Fall Mantel

I decided it was time to switch the mantel to autumn and so I dug out my aspen print and began playing around with the rest. 

This picture makes me smile. Even though we don't have aspens in our area, any tree with fall foliage makes me happy.

You may recall the black planter from my late summer mantel and since it relates well to the frame color, I decided to continue using it in this spot.

To balance things, I placed a trio of pumpkins and the plate which is nearly the same color as the faux aspen leaves.

Are you getting ready for fall?

It's Looking Like Autumn on the Porch

My mother and I changed her porch décor to autumn. For years, my parents have used white wicker chairs in the spring and summer and then two wooden rocking chairs in fall and winter months. So, she and I swapped out the chairs as we prepare for autumn.

You may recall seeing our summer refresh when her porch went from patriotic to bright flowers. You can click here to revisit that post and see the wicker pieces.

For a seasonal switch, she incorporated her large potted faux sunflowers which she made long ago.

Doesn't her autumn doormat look festive? 

The fern is still going strong.

The only new purchase for this year's fall porch is this door hanging and it came from Aldi's seasonal aisle. (Pardon my reflection in the glass!)

I think it looks nice against the finish of the door.

Happy Friday! 

Eggplant Pizza Bites

Eggplant: a plant, Solanum melongena esculentum, of the nightshade family, cultivated for its edible, dark purple or occasionally white or yellow fruit. The fruit of this plant is used as a table vegetable.  (dictionary.com)

It all started a few weeks ago when my mother happened to read about eggplant pizzas. That caused us to begin talking about its being something we would like to try sometime and since eggplant season is winding down, this seemed as good a time as ever! We went to a local produce stand and each of us purchased a nice, small eggplant freshly picked from that farmer's field. I read up on this pizza -with-a-twist idea, combined methods and tips from various sources and went to work.

I also used shredded mozzarella cheese, but neglected to include it in the photo! After washing the eggplant, I sliced it into slices about 1/2 inch thick. I spread out everything on a cutting board, salted the pieces and allowed them to sit about 20 minutes. That, of course, drew out the water (osmosis). This process allows the slices to cook more quickly and produces a better taste. If you look closely, you will observe the water droplets which formed on the surface. I blotted fronts and backs dry with paper towels.

Next, I brushed both sides with just a bit of olive oil and baked them in a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes when the eggplant surfaces were beginning to brown. After that I spooned on pizza sauce, added mini pepperoni slices and oregano.

I sprinkled shredded mozzarella cheese over everything and returned the lined cookie sheet to the oven for about 10 additional minutes.

Since eggplant has a rather spongy texture, you can appreciate the fact that these "crusts" are not crisp or firm. In fact, you need to consume eggplant pizza bites with a fork. The seeds are detectible, but not a distraction. In fact, did you realize that those seeds are what classify this food as a fruit? 

This can be personalized to your liking. Rather than pepperoni, you could add vegetables or ground beef for your toppings. Be creative!

You might enjoy trying a pizz-a this snack to see if you find it egg-cellent.

A Garden Stroll

Good morning! Let's go for a late summer garden stroll. Some of the seasonal annuals and perennials are beginning to fade while the autumn plant material is just starting to get going.

We are enjoying the season's last few day lilies.

Both yellow and orange marigolds are going strong and will until autumn's frost. These happen to be at my mother's and they are the largest I have seen! The "lemon drop" blossoms are nearly the size of the palm of your hand and they are gorgeous.

Our Tardiva hydrangea is still in its glory, but slightly fading. It is a favorite of pollinators and at any given time, you will find multitudes bees, butterflies and wasps swarming around the blossoms. 

Little Lime hydrangeas are still looking lovely. At this point in the season they begin to develop tinged tips, which I think enhances their attractiveness.

Early last fall we bought five aronia shrubs. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that they are great pollinators.

The splash plants (polka dot) still look fresh and colorful.

