Get into the Fall Spirit

You don't have to wait for Christmas this year to get into the spirit. Fall has arrived and I can't explain how happy I feel!

So many things come to mind when I think of Fall: pretty leaves, warm colors, apple cider, pumpkins, halloween, sweaters, caramel apples, cinnamon, pumpkin spice lattes, apple pie, cold pillows, and the list goes on. It's without a doubt my favorite season of the year. I've already made my way to the local pumpkin patch with Rob and nothing makes me happier!

So make time this weekend for your local pumpkin patch and pick up some pumpkins and apple cider and officially welcome the best season of the year! When you smell that apple cider brewing on your stove, you'll thank me!

Quick Apple Cider

• Store bought apple cider


• Mulling spices


• Orange Peel


• Cloves


• Cinnamon sticks

On the stovetop, warm up the apple cider on low heat. Add mulling spices, the orange peel "spiked" with cloves, and a couple cinnamon sticks.

Enjoy with apple cinnamon muffins (orchards usually have yummy mixes) topped with a little apple butter, yum.

NOW do you feel the Fall spirit? I thought so :)

Welcome to my Blog!

Okay, so whoever thought I would be writing a blog! I definitely didn't. But since I've started culinary school, people are always asking me question after question and I finally gave in and thought it would be a lot easier to just write about it. Since I attend school at night, it's hard for me to talk to all my friends, family, etc. SO hopefully you can catch a little glimpse into what the heck I've been doing!

I started school in August at Le Cordon Bleu Chicago and am already into my "second block" of classes. At first, it seemed a little overwhelming, (especially taking public transportation!) but I settled into it pretty easily and am starting to think I've got the hang of it.

I wear full uniform to class everyday, and I mean FULL uniform. I look like the biggest goofball but I've even gotten used to that! My "chef" singled me out the first day of class for wearing make-up so I've become accustom to the whole "un-glamorous" side of the cooking industry (Don't let Giada fool you...you wouldn't be caught dead in the kitchen with a V-neck shirt and painted nails)!

It's definitely been an interesting 6 weeks to say the least but I'm loving every minute of it! Sometimes I can get caught up in the rush-hour Chicago commute or long hours in the kitchen, but I'm so lucky to be doing what I love to do...COOK! Not many people get the chance so I'm one lucky girl. Alright, enough of being sentimental...

So without further ado, I hope you enjoy hearing about my experience and maybe I can even influence YOU to get yourself in the kitchen!

Bon appetit!