Sage Butter Roasted Butternut Squash with Creamy Cheddar Orzo

I love when colder weather starts to set it and everything in the kitchen shifts to warmer spices and cozy dishes. This dish is definitely a new favorite cozy-comfort-go-to! Seriously…it’s vegetarian and even my husband liked it. That’s a *big* win!

First, you’ll melt some butter with fresh sage leaves and smashed garlic cloves. It smells insane and gives the butternut squash a delicious flavor. Then, right as your squash is starting to brown, you’ll start the orzo. The orzo takes 10-15 minutes and is just, wow. Really, really, good.

My husband, who does not like vegetables – I can’t even explain to you how he tries to avoid them – said he loved this dish. He even remarked that the squash was perfect to go with the orzo. I was floored, I tell ya!

Playlist for a Long Fall Drive

One of my favorite things to do on an early Saturday morning, is hop in the car, stop for coffee (and an apple cider donut) and then take a drive upstate. It’s such a treat to go for a drive on a fall weekend and see all of the leaves changing – it’s truly magical!

What a luxury it is to drive with no destination and no itinerary – with absolutely nothing to do. Let yourself get lost in the hills, find a cute spot to grab a bite to eat, get some fresh air, and go home.

This quarantine is definitely starting to wear on me – it hadn’t been since we had Harper and have been so busy adjusting to life as new parents. We don’t socialize as much, we haven’t been traveling, but these Saturday morning drives have been breathing life into my weekend.

I’ve found that music has been helping a lot to set the tone for us – for our day during the week, for our mood. I’m all about a good playlist for a drive – always changing up the music depending on the season.

Quarantine is weird, isn’t it – you kind of feel like you’re home “doing nothing,” but then you take a step back and realize how busy you are. It’s a constant cycle of cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, cleaning more, cooking more. Meetings and emails. All while being home “doing nothing.” But a slow weekend – not even necessarily a lazy one – a slow weekend is really helping me savor this fall season.

It’s been nice to take a break, slow down and just enjoy. It’s fun to explore when we typically save exploring for traveling. It’s fun to be able to soak up and savor the moments with our little family.

3 New Favorite Fall Nail Polish Colors

All year, I stick to my tried and true neutral manicures, rarely veering off into any significant color on my hands (pedicures, a totally different story!). But come September, October, November and December…it’s a different ball game!

I love the moodiness of fall, and always start gravitating towards a darker color manicure. You can bet I’m asking for Linkin Park After Dark and Wicked for a manicure or a pedicure. But I found 3 new colors this fall I am LOVING.

The first, In Stitches by Essie. It’s a more youthful take on a rosey mauve, and I’m so into it.

Then there’s Essie’s Limited Addiction, which I swear is the shade of red I’ve been searching for. I’ve been gravitating towards this color two or three times already.

Finally, OPI’s Rub-A-Pub, which is a gorgeous charcoal and has been taking Wicked’s place this year.

What are your go-to polish colors for fall?

Pumpkin Spice Waffles with Maple Butter

Are you guys more of a waffle or pancake fan? For some reason, I definitely gravitate towards waffles – I like them so much better than pancakes. But, to be honest, it could be because I’m just not that great at making pancakes! They’re never even, the butter gets all gross and then makes the second and third batch a weird color and I’m just not into it!

But these waffles…these waffles are the most beautiful color. And wow, do they taste like fall! The pumpkin spice really suits my fall theme of being 100% basic.

With these, you can just use any of your go-to waffle/pancake mixes. Because I have gestational diabetes, I’m using the Birch Benders keto mix. For these, I also used a sugar free maple syrup, but just use your favorite! It is what it is – just a few months left of this!

In this recipe, you use the pure pumpkin puree as a replacement for eggs/water. It’s such an easy recipe – I made extra and put them in the freezer once they were cooled just so I could grab and go on weekdays. Sometimes, you just need something more exciting than scrambled eggs, ya know!

Next time I do these, I’m going to cut up some apples and sautee them in a bit of cinnamon. Let all those fall flavors really collide!

