Spiced Sour Cream Peach Pie | Gilmore Girls Coffee Klatch

So, last Wednesday came and went without a coffee klatch post (on my blog, but do check out Chef Sarah Elizabeth's coffee cake muffins and discussion). It was just a bit of a crazy with Halloween on Monday and my birthday on Thursday; most of the week I didn't even know what day it was. But I'm back today to discuss the final episode of Gilmore Girls.

Technically I finished the episode almost 2 weeks ago, but I've watched the episode over no less than 5 times since then. While there was some finality to it, there wasn't quite enough to leave me feeling satisfied. It felt a bit rushed—let's call it open-ended closure (a very fine oxymoron).

Sage and Shallot Roasted Turkey Breast with Apple Cider Gravy

I've mentioned before that I like to roast an extra turkey breast for Thanksgiving or Christmas so that I can guaranted we'll have leftovers, right? Right. Well, this one I actually made the day after Thanksgiving this year because we went to my mom's house and only came home with enough turkey for approximately one large sandwich.

Green Chile Piñon Burgers | In the Blue Hour

Today I'm kicking off a TLC Book Tour for Elizabeth Hall's new novel, In the Blue Hour. The majority of this story is set in beautiful (or so I imagine) Northern New Mexico. For somebody who doesn't like extreme heat, I've always entertained the idea of trying New Mexico on for size—especially after immersing myself in a book dripping with such inviting descriptions of the area.

Elise Brooks lost her husband 8 months ago when, driving her car, sailed off the edge of a cliff. She has been lost in grief and guilt every day since it happened, especially since she saw it happen in a dream almost a month in advance. Even knowing how in-tune Michael and that part of her family were with dreams and the spirit world, she never told him about her dream, because she didn't see him in the car. Now, she can't help blaming herself.

Camotes Enmielados (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes) | #SheMadeEllaHace

Somehow it's been over a year since the last time Leslie and I got together in the kitchen for a round of She Made, Ella Hace. Life has this crazy way of passing by so quickly that you don't realize that you've missed spending time with someone until it hits you like a load of bricks, doesn't it? A lot has happened between then and now, but one really cool thing? Leslie wrote a cookbook! It's called Taqueria Tacos—if you're a taco lover (and who isn't), you should really get your hands on a copy ASAP.

Speaking of time and things missed, since today begins Día de Muertos, we are sharing a couple of traditional recipes that are often served on this day. Leslie made some Classic Café de Olla and I made Camotes Enmielados, or Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes.

Chili Cheeseburgers | Fright Night meets 'Salem's Lot

Welcome to another round of the All Vampire Book and a Movie Challenge! Our assignments this month were Fright Night (the original) and 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King. The connection between these two stories comes in the form of two young men who discover discover and try to fight the vampire(s) that is killing the people in their hometown. Coincidentally, both of their love interests are turned, though with different outcomes, and a once-empty house that is now occupied by a vampire.

Mrs. Lovett's Famous Meat Pies | Sweeney Todd

I have waited an entire month to share these little meat pies with you! Since the Fandom Foodies are celebrating the movies of Tim Burton this month, I knew that I wanted to feature a recipe inspired by the dark, tragic, macabre Sweeney Todd for this month's edition of #FridayPieDay.

I've been a major slacker on the Friday Pie Day front for the past couple of months (though I have shared a few pies on other days), but I think these little meat pies mostly make up for it.

Easy Beetlejuice Truffles | #FoodnFlix

This month's Food 'n Flix pick is the kooky 1988 Tim Burton flick, Beetlejuice! It's a perfect choice for Halloween month, which also happens to be the Fandom Foodies #Burtoween event, hosted by Carrie at Witchy Kitchen. Beetlejuice was released when I was in 7th grade and was my introduction to the dark and magical world of Tim Burton. I mean, aside from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, which I never even realized was TB until recently.

