What’s Going on Today: Second activity of the weekend, apple picking at nearby farm. Daughter loves the tractor!

Naptime Goals: Slice apples for Cinnamon-Sugar Apple Chips, make Maple Syrup Baked Acorn Squash.

Tonight’s Menu: Same as this one!

Parenting Lesson of the Day: “Chips” are always a hit!

Apple picking is a huge fall activity in Connecticut and we were happy to join in the fun last weekend. There is a farm nearby that boasts apple trees, a petting zoo and farm stand. As you can imagine, it is just about the busiest place in the world on Saturdays.  My daughter simply adored riding the tractor wagon up to the orchards. In fact, adored might not be the right word – she is still talking about it two weeks later! It took us about ten minutes flat to pick a bag of apples just as big, if not bigger, then my own child and we headed back down the tractor trail from whence we came.

What’s Going on Today: Having friends over for dinner, taking advantage of the great fall weather with a walk at the Audubon Park.

Tonight’s Menu: BBQ Chicken, Baked Pasta with Vegetables and Smoked Mozzarella, Salad, Roasted Asparagus, Heart-Stopping Bread, Pumpkin Bars

Naptime Goals: Bake Pasta Casserole, Pumpkin Bars, prepare the bread for the oven.

Parenting Lesson of the Day: It’s a little alarming at how quickly they take to the idea of partying!

When I came across this bread on The Pioneer Woman the other day it’s dark crispy crust caught my eye. I wanted to serve bread at an upcoming dinner party but the menu didn’t call for my usual garlic variety. Why not, I thought, give this decadent recipe a try. I’ve been upping my gym regimen lately what with all the book recipe testing, so it seemed to be as good a time as any to experiment with more butter than I ever thought possible for one loaf of bread.

What’s Going on Today: Apple picking at nearby farm, school fundraiser, all-round fall fun.

Naptime Goals: Prepare Maple Syrup Baked Acorn Squash and snack from all the apples we picked! Laundry on the side.

Tonight’s Menu: Chicken Thighs, Acorn Squash, Spinach Salad.

Parenting Lesson of the Day: They can always pick more apples than you can carry.

This weekend I did a little experimenting with my filming. The truth of the matter was that I was incredibly inspired by the fall weather and cooked up a storm all weekend. While doing so it occurred to me that everything I was making should be filmed. Since I usually film once a week to keep things current with my life I was hesitant to explore the idea of filming so much in one fell swoop. My webisodes are meant to chronicle my naptime cooking from week-to-week and I don’t want to start skipping over major parts of each season. But I really didn’t think it was fair to rob you of these recipes. They are that good. So, I’ve compromised and decided to present my weekend film in two parts. (Hey, NBC does it with all of their season finales, so why can’t I?!) Today is Part 1, a film about my favorite way to bake acorn squash. Next week will be Part 2, a film about an entirely different dish.

Greens, Apples, Gorgonzola, Candied Walnuts

What’s Going on Today: Full fall mode! Making Apple Chips by the dozen, first fall walk where we actually collect leaves.

Naptime Goals: Make Eggplant & Prosciutto Lasagna (a fall favorite), bake Peppermint Patty Brownies.

Tonight’s Menu: Lasagana, Green Salad, Brownies.

Parenting Lesson of the Day: You can lead them to the salad bowl, but you can’t make ‘em eat it!

I love to cook during naptime and share what I make with you. During my website project I spent some time reviewing older posts, deleting a few recipes I hope you never make, and reminiscing while browsing through others. As I was reading my menus from last winter I noted that I always talk about pairing a lot of my meals with green salads. It’s true, I often serve salads on the side, I love the taste and health factor. Then I realized that never once have I actually given you a recipe for a green salad. Part of the reason for this, I suppose, is that I don’t make my salads during naptime. I toss them together right before dinner. But that doesn’t make them any less relevant to the family meal. So today I’m going to share my approach to salads. Almost everyone I know serves a salad once in a while, and here is how I do it.

This summer I was thrilled to receive a gorgeous hand painted kitchen tile from the wonderfully talented Renee of Kudos Kitchen. I love connecting with other bloggers, there is such a wealth of talent in the blogosphere! Renee perfectly captured my Naptime Chef logo on a heatproof, dent proof kitchen tile that is now proudly displayed on our main kitchen counter. I’ve had several dinner guests comment on it’s cleverness and whimsy, and, of course, it’s practicality. Kitchen tiles always come in handy, and now I have one that is personalized!

If you are ever looking for a playful gift for friends or family I highly recommend working with Renee. Provide her with a logo or family picture and she will capture it beautifully on your own tile, giving you a piece of kitchen artwork to enjoy forever. To get in touch with Renee, and to see more cool kitchen gifts, pop on over here to this fun new website Kitchen Play.  It is loaded with culinary gifts that will please just about every cook on your list. Thanks Renee!

What’s Going on Today: Morning trip to garden center for first pumpkins of the season! Daughter off to school for a few hours.

Naptime Goals: Make Cranberry Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping for afternoon snack and breakfast tomorrow!

Tonight’s Dinner: Roast Chicken from last night, stripped off the bird and tossed with pasta.

Parenting Lesson of the Day: How quickly they adjust to new situations!

I am beyond thrilled with how quickly my daughter has adjusted to preschool. Knowing that she is happy makes me happy, and I can live with that. My parent’s always told me “you’re only as happy as your unhappiest child” and I understand what they mean. If my daughter came home in tears everyday I would be a wreck! But, she’s been coming home full of smiles and craft projects, evidence of time enjoyed in the company of her teachers and classmates.

What’s Going on Today: Preparing for a fun cocktail cruise on the boat with Phoebe from Big Girls, Small Kitchen!

Naptime Goals: Make Guacamole, prepare Pear & Gorgonzola Crostini, chill wine.

Tonight’s Snack Menu: Ina’s Guacamole, Pear & Gorgonzola Crostini, Shrimp Lollipops from Phoebe!

Parenting Lesson of the Day: Tell them that Dora always wears a life jacket and they will, too.

One of my favorite parts of our August Vineyard vacation was the chance to catch up with old friends. As luck would have it, my pal Phoebe, one half of Big Girls, Small Kitchen (we missed you Cara!), spends her summers on the Vineyard, too. Since we like to make a point of catching up now and then, when I was there we planned for a mid-week cocktail cruise.