Pumpkin Spice Protein Waffles with Maple Butter

Delicious pumpkin spice protein waffles topped with a savory and sweet maple butter.
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Course Breakfast, brunch

Equipment

  • Waffle maker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 c waffle mix
  • 1/2 c pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp brown sugar I used Truvia brown sugar replacement
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 3 tbsp softened butter
  • 3 tsp maple syrup
  • pecans, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Combine waffle mix and pumpkin puree until well combined.
  • Coat waffle iron with cooking spray; pour batter into iron (refer to your iron's instructions for the correct amount).
  • As the waffles are being made, combine softened butter and maple syrup. If using unsalted butter, taste for salt and add a tiny pinch, if needed.
  • Serve waffles with maple butter, maple syrup, pecans, etc.

8 Favorite Fall Wreaths

Fall is by far my favorite season, and I love bringing all the #fallvibes to our house for some simple seasonal touches. The first thing I do, before i even go pumpkin picking, is put out a wreath.

I’m obsessed with this farmhouse style wreath my sisters in law gave me for my birthday from Joi Prints.

I’m not into Halloween decorations (but man is my neighborhood!) – I stick to general fall for Octoer and November, before we shift into holiday decorations. Feels like I get more longevity by sticking to generic fall – which just means lots of pumpkins, mums, and a welcoming fall wreath!

You don’t have to put a wreath just on a door, either. i’ve hung wreaths over the fireplace mantle, small ones on cabinet doors and windows, and even my entry way wall.

How do you decorate for fall?

Cider and Beer Braised Cheddar Bratwurst with Onions, Apples and Mustard

The idea for this recipe has been kicking around in my head for at least two years – I wish I had made it sooner! This one is definitely going to be in our rotation in the fall. The brats are savory and the touch of cheddar was the perfect combination with the nearly-caramelized onions and thinly sliced apples.

This recipe is so straightforward with minimal ingredients – the best kind, right? You start by searing the brats. Then, you’ll add the onions with butter and get them to that just barely caramelized state. Add some apple slices and sautee until they’re soft, then pop the brats back in with a cider and beer and let it all simmer together until the brats are cooked through.

That combination of the onions and apples really helps to ring in the fall season! And it’s such an easy recipe it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Quick and Easy Fall Grazing Board

You know how I love a good grazing board, right?! It’s the perfect easy appetizer to have when guests arrive – they’re so pretty and inviting. It’s perfect when your focus is on a meal and not a full blown dinner menu! Just grab a big platter and start filling it up!

Herlongwayhome Fall Grazing Board

Beyond pumpkins, because really, what’s more fall than plopping a few pumpkins on a plate? But beyond that, think about the colors and flavors of the season. 100% why I always go to Trader Joe’s when I’m putting together a grazing board – they have the best seasonal options!

Fall Grazing Board Details Upclose

Canned Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Jump to Recipe

Okay. This is probably going to be one of those recipes that you make and then you’re like, crap I better give half of these to the neighbors. When I made these, we had one bite, and I texted a pic to our neighbors across the street and asked them if they wanted some. I brought them across (mask on, yes), and thank god. We would have eaten all of these and god help us, we are really trying to avoid the quarantine 15!

These sticky pecan cinnamon rolls are so easy. There ain’t nothin’ wrong with canned cinnamon rolls, especially when it’s so hard to find yeast. And, let’s be real – we’re all cooking and baking a lot more than usual. It’s nice to have a shortcut for something out of this world delicious in your back pocket.

Cumin Lime Shrimp on Avocado Toasts

Holy southwestern kick, eh? I’ve really been in a put-cumin-and-lime-on-everything. Sorry….? Not really. This is real life what we’ve been eating around here.

I’ve been cooking so much more than usual, which has been a ton of fun for me. I’ve been overflowing with creativity and recipes are just coming to me, so I can’t really complain. I’m just living for quick and easy recipes that pack a lot of flavor. I keep saying this, but come lunch time, I want something to look forward to, but I also really want it to be quick.