Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's tablescape has gone to the dogs! 😉

They won't do a trick, but love their treats! 

Pumpkin Kisses and Harvest Wishes

Each year we seem to find more and more pumpkin products available in stores and restaurants. Aside from the old standards like pumpkin pie and bread, it seems a cinnamon-spicy blend is added to everything and called "pumpkin". Now to be fair, there is actually a kiss of the orange squash in a few of them. A couple of friends and I went to lunch Friday and afterward stopped in a Trader Joe's. While poking up and down the aisles, I saw pumpkin flavored tea, coffee, ice cream, cream cheese, yogurt, cereal, bars, butter, dog treats, salsa,  cookies, caramel corn and chocolates. I'm sure I am neglecting other items! 

I came home with these pumpkin products. 

We have sampled the bars and each had a cookie. I have to say that they are delicious! We have had pumpkin butter in the past and always enjoyed it. We are certain to enjoy these items throughout the remainder of the fall.

I found some interesting facts online.

Did you know?

Pumpkins are low in calories and fat, while high in fiber. They're good sources of vitamins A and B, potassium, protein and iron.

Most pumpkins are grown in IL. In fact, more than 90% of the crops come from that state. Have you ever seen "Grown in IL" stamped on your canned pumpkin label? Now you know the reason. By the way, OH, PA and CA also grow them.

Collectively, over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown in the US each year.

The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighted 2,020 pounds! 

About 80% of all pumpkins ripen and are picked in the month of October.

An average pumpkin contains about 500 seeds!

Every part of the pumpkin is edible. If you're wondering about if that includes the stem...it does!

What are your favorite pumpkin products?

I send you pumpkin kisses and harvest wishes today! 

Enjoy Life's Simple Pleasures

Life is hectic, but enjoying simple pleasures can be very therapeutic. In my opinion, getting out to see the changing leaves is one of those simple pleasures!

Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

fluttering from the autumn tree.

                                                                -Emily Bronte

A Bushel of Mums

A few weeks ago I picked-up this bushel mum at my favorite local produce stand. The enormous plant came in the basket and was featured on a weekend sale. The buds have all started opening and we're enjoying the burst of color!

It seemed a welcoming addition to the porch.

May your day be filled with bushels of blessings!

Cranberry Cake

I've mentioned before that one of my friends gifts me with a Taste of Home Simple and Delicious subscription each Christmastime. The current issue recently arrived and I happened to find the following dessert recipe. Since we'll all be thinking of Thanksgiving preparations before we know it, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because we like it!

Cranberry Cake with Almond-Butter Sauce

3 T butter, softened

1 cup sugar*

1 cup milk

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

sauce:

1/2 cup butter, cubed

1 cup sugar* 

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 tsp. almond extract

Preheat over to 350 degrees and grease an 8 inch square pan. Beat butter and sugar until crumbly. Beat in milk. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the butter mixture. Stir in cranberries and transfer to prepared pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

sauce:

In a pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar and cream. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in extract. Serve warm with cake. 

* I reduced the amount of sugar since it seemed excessive and I was still satisfied with the results.

This cake has a heavy texture and the contrast of the tart cranberries and the almond flavor is pleasing. I shared some of it and froze the remainder since I will be providing a meal to someone in the near future. 

If you try it, let me know what you think!

Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's tablescape is short and sweet. I have been on-the-go all day and just now have had an opportunity to take a few pictures.

Since I see a little more fall color in the woods, I had to incorporate autumn elements today. I recently layered my tiered stand, so decided to use it (click here to revisit that recent post).  

Who-ooo wouldn't love my vintage owl salt and pepper shakers? They belonged to Great Grandma Snook and were a part of her extensive  collection, which my sister and I loved seeing when we visited her.

A simple place setting was all I needed. By the way, the brown napkins were a bridal shower gift a long time ago and I still enjoy using them! The yellow glass plates were a gift from a lovely friend (see the story here).

If you join us for dinner, you'll need to bring your own water bottle since I didn't include glasses! 😉

Happy evening, all!

