only in New England...

Well, we've survived another prank from Mother Nature...a Nor'Easter hit us pretty hard on Saturday night, our town is still about 50% without power, trees and power lines are down all over, but we're hardy New Englanders - pulling together to help one another out. 
I'll be at my mom & dad's tomorrow helping my dad take down the tree that was planted when I was born.  The mighty crab apple tree finally met its match with this storm - time for it to come down. 
I can't tell you how happy I am to have a five year old in our home...my son puts a smile on my face no matter what is going on around us.  We trudged through the snow all day on Sunday, made snowmen, dug out the cars & driveway, played on the snowy swingset, and had a few snowball fights.  We even created a "snowpumpkin" for our front stairs.  Hopefully this isn't a sign that we're in for a tough winter!! ;)

jazz up traditional mac & cheese

Put your mac & cheese in a baking dish, throw in some delicious mix~ins:  1/2 cup chopped bacon, blanched broccoli florets, or diced ham. Top with cracker crumb topping, or 1/2 cracker crumbs & 1/2 french fried onions.
If making for immediate service, bake uncovered at 375* for 25 minutes.  Enjoy!!

Pumpkin...

Pumpkin bread wrapped in parchment paper, pumpkin soup in a hollowed out pumpkin bowl, pumpkin seeds dressed up with cinnamon & salt, and pumpkin cookies with cream cheese spread.  Sweet tastes of fall!!  What's your favorite fall food?