Knock, knock...

I don't usually blog on the weekends, but I couldn't resist sharing a few laughs in honor of National Knock Knock Joke Day. 

Knock, knock...

Who's there?

Bee.

Bee who?

Bee happy today!

                                            Knock, knock...

Who's there?

Queen.

Queen who?

Queen your hands before you eat a treat!

Now you will have a few jokes for Halloween! 

Tuesday Tablescape

Since Saturday is Halloween, I thought I would set a seasonal tablescape.

I am not a fan of this particular holiday, but I rounded-up a couple  of my things for the centerpiece. 

I have had Miss Mouse for years and I do think she is sweet with her little bag of treats.

I like only happy jack-o-lanterns and this smiling guy was a gift from a student long ago. In fact, the child who gave it to me has just graduated college. Whew. Where does the time go?

The candy corn fabric came from Walmart and my mother made the napkins for me a few years back.

 

Happy National Pumpkin Day!

Happy National Pumpkin Day! I learned some interesting facts while researching 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? 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 weighed 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 if that includes the stem...it does!

It's definitely the season of pumpkins and there are many good recipes using them. Lots of versions of pumpkin bread are around, but this is our favorite because it's very moist and flavorful. It's my aunt's recipe and although I have not made any recently, I did feature it in a post three years ago. It's definitely worth repeating. I think you will enjoy it if you try it!           

                                               Aunt Kay's Pumpkin Bread

1 cup oil

3/4 cup water

1 can pumpkin

4 eggs

3 cups sugar (try using 2 cups white and 1 cup brown)

Mix all ingredients.

Now mix the following together and add to above:

3 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. cinnamon

Lightly spray two large loaf pans with Baker's Joy and bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours (you can also divide batter into four smaller pans and bake about 40 minutes, or until done).

This freezes well.

For a printable version, click here.

In addition to baking, commercially prepared pumpkin products are available everywhere! Dashing into the grocery, you will find pumpkin flavored coffee, creamer, ice cream, cream cheese, yogurt, cereal, snack bars, butter, dog treats, salsa,  cookies, caramel corn, chocolates...and so much more. These are a few pumpkin products I purchased at Trader Joe's, as highlighted in a previous post. Even though it's been a few years ago, I checked online to confirm that they still have these products.

I'll take autumn leaves and pumpkins, please! 🍂🎃

An Autumn Tree

Most of you know my love of Christmas trees. Large, small, pine, white, flocked, gold, silver--you name it, I likely own and decorate it! Stemming from that fondness, I began displaying a small "thankful tree" several Novembers ago. Decorated with an autumn theme, I tweak it a bit each time. Here are just two examples from previous years.

With an autumn theme, I usually tuck-in artificial leaves and hang both scripture-inscribed and mercury acorn ornaments. Sometimes it is in the kitchen. Last year it was in the great room.

This year's tree is a bit different from usual because it has no ornaments. Instead, it's a medley of dried naturals. The inspiration was actually planted in my brain just over a year ago when we attended the annual holiday event, Garden Glow, at MO Botanical Garden. Part of that wonderful event is an inside garden railroad display. Last year's Victorian theme was so enchanting and part of it included Christmas trees. Do you see where this is going? As you have guessed, the ginormous trees were decorated with dried plants and flowers. 

As I was taking in the beauty there, I made the decision to replicate this type of tree for 2020 and mentally filed away the idea. 😉 I looked forward to creating my tree adorned with dried native plants and flowers and, in anticipation, I began collecting this fall. My mother and I found and snipped wild goldenrod and elephant's foot along deserted backroads. 

After earnestly searching for teasel weed, I was delighted to spot some while Randy and I were out of town and so I asked him to pull over...on a dusty country road...in the middle of nowhere in northern MO...while driving our 36 foot long motorhome!

I gathered things like hydrangeas (two varieties), 

Autumn Joy sedum,

fountain grasses and pinecones from our yard,

all of which dried to my satisfaction. Of course, I had to add the wonderful sprigs of bittersweet highlighted in yesterday's tablescape.

Not only did I have fun decorating my tree, it is fairly consistent with what I had wanted. I plan to leave it up through the Christmas season.

Have a tree-mendous day!

Tablescape Tuesday

We recently received some beautiful dried bittersweet from my aunt and uncle who annually harvest and share it. It will be used for a specific project (soon to be revealed), but I decided it would be a wonderful touch of color for a quick fall tablescape in the meantime. I think that coupled with my faux pumpkins and gourds on a treenware platter make a gourd-eous centerpiece! 

I find the orange and red combination of bittersweet to be so striking and a perfect seasonal touch. If you are fortunate enough to find any of this vining perennial, though, keep in mind that this plant is a part of the nightshade family and that many sources list its consumption as toxic to humans and pets. To err on the side of caution, it is best to avoid using it in applications where it could be reached by children or animals or where the dried berries could fall to the floor.

If you ever visit Dollar Tree, you will recognize their fall leaf pattern. I picked up these plates a few years ago, but they seem to carry something similar each year at this time. Not bad for the price, right?

Colored glass makes me happy, so I was pleased to discover that my green glasses matched well.

Be blessed!

Locust Creek Covered Bridge

While we were gone on our little fall getaway a few weeks ago, one of the stops we made was at Locust Creek Covered Bridge. Located in Laclede in the north central portion of MO, this structure spans 151 feet which makes it the longest of the four remaining. At one point, there had been 30. Since our visit, we are now able to claim to have seen all of them in our state.

