pleasure in simple things

a visit to ben & jerry’s

October 14, 2016

A trip to Stowe, Vermont wouldn’t be complete without a tour of Ben & Jerry’s! A recent trip to attend a wedding gave me the perfect opportunity to be a real tourist and check it out! I am sharing today on Friday field trip!

The 30 minute tour started with a short video about how the ice cream phenomenon called Ben & Jerry’s got started and some history on its growth over the decades. Started by two guys in 1978 after they took an ice cream making course at Penn State, the first Ben & Jerry’s shop opened in Burlington, Vermont in a renovated gas station.

My favorite fact? Putting cookie dough in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was started after an anonymous tip was received from a customer in 1984!

Guests to the Ben & Jerry’s facility are asked not to take photos of the actual manufacturing room, so I am sorry I can’t share that part of the tour with you.

From there, the tour took me to the Tasting Lab. A flavor called Caramel Apple was in process for the employee Halloween party…sounds yummy! Fun fact: Employees can take home free pints every day! Of course, some tasting went on in the Tasting Lab…for me, Strawberry Cheesecake!

My favorite flavor has always been Phish Food, so I was surprised to find out the number one seller isn’t Phish Food but Half Baked!

Over time, I switched my Ben & Jerry’s purchases to the yogurt, then Greek yogurt flavors when those became available. Now I may need to decide which non-dairy flavor I like best – there are currently four available.

Surprisingly, the tasting was not my favorite part of my visit. The best part of my visit to Ben & Jerry’s was actually outside the factory – a walk through the Flavor Graveyard looking through the retired ice cream flavors!

I hope I have inspired you to make a visit to Ben & Jerry’s next time you are in Vermont! Or, maybe just to try a new flavor of Ben & Jerry’s from your local market!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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white pumpkins & neutrals

October 11, 2016

Last week I gave you some fall decor tips and took you to Terrain for some great inspiration on implementing them. This week, I am sharing some of my color palette for fall…neutrals, or course! And, Terrain definitely does a neutral right – so, some photos of their lovely grounds…all in neutral! Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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5 easy tips for fall decor

October 7, 2016

For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing 5 easy tips to help inspire you to create great fall displays. And, even more exciting, I have included photo examples from Terrain – my favorite home and garden store! Here goes:

Highlight one unique piece. Find one really unique pumpkin or gourd and use it as a focal point. It may be a gourd with magnificent coloring, a pumpkin with many bumps, a gourd with a unique shape, or a pumpkin with a really cool twisty long stem! Put a focus on that unique piece by displaying it on its own in a basket, on a table, or under a cloche.

Stack ‘em up. A really easy way to create some drama is to stack up some pumpkins for a fall ‘topiary.’ Since this can be done on any scale, it is a great decorating idea on any budget!

Display en masse. Using any one item in multiples makes a design statement. Put multiples of a piece or plant in a basket or on a chair or bench for an easy but impactful display. The ‘odd man out’ is also a fun way to display pumpkins. Add an ‘odd man’ to a display of multiples. For example, have tons of mini white pumpkins and add one orange pumpkin – or vice versa.

Open it up. If you are displaying a bunch of items, particularly colorful ones, use an open container to give a full view of the items on display. If you look around, you probably already have something you can use – like an old tomato cage or some chicken wire!

Add a pumpkin. A very simple tip, yet an effective one, is just to add a pumpkin or two to any of your existing vignettes or plantings – indoors or out. Without much expense, a few pumpkins can go really far to transform your current arrangements for the season! Maybe add a little hay and some Spanish moss as well…easy!

I hope I have inspired you with today’s fall design tips and a visit to Terrain! Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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top 3 trader joes pumpkin

October 4, 2016

Trader Joe’s is brimming with pumpkin flavored items during this time of year and I love trying every one! As new items are added for sale each year; there are always plenty to taste test!

Today, I am sharing my top 3 seasonal pumpkin picks at Trader Joe’s.

My number 3 choice is a tie between pumpkin panettone and pumpkin mochi.

You are probably no stranger to panettone for the holidays – particularly if you are Italian. Well, Trader Joe’s has started a new tradition, in my book, with its fall version of this holiday classic. If you like panettone, you will definitely enjoy Trader Joe’s seasonal version of this Italian sweet bread. It contains a very subtle note of pumpkin flavor with candied pumpkin pieces replacing the traditional candied citron. And, some added pumpkin cream adds a little yummy surprise. It is the perfect coffee or tea companion.

After trying this panettone last year, I was disappointed when I returned to the store for more and found it was all sold out. This year, after noticing the expiration date on the package was in February 2017, I picked up a few extra to use at the holidays. I think it is the perfect first thing on Thanksgiving – pregaming for Thanksgiving dinner!

Another Trader Joe’s variation to something I love is the pumpkin mochi!

If you are not familiar with mochi, it is a popular treat in Japan. A sticky rice is used to create a chewy and sweet outside coating for a small ball of ice cream. Trader Joe’s offers these taste treats with pumpkin ice cream! Can you see the little brown specks? Pieces of graham! These fun little pops of pumpkin flavor come packaged in boxes of six individual pieces.

Runner ups in the sweet category are items that are great to use as hostess gifts for your seasonal celebrations – pumpkin caramels, pumpkin seed brittle, and pumpkin macarons. Trader Joe’s also has some really cute iced pumpkin cookies as well as iced mini cakes that are perfect to bring to surprise special little children you may be visiting during the fall!

Coming in at number 2 on my favorites list is pumpkin shaped pasta.

It may not be the most healthful or flavorful item in the store, but it is so darn cute! Just imagine this pumpkin shaped pasta served with pumpkin sage cream sauce or as a base for a seasonal pasta salad! Any meal you serve using this pasta will definitely scream fall!

