We had a very blustery kind of rainstorm here, late last week.
On Saturday morning, I was a little dismayed to wake up and find so many of our beautifully colored leaves had been swept away. The trees are looking very bare.
Last year my daughter was able to get some of the most beautiful foliage photos I’ve ever seen. I think you’ll agree that they’re gorgeous – and well worth a second peek!
To see them, click here for my “Ode to Autumn” post! 😀
Our weather here was pretty miserable on Sunday. It was one of those dark and chilly days when it seems as if the rain will never stop! In short, it was the perfect time to bake something delicious!
I decided on pumpkin bread because I’d been promising Sir Beads I’d make some for a few weeks now. I pulled out the recipe, gathered the ingredients and turned on the oven. Honestly, is there anything more wonderful than a kitchen that’s bursting with the aroma of warm spices? I don’t think so. 😉
Sir Beads began to pace back and forth in front of the oven whenever the football game went to a commercial break. I reminded him that even when it was done, it was still going to have to cool for a bit. He gave me that “Oh, come on now!” kind-of-look, and then rolled his eyes and sighed.
Eventually, his patience was rewarded and after the first bite he proclaimed it to be “excellent”. But, when a man with a sweet tooth marries a lady who loves all things pumpkin – there’s just one little problem . . .
Pumpkin bread doesn’t last very long in this house.
Luckily, I made TWO! 😀
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
2/3 cup butter
2-2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 can pumpkin (15 oz.)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 cup water
3-1/3 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
2/3 cup nuts (small pieces)
2/3 cup raisins (I use more than that as we love raisins.)Directions:
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Add eggs, pumpkin, and water.
Mix flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices – and then add to pumpkin mixture.
Stir in nuts and raisins.
Pour into two greased loaf pans (2 qt. size)
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Years ago, I used to sell a variety of handcrafted items at artisan fairs and craft shows. People would often come to my booth, graciously admire my work, and then confess that they’d love to “make something” too, but didn’t know where to begin and wished there were some quick and easy starting projects available. After hearing this for a while, I took it to heart and began a line of craft kits. Each one included a simple project with clear directions and all of the necessary supplies. I tried to design fairly basic kits in such a way that the finished item would look a bit more difficult than it actually was! 🙂
Since we are now smack dab in the middle of Autumn, I thought you might like to see one of those old patterns. It’s a mini scarecrow. This little guy is only about 6 inches tall! He’s made on a very small craft broom, which you turn into his straw body.
I no longer make the kit, but here’s a list of the supplies you need, along with full-size patterns and directions.
Use one as a focal point on a fall wreath, or make a garland of them to hang over a door! They’d be sweet decorating a napkin ring, or to dress up a hostess gift. You could even wear one as a pin on a coat (or a hat if you dare!).
The mini craft broom needed should be available at your local craft store. It’s important to get the long and skinny style as shown to the left, not a broom that has a short, wide base.
Supplies Needed:
1 mini broom 5”- 6” tall (long/skinny style – see photo)
1 wooden bead (size: 20mm)
Small scraps of felt in brown, orange, yellow
6” piece of “autumn” ribbon for scarf
2 yd piece of fluffy yellow yarn for “straw” hair
fishing line for hanger
Tacky glue
Optional: tiny bird – either from craft store or one can be made from mini pom poms, black felt wings/tail, and yellow felt beak – as seen in photo.
For full-size patterns and instructions, click the link below:
I’ve never met a pumpkin I didn’t like! Seeing them everywhere lately has my mouth watering for all things pumpkin – like pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies! When writing my grocery list earlier, I made sure to include the ingredients I’ll need to bake a couple of loaves of pumpkin bread later in the week . . .
For today though, I want to share a pumpkin recipe that I’ve just discovered. It not only sounds delicious, but has a prep time of just 10 minutes. Ya gotta love that!
This recipe is from the Better Homes and Gardens website, but I’ll include it here for your convenience.
Ok, ttyl. I’m off to add cream cheese to the shopping list. 😉
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Ingredients
· 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
· 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
· 1/4 cup sugar
· 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
· 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Makes 1-1/2 cups (24, 1-tablespoon servings).Serving suggestions:
Spread on bagels, gingersnaps, english muffins, graham cracker sticks, etc.
This year . . . the very humid days at the end of August had me dreaming of Fall, so I started to work on some autumn-inspired jewelry.
Here’s a pair of earrings that I’m calling “Candy Corn”. 😉
I think they have sort of a subtle Autumn/Halloween flavor. Wouldn’t they be pretty with a jacket done in earth tones?
The pumpkin-colored teardrops are vintage lucite, and the very unique “candy corn” beads are Czech glass (currently available in my shop).
As a native New Englander, I fell in love with Autumn at a very early age. They say the foliage in this area is more colorful than in other parts of the country. I don’t know if that’s true . . . but it is breath-takingly beautiful here during the Fall.
Of course, there are so many things to love about this time of year, like apples and cider and pumpkins and mums. 😀 It’s sweater weather, and time to make soup!
On crisp Autumn days, the sky’s more blue; the air more refreshing! It’s a magical time – not too hot . . . not too cold . . . when Mother Nature allows us a last little respite before the icy winds blow.
Happy Fall to us all!
(The pretty “Harvest” card that’s shown above is from etsy artist: FrenchCountry)