I believe most of us feel that covered bridges represent a simpler time in life. Built in 1868, it covered what was eventually known as route 8 which was a part of the first transcontinental road (Pike's Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway) that ran from San Francisco to New York City. That portion is now known as highway 36. A ranger from the park system said that when Locust Creek Covered Bridge was completed, the town hung lights and hosted a dance on the bridge platform! 

As you are able to observe from the picture, this bridge could use a little TLC and interestingly enough, it now sits on dry ground after the creek changed course. Still, the decking is safe and secure for exploration and observation. 

It is a lovely setting. To gain access to the parking lot on the grounds, it is necessary to travel a long and dusty gravel road. Once parked, visitors cross a small stream via a wooden footbridge and walk a 1/4 mile through the picturesque woods. While the trail to the bridge is on flat ground, it is uneven due to frequent flooding. The ranger told us that the stream can spill its banks in a very short period of time, so we were pleased to have been there on a sunny day. 😉

Locust Creek Covered Bridge was built of white pine with the Howe truss system. 

If you enjoy glimpses into the past, you may find it pleasant to visit some of MO's covered bridges. Most offer story boards to help you appreciate their history. You may recall my post about a different bridge back in September (click here to revisit it; there is an embedded link within that post which will allow you to read about the other two covered bridges). 

I hope your day was a good one! 

Grandma's Caramel Dip

My mother and I recently enjoyed a lovely ride in the country to enjoy some fall color and I picked up a bag of apples from the orchard while we were out. Apples taste especially good this time of year and while we can use them in a variety of ways, there is nothing better than just biting into a fresh one. Many years ago, my grandma gave me this recipe of hers which goes well with fresh apples.  It a pleasure to have quite a collection of her "specialties" all written out in her beautiful handwriting on index cards. As children, we used to enjoy fresh apple slices in her delicious caramel dip. Not to be confused with commercially prepared caramel, this dip is light and fluffy without being overly sweet. I have not made it for decades and so, on a whim, I whipped up a half recipe. It complements fresh fruit perfectly without concealing its flavor. 

Caramel Dip

1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 stick butter, room temperature

1 Tablespoon vanilla

In a bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together with a mixer. Add 1/4 of the cream cheese at a time and beat well after each addition. Add the Tablespoon of vanilla and mix until blended. 

This is excellent with any fresh fruit. Store in the refrigerator. 

For a printable version, click here.

Be blessed! 

Tuesday Tablescape

It is a beautiful autumn day here! Seeing colorful fall leaves is something I thoroughly enjoy, so this tablescape makes me feel happy.

I have had the leaf table runner for years and it's one of my favorites. You have seen my large lidded jar several times before in a variety of ways. Although hard to see, the oversized acorns inside now were originally from Hobby Lobby five years ago. They serve as a great seasonal look during October and November.

As long as we are in the dining room, here is a look at the antique hutch dressed for autumn. The mirror on the back is distracting when it comes to photographing.

Count your blessings! 

Fall Getaway

On a recent little autumn getaway, we were able to visit a historic site in north central MO and learn about General John James Pershing. Who was he?  Black Jack, as he was known, was the highest ranked military person in United States history…and that includes Washington, Lee and Grant. Serving in the Army, he was commander general of the US Armies in WW 1 and held that title for 10 years. General Pershing was the only six star general in history.  

Born in 1860, he was the oldest of nine children. He and his family lived in this home in Laclede, MO for a good part of his childhood after having moved to town for his father to operate a general store.

The home, school and grounds are now operated as part of MO State Parks where visitors may go free of charge (donations are accepted). 

As is the case with everything, modifications are in place making visits safe, per COVID guidelines. Signs, high touch surfaces, etc. are frequently disinfected. Group sizes are limited and rather than staff-led tours, new informational signs are in place allowing guests to self-explore.  It worked very well and by our being there during a week day, we had the place to ourselves, aside from a few park staff members working outdoors. These pictures were taken inside the Pershing home. Most of the furnishings are original.

 

Before attending West Point Academy, Pershing taught at Prairie Mound School about 10 miles from home. Although only 19 years old, he managed to instruct 45 students who ranged in age from six to 21 in the one room classroom. His paycheck was between $30-$40 a month. Today the school contains an excellent museum which is well presented and highly informational. In more recent years, the school was moved to the grounds where it has become an important part of the historic site.

Throughout his life, Pershing always considered Laclede to be his home and was enthusiastically welcomed whenever he returned. After retiring from the military in 1924, he chaired the American Battle Monuments Commissions. That agency established cemeteries, memorials and monuments honoring the American Expeditionary Force. A memorial garden is part of the Pershing grounds. A statue of Black Jack is on display, surrounded by walls of honor. General John Pershing passed away in 1948 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

 

It was lovely autumn weather for the day of our visit to the historic site. Route 36 runs across our state and is known as "The Way of the American Genius" since several notable people have lived along this stretch running from St. Joseph to Hannibal. Jesse James, J.C. Penney, Walt Disney, General Pershing and Mark Twain are all highlighted. During little trips we have enjoyed stops associated with all but Jesse James so far and plan to incorporate his home into a future excursion. Along the way, MO offers many beautiful state parks and historic sites. They are all great experiences, particularly in this pretty season.

I hope that you are able to get outdoors and enjoy 

some fall weather!