Chels’s Favorite Things-
Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow, Massachusetts
A few days ago, Sara and I hopped in my car and took a scenic drive out to Honey Pot Hill Orchard in Stow. If you’re coming from Boston take route 117 because it’s breathtaking this time of year… storybook. My parents actually moved out to Stow over a year ago, so I come out here quite often (I’m actually here now, hehe) so I’m quite familiar with how gorgeous it is, especially this time of year. Fall foliage, farm stands, walking and bike trails up the wazoo… you get the idea. It’s a very New England town and I’m so glad they live here now! Sara and I had been chatting about maybe doing some apple picking or visiting a farm to pick up some really great produce, so last Thursday we did just that.
Although it was a perfect Fall day, we decided to warm up a little with some hot apple cider. PERFECT… and only $1.50, thanks!
We did a little strolling and ran into the below sign which we loved! I also love that there needs to be a sign instructing people to not sit on the pumpkins. Poor little pumpkins!
We also bought cider donuts! I hear the lines for cider donuts here are insane on weekends, but coming on a weekday there wasn’t a line at all! Sara bought 1… I bought 6 
I put the bag of them in my purse and when I got home my entire purse smelled like cinnamon sugar… It actually made me quite happy!
And then we saw some pigs!!! There was a slew of unruly children at the farm that day who were shaking the fence that the pigs were behind like absolute maniacs… grr. Sara and I decided to tell the kids to take it down a notch (or 10)… please do not scare my pigs. I’m sure more than half of these children disobeyed the signs and sat on some pumpkins that day.
As the day went on we decided we didn’t really neeeeed to go apple picking. I had just made apple crisp the night before and I, believe it or not, didn’t really have a need for 10 pounds of apples, so we just strolled around and enjoyed the views and the weather.
Everyone who worked at the farm was so friendly and the prices on the produce were great. I got a couple ears of corn (later added some Parmesan cheese, chili powder and butter…DELICIOUS) and some mini pumpkins for only a couple dollars! I had to ask the lady if she rang everything in, I was so surprised! Honey Pot is also into social media! Another reason to love them! Find them on Twitter and be a fan on facbeook!
Raisin Toast with Cream Cheese This is just highlighting my randomess. But growing up and in high school and college I used to love raisin toast with cream cheese. Recently, for some reason, I had forgotten all about it. I bought a loaf of raisin bread last week and remembered all about this. So for breakfast one day, that is what I had. It took me back to 1999… and I partied 
Kidding. But it’s a great combo that I won’t be forgetting about anymore!
Moroccan-Style Acorn Squash
Last Wednesday night I made Moroccan-Style Stuffed Acorn Squash for dinner. I learned so much while making this and experimented with some ingredients I’ve never used. Which is why it’s one of my favorite things this week. Hooray for learning and experimenting! This is just a sneak peak, so stay tuned for the full recipe tomorrow. Pretty sure you’ll all want to make it because it’s so perfect for this time of year!
Sues’s Favorite Things-
Birthday dinner at the Top of the Hub
Last week my parents took me to the Top of the Hub for my birthday. I didn’t photograph all the food because I wanted to just relax and enjoy my dinner, but it was SO good. I don’t understand why the Top of the Hub has a not so fabulous reputation when it comes to food. I had such an amazing dinner (we all did) and the service was nearly perfect. Also, I’ve always loved the Top of the Hub’s bar; they make basically anything you want, but also have an incredible drink menu. For my dinner, I had the Furukake Crusted Tuna Steak with crispy noodle cake, diakon sprouts, shitake mushroom, soybean salad, Singapore curry, and shandong sauce. I am seriously drooling just thinking about how good it was! And check out the views below! The Top of the Hub is located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center, so it’s absolutely beautiful.
And they even do special to-order birthday cakes! Not many places actually do something like this and it was such a nice surprise. Also, they don’t actually sing happy birthday, which made me quite happy because I hate being sung to at restaurants!
I feel like I’ve had a billion birthday celebrations; it’s all been soo nice! And I still have one one more tomorrow night with Sara! I’m sure it will be another fabulous dinner!
Dannon Light and Fit Pineapple Coconut Yogurt-
Believe it or not, I’m not one of those people who gets crazy excited over yogurt. In general, I could go without, but I do try to eat it because I know it’s healthy for me. I’ve been into it a little bit more as I’m really like Stonyfield Oikos and Chobani’s Greek yogurts. But they’re a bit pricey, so I don’t eat them every day. Anyway, I just discovered Light and Fit’s Pineapple Coconut Yogurt and it’s seriously the best flavor ever! It only has 80 calories and is a perfect snack/dessert. Yay for finding an alternative to Greek yogurt that I really enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Is there anyone in this world who doesn’t love pumpkin spice coffee?? I was sipping on one from Starbucks the other day and just felt so perfectly autumn-like. Obviously you know about my total obsession with all things pumpkin, but I’m pretty sure coffee makes me the happiest come this time of year. I’m not super into lattes, but I love pumpkin flavored coffee.
Honestly, I’ll take a Starbucks dark roast with 2 pumps of pumpkin spice any time, but it’s not really my favorite. I don’t love the syrup and prefer the already flavored coffee, like Green Mountain’s Pumpkin Spice. It’s the perfect strength and makes me so happy on a nice brisk day.
[Chels and Sues]
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Chels- I feel you on the orchard lovefest but cannot believe Jason and I failed to get cider donuts. And I mean FAILED. That said, we went with necessary apples and I’ve made a pie, apple-stuffed acorn squash, applesauce and just eaten slices with sharp cheddar.
Sues- I’m so happy you had such a fun birthday (CUTE shot of you two with Mom and Dad) and great tip on that spiced coffee. Starbucks is a little too topheavy for me.
This might sound like a stupid question, but where can I find the Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice coffee? Does it have to be ordered online??
honey pot hill is fanastic! i need to get there, asap, hopefully without a million screaming kids.
and sues, you know how i feel about the pumpkin. even if i’m boycotting stop&shop in coolidge for their lack of it!
HAHAHA chelsee, we were so the same person last week- our roadtrip to honeypot was awesome, but i also had squash overload and rediscovered my love for for cinnamon raisin toast with cream cheese! wtf?!?! too funny!!!
I love Top of the Hub! I’ve been there as well and have had FANTASTIC service! I guess it gets a bad rep because it’s a tourist place, but the food and atmosphere are so delightful!
Hi kimz! Not stupid at all! I’ve seen it in grocery stores like Market Basket before… I couldn’t find it in Stop and Shop last week, but I’ll be keeping my eye out for it and let you know if I see it anywhere else. Also, they serve it at Bruegger’s, so if you’re just looking to grab a cup, that’s the place to go!
I’m glad you got a birthday cake with YOUR name on it AND, your own party… we’re just, as usual, sorry we had to miss it
And you’re right about Top of the Hub: We always have great service and awesome food.
New England in the fall is the best! Looks like fun!
I haven’t been to the Top of the Hub yet but I’m glad to hear the food is excellent. I’m sure the view is amazing too!
So many great things to love. The bday cake looks really fantastic too.
Is that a coffee on my couch??????????
Great post girls, I haven’t been to a pumpkin patch in forever. Also I’m going to have to try that Pumpkin Spice coffee it looks good.