Fall’s Finest Cheeses

Plus, a guide to Beacon NY & a farmhouse update!

Oct 11, 2024

Hello from the local bookstore. I’m sipping a London fog and feeling like I’m in an episode of Gilmore Girls. Safe to say, I’m happy with this move. We can revisit this sentiment in the depths of winter, but for now I’m enjoying this new chapter very much. I realized I missed a week with the newsletter, I’ve been busy up here creating content in my new kitchen, on the continuous hunt for furniture and chipping away at my third cookbook. I’ve been starting the day with long walks outside and the mornings are starting to get a bit chilly. It’s a refreshing way to wake up!

Now that we are fully in fall season, I wanted to share my favorite autumnal cheeses. Fall makes me crave flavor notes of smoke, maple and cider. A fall cheese plate should make you feel cozy, like sitting next to a bonfire on a crisp evening. Here are some cheeses to try!

Smoked Cheeses: Common varieties of smoked cheese include smoked gouda, smoked cheddar, and smoked mozzarella. The smoking process adds a rich, savory, and sometimes mildly sweet or earthy taste depending on the type of wood used, such as hickory, mesquite, or applewood.

Favorites: Plymouth Smoked Cheddar, Red Apple Smoked Mozzarella, Roth Smoked Gouda

smoked mozzarella paired with salami and dried apricots

Maple Cheeses: This typically refers to cheese that has been infused or flavored with maple syrup, giving it a sweet, slightly caramelized taste. The combination of savory cheese and sweet maple creates a unique balance that is both rich and smooth, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy sweet-and-savory pairings.

Favorites: LaClare Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese, Vermont Farmstead Maple Cheddar, Grafton Village Cheese Maple Smoked Cheddar

Cider-Washed Cheeses: This style of cheese has been regularly bathed or washed with apple cider during its aging process. This washing adds a slightly tangy, fruity, and sometimes sweet flavor, with a hint of the cider’s fermented notes.

Favorites: Cowgirl Creamery Hop Along, Wegmans Apple Cider Cheese

Farmhouse Updates

I decided to start a new series on Instagram called Farmhouse Friday, where I’ll be sharing the home decorating process! Besides the fact that an entire section of my couch went missing in the mail (we figured it out,) everything is coming along nicely.

First up is my bedroom. As a recovering minimalist who insisted everything should be white in my NYC apartment, I opted for more earthy tones like a beige comforter and a pastel carpet with dark wood accents. My bed and chair really make the room feel like a luxury hotel. I’ve never had space for a king-sized bed, and this Sixpenny frame is like a giant soft pillow. I also love the woodworking details on the chair. I might move it to the living room depending on how that comes together, but we’ll see!

Here are links to all of the items above!

A Guide to Beacon, NY

Last weekend I met some friends in Beacon and had such a great time. It’s only an hour outside of NYC, accessible by train and the main street is lined with the cutest shops. Here are some of my recommendations for a day trip!