Tuesday, October 21, 2014

A Few Fall Favorites


 One of my favorite things about Fall is attending the historic homes tour in a nearby town.  Through the years we have had the chance to step inside many different homes that have been lovingly restored to their original beauty along with enjoying the history behind the house.  This year we even toured the former home of Elizabeth Dole's grandparents.
Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos inside the homes, but I did take a few as we walked from house to house.
I thought this fall display was a warm welcome.
This house wasn't on the tour this year, although we did tour it in years past.
 Let me just zoom out so that you can see it better.

Pretty, isn't it.
That big wraparound porch looks like the ideal spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of an autumn afternoon.

As we waited in line to enter one of the houses, this caught my eye.
A pretty and interesting combination of colors and textures.


One of the houses sat on a corner lot.
The homeowner built this little house to resemble his own.

A cute little neighborhood lending library.
Have you ever seen this before?
I hadn't, but it sure seems like a neat idea.


 It just wouldn't seem like fall without a trip to the pumpkin patch.
This year it was even nicer to enjoy it with my favorite little pumpkin.


Of course these cooler days make the warmth of the kitchen even more appealing.  
I don't very often think to roast a whole chicken.
I'm glad I had that thought last night as it smelled so good as it baked and the meat just fell off the bones... just the way I like it.
Comfort food at it's best.

Susan Branch recently shared a recipe on her well-loved blog for a broccoli kale slaw.  The orange dressing and cranberries made it an ideal accompaniment to our roast chicken fall comfort food dinner.
Delicious and nutritious (as my mother often said :).

Just a few of my fall favorites here tonight.
There is one more that I can't really show you, although I'm sure you can conjure it up for yourselves... I just got up to let Peanut out and there it was... woodsmoke in the cool crisp air.  

Care to share any of your fall favorites?

****



13 comments:

  1. It's getting cooler, thankfully!
    Love these glimpses into autumn days around W-S - and that Victorian is gorgeous!
    'Little pumpkin' is adorable and a patch is always such a fun place for the kiddies to play.

    Well I did the state fair - the woodsmoke disguised by yucky frying turkey legs - but the flowers were fabulous and I'll post on them soon. The birds are plentiful in the garden - filling the feeders again now the figs are gone - and I counted a mix of six taking a communal shower in the bird bath this morning! The boots are polished and the warm socks are in order in the drawer, along with the long sleeved sweaters. Still enjoying suppers in the gazebo with the addition of candles - the cardinals still the last to chirp and nibble before turning in for the night. Oh yes, I believe autumn is here AT LAST!

    Hugs - Mary

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Kim, Love the glimpses of your fall favorites. House tours are so much fun and I always enjoy seeing how other people live and decorate. Maybe I'm just snoopy.
    Fall is slow to come here this year. I'm loving the leaves falling and the soft rain plopping down this evening. Candles, soups and warming dinners. Your roast chicken looks delicious. And what a sweet partner in the pumpkin patch.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your fall favorites, Kim. That house is wonderful. Your roast chicken looks so good and the broccoli kale slaw looks delicious. I must try the slaw recipe. I planted kale in the garden this fall and so far it's doing pretty good.
    Enjoy this wonderful weather!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh your roast chicken looks delicious. It's just about supper time here and that sure is making me hungry.

    I love those old Victorian houses. There is one right across the street from me and it has been neglected but it is getting repainted now.

    I've not seen one of the little libraries but have heard about them. Have thought about having one but haven't done anything about it.

    Wow Jaxson has sure gotten big. : ) Hope I spelled his name right.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love everything about fall! It's a long list. Your roasted chicken looks good and I remember reading about Susan's recipe on her blog. Glad to hear you liked it. I'm thinking I'll have to try it, too. Cute little guy in the pumpkin patch!

    ReplyDelete
  6. How fun...to tour historic homes locally. Love the idea of a neighbourhood lending library! How did your little pumpkin grow up so quickly? Your dinner looks most inviting!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Home tours are so much fun. Your little pumpkin is walking...now that's a game changer! I see that congrats are in order for a win at Thinking About Home. =D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Everything here looks sooo delightful, Kim!! Thank you for the fun fall day. Your little pumpkin is a darling! Oh, I think that Neighborhood library is such a neat idea. Wow, that recipe looks fantastic. I better get some lunch, now I'm hungry.

    Hugs,
    Marianne

    ReplyDelete
  9. The chicken and salad look scrumptious, Kim!
    I think I like the fall flowers best of all!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You seemed to share many of my fall favorites. House tours of course, are something I so enjoy year round. The Dole home is lovely! I find porches are one of the most special aspects of a home, and this one looked most inviting! Your little pumpkin is so cute! He is growing up so quickly. As for the dinner, I can not think of a better meal to sit down to, than the one you served. Certainly comfort food at it's finest! That salad is one I must try. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Kim, enjoyed your fall tour, I enjoy riding through our historic neighborhood in town too! Making comfort food is a fall favorite for me,I too bake whole chicken but haven't tried adding the potatoes will do this since I have many canned potatoes from the garden, I don't know why I haven't thought of this as chicken is always a good flavor enhancer.
    Your favorite little pumpkin is adorable out in the pumpkin patch!Thank you for your prayers for my Mom, she continues to heal from surgery, and is waiting for the drs. to let her know the course of treatment she needs to take. My Mom and my Dh continue to have such a great relationship, he calls her every night to say goodnight, thanks for remembering this.
    Have a blessed weekend,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a magnificent looking home! I love when new owners lovingly restore a stately home like this!
    Your roast chicken looked delicious. I always want to buy a whole chicken to roast but my husband tells me it is better to buy the rotisserie chicken at Costco as it is actually more cost effective. I'm not so sure about that--lol Your little grand boy looked to have a wonderful time choosing his pumpkin. I have a lot of catch up to do on Susan Branch's blog -- it has been a busy time here for us-- her salad looks delicious! Enjoy these last weeks of autumn!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I see that you roast your chicken breast down just like I do! I like how the white meat does not dry out.
    What a yummy looking meal!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are welcome and appreciated.
I will do my best to answer any questions here in the comments section.