Fall truly is my favorite time of year and I am so pleased that it has returned.  The beginning of autumn brings many of the things I love like playing outdoors, baking, fall colors, and, of course, the holiday season.

This October we have lots of fun posts planned including some Halloween art, crafts, and a little peek into my work area.  There will be plenty of homemaking tips, some modern life stuff you can use... and the Treat of the Week.  Stay tuned as we have lots to share and another exciting contest for subscribers only by the end of the month.  As a reminder, if you are not an email subscriber you can become one by clicking here or by using the widget to the left.

Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite, all are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon's silver ray, thrives their helter-skelter play.
                                                                                                             ~Joel Benton

Coffee is good.  Cocktails are good, too.  Blended together with a frothy top… well, now we’re getting somewhere.  Our cocktail for this month is a icy, smooth drink with loads of flavor.

The heat is finally starting to fade, but we have a few weeks left.  This drink will be perfect for enjoying on the patio in the afternoon with thoughts of Greece where the true frappe originated. The flavors of the liquors blend wonderfully to provide a French vanilla flavor with a little something extra. We’ve given a nod to the true Greek frappe by topping with a bit of shaken coffee and cream.

savour... grecian goodness

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I was always amazed at Samantha Stephens from ‘Bewitched’.  Although she did sometimes use a bit of wizardry, she managed to keep her house perfectly clean and always ready for the impromptu dinner guests that Darrin brought home.  At times, we all wish we could wiggle our noses and be ready on short notice.  Today we are going to tackle a few tips to help you in your quest.

Impromtu or not, guests will remember the experience in your home with their senses.  Address all of them and you are sure to be a hit.

Sight – This is where the cleaning comes in.  You’ve got an hour or less before your guest arrives.  What do you do?

• Start at the front door… outside.  Make sure that it is inviting.  At the very least, make sure it is tidy.
• Next, take on the entryway.  If nothing else, this first impression must be the closest to perfect.
• Now, go in order around the house, but only address those areas that your guest will use or see.  If you have a door to the back of the house, close it.  If your upstairs needs addressing, save that for later. At the very least be sure that the trip from the door to the living room and from the living room to the bathroom is appealing.   
• As a sidenote:  one very good way to reduce some stress is to spend 15 minutes each day before bed tidying up.  If you make a sweep around the place routinely, clean up won’t take up your entire weekend.
• A quick dusting should be done from eye level down at the very least. 
• Regarding the guest bathroom… to get a quick, ‘fake’, super clean bathroom keep paper towels and rubbing alcohol on hand.  Swirl a toilet brush around the bowl of the toilet and then clean all surfaces with a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol.  Be sure the toilet paper is full and replace the hand towel.  Don’t forget to wipe up the floor.
• Carry around a bin or basket with you to collect up all clutter that belongs elsewhere.  Remember to put those things away after your guest has gone.

Smell – Have some air freshener on hand.  Consider burning a fragrant, good quality candle.  I prefer Firewood by Henri Bendel for its homey scent. The key here is subtlety.  As with personal fragrance, less is more.  The goal is to create a pleasing environment, not clobber your guest with vanilla mist.  Another good idea is to give a few sprays of odor neutralizer.  Lastly, we often put a small pot of water with citrus slices and spices on the stove for a very fresh scent.

Sound – Have playlists ready.  Make a few in whatever music software you use for just the right occasion.  Make sure that you have a playlist that is long enough to last for hours in case your dinner lasts longer than expected.  Here is one we did for a brunch you can use for inspiration.  If you use an online service like Pandora, have some ‘stations’ set that will convey the mood you desire.

Taste – Keep snacks on hand that are guest-friendly.  An assortment of cheese and crackers, nuts, olives, and some chocolates is a good start.  Make sure these are either reserved for guests or replenished as necessary.  Hummus and pita or bread is a good idea, too.  Be sure to have a stocked bar and at least 1 bottle each of red and white wine on hand.  Whether you drink it or not, always have coffee and tea in your home for guests… and offer it.

