Farmer's Market & Thrifting finds

Ive been spending some major QT at our local farmer's market this summer, and I am definitely hooked on the experience Ive had buying local and organic produce and other goods. This week, I scored a huge zucchini, three cabbages, and two spaghetti squash larger than anything Ive probably ever seen in the store. The bonus: they totaled 11.75.

Also a new can't-live-without? These flavored soy nuts. They come in a whole host of flavors, but my favorite is onion & garlic. Hello salads!

Im also loving the plant-life at the farmer's market again this year. This dinnerplate Dahlia is so stunning in size; I can't wait to see how long it lives.

Also, these succulents are just what I was looking for to transform the kitchen window-ledge. Also, their low maintenance will hopefully increase their chances of survival with my less-than-green thumb. Stay tuned to see my plans for re-potting these!

Lastly, farmers market this time of year is extra special because, with fall, comes a PLETHORA of pumpkins, gourds, ect, in colors, shapes, and sizes you can't even begin to explain. Last week, we scored 2 white pumpkins for CHEAP; this week, we found a good price on a handful of medium sized pumpkins and gourds. Oh, the plans I have brewing for these...

It seems like trips to the farmers market lately have also been accompanied by trips to the thrift store. It's just too convenient that there is a large one just down the road from farmers market.

Some of our recent finds:

Which, after cleaning up a bit, and adding a paint chip sample, turned into some much needed gaming cord storage:

And, after finding this vintage grater and oil dressing mixing bottle:

We dressed up the top of our fridge:

AND, found this bright red Swingline travel case which I can't wait to find a home for:

A quick pumpkin diy

While playing Betty Homemaker with my healthy fall recipes (see following two entries), I had time to DIY a little pumpkin given to me by a work friend out of her Garden--thanks Hubbel!! I puffy painted a little fall theme with metallic white paint and it dried in no time! I plan on doing a subway art version on a bigger pumpkin since round one was so easy!

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

This was my first go-round with spaghetti squash, so I was a little nervous. I typically am not the biggest fan of any type of squash, but I pulled the trigger and purchased two spaghetti's at the farmers market this past weekend. Roasting the squash was easy, and took about 45 mins with some EVOO. I sampled it plain, and it tasted amazing! I'll be making "hot naked" with my second of the two squashes, so stay tuned!

For spaghetti squash casserole, I roasted one squash, browned one pound of hamburger with pepper and fresh garlic, and when the meat was done and drained I added a pinch of thyme, oregano, parsley, then mixed in a can of chunky veggie spaghetti sauce, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 block cream cheese, 1 cup parm cheese, some hot peppers straight from the garden (thanks, Hubbel!), red bell pepper, and the squash. I put it all right back in the 9x13 I had roasted the squash in, topped it with cracked pepper and parm cheese and baked till bubbly. Then I topped it with a bag of sharp cheddar and more parm, and broiled it until the cheese browned. I may or may not have had 2 BIG helpings of this, and after husband followed suit, we froze the rest into individual servings for quick meals!

Pumpkin protein muffins

It has just been a pumpkin kind of night at the house with the big orange door... I made these pumpkin muffins PACKED full of protein and good-for-you stuff and they turned out G-reat!! After sampling one------and a half, I stuck the rest in the freezer to pull out for morning breakfasts this fall!

Here's the recipe, adapted from dashingdish.com

1 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
3 egg whites
1/2 cup stevia
1 3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup protein powder( I used choc mocha)
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup golden raisins ( and/or nuts)

Blend all dry ingredients in a blender to form a course powder. Mix in the remaining ingredients and fold in raisins. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. These will come out very moist, so a toothpick may not come out clean.

New.fave.muffin

What I've been loving, Fall Edition

Temperatures are starting to mellow, cooler days sneak in here and there, and here we are in the middle of September. I know its officially Fall because all things pumpkin have been taking over my Pinterest boards. Here are the top 14 Ive been loving this fall!

Thrift-store finds! We got this letter "A" as a gift from my friend, Holly! I bet you can't guess what it stands for! :)

Favorite fall scent, Bath & Body works "Leaves"...

...mixed with a little "Apple Cider" Scentsy!

Lazy Labor Day shopping from the comfort of my own bed

Warm Fall sunlight shining through the blinds

Decorating with Pine Cones!

Fried Green Tomatos!

Fall baking!

Finishing our "old ladder" project! (Just in time to be in the way of the Christmas tree in a few months...great..)

Practicing my VERY lack-luster chalkboard typography skills on this once silver vintage platter

Practice makes perfect!

FINALLY finishing our dining room mini-gallery wall

Dining room complete! 

Enjoying lazy weekends with our Herky-dog

What have you been loving???