Comforting Recipes for Cool Autumn Evenings

Now that fall weather is back, you likely have the urge to spend a whole lot more time in the kitchen. There are few things more relaxing than whipping up something warm and homemade on a chilly evening, and these fall-ready recipes are perfect for those cold nights at home at The Marq on Voss!

Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie [myrecipes.com]
Everyone knows that the best part of any pie is the flaky crust, and this unique recipe offers twice the amount of crust. It’s filled with tender, boneless chicken breast, flavorful herbs and spices, and lots of fresh veggies, but it’s that extra-thick crust that really takes the cake — or, rather, the pie.

Beef and Barley Stew with Mushrooms [thekitchn.com]
Old-fashioned beef stew will likely make you reminiscent for family dinners as a child, but this updated recipe adds a gourmet touch to the tried-and-true classic. Because there’s a lot of room for substitutions and additions, this is a great one to try when you haven’t made it to the grocery store.

Fannie Farmer's Classic Baked Macaroni & Cheese [food.com]
If you’re the type of person who gets excited at the mere mention of mac and cheese, this baked version is a must-try this fall season. Plus, adding a crispy breadcrumb crust on top makes this decadent dish even more delicious.

Extraordinary Dessert Recipes Using Fall’s Favorite Crop, Apples!

You love apples, but you’re getting a bit tired of making the same apple pie year after year. Luckily, fall’s favorite fruit is incredibly versatile, making it easy to create all kinds of different desserts with apples. Here are three great options perfect for your next dinner party or even just a cozy Sunday afternoon.

Spicy Apple Cake [allrecipes.com]
If you’re looking for a recipe that pairs perfectly with your morning coffee, this one is a great option. This moist cake is packed with two cups of Gala apples,plus cinnamon and nutmeg, giving it a flavor that’s undeniably autumnal. Add a creamy cinnamon frosting on top and this will quickly become one of your go-to dessert recipes.

Souffled Apple Pancake [foodandwine.com]
For something a bit more elegant and unique, this souffled pancake will impress even the most cultured dinner guests. It’s inspired by similar old-fashioned German recipes, and it makes just as great a breakfast as it does a dessert. Simply top with your favorite maple syrup and enjoy!

Spiked Apple Crisp Shooters [bettycrocker.com]
When you need a dessert recipe that’s good for a large group of adults, single-serving dessert shooters are always a good idea. Tart apples give them a great fall flavor, while butterscotch schnapps, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle make them taste truly decadent, despite their small size.

Try These Rustic Apple Tart Recipes This Weekend

Instead of making your tried-and-true apple pie recipe for your next fall gathering, you may want to get a bit creative and experiment with an elegant apple tart instead. Although this dessert looks fancy, there are a number of different ways to cater it to all different levels of baking expertise. Here are three tasty tarts to try this weekend.

French Apple Tart [foodnetwork.com]
Nothing compares to the art of French baking, and this gorgeous apple tart is proof of just that. Ina Garten tops her usual light, fluffy pastry crust with a layer of Granny Smith apples and bakes it to perfection to create a simple tart with a truly unique flavor.

Rustic Apple Tart [foodandwine.com]
If you want to create a tasty tart but don’t have much patience when it comes to baking, this is the tart for you. The crust is perfectly flaky and doesn’t require hours of chilling like many pie crusts do, and the layer of apricot preserves creates an unexpected flavor to complement the apples.

Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce [epicurious.com]
Although many tarts are light and simple, this recipe uses warm caramel and a sturdy pie crust to create a more dense, filling dessert. Browning the apples in the oven also gives it a caramelized flavor that is ideal for fall.

Craving Cookies? Try These Shortbread Recipes Tonight!

With a simple, three-ingredient recipe and Scottish origins, shortbread cookies are an incredibly popular dessert. Today, there are a number of different ways to prepare this buttery, crumbly cookie, each providing a different take on the classic recipe. Here are three unique shortbread cookie recipes.

Super-Easy Shortbread [Food.com]
If you don’t have much time to bake or you simply want to create a more traditional style of shortbread, this is a great recipe to try. It uses the standard ingredients of butter, sugar, and flour, and the golden color around the edges makes each cookie taste perfectly browned.

Shortbread Cookies Recipe & Video [Joy of Baking]
If you’re a more visual learner, this video recipe will show you exactly how to prepare rich shortbread cookies for your friends and family. It also includes a chocolate dipped version that teaches you how to create a semisweet chocolate coating on one half of the cookie.

Great-Aunt Annie’s Traditional Shortbread [Martha Stewart]
Martha Stewart’s classic shortbread recipe uses higher quality versions of the usual staple ingredients. Unsalted butter, confectioner’s sugar, and cake flour give this cookie recipe a rich taste and a pie-like shape that’s cut into wedge pieces.

No trash pick up on Monday

***REMINDER***

There is NO DOORSTEP TRASH PICK-UP

On Monday, September 7th

(Labor Day)

Pick-up will resume on the next regularly scheduled pick-up day.

Please do not leave your trash outside your door on the days there is no pick-up.

If you have trash during this time, please take it to the trash area.

Remember all trash must be inside a container for collection. Trash bags set directly on the ground are not acceptable.

