fall is my favorite

It's been beautiful the last few weeks.  Let me catch up on what's been going down.

October was full of hikes with Riley at the forest preserve (did not realize there were so many trails so close to the city).  I love taking him to new places...he gets so excited.  It was also hilarious to watch him meet a horse for the first time.  I really wish I had a video of that.

October brought some visitors, too!  My in-laws came and we took them around town, went to a pumpkin patch (bought some pumpkins, kettle corn, pumpkin butter, and apple cider), visited the aquarium, walked around the botanical gardens (fall flowers are amazing), and ate a fantastic dinner at Topolobampo.

pumpkins galore...apple cider and kettle corn is alright, too.

botanical garden fall colors



Now in November, in anticipation of Thanksgiving, I've been craving pumpkin.  I have eaten a lot of pumpkin mixed with yogurt and granola (my new favorite breakfast), made some pumpkin ice cream, made fresh ravioli with pumpkin, squash, and goat cheese filling, attempted (and failed) at baking a batch of gluten free chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, but made a full recovery with my gluten free pumpkin bread.

 

pumpkin bread is probably my favorite fall treat (hmm...other than pumpkin pie)

It's been a great fall and I am really hoping the chilly winter weather will hold off for just a little bit longer.