Tag: Autumn

Fall Foodie: Mini Pecan Tarts

by Ashley DeLarge1 Comment on Fall Foodie: Mini Pecan Tarts

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I’m writing this from a mini getaway in Boston, where I’m relaxing after last night’s phenomenal Bon Iver show at TD Garden (I’ll have the full recap up a little later on this week!)

Before Troy and I set off to enjoy the city for a little while longer and then eventually head back to the Pioneer Valley- I thought I’d share a quick, easy, delicious and Fall-appropriate dessert recipe I like to whip up this time of year when I have people over to watch football games, carve Jack-O-Lanterns, or just hang out and enjoy a horror movie marathon. If you love pecan pie as much as I do- these mini tarts are for you!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1 cup butter/margarine
  • 5 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups packed brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • A pinch of salt

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

  1. To Make Pastry: Cream butter or margarine and cream cheese together. Add flour and mix well.
  2. Roll mixture into balls, and place one ball in each cup of a mini tart pan. Use your fingers or a tart tamper to press into the shape of the crust.
  3. To Make Filling: Break the eggs, but do not beat. Add sugar, melted butter, salt, vanilla and pecans. Mix well.
  4. Fill the tart shells- and bake at 350℉ for about 30 minutes or until delicately browned.
  5. Remove tarts from oven, let cool fully, and serve with your choice of toppings!

I can’t wait to make a big batch of these for Thanksgiving this year! They always go so quickly!

But I’m off to spend some time around the city I love the most! Enjoy your “Hump Day,” everyone!

xx

– Ashley –

“I hope I can be the autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived…”

by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments on “I hope I can be the autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived…”
“… And when it’s time to leave, gracefully it knew life was a gift.”

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

While many of us typically dread Monday mornings (I still have to work today while many others can enjoy and embrace a long October weekend!)– this week is shaping up to be a fun and easy one- so I’m not too distressed at having to return to my office so bright and early. I have tomorrow and Wednesday off to spend some time in Boston, catch a Bon Iver show, and enjoy the company of someone near and dear to me. Thursday is my half-day at work, and then on Friday I get to attend an afternoon seminar until the end of the day- which keeps me away my desk for a few hours at the least!

Not all that bad, really!

And despite this past weekend being filled with my other jobs/obligations, errands, and preparing for the days ahead- I still managed to take a couple of hours to go leaf peeping and get some hiking in at a nearby reservoir while the sun was high- and caught some brilliant photos along the way!

Early to Mid-October is usually when the foliage is at it’s peak “pretty-ness” here in Massachusetts- and despite a few hotter than normal days at the beginning of the month and some recent torrential downpours- it looks like the leaves are changing right on schedule this season!

You can see larger versions of the photos below by simply clicking on them!

So, so unbelievably beautiful- and there’s still some that trees haven’t even started changing yet!

A little later on this week I’ve got a recipe for a fun take on miniature pecan pies (a hint- it involves cinnamon buns!) as well as a recap of my time in and around Boston! I’m so excited!

But until then, I’ve got to really take on the morning grind so that everything gets done before I head on out to the city tomorrow afternoon!

Have a great day off to those of you not working- and good luck to the rest of us who are! Here’s to a good week ahead!

xx

– Ashley –

Getting Spooky…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Getting Spooky…

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone! Another work week is done and in the books!

I had wanted to share photos of the absolutely gorgeous foliage we have going on here in Western Massachusetts with all of you this morning- but as most of you know- sometimes life and other obligations come up unexpectedly and plans can change at the last minute.

It’s been a very busy week for me- both at work and outside of the office where I’ve been coordinating upcoming events and social gatherings with friends and family. October is usually a pretty packed month for me anyway- and this year is no different!

This weekend marks my annual trip to Rock and Shock in my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts- where I’ll spend a day celebrating all things horror movies and Halloween. And then on Tuesday through Wednesday- I’m coming back to Boston to catch a show from Bon Iver at TD Garden and spend some time in the city I love and miss very, very much!

But needless to say, my days post-work have consisted of a lot of planning and a little packing for my upcoming mini road trips and overnight stays. It’s left little time to go out and photograph the changing season properly!