If, for some odd reason, you're not familiar with Beetlejuice, it's the story of Adam and Barbara Maitland, a young couple who dies after their car goes off of a bridge not too far from their home. At first, they don't realize that they've died, since they wind up back in their beloved home. That is, until they realize that nobody else can see them and they stumble upon the Handbook for the Recently Deceased in their attic.

Muffin Bottom Pudding Pie | Gilmore Girls Coffee Klatch

I can hardly believe it, but I only have ONE episode of Gilmore Girls left to watch. I could have watched the series premiere and included it in today's post—it's a mere 38:00 long. However, I wasn't quite ready to be finished, so I'm going to devote next week's coffee klatch to share my thoughts on the way things ended and my overall thoughts on the series.

Bloody Feetloaf (aka Halloween Meatloaf)

With Halloween less than a week away, I thought it would be fun to ask the other Progressive Eats bloggers if they'd join me in putting together a Halloween-inspired menu today. Cute and spooky, orange and black, maybe even kinda gross (that's me!)—I love all of the spirited menu inspiration that surrounds All Hallows' Eve!

Pumpkin Einkorn Muffins | Life After Coffee

Today I'm happy to be hosting a TLC book tours stop for the first novel by Virginia Franken. Centered around 30-something wife, mom, and coffee buyer Amy O'Hara, Life After Coffee delves into the somewhat taboo storyline of a working mom who actually enjoys her life. Amy has a hunky husband (Peter) who takes care of their two young children (Billy, 5 and Violet, 3) while she travels the world in 6-week stretches, sourcing the finest coffee beans and connecting with farmers and is happy to be the sole breadwinner in the family.

Her life tumbles down around her when her boss sells his company due to troubles in the coffee industry and she's left without a job. Peter is only too happy to immediately hand over the reigns so that he can finish the screenplay he's been working on for five years. Hilarity and hijinks ensue as Amy realizes that she really has no idea how to fill the parental role she's been thrust into.

For the Love of Butter Chicken

photo credit: Simi Jois

Words have always had a profound effect on me. Not just the ones that cut and tear, also the ones that build and inspire. For as long as I can remember, people have been asking me the question "why are you crying?". It used to embarrass me, as if I was doing something wrong. I'd apologize and say that I was an emotional person, until I realized that was nothing to apologize for. I am me.

A couple of years ago, in a room full of at least 100 people at a blogging conference, I found myself brought to tears (of the inspiring sort) listening to Monica Bhide's presentation. It wound up being my favorite portion of the entire conference, and I was so happy to have the chance to meet Monica and chat with her briefly later that day.

Ogling Eyes Breakfast | Gilmore Girls Coffee Klatch

I made myself slow down this week. Well, to be perfectly honest, I binged season 6 in a couple of days then made myself stop. I need a season to talk about next Wednesday! But never fear—even if I binge the whole final season this week, I'll fill up the following Wednesdays with more coffee talk and Gilmore Girl inspired recipes, quotes, and clips.

Actually, I'm looking all the way back to Season 1:Episode 19 for today's recipe. I've been craving pancakes something fierce since I haven't been able to press play for the past 5 days. I've been dreaming about Luke's. Or maybe it's just withdrawal. Either way, the mood called for a breakfast that would ogle me.

Easy Mixed Seafood Chowder

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Seafood Nutrition Partnership. All opinions are 100% mine.

Is there anything more comforting than enjoying a bowl of chowder on a cool, crisp day? I'm going to go ahead and answer that question. Nope, nothing is better. Especially if that chowder isn't only comforting, but also healthy, tasty, and best of all–quick and simple to make!

Roasted Carrot and Farro Salad

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Land O'Lakes, Inc. All opinions are my own.

Nothing puts a bounce in my step like the onset of fall. Cool, crisp days replace the oppressive heat, and a sense of renewal fills my body. Cool weather fruits and vegetables bejewel my little part of the Midwest with rich reds, oranges, and gold around every corner. College football, sweaters and sweatshirts, hayrides, the pumpkin patch, corn mazes...I could go on.