Feel – How does your furniture feel?  Flip the cushions and fluff the pillows.  If you keep your favorite (worn) blanket out to cozy up with for TV watching, stow it until your guest leaves.  Keep a lint roller in your home and run it over the sofa to remove any small debris or pet hair.  Also, how does it 'feel' to sit in your living room.  Is it easy to place your drink on a table?  Is the arrangement intimate enough for conversation?  Move pieces around as necessary.

We all get sidetracked from time to time, and an unexpected guest can completely throw a wrench into our usual plan.  By staying on top of routine cleaning, you will be ahead of the game.  Get the family involved and assign tasks or rooms for everyone.  Just be sure to rotate duties to keep it fair. 

A few closing notes…

1. Make sure you leave enough time to tend to yourself before your guest arrives.  No matter how much you’ve done, it won’t matter if the first impression is you smelling of Ajax with a feather duster hanging out of your back pocket.
2. If you stick to appealing to your guest's five senses you will create an experience that says you know how to entertain.
3. Lastly, don’t stress too much.  Of course, we all want our home to be a good reflection of who we are, but your guest is ultimately coming to see YOU.  A certain amount of charm will trump a stack of dirty dishes every time.

savour… preparedness

It's been a while since we ran a color story post.  I thought that Friday's Treat of the Week, Fig and Honey Tapioca, was a perfect excuse to do so.  The colors from this photo shoot were amazing.  They are the perfect transition colors from summer to autumn.  Many of the colors could be used for either season.

I opted to leave out the obvious reds and violets, but they are also a fine compliment to the overall story here.  How can you see this palette being used?  What is your favorite of the 5 colors?  What other color do you see from the picture that you love?  We welcome your feedback.

I have just one thing to say to get this post started… TGIF.  It has been a long, very busy week and I am ready for just a few minutes to put my feet up.  I might even get a chance to do that outdoors as it appears that fall could be on its way.  Since today officially begins the season, I will convince myself that it is true.

 
To set the mood we are featuring figs that are being harvested now and for the next several weeks to come.  There are many varieties from which to choose.  We found a couple at our local market to incorporate into our treat this week.  They are as pretty as they are sweet. 

Our other main ingredient today is tapioca.  While it wears many names around the world, this derivative of the cassava root has been used in the kitchen for centuries.  As a boy, tapioca pudding made routine appearances in our home.  It can be used to make nearly any flavor pudding.  The tapioca adds very little in terms of flavor, but makes up for it in texture.  Paired with fig and honey, it is just the right backdrop. 

savour… figilicious

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I must apologize.  It has been a very hectic week.  We are deep in the throes of putting together a new home for Lola and all of the Today's Nest goodness.  Additionally, I have taken on some new projects that are taking up a great deal of time... as the initial stages often do.  I have been consumed with guilt for leaving you without a new post since Friday's treat.

Since I knew this post would have to be a quick one, I also chose something that I eat when I need something quick... hummus.

Now, don't be fooled.  Hummus is a mainstay in our home.  It's not just for when we are rushed, although it does come in handy for those times.  On the contrary, we eat it at least once a week and many times more often than that.  This dip is packed with nutrients and FLAVOR!  Over time we have put together what is the perfect hummus for us.  I think you will agree.  It has just a bit of spiciness and the consistency is just right for dipping warm pita.

savour... deliciousness on the run

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Well, I think this might be it.  Summer is finally ending.  It still isn't fall in Dallas, but it is under 100º so we are getting somewhere.  Further indication that the season is ending is the fact that peaches are everywhere right now.  Luckily, we love them.  We have been trying to find new ways to eat them and, of course, keep up with some old ways, too.

Peach Semifreddo

Ginger Peach & Blueberry Tart

Today's treat was an experiment that went incredibly well.  We have paired up our favorite pound cake recipe with peaches and cream cheese to bring you one. delicious. treat.

The sweetness of the pound cake and peaches is contrasted so wonderfully by the cream cheese.  The butter and sugar in the cake give it the perfect grilled 'crust'.  Half of one sandwich is plenty for one person, but I'll let you decide.

savour... crazy good

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