Despite my hectic schedule as of late- I intend on snapping plenty of photos over the next few days and getting them up here on Blondie Birdie ASAP. I’ll also be stopping by some of those creepy, spooky, possibly haunted locations around New England I’ve been talking about to share here on the blog and on social media, as well- and, of course- I’m going to start preparing my Halloween costumes! Yes, costumes. Plural. I never do just one!

In the interim, if you’re looking for some content to keep you busy until I’m back on Monday morning- you can check out the following recommended links!

But that just about does it for me for today, everyone! I’ve got lots to do before I leave work for the day and officially begin my Saturday/Sunday commitments!

Have a great weekend, y’all! Stay safe and be kind out there!

xx

– Ashley –

OOTD: All The Right Cords…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on OOTD: All The Right Cords…

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I’m coming off of a late night and an early morning after finally catching a screening of “Joker” last night (phenomenal, by the way!) and heading into the office at the crack of dawn as per usual- but I wanted to share a hidden gem I’ve had tucked away in my wardrobe and only recently brought out now that Fall is here and the fabric is making a long overdue comeback!

I know that when many people think of corduroy, they think school uniforms or toddler-sized overalls- but it’s everywhere again (in adult sizes!) and being used in new and fun ways this season- such as pants, blazers, and skirts. This camel-colored, high-waisted mini-skirt is one of my favorites- since it’s comfortable and can be matched up with pretty much anything I have in my closet.

Earlier this week I paired the skirt with a dark red-colored billowy shirt, black knee-high faux-leather boots, and a long black sweater. It gave me a definite “foliage” vibe with the color palette- but I thought I looked chic and very “in” with the Autumn-inspired shades and textures!

If I could find the same style skirt but in an olive green or a chocolate brown color- I’d be all over it!

A little later on this week, I’ll have some more photos from the ever changing scenery in New England (it’s breathtaking!) before we break for the weekend and I head home to stop by “Rock & Shock” for what I think may be the millionth year in a row!

But for now, I’ve got to get some things done around the office and prepare for a dinner date tonight!

Here’s wishing you all a wonderful “Hump Day” ahead! I’ll be back on Friday!

xx

– Ashley –

Autumn Leaves and Arsenic…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Autumn Leaves and Arsenic…

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone! I’m so thrilled that we’ve made it to another weekend!

Having been born and raised in Massachusetts, and spending most of my time in and around New England- I’m no stranger to the curiosities and oddities that can be found pretty much anywhere if you’re keeping an eye open. We’re well-known globally for our bizarre, sometimes morbid history, unusual landmarks and creepy (and often rumored to be haunted) locations.

In October, I like to showcase some of those bizarre places/things as it seems fitting given the Halloween spirit. I figured for the 2019 season, I’d start with a notorious headstone in a small, Quaker cemetery about 45 minutes away from my apartment- and yesterday, after wrapping up a half day at work- I ventured out to find it in the little town of Pelham, Massachusetts while I was admiring the foliage!

Nobody is really sure what the mystery illness that claimed Warren Gibbs’ life in 1860 was (back when the common cold would pretty much seal your fate)– but his brother, William, suspected foul play and accused his sister-in-law- Mary- of poisoning Warren with arsenic-tainted oysters.

The result of this suspicion was a pretty brutal headstone William erected for his late brother that flat-out blames Mary for Warren’s death with a poem etched into the front. You may not be able to read it in the photos- but it says:

Died by Arsenic Poison

March 23, 1860 Age 36 years 5 mos 23 days

Think my friends when this you see

How my wife has dealt with me

She in some oysters did prepare

Some poison for my lot and share

Then of the same I did partake

And nature yielded to its fate

Before she my wife became

Mary Felton was her name

Erected by his brother Wm Gibbs

The next time you think you’re being petty about something- ask yourself- am I William Gibbs level of petty? Because if you’re not having murder accusations etched onto the deceased’s headstone- you are not petty at. all. This headstone was next level.

Next week, I’ll be putting another unusual, possibly creepy place in the “Blondie Birdie” spotlight. It’s one of my favorite October traditions!

But until then, I’ve got to get some work done at the office and then prepare for a fun and (hopefully) productive weekend. Here’s wishing you all a fun and safe couple of days ahead!

See everyone again on Monday!

xx

– Ashley –