Happy HOWL-ween!

Even though our little trick-or-treaters didn't dress up this year (you can see one is recovering from surgery), they still wanted to boo-st your spirits this Howl-ween day! 🎃

A Bit of Randomness

I have a bit of a mishmash to share today! For starters, here is my new friend. Although the hummingbirds have migrated, their feeder is enjoyed each afternoon by this sweet little butterfly. 

This Eastern Comma butterfly prevented my taking apart, cleaning and storing the hummingbird station. It's worth it to enjoy this winged beauty.

I love having cut flowers in the house from early spring until fall's hard frost. These most recent cuttings were snatched before a frost warning a few nights ago. Someone forgot to tell them that it's time for the annuals to begin fading!

Completely unrelated to the nature shots is a product endorsement. I'm likely the last person around to have tried Bar Keepers Friend Foam cleaner. I've used regular Bar Keepers Friend over the years with good results, but never used the foam version. I found it on sale and, on a whim, decided to buy it. I used it on a stubborn sink stain I'd been attacking for quite a while. I used every cleaner I had in the house and many natural concoctions without success. Hurredly, I sprayed Bar Keepers Friend Foam on the troublesome spot and couldn't believe my eyes when it eradicated every bit of it! I highly recommend it...if you aren't already hooked!

How's that for a bit of randomness? 🙂

Tuesday's Tablescape

On such a lovely autumn day, our patio is the perfect place for today's tablescape. 

I'm not a fan of Halloween, but my happy jack-o-lantern and cute candy corn fabric napkins are fun to use.

I hope you're having a nice fall day! 

Zucchini Cakes

If you have a few of the season's last zucchini, I have just the idea for you. This is my mother's recipe and she got it from her mother. I have always loved these zucchini cakes and they are easy-peasy to prepare. Serve them piping hot with a dab of melted butter on top. These flavorful pancake-like creations are sure to round-out your meal of grilled meat and fruit salad, for example.

Zucchini Cakes

1.5 cups grated zucchini (use a hand grater)

1/2 tsp. salt

a few dashes onion powder

1 egg, slightly beaten

Combine all ingredients and allow to sit for a few minutes. Add enough Bisquick mix to create a batter thicker than what you'd make for pancakes. Brown on a hot griddle until cooked through and both sides are golden. Serve hot. Enjoy!

I hope you're having an excellent day!

A Little Fall Decor

I am very behind schedule, but managed to get out a little more fall décor. I have been doing a tiny bit some days before I go to bed. Until last night, it still looked like summertime on our mantel. This looks much more appropriate for this time of year! 

My cousin made this pumpkin for me years ago! I have used it in a variety of ways, but decided to fill it with a fall arrangement for this application.

These stems came from Dollar Tree. The faux cotton, pinecones and cattails aren't too bad for a buck! I wrapped a piece of bark from our birch tree around the vase for a little more rustic look.

This vignette on the kitchen counter shows the walnut treenware I bought this summer at craft camp.

I like to unwind by playing with décor. Maybe I will try to get a little bit more done soon!

Blessings!

National Cookbook Month

I didn't know about National Cookbook Month until several months ago when it was mentioned in something I was reading. No history or background was provided as it was just referenced, so I decided to do a little research. Cookbooks, also known as "cookery books", gained popularity with the arrival of the printing press in the 16th and 17th centuries. American Cookery, the first American collection, was published in 1796. There are books which proceeded that date, of course, and people have always shared their own favorites with family and friends. Like most of you, I have acquired cookbooks over the years. I keep my collection in this cabinet above my planning center where they are easily accessible. The top shelf also contains some yellow envelopes of organized overflow and you will note my recipe box on the second shelf. It was a gift from my cousin while she and I were in high school. It was handmade and she has a matching one! 

I consider one of the best varieties of cookbooks to be those from churches. Typically spiral bound, I have several of those. This is my very first one and was a childhood gift from my sister when I was ten years old.

This one is from my childhood and was published the year I was born. It has so many good recipes and such a variety.

These are oldies, but goodies I received right before I was married. My cousins gave me this one.

While this one was a shower gift from my mother.

My aunt picked-up these little antique cookbooks at their church sale and are so much fun to read.

This is the newest to my collection and was a retirement gift from a friend. It's a beautiful book of Amish recipes.

All of my "cookery books" are special to me. Most were gifts, all have meaning and each and every single one gets used. How about you? Do you have special cookbooks that you use and enjoy? 

Happy National Cookbook Month!

Tuesday's Tablescape

I think the colors and textures of autumn lend themselves nicely to a handsome tablescape, so I had a good time putting together this one.

I literally stumbled upon these plates at Walmart recently while cutting through the appropriate aisle during a quick and purposeful shopping trip. The plaid called my name and I grabbed four of the cuties knowing that they would be perfect for seasonal use.

I already had the pumpkin plates, which are Better Homes and Gardens brand. They came from Walmart a few years ago, but a very similar design is still available there today. I had everything else, including the centerpiece. 

We're promised cooler temperatures later this week and I'm beginning to notice hints of turning leaves here-and-there, so I guess that means it's time for fall tablescapes.

Autumn blessings to you today!🍂

Salad

I recently prepared this salad, which we always enjoy. This recipe first appeared on my blog three years ago, but it's worth repeating. Enjoy!

A friend originally introduced me to this tasty dish years ago.

Italian Tomato Salad

3 or 4 tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1 inch wedges (I sometimes use fresh grape tomatoes instead)

1 large cucumber, seeded and sliced

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup sliced green olives

1 Tablespoon dried basil

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

3 Tablespoons olive oil

salt

ground black pepper

In a bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella and olives. Place basil and lemon juice in a small bowl. Slowly add olive oil, mixing briskly with a whisk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss until combined. Serve immediately.

For a printable version, click here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Shaw Nature Reserve

Sometimes spending a little outside time on a pretty autumn day is not only enjoyable, but therapeutic. We were able to visit Shaw Nature Reserve and it is the perfect place to connect with plants and wild animals.

More than 90 years ago, Missouri Botanical Garden purchased five adjoining farms in the countryside about 40 miles southwest of downtown St. Louis. The acquisition of property allowed them to move plant material which was threatened by polluted city air to a much-cleaner environment, thereby sustaining the botanical specimens. 

Formerly known as Shaw Arboretum, this gem offers visitors the opportunity to take-in prairie, wetland, woodland and glade habitats. You will find a small visitor center, plentiful hiking trails, gardens and the historic Bascom home (which we toured).

Shaw Nature Reserve is open to the public. There is a small admission free, but there is no charge if you hold a MO Botanical Garden membership. If you are in the area, I recommend spending a little time in the peace and tranquility of God's great creation!

Finally...Fall!

I finally decorated my solarium fireplace for fall. Although I did this same décor a few autumns ago, I really like the natural look it creates. 

You can see the faux limb below. It's about three feet long and I purchased it several years ago at a local home décor store. I added branches of fairy lights before plugging-in seasonal leaves and pumpkins and gourds.

 I find it hard to believe that it's already October! How about you? Have you decorated for fall?