{create} pumpkin brownies

I really love fall. I love the crisp mornings, the leaves changing color, the squashes at the farmers market and the sweaters and boots I get to dig out from their summer hibernation spots. I also love baking in the fall. See, I miss baking in the summer. Since our house isn't air conditioned, turning on the oven in our house isn't an option in the summer. So upon the first hint of that fall crispness, I get an itch to bake again.

The first thing I made this year? My favorite pumpkin brownies. I ran across these a couple years ago and was hesitant. I'm a chocolate purist and I really don't like chocolate mixed with fruit, so why would I like it with pumpkin? But, I found the recipe on Smitten Kitchen and thought it sounded interesting.

And interesting it was. In fact, these brownies are quite fantastic and completely reminiscent of fall. They are also very near and dear to my heart because they are the first recipe I converted to gluten free on my own. They converted so seamlessly, my family couldn't even tell I'd switched up the recipe. And that, my friends, is a success.

If you'd like the original recipe, you can find it here. The recipe below is tweaks, including the conversion to gluten free.

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons butter, plus more for pan
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 11/4 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Method:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan. Cut a length of parchment paper that covers the bottom. Line the pan with this and then butter. I love this trick. It makes removing baked goods so easy.
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water). Stir occassionally.
3. Whisk together flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. 
4. Put sugar eggs and vanilla into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy and well combined. This will be about 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in flour mixture. Don't over beat.
5. Pour about half the batter into a separate bowl and stir melted chocolate mixture into it. This mixture will be super thick. Add a few tablespoons more of the batter until it is pourable. If the chocolate mixture is too thick, it will be hard to swirl the layers later.
6. In another bowl, stir in the pumpkin, oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. 
7. Transfer half the chocolate batter to prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Top with half the pumpkin batter. Repeat with each.
8. With a small spatula or table knife, gently swirl the two batter to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with nuts or chocolate chips, if you'd like.
9. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Let cool in pan on wire rack.
10. Enjoy!

boston: a glimpse

We went on a little trip recently to my second most favorite city (Portland is number one, of course): Boston! See, I attend graduate school in Boston and lived there for two years. And loved every. single. minute. I've never regretted my decision to move back to Portland (I mean, come on, I met Chris upon my return!), but I do have a very special place in my heart for *bean town*. Chris on the other hand, has never been to New England. Well, I knew I needed to remedy that as soon as possible. 

And, remedy, I did! We spent our second anniversary in Boston. And friends, it was awesome. We both had a pretty harried September, to say the least, and the trip's timing was perfect. We relaxed, we drove to Maine (!), we're now planning our Maine return trip (loved, loved, loved Maine), and best of all, we enjoyed each other. We make a huge effort at home to take time to appreciate, love and connect with each other. But, there was something so special about having a week (!) for fun, exploring and adventures with just each other.

Below are a few highlights from our incredible week away.

We spend time strolling through Boston's public garden.

We took in the incredible city views from our hotel room.

We visited my old neighborhood. (Above, not below. HA!)

We soaked in the amazing historic architecture. Back home, just for fun, we checked real estate prices for some of the nicer areas. Let's just say I'll have to be content with strolling through and taking pics. Forever.

We ate cannoli's at Mike's in the North End. MMMMMmmmmm.

We visited Fenway. And, shed a tear for the Red Sox season.

And, we spent an evening at one of my favorite restaurants ever. More on that later :).

{therapy session}: melamine plates

Apparently, I have a new addiction. The first stop is admitting the problem, right? Well, I can't stop buying melamine plates! Because if you have a new table on a new back porch - whether it's finished or not - you need cute plates to eat from. Right?

It all began innocently enough. I saw John Derian for Target online and thought the dinner plates were perfect for the look of the back porch. Plus they're super inexpensive. I didn't know when I'd make it to Target next, and I didn't know if they'd even have them in stock, so I went ahead and ordered them.

Things went downhill soon after. Even before my plates arrived, I was at Anthro and saw these:

On. Sale. Are there two more glorious words at Anthro? Plus they're adorable. Plus they go with the other plates I ordered. Yes, these were my justifications to my sweets hubs who can't figure out why I need extra plates. Boys. 

After that I was all set. Super happy. Ready to serve dinner. And then I actually went into Target last week.

Oh my. I was a goner when I saw the appetizer/dessert plates. I tried to not put them in my basket, but alas they are at my home now too.

The plus side of all this? Besides that there are worse things to be addicted to? They look completely darling together and I am so excited to use them. In fact, I may be using them indoors this winter, just so I can bust them out. 

Anyone want to come to dinner? :)