And…drum roll please…coming in as my number 1 favorite fall pumpkin item at Trader Joe’s…

Organic pumpkin! This 15 ounce can of organic pumpkin is my favorite seasonal item at Trader Joe’s for the fall. The ingredient label on the can reads “organic pumpkin.” That is it! A great starting ingredient to any pumpkin dish and super affordable! If you don’t use the entire can, leftovers are great for beverages –like pumpkin smoothies or to flavor cream for pumpkin lattes!

I hope I have inspired you to make a trip to Trader Joe’s and discover your own fall faves!

P.S. To my friends that crush on white pumpkins as much as I do – Trader Joe’s carries baby boos for .69 cents each!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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october book giveaway!

September 30, 2016

Yes, it is already time to announce the book giveaway for October!

The selection this month is The 52 Lists Project by Moorea Seal. This book provides a year of weekly journaling inspiration by prompting you to create 52 lists, one for every week of the year.

Forget about a ‘word for the year’ for 2017 – use this beautiful journal to create a thoughtful list each week that will provide self-reflection and cause for celebration! This book is yours to make your own!

This unique journaling project is a must for 2017! Leave a comment on this post during the month of October for a chance to win this book. You will receive it in plenty of time to start your new year being more mindful of the person you are becoming every day! Learn how lists can be a tool for self-discovery, exploration, and plenty of fun too!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment for a chance to win last month’s selection The Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme. Read more about the book by clicking here. The winner of this fabulous book is Christina! Enjoy Christina!

Instagram users, please read on!

By now you must know my favorite thing about fall is white pumpkins! Please, share your white pumpkins during the month of October by posting to Instagram with hashtag #pleasuregram.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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getting in the mood

September 27, 2016

I am doing my best to get into the fall mood. This year, it seems particularly difficult for me to welcome the new season.

I decided to use a couple hours of free time to visit some local farms; hoping to shake off some of my resistance to the change of season.

Okay – it was nice to get out and get a little fresh air, but I am still not feeling fall! How to you get into the spirit of autumn?

I have one last idea to help change my seasonal outlook – a trip on Saturday that is sure to push me over the edge into fall mode…I will share that with you next week! ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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a library themed restaurant

September 23, 2016

I can’t help but share some photos from a visit to a new restaurant; today on Friday field trip.

You know my penchant for a good theme!

Well, The Library Wine Bar and Bistro is housed in the building that was originally a city library, built in 1899 and it totally embraces its roots!

It has been restored back to its classic, architectural beauty by the Gouveia family of Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford, Connecticut. Yes, the same vineyard I visited and shared on last week’s Friday field trip!

I am totally in love with this place! In my imagination, I have already planned an entire library themed shower in one of the restaurant’s beautiful private rooms!

I hope I have inspired your imagination as well!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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easy salt cellar diy

September 20, 2016

Yes, I do have a Weck jar addiction. I can’t help it. I see the Weck jar as the sophisticated cousin of the Mason jar…so much design sense…so much class!

You have seen me use the Weck jar in many ways in the past. Today, I am sharing my latest use for the beloved Weck jar!

When I recently found an unidentified small insect in my salt cellar, I decided it was time to find one with a lid! I know insects are probably not attracted to salt…and, it may have been a one-time incident, but it was an occurrence that needed to be avoided in the future! Yuck!

Shopping around for a replacement salt cellar, I happened upon a life-changing item… a wooden top for a Weck jar! OMG! How is it possible I have never seen these before? I instantly grabbed one to fit one of my small Weck jars – the perfect size for a new covered salt cellar!

How simple, yet how exciting! Love it!

I hope I have inspired you to come up with your own use for a Weck jar with a lid! I can already imagine some cool Halloween applications!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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a connecticut vineyard

September 16, 2016

Connecticut may not seem a likely state for vineyards, but we do have them! Today’s photos for Friday field trip prove it!

Recently, I attended a meeting that was held at a vineyard. Although the meeting was held indoors – someone made a bad call there – I took a few moments to sneak outside to check out the view.

A warm summer evening was the perfect time to enjoy the lovely grounds!

I now have Gouveia Vineyards on my list of places to visit. I plan on returning when I have some time to really explore! This could be a perfect leaf peeping location!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a really marvelous weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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roasted bell pepper walnut dip

September 13, 2016

I love this dip! I was inspired to create it by a recipe in last month’s giveaway book. (Click here for more on the book.) I had all the ingredients on hand and thought it sounded great to use as a veggie dip.

After making it and tasting it, I decided this dip is a ‘must make’ for fall. When the sour cream and chips or cheesy nachos make an appearance during television football, I am enjoying this healthful dip with some veggies or some crisp whole wheat pita chips!

The recipe says red bell peppers, but any color sweet bell pepper will do – I have used yellow or orange as well. I recommend serving this dip warm or at room temperature, and I think my flavorful Penzy’s smoked paprika makes it extra special!

To make :

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Rub the peppers with the coconut oil and put them onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until blistered and blackened in a few places. Transfer the peppers to a bowl and immediately cover it with plastic wrap. Set the covered bowl aside for 10 minutes to give the steam the chance to make the skins remove easily.

Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.

Spread the walnuts on a separate baking sheet and toast for 7 to 10 minutes, watching carefully that they do not burn. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

Remove the peppers from the bowl, and after giving them a chance to cool, slip off their skins and discard them. Remove and discard their stems as well.

Add all the ingredients to a food processor or blender and process to preferred consistency. You may want to leave the dip a little chunky. Season to taste – I used 1/2 tsp fine sea salt.

The end of summer farmer’s markets have some wonderful bell peppers right now! I hope I have inspired you to try this healthful dip or to create one of your own! Enjoy!

Thank you for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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roasted bell pepper walnut dip