OSCAR ATE MY MUFFIN

Wicked Wonderful Autumn (Part 5)

Well, friends, it's happened... we've reached the end of our Wicked Wonderful Autumn-Inspired week of posts (brought to you by the letter "W"!)... It's been a JOY to work on this series (and reminisce about some of our favorite parts of the season), and we couldn't think of a more appropriate way to close out this project than to hunker down in front of one of Oscar's favorite things in the ENTIRE WORLD and settle into a good, well-deserved snooze. There's just no denying it - as a November drizzle starts to fall outside (and it actually is doing that, right this minute... ugh) the Warmth of a Woodstove is damn hard to beat.

Till next time, dear readers - we wish you bright days ahead and hope you find plenty of ways to appreciate your own highlights of the season, anytime, anywhere, and any season in which you see them.

Wicked Wonderful Autumn (Part 4)

Today's autumn-inspired feature (brought to you by the letter "W"!) needs little introduction - here on the East Coast we only wait all year for sweater weather! (if only Oscar were as big a fan as I am of accessorizing - winter would see him wrapped up in neck scarves like a Siberian prince!) 

*Before one makes a crack about toggle-jackets for creatures without the thumbs to work them, the Beast and I would like to remind everyone that not all canine clothing is silly and superfluous - there are a legitimate number of dogs out there with natural coats not befitting for their environment, and for these pups, a barrier against the elements, or simple added layer of warmth, can mean the difference between an uncomfortable dash around the block or a more pleasant, extended stroll (and when it comes to the deep dark depths of winter, every extra minute in the sunshine and fresh air helps). So if your companion is a sleek-coated, low body fat, sensitive soul, don't hesitate to help a critter out - zip, button or velcro him or her up into some Woolly Wear and get outside!

Wicked Wonderful Autumn (Part 3)

We all have that one friend... you know - that easy-going, good looking guy or gal who charms everyone they meet, is always excited to see you, and spends their summers in well-traveled fashion somewhere in the French Alps. For Oscar, that friend is Meeko (and yeah, he really does spend his summers in the Alps!).

Not only is Meeko a pretty terrific dude, he also has the distinction of being one of a select few dogs with whom Oscar has successfully vacationed. Oscar is a reasonable beast, of course, but he has his ways, and it isn't often that he meets another canine whose personal style seems to naturally diffuse all potential for territoriality, while simultaneously inspiring a laughable amount of play bows... for these qualities, Meeko is the MAN in our book. The two of them together made famous roomies for one outstanding fall weekend this year, and when the cool New England air got under their skin, and the woodland scents of the season piqued their drive, the romping and wrestling round the house began... and it. was. joyful.

For this third post in our week-long autumn highlight reel, we celebrate all those besties who make an already great day 100 times more fun: Here's to you, Meeko-boy, we can't wait to share the mountain trails and woodstove vibes with you on our next retreat.

Wicked Wonderful Autumn (Part 2)

Summer is a season of cool fruits, cold salads, and those weird cousins of soup that never touch a stove. We crave chilled meals to counter the heat on our skin, and combat what feels like constant dehydration... but when a bite returns to the air and our bodies start the game change to warming up without the help fo the sun, it's no surprise that our bellies snap out of their produce-nourished summer cleanse and start grumbling for BTU-fueling CARBS. Like bears getting ready for a long winter nap, a dietary autumn shift towards rib-sticking comfort food just feels right... why fight it??

A month or so ago, on a long September weekend spent in a chilly farmhouse, a best friend started whipping together Sunday breakfast before the Saturday dinner dishes had yet been cleared. Her preparation was ninja-swift and went largely unnoticed, but by morning everyone in the house was prompted from bed by the unmistakable - and impossible to ignore - smell of WAFFLES.

To Oscar's horror, I am not a huge fan of breakfast batter cakes, but... as evidenced by this post - these waffles were seriously something else. Their secret? Yeast in the batter, and 8 hours of quiet resting (and rising) before cooking. If you're in possession of a waffle iron and you haven't yet tried overnight waffles - it's time, my friends, IT'S TIME.

The original recipe followed above was from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything, and it's delightful enough - I'm not the first to post it online (though I might be the first to illustrate it). And so, without further adieu, here's the "how-to" for Wait For It (overnight) Waffles!


STEP 1: Before going to bed, combine the dry ingredients and stir in the milk, then the butter and vanilla. The mixture will be loose. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside overnight at room temperature.

STEP 2: Brush the waffle iron lightly with oil and preheat it. Separate the eggs and stir the yolks into the batter. Beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Stir them gently into the batter.

STEP 3: Pour batter onto the waffle iron and bake until the waffle is done, usually 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your iron. Serve immediately or keep warm for a few minutes in a low oven.

Makes: 4 to 6 servings
Time: 8 hours or more, largely unattended

Wicked Wonderful Autumn (Part 1)

Kicking off this first feature, from a whole week (stay tuned!) of autumn-inspired posts (brought to you by the letter "W"!) we'd be remiss if we didn't launch out of the gate directly into the changing leaves of the New England deciduous forest. Because let's be honest - there's nothing quite like it.

Oscar always adores a good stroll through the woods, but the transformation that takes place this time of year - the one that warms even the chilliest air with the glow of cadmium orange and schoolbus yellow, and that fills your nostrils with the sweet, earthy scent of decaying vegetation - it's a scene that makes us both honest to goodness okay with the passing of summer. You know the feeling, and you can't help but love it. We'll take "Wandering Woods Walks" FTW.