Weekend Update

I have been neglecting the blog. If you know me, you know that I do not like to be busy. I like to have plenty of time on my hands. I do not like having every moment scheduled. Sadly, for the next week and a half, every moment will be scheduled. So, let me take this moment to get you up to date on my doings for the past week.

I traveled to New York City this weekend to see my friend Amy. For the first time, I took the Bolt Bus. I am huge fan of the Bolt Bus. It picks up at a great location in Philly and it drops you right in the middle of New York City. It was clean and quiet and under two hours for the trip. When I take the transit system in Philly and New Jersey, it takes over three hours. The price is right too. It cost $23 for a round trip.

After walking through Central Park where we enjoyed the fall leaves, we stopped at the Museum of the City of New York. The exhibit was Campaigning for President: New York and the American Election.

The pins, paraphernalia, and propaganda from every Presidential election displayed at the exhibit. I was surprised and interested in the propaganda and to see that some things never change. When FDR was running with Harry Truman, the opposition tried to link Truman with the KKK. Shocking, right. Well, as I thought more about it, the same kind of loose, unproven connection is happening with the present election.

I always look forward to eating when I travel to New York. I wasn't disappointed. I had brunch twice with a yummy omelet with gruyere cheese and ham and a Sunday morning brunch with pumpkin pancakes. I loved them. I am now searching out a tasty recipe for pumpkin pancakes at home. If I find one, I will post it for all to enjoy.

World Series Bound...and Rocky

There are just some truisms when you live in Philly.

One, you like sports. A lot. The sports teams are very important and people have crafted a love/hate relationship with the Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies. And in time, it all pays off. Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies sealed the deal for the National League Pennant. They are going to the World Series!

I was even let out of class early for the game.

Usually, I don't care. But I was reminded of the second truth of Philadelphia during the celebration in the streets last night.

I was sleeping soundly when I was awaken by the BLARING of my neighbor's car stereo as he played the theme from Rocky. Philadelphians love Rocky. My neighbor was overjoyed and screaming, "Finally! Phillies are goin' to the World Series!" It is one of my favorite Philly moments so far.

Apple Pickin'

Tim and I made our first trip to the apple orchard this weekend. Along with our friends, Laura and TC, we picked a box of Stayman Winesap apples. After picking apples, we enjoyed the orchard's market where they had local goods like maple syrup and baked goods.

Of course, I will be making these apples into sweet treats. I am checking out some recipes and would like to try a few new ones.

The leaves are just starting to change here. I'd like to spend as much time outside on the weekends before winter sets in and we aren't able to enjoy the fall any longer.

Midwestern Recipe: Urban Myth Chocolate Chip Cookies

I received an email a few years back telling a story about how a woman paid $250 for a recipe from Neiman Marcus when she thought she really paid $2.50. It is not a true story, but the recipe is still very good. I think it is the ground oats that make this cookie so good. I like it more than the recipe on the back of Nestle Chocolate Chips.

This recipe makes a lot. I always cut it in half. Also, I do not add the grated chocolate bar. They are great without it.

2 cups butter
24 oz. chocolate chips
4 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 8 oz. Hershey! Bar (grated)
5 cups blended oatmeal
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal,
salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar, and nuts.

Spoon and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Makes 112 cookies.

Midwestern Girl Roadtrip

I had a New Jersey/Pennsylvania day trip weekend. The leaves are just starting to change and in a few weeks, they will be something very beautiful. The photo is from the bridge that covers the Delaware River and connects New Hope, Pennsylvania to Lambertville, New Jersey.

A few months ago, I wrote my endorsement for the memoir Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. As a continuation of my admiration for this book, I checked out Elizabeth Gilbert's store in Frenchtown, New Jersey this weekend. The name of the store is called Two Buttons.

Two Buttons sells a variety or worldly treasures from her travels. It is stored in a warehouse and has everything from garden Buddhas to silk scarves to sandstone sculptures. Everything they had was beautiful and exotic.

From historic Frenchtown, New Jersey, we traveled on to New Hope, Pennsylvania. New Hope offered art galleries, jewelry stores, and more. It was the perfect place to get a few Christmas presents. We enjoyed an early dinner at Marsha Brown's Creole Restaurant. Marsha Brown's is located on the main street of New Hope and is in an old church. The food was amazing. I had lobster and crab bisque and tourenados (beef medallions with mashed potatoes). A few lemon and lime martinis were enjoyed too! After a cafe au lait from a little back alley coffee shop, we hit the road through the beautiful roads of New Jersey where the leaves are just starting to change.