Something to Crow About

Have you noticed the abundance of scarecrow décor this season? Although always a part of autumn decorations, they seem to be especially plentiful this year. I've personally spotted affordable examples of these little field mannequins when I have dashed in and out of stores (and I'm not a big shopper!). Mine came from the dollar store a few years ago and they still carry them. You may recall that I used him in my large antiqued lantern in the past and the same is true this year, as you can see.

I have a string of mini lights hidden beneath the excelsior in the base of the lantern.

I recently read a wonderful article about scarecrows in our lives. The author likened worry to scarecrows and that seemed a meaningful analogy to me.  He pointed out that while these straw-stuffed decoys scare away birds, they're actually powerless on their own. The wind blows them and that frightens the birds, but in and of themselves, scarecrows can't do anything to hurt the feathered friends.  Likewise, many of the concerns we clutch seem to be quite real...but aren't. Even so, they may make us so unnerved that we flee. The author implored us not to allow scarecrows to scare us or make us hide since that would cause us to miss out on a crop of joy! 

In John 14:27 it tells us..."Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

One of these little guys or gals would look cute perched on a tabletop or even a mantel (I used a small one last autumn; click here to see that post). Do you have any decorative scarecrows in your fall decorations?

Remember not to let the other scarecrows in your life get the best of you because that's something to crow about! 

Fall Inspiration

Missouri Botanical Garden, in St. Louis, is a spectacular place to visit during any season and I'm inspired each time we go. My parents and I stopped there and loved the fall décor at the entrance. Even this simple planter has beautiful colors grouped together. I plan to emulate this look next year.

The pumpkins and gourds look very festive piled on top of straw bales. It's nothing elaborate, but so pleasing to see.

What inspires you?

Have a blessed fall weekend.

I wish you pumpkin spice and everything nice! 

A Tiny Treat

Early this morning when I took out our little dogs, I found this feathered friend on the patio. I'd imagine the poor thing had a close- encounter with the window since it was sitting still and appeared a bit stunned. 

Golden crowned kinglets turn a drab olive color in the colder months.

I was instantly struck by its size and the yellow stripe on its head. This was a tiny bird and so sweet! Of course, I had to dash for my phone so that I could snap a picture since I couldn't readily identify it.

After consulting my dog-eared bird books, I was still a little stumped. Next, I looked online and that's when I stumbled upon a free bird app. In case you're interested, it's called Cornell Lab Merlin and it's pretty slick. You are able to enter characteristics of the bird you're attempting to identify and they offer you possible choices by picture and description based on the region in which you reside. Although it did not happen to help me to determine this particular feathered friend, I think it's a good app and I feel sure it would be helpful most of the time. As it turns out, I believe this unique bird is a kinglet and it  passes through our area in the autumn. Aside from the hummingbird, it's the smallest migrant we have. Arriving by late September, these guys hang around until springtime before moving on their way. Related to warblers and gnatcatchers, kinglets are about 3.5 inches long. 

After studying our feathered friend this morning, I opened the door very slowly and, thankfully, it flew off in perfect condition. I am very hopeful that this little one will remain in our yard and you can be sure that I'll be watching for kinglets all winter now! Seeing (and learning about) this a little kinglet this morning was a tiny treat!

An Autumn Vignette

When a mirror is involved, taking a picture is always tricky! That was my experience today when I tried capturing the dining room buffet. 

The reflections of the clock, table and chairs are a bit distracting.The phrase above the buffet is wall art. The dining room centerpiece appears to be "sprouting up" behind the glass jar. It, of course, actually sits on the table.

 

 

 

 

 

You certainly recognize my large glass jar. I fill it seasonally and have used it in all rooms of the house. For now, it's filled with oversized metallic acorns.

My stack of pumpkin plates add a pop of autumn color.

Don't forget to use natural elements when you decorate. Pine cones, dried grasses and feathers, for example, all add interest and texture. Especially this time of year, I often find things outside to use inside. I found these faux feathers at Michaels on sale, though,  and they do the trick. Coupled with dried weeds, they achieve the look I wanted.

