Turning a Summer Staple into A Fall Favorite

There is absolutely no denying that fall is in full-blast, even during those unbelievable 60 degree days in November. The dining hall is serving far more pumpkin, sweet potato, and squash dishes. It’s about time I kiss my summer-ripened tomatoes good bye. This weekend my parents hosted a dinner party at our house back in Washington, DC and my mom sent me this picture of her adapted fall bruschetta based on my summer bruschetta recipe! She had made using sauteed squash in the place of tomatoes. Doesn’t it just look delish? I think they deserve to be added to our Thanksgiving menu along with these pumpkin scones (without the icing) I’m planning on making!

This weekend the BF and I tried another breakfast diner (we’re on a roll!) called Rolly’s in Auburn. It was the epitome of mom and pop which was obviously a hit with me and the type of place where you would end up sitting at the same table as other people all elbow-to-elbow. I would not suggest this place for a “first date” because you will end up talking to whoever else is at your table. The BF was probably thankful that he got stuck with me, because I’m willing to talk to anyone about anything. We ended up sitting next to a older couple who chatted us up the entire time. Pete told us all about the history of Auburn, Maine–including all these crazy stories about when the (now abandoned) mills were in full swing producing textiles and shoes out the wazoo. Pete worked in the mills since he was 15 at Auburn High and told us how about how exciting it was to be part of the town before the mills were all outsourced and bankrupt. He also insisted that the BF and I join him this winter to go Ice Fishing on Lake Auburn. We’re “planning” on going on President’s Day in February since Pete insisted that was the only day of the year that the park troopers would let you get away with not having an ice fishing permit. He even gave us a list of what to wear (long johns are a must)… it was quite a breakfast.

Updates from a Dormstyler

I feel like the past two weeks have been so incredibly jammed packed; my blog as well as my inbox have been getting very little love and I’m feeling pretty guilty. I’ve been so busy and yet so much has happened! Last week the BF and I ventured out to a new diner. If you know me you know that I absolutely LOVE diners–and the more “mom and pop” the better. Although my all time favorite is still Becky’s we went to the cutest little hole in the wall diner “Uncle Moe’s” last weekend and it was quite a treat. They even had homemade biscuits! You would truly be shocked to find out how many diners DON’T have biscuits. Maybe we should move down south.

But it gets better. On the paper placemats at Uncle Moe’s they had an advertisement for an indoor Flea Market/Antique Warehouse in Oxford, Maine. I had already dragged the BF out to breakfast and knew that antiquing was totally out of the question (um how can anyone hate antiquing?!) so I trekked out to Oxford by myself. It was one of the greatest flea markets I’ve ever been to. I can’t decide whether I’ll be the person with the neatly organized, chachski-filled home or the extreme hoarder. Time can only tell. I’ve included some shots from the flea marketing including the deer head I spent ten minutes petting. Deer fur is really not as soft as you would imagine.

This weekend my parents flew in from Washington, DC to visit. It’s always nice to have your parents visit. My mom brought me the most wonderful magazines ever called Artful Blogging. I’ve already read them front to back twice–what a productive day. We had such a great time during their visit and went out to eat at so many good restaurants including this new restaurant in Freeport called Linda Beans. It has “authentic Maine” cuisine including lots of sea food, lots of mashed potatoes and various Maine burgers. For all of you lobstah-salad lovers out there, let it be known that Linda Beans lobster rolls are 95 parts lobster, 4 part mayonaise and 1 part seasoning. None of that drenched stuff.

For some reason, my parents are obsessed with American Idol (or were obsessed) after Simon and Paula left the magic of the show really went away–probably due to the lack of british accents and exposed chest hair. This weekend one of my BFFs and a KME sister competed in our college’s American Idol. It’s events like this that make me miss college so much already. Plus this week I had to submit my intention to graduate. UGH. On a happier note: these are the pictures from the past 8 days.