Pumpkin Cheesecake with Walnuts and Gingersnap Crust- Grab your fork!

OK, no sooner did I get off the phone with my mother-in-law to confirm the dishes I will bring down for Thanksgiving this year (PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE at the top of the list!) did I find out that my 3 adorable nephews and niece are each making their own pie for the family.  Soooo cute-  how […]

Creamy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Basil Bechamel

This “Giada Gem” was introduced over 8 years ago to my family’s Thanksgiving table by my Aunt Becky.  Since then, I dust off the recipe every year and puree my butternut squash heart out.  Even though I will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year with my in-laws, this will serve as a little reminder of home, […]

Beer Me…Honey!

For all you Bostonians, check out Great Pumpkin Ale at Cambridge Brewing Co. (1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA).  Pumpkin Ale is flowing on tap and can be purchased by the bottle now until Thanksgiving.  I love that CBC sources organic sugar pumpkins from Wilson Farms in Lexington.  Dip the rim in local honey and you […]

Fall gets tipsy with the Maple Flirt!

This adorable outfit at J.McLaughlin on Charles Street in Beacon Hill, Boston caught my eye.  Not only did this get-up strike visuals of leaf peeping in fur and flannel but it also whet my appetite for a fall elixir that would set a precedent for all things fun, fall and fab!  And thus…the Maple Flirt […]

Tie a scarf like a Hot Italian Woman!

PUMPKIN! I love you…

Brave goes Barefoot and celebrates Fall with Ina Garten’s  Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting and Toffee Crunch! Yields 10 Cupcakes Pumpkin Cupcakes 1 cup all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp kosher salt 2 tsp Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pie Spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp […]