Life in the Big City - A Little Fall Housekeeping

When you were a kid, did you ever press leaves between paper to preserve them?  I haven't done that in years but, looking at all the pretty leaves lately makes me want to save them.  When we strolled through the park yesterday I found myself picking up some nice ones that had kept their shapes.  In fact a few years ago, Brian and I took an autumn vacation in Vermont and an absolutely perfect leaf somehow ended up in our car.  It was so lovely that we left it there and it lived in the back seat for a couple of years.  I used to love looking at it.

Pretty leaves aside, life is busy around here lately.  But, that's a good thing.  And it certainly doesn't stop us from going out and enjoying the beautiful autumn weather.  Yesterday was a little cool but sunny and bright enough that most restaurants still had their outdoor tables set up.  New Yorkers love our outdoor cafes and we don't let go of them easily.  Brian woke up with a craving for bacon and eggs so we headed out early to the park and then stopped at one of our favorite cafes for Sunday brunch.  All the outdoor tables were packed and there were as many dogs as people.  Hadley enjoyed her perch where she was the object of lots of passing attention.  And yes, she got more than her share of bacon from our plates.  I think she's got a pretty nice life.

Last weekend we took a drive upstate for some leaf peeping and apple picking.  There was a farm store, the obligatory cute baby animals and some fresh hot apple cider doughnuts.  And, of course, pumpkins!  I've been cooking up a storm and there will be more pumpkin deliciousness on the blog soon.  Here in Manhattan, there are plenty of fall sights as well.  The city is bursting with pumpkins and sunflowers and potted mums.  And pumpkin ice cream!  I can resist most ice cream (most of the time) but I need my pumpkin ice cream fix!

You may also have noticed a couple of changes around here lately.  Our web address is now a .com and there's a pin-it button on every photo (just hover over them).  And there's lots of news on our other site, Yum Goggle.  For those of you who are on Google +, please join us tomorrow evening for a hang-out where you'll see me discussing what Yum Goggle is all about.  It's entirely possible that my furry sous chef will make an appearance on camera...most likely by sitting in my lap.  I hope to see a lot of you there!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/ctrghrqes1ro9thn0a5sbmo3ng4

And speaking of the furry sous chef, she and Mr. Hungry Couple are...busy snuggling.  So long long till next time!