Raise your hand if you love zinnias. I don't know why I don't grow more of these since they are such a good cut flower and attract butterflies. I recently did some research on a great variety and my plan is to grow a nice stand of them next year. The few I had this year never really wowed me as they remained compact in size and produced a less-sparse flower. They are, however, still blooming.

The geraniums are fading a bit,

as are the butterfly bushes,

snapdragons 

and salvia. They're all still pretty, though.

I find anything in the rudbeckia family to be so sunny and cheery. When the flowers dry on the stalk, they provide tasty seeds for the songbirds who overwinter here!

The vinca plants don't seem to mind that summer is coming to a close. They remain full and colorful.

Supertunias are still showy!

This is the first year that I have grown caladium (also known as "the heart of Jesus") and I am thoroughly enjoying the pretty foliage. I will definitely dig up the bulbs, store and replant them next year.

Look at this random leaf I found while on the stroll. It is a prelude of what's to come...

Be blessed!

Tuesday Tablescape

During this seasonal transition time, I decided to pull out these luncheon plates since they depict late summer fruit in the muted colors I often associate with autumn décor. I picked up this set of four at a yard sale five years ago for $2. They are in perfect condition and had been previously used for display purposes only.

My olive colored dinner plates and napkins complement them well.

The centerpiece is loaded with faux fruit repeating the varieties appearing on the plates. The beautiful candle is from a set of two that a friend kindly gifted me. I think its shape sort of mimics my water goblets.

Have a wonderful day!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

 We wish you a blessed Labor Day weekend!

A Stamp of Approval

I cannot take credit for this idea. I actually read about it online several months ago. If you're not already aware of toilet tissue stamps, let me share. Now, I happen to have been folding the end of the toilet paper roll to a point for years because I just like the way it looks.

The following technique takes it to the next level, though! I think it is very clever and it couldn't be more simple.

*Fold the end of your roll to a point. Turn on the bathroom faucet for a split second and immediately turn it off again. The tiny amount of moisture will allow you to do this "trick".

*Line up the faucet to the tip of your fold and press firmly.

*Ta-da! You have a stamp that provides a finished look to your roll.

I realize that I am weird unique quirky enough for these types of things to appeal, but I must say this little method gets my stamp of approval ! 

Covered Bridges

When you think of covered bridges, aren't you intrigued? These charming old structures from bygone days represent times different from ours. Long before steel beams and concrete, this type of bridge was made from wood and was enclosed to protect the decking boards from the elements. Four covered bridges remain in Missouri. Two years ago we saw Sandy Creek Covered Bridge and Burfordville Covered Bridge. To read about those in a previous post, click here. We recently went to Union Covered Bridge in Paris, MO.

As stated on the storyboard (shown below), "Union Covered Bridge is the only surviving example in Missouri of a covered bridge with the Burr Arch truss system. The bridge is 120 feet long, 17 feet 6 inches wide and has an entrance 12 feet high--just high enough to admit a wagon load of hay. Union Covered Bridge was completed in 1871 and was named for Union Church, which stood nearby."

Throughout its history, it has been restored twice (in 1967 and 1987) and then last year the state put a million dollars into structural and cosmetic repairs. We were told that it had suffered a great deal of graffiti damage. Although it has not carried vehicular traffic in 50 years, guests can still stroll across it when they visit.

This picture was taken when we were on the bridge, looking out one of the small "window" openings. As you can observe, the setting is lovely. 

Union Covered Bridge is an example of burr arch truss design. Below, it reads, "When Theodore Burr combined an arch and a series of kingposts, he developed a bridge truss that could be made much longer than any of the early tress designs, and yet could maintain the necessary strength."

On display at the foot of the bridge is the toll rate chart, which is interesting to read.

It is such a gift to have historic sites, such as these, preserved by the state and available for visitors. We plan to see the fourth covered bridge at some point in the future. 

Love builds bridges where there are none.

R.H. Delaney