Thank you

Creative Takes on Classic Peanut Butter and Jelly for Adults

Do you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but you’re worried about the strange looks you’ll get from your friends when you pull one out at a party? Don’t be! With these fun and fancy recipes for adult PB&Js, you can enjoy the treat in style.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie [cookingchanneltv.com]
This sweet and nutty pie is the ideal dessert for any social gathering. The classic flavor of fruit jelly perfectly mingles with a peanut butter and cream cheese filling, while a whipped cream topping is just the icing on the cake.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars [chow.com]
Guests of all ages will love these peanut butter and jelly dessert bars, which are made with a browned oat crust and thick strawberry jam for a hearty taste that’s the perfect grown-up version of your childhood favorite.

PB&J Cocktail [delish.com]
If you want to add a really adult twist to the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, this PB&J cocktail is a lively and exciting choice. Although the two flavors seem like an unlikely pairing with alcohol, once you taste them with aged rum you’ll certainly become a believer. Line the rim with salted peanuts for a truly authentic taste.

How to Create an Orderly (Yet Still Stylish!) Kitchen

Want your kitchen to look stylish — without giving up its functionality? It is possible to make your kitchen both chic and tidy, and these smart tips will help you to get started on your kitchen re-do.

  • Add open shelving. Take the doors off of your kitchen cabinets to store attractive plates and bowls in a way that doubles as a design feature. The more eclectic the better, so mix and match to your heart’s content.
  • Take advantage of countertops. Store the items that you use most in attractive jars along the countertops. Use mason jars or colorful containers to store utensils, coffee, and even dried pasta.
  • Add magnetic strips. Use magnetic strips to keep knives on display against the wall, or use them to organize metal spice containers.
  • Purchase hanging rods. Most home goods stores sell rods that come with numerous S-shaped hooks that you can use to hang things like can openers, measuring cups, and even coffee mugs.
  • Add artwork as a backsplash. Create your own unique backsplash by stacking vintage frames or colorful prints against the wall.
  • Use Lazy Susans. Lazy Susans are some of the most essential items for organizing a smaller kitchen. Use them for spice jars, baking supplies, smaller glassware, and anything else that you can’t easily reach.

How to Style Kitchen Countertops [The Everygirl]
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets [Better Homes and Gardens]
Why Didn't We Think of That? 18 Genius Kitchen Organizing Tips from Our Readers [The Kitchn]

Read All About It: Nifty Ways to Reuse Old Magazines and Newspapers

You love reading magazines and newspapers, but you don’t love having to throw them out after you’re done reading. Instead of tossing out your old reading materials, use these creative tips for making something new and exciting out of your favorite periodicals.

Starburst Clock [happinessisblog.com]
Use this surprisingly simple DIY project to make a gorgeous mid-century modern-inspired clock that actually works. Simply roll the pages of magazines into small tubes, string them together using sturdy twine and attach some attractive hands to the center.

Recycled Gift Bows [craftingagreenworld.com]
Instead of purchasing pre-made gift bows for birthdays or holidays, make your own out of colorful magazine or newspaper pages. Cut the paper into strips, do some crafty folding, and glue it together to create a bow that looks just like the ones from the store.

Woven Magazine Basket [niftythriftythings.com]
Weave a cute and quirky basket by folding the pages into accordion shapes and securing them with a bit of string. These can be used to hold knick knacks or brighten up an empty shelf.

Nail Art [fashionandpoise.blogspot.com]
Press old newspaper pages onto your fingernails for a unique manicure that you won’t find at the nail salon. All it takes is some nail polish, rubbing alcohol, and a few pages from an old newspaper.

Houston’s Most Popular Independent Coffeehouses

Though Texas is known more for its barbecued meats than its coffee beans, Houston’s many independent coffeehouses are surely starting a new dialog in the area. Check out these two great Houston coffee shops and taste a cup for yourself.

Boomtown Coffee
This artisan coffee roaster and retailer aims to unite the world’s coffee growers with the coffee drinkers, and it does this by developing relationships with growers and importers from around the world. Each small batch of coffee is roasted on-site daily, and the selection always includes favorites from a number of different countries. Boomtown Coffee’s welcoming, relaxing cafe also offers a full food menu of items made with local ingredients to pair with your perfect cup of joe.

Catalina Coffee
Houston’s Catalina Coffee brews coffee from Amaya Roasting Co., a local roaster that uses only responsible, fair trade practices and the finest ingredients. The shop itself is located in Houston’s Sixth Ward neighborhood and offers a cozy, rustic feel with dim lighting and a few tables scattered about. It’s not uncommon to see people sharing a fresh pastry and a Chemex of coffee with a friend, though because the shop doesn’t offer Wi-Fi, this isn’t the best choice to catch up on work.

Challenge Your Brain With the Four Glasses Puzzle

First published in the "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American magazine way back in 1979, the Four Glasses Puzzle continues to stump even the greatest minds. Using logic skills and mathematical thinking, this word puzzle is meant to improve your reasoning in a fun, challenging way.

The puzzle is also known as the “Blind Bartender’s Problem” because it envisions a fictional bartender. Four glasses are placed on each corner of a square lazy Susan, with some turned upright and some upside down. A blindfolded bartender is then asked to rearrange the glasses so that they are either all facing up or all upside down. The lazy Susan is rotated over and over again, and the same bartender is allowed to feel only two of the glasses after each rotation to determine which to flip over in order to ensure that they are all facing the same way after a finite number of turns. Once they are all facing the same way, a bell rings.

Can you develop an algorithm to ensure that the bell rings after five turns? Check your answer here!

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