If stoves can be sexy- that's one sexy stove!

Big event in the deMars household- I got a new stove! I absolutely LOVE it! I can't take credit for calling it sexy- that would actually have been my mother in law- which makes it all the more funny! Our oven was on a downward spiral and I did not want to waste any time getting a new appliance. I made that mistake with our Seattle home and had to buy new appliances two weeks before the house went on the market and didn't even get to enjoy them! SO- live and learn! And LIVE I did! This range is sweet! It is a gas convection with a warming oven! It has 5 burners- complete with griddle! It has a meat probe and quick boil and simmer settings! I am breaking it in with a roasted chicken- smells fantastic!

Startin' 'em young!

Adam has already met enough friends to host a fairly regular poker night at our place... even Gav is getting in on the action! Will Gavin be the youngest to play at the final table of the World Series of Poker?

Comfort Food- Roasted Pork Loin with Fingerling Potatoes

There is something about the way you feel when your home has the fragrance of something delicious roasting in the oven. Tonight I am roasting a pork loin with fingerling potatoes, leeks, carrots, celery and onion. The aroma is captivating- makes you want to grab a blanket, a glass of wine and curl up and read a good book. You feel at home.

Roasted vegetables:
10-15 Fingerling potatoes
1 Celery Stalk- chopped in three large pieces
6 Carrots- peel carrots and cut into three pieces
1 Leek- chopped
1 Spanish Onion- quartered
¼ c Melted Butter
3 Tbls Olive Oil
Three Sprigs Thyme Leaves
Salt & Pepper

Toss vegetables in melted butter, olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for 20 minutes in large roasting pan at 425.

Pork Roast:
2 ½ lb Pork Loin Roast- Center Cut
3 Tbls Dijon mustard
2 Garlic Cloves- minced
2 Tbls Thyme Leaves
2 Tbls Fresh Rosemary Sprigs- chopped
2 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Tbls Kosher Salt
1 Tsp Black Pepper

Mix ingredients together- brush on roast- let sit for 20 minutes while vegetables are roasting.

Place roast on top of vegetables and put back in oven and continue to roast until center of roast registers 150- about 45-55 minutes.

Remove Roast- cover with foil and let sit for 15 minutes while vegetables continue to roast in oven.

Slice Pork and place on platter with roasted vegetables.

A weekend in pictures...

I could not resist the urge to carve an Obama Pumpkin- it's true - I am a democrat!  Barack the Vote!

What else would Gavin be for Halloween other than a beagle!?!  I do not consider myself crafty but odd things happen to you when you have children.  I came to this realization Thursday evening, when I was sitting on the couch watching Grey's Anatomy while trying to hand sew the tail. I simply thought to myself- "oh wow, I'm making a freakin' dog costume!"  
Adam raked up all the leaves in our backyard - filled up 12 large compost bags- wasn't that just super fun for him!?!
One of my old WWU roommates came for a visit this weekend. Melissa is living in Washington DC so she made the short trip up to NY to spend the Halloween weekend with us. We spent Saturday afternoon up in Saratoga Springs. Saratoga is awesome- sort of a cross between Bellingham's Fairhaven and NYC's Greenwich Village.  
Mel and I down by the Hudson River.
Ok, so Albany does have its charm.  As you've seen from prior posts- I've basically made a strong case for the Northeast Fall.  Just as an August day in Seattle clinches the best summer weather award- the Northeast Fall beats Northwest fall hands down.  Today was just a quintessential fall day- extremely crisp air, gorgeous foliage and all this witnessed with great friends. We spent an hour or so walking around by the river front and taking some photos of this beautiful day.

I know all people think their kids are cute- but holy crap - he's cute!