Is it looking like fall where you live?

Tuesday's Tablescape

With such an awesome autumn day, it's fitting to enjoy dinner on the patio. While dinner is in the oven, I set the table.

 I borrowed the centerpiece from the dining room.

I stacked my green and yellow plates before adding leaf bowls on top. (The bowls come in four different colors.)

Today is the definition of perfect autumn weather to me! It's been sunny all day and we reached a high of about 70 degrees. Although we don't have a lot of fall color in the woods, we're enjoying what we do have!

Would you like to join us for dinner?

Curry Vegetable Dip

If you like curry, you may want to try this vegetable dip! While we're still able to grab the last of the season's fresh produce, it's a good time to test it. This recipe was my grandma's and she gave it to me years ago. The card, in her writing, is still in my collection.

Curry Vegetable Dip

1 cup mayonnaise

1 scant teaspoon curry powder

1 8 ounce cream cheese block

onion powder

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Combine all the ingredients until smooth. Chill.

Serve with raw vegetables of your choice. It's 
also good on water crackers.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Tweaking a Basket

When my mother found this basket at a recent yard sale we visited,  she could envision its potential. She said she'd prefer the leaves were a darker color, though, so I offered my help! 

After cleaning and wiping-down the basket, I pulled out the next best thing to spray paint...Rub n' Buff. I love it!

I have posted twice about this great product. Check out those little projects here and here and read a little bit about Rub n' Buff. 
Using the darker color I have (Spanish Copper), I went to work on giving the leaves some depth of color rather than their original gold.

I added some faux apples for display purposes. 

I always find it satisfying to tweak something, especially when it's simple and fast!

Have a blessed day!

Tuesday's Tablescape

Despite the fact that it's a dreary day, we have a bright tablescape! I decided to couple cobalt and orange, which is a combination I've come to love! 

Don't be afraid to pair bold colors! Look at all of the vibrant blends the Lord provides us in everything from autumn leaves to butterfly wings. Even the bittersweet is a perfect example when you notice the fiery red centers surrounded by the warm orange petals.

I love my fresh bittersweet! For decades, my aunt and uncle have scouted, harvested and shared 

their stash with us. It's a fall tradition! 

I felt the green, orange and yellow leaf on the pumpkin plate would relate well to the yellow on the cobalt and yellow dinner plate.

Isn't autumn a wonderful time of year to enjoy bright colors? 🍂

Slow Cooker Fruit Preserve Chicken

This is a new-to-me recipe from my mother. She recently made it and kindly shared. What's easier than a tasty crockpot entrée?

Slow Cooker Fruit Preserve Chicken

1/2 cup apricot or peach preserves

15 oz  Russian dressing (Wish Bone brand)

4 or 5 chicken breasts

1/2 onion, chopped

Place chicken breasts in slow cooker. 

In bowl, place preserves and dressing and mix well before stirring in the chopped onion. Pour over chicken and cook on low setting for 8 hours. 

Goes well with rice and a nice side salad.

The dressing has a little bite and the sweet preserves complement that well to create an appealing blend of flavor. 

My mother prepared oven-baked sweet potato fries and chopped salad with hers. Yum!

Maybe you'd like to try this easy-peasy chicken!

Happy Monday!

Garden Stool Makeover

My parents have a garden stool on their front porch. As you know, it's very popular to use these as a small piece of furniture rather than for actual seating (a stool) and they have theirs nestled between two rockers. The stool was white and my mother recently mentioned that she wanted to make it a new color (my dad has spray painted it a few times in the past for her). We talked it over and decided that it would look good in a trendy metallic color for the cold months. Since I already had some gold paint on hand, I brought it home with me.

This is what it looked like before receiving its new color.

You can see that my cardboard base has been used for multiple spray paint projects as evidenced 

by the "tattoos" ! 😉

This is its new look.

A can of metallic spray paint refreshed this little piece pretty quickly. Back in place, it has an autumn arrangement on top.

We're pleased with the way the new color relates to the caning in their door.

Have a good fall weekend!