here we go! Think COZY!
1. Coffee! While fall calls for steaming cups of coffee, I’ll be truthful and say that I usually stick with cold press coffee. This Bodum French Press is a permanent fixture in my refrigerator. And since the coffee used to make cold press needs to be coarsely ground, I grind my own coffee beans with this very simple, inexpensive coffee grinder. Although I love the drive through at both Starbucks and Caribou, there is nothing like the convenience of making your own cold press at home. It’s so, so easy-and if you’ve never done it before, here is a great Cold Press Primer to get you started. Need something to sweeten your coffee? Try our Easy Homemade Caramel Coffee Syrup.
2. Jeans. The weather is getting cooler and there is nothing better to welcome fall than a good pair of jeans. I’m curvy and none too “skinny” and I’ve really liked the fit of Slink Jeans. While school shopping this year, my daughter loved the fit of Madewell Jeans. Whatever jeans you love, it’s finally time to get them out and wear them proudly! And if it’s time to get the jeans out, you know that sweaters aren’t far behind! YIPPEE!
3. Music. I just went to the Sam Smith concert and I only have one word to say about it-AMAZING! He is not only a fun performer but also seems genuinely floored by all of his success. And that voice. Shivers. My daughter has recently had me listening to James Bay and so we bought tickets to his show coming up in March. I’ll let you know how it is, but since it is at a smaller more intimate venue I have a feeling it’s going to be pretty fabulous!
4. Books. I just finished Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Although it was super well written, it left me wanting more. I felt like it left me hanging just when I finally had started to get into the characters. I could only give it three stars on GoodReads (although this is one time I wish I could give half stars-because 3 and 1/2 stars sums it up perfectly). But Educated by Tara Westover is the perfect 5 star back to school read. Born into a fundamentalist family, Ms. Westover was largely denied a conventional education. The story of her journey to higher education is both fascinating and thought provoking. Next up on my bookshelf is The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir which was written by a virtual friend that I met in a Facebook writing group and has gained quite a bit of acclaim. I’m so excited to get lost in this one. And the book that I am the MOST excited about? My IRL friend’s debut book that is now available for preorder. The Missing Piece of Charlie OReilly by Rebecca K.S. Ansari is a middle grade fiction book that I can’t wait to read with my kids. My friend is SO, SO talented (ER doctor, triathlete, mother of four BOYS, and maven of Surly Brewery), I’m absolutely positive you want to preorder this one for your kids also!
5. Food. Fall is all about food for me. I’m ready to head to the cabin, hole up with my family, and read by the fireplace. But while I’m reading I love using my dutch oven to make something delectable. I’m in the market for a new dutch oven and this beauty by Le Creuset is the one I have my eye on. (I better start saving…) But it would be the perfect vessel to cook one of my favorite fall recipes in. Pioneer Woman’s Braised Shortribs served over gnocchi is a dinner we make as soon as the temperatures start to drop. My kids call it “ribs and grubs” and ask for it every time we go to the cabin. The Dutch Oven is also perfect for making another one of my absolute favorites. One Pot Farro with Chicken and Tomatoes, is quick, easy and so, so flavorful. Comfort food at its finest! For weeknight dinners, I rely on my Instant Pot, especially this Instant Pot Korean Inspired Pulled Pork, Instant Pot Bean and Bacon Soup, and for a breakfast dinner my family loves these Instant Pot Maple Apple Steel Cut Oats.
That’s all for today! Join us next Friday for another edition of Good Food Reads, when I plan to bring you a round up of freezer meals. Let’s all get organized together!
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Great list! Mine would be food (of course),sweaters, tea (unless it is vanilla-flavored coffee), music and NAPS. Napping is definitely a category, lol!
Oh yeah, I can’t deny naps should ALWAYS be a category!
Beautiful photos! that landscape is amazing.
Thanks! Up at my cabin. The leaves are amazing!
You shared some awesome good books to check out. I’m always on the hunt for good reads! Hello-Fall! 😉
I love, love, love to read!
This is a great list! I really enjoyed reading about the coffee. My husband and I grind our coffee as well and we also use a french press. When we want cold brews, we usually brew it the normal way, serve it in a bottle and stick it in the refrigerator, I thought it was cool how you just put the press in the refrigerator, will have to try this.
I need life to be as easy as possible! 🙂
Awesome list! I absolutely love Sam Smith!
He was AMAZING!