Oak&Toile

Highlights of a Labor Day weekend:

- Making and eating some red velvet cupcakes (yum!)

- Tailgating with family, friends and Ralph. He did a lovely job and we tied a school bandana around his neck for proper tailgate attire! He was popular and very well-behaved!

- Getting some work/reading/grading done.

- Being at home for the first weekend in a lonnnngg time.

- Taking some long walks.

As you can see our weekend was VERY low-key. Both of our parents came through town for lunch, so that was nice to have someone visit us. I've really been working on breaking in our new dishes and appliances. So far, so good. I did make the cupcakes from a box but I did think about making them from scratch! I'm just beginning to realize how much work my classes are going to be, along with writing a thesis and studying for a final Master's Oral exam. So, I think this semester is going to be a lot of time at home - which is perfectly fine with me, I feel like we have been on the go forever! We are going to a wedding this weekend - I'm packing and getting ready for that. We are taking Ralph with us and staying at my parent's house. Which will only be chaotic because they have a young Boxer mix named Newman who is very mischevious! It will be an interesting weekend for sure. I just need to gear up my energy for the rehearsal, brunch and wedding because let me tell you, I'm running low on it. I don't know what it is but at the beginning of every school year, I get worn down. I guess I just have to get back into a normal schedule but I'm running on a lot of coffee these days.

What I am looking foward to: FALL! The weather here has been hovering around the 90s in the midday heat - which is some relief but I'm ready to bust out jeans and vests. I love "being cozy" - my husband makes fun of me, but seriously, if I'm cozy - I'm happy. One of my favorite things to do is fix a pot of chili, or hot tea or some type of warm stew and snuggle up on the couch to watch a movie. I also can't wait to make my favorite Pumpkin Spice bread - its a Martha Stewart recipe and I make a ton of it during the winter and holidays!

Real Simple = my favorite magazine. Actually, I just a subscription because I've been wasting money on buying it in the store but I love their lay-out, recipes, organizing tips and pictures. I've tried a few of their recipes and this one was great. It's one of those recipes you could cater to your own taste easily. I served it over some cous-cous but you could serve it over rice, pasta or eat it plain.

Golden Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives