Thanksgiving Blessings!

                                               Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Harvest Scatter Mix

When my aunt recently asked me for this recipe, it made me consider that this is a good time for a "rerun" of this post which first appeared a few years ago. 

If you like scatter mix, you might enjoy it with a seasonal twist. It goes together easily and, just like the traditional mix, it stores well in an airtight container.

Harvest Scatter Mix

3 cups cinnamon flavored Chex-style cereal (I used store brand)

3 cups pumpkin flavored Cheerio-style cereal (I used store brand)

1 1/2  cups mini twisted pretzels

1 cup dry roasted, salted peanuts

1 cup candy corn

1 cup candy-coated chocolates (I used original chocolate M and M candies and sorted out the blue ones since they are not a harvest color, but there are so many varieties now that you could select your favorite flavor!)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 Tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

In a large bowl, combine cereals, pretzels and peanuts. Set aside. 

In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Mix frequently until melted and sugar is all dissolved. Pour over cereal mixture and mix well until it's evenly distributed and coating pieces. Pour onto a foil-lined jellyroll pan and bake in a 275 degree oven for about 45 minutes until it begins to brown. Stir it two times during bake time. After removing, allow it to completely cool before adding candy corn and coated chocolate candies. 

For a printable version click here.

Have a good day and scatter kindness! 

A Fall Stroll

I find fall to the be the most beautiful season! Here are a few pictures I have captured while walking recently. 

These Encore azaleas which we put in this year are rebloomers and provide beautiful blossoms year-round. The pop of color is a special treat this time of year! 

See the little rose popping through the fence? The Oso Easy roses shown below are planted at my mother's and they are still performing.  In the foreground of this picture above is Low Scape Mound aronia which turns an incredibly pretty dusty pink color this time of year.

No one told the impatiens that summer is over! In a bed beneath the cover of a tree, they seem to be protected.

Lamb's ear always provides such interesting color and texture, even against a blanket of fallen leaves.

The sweet gum is a gorgeous blend of oranges, reds, browns and greens!

Although this picture does not give it justice, the bald cypress is a lovely deep rust right now.

Our Kimberly Queen fern is so enormous and full that I have decided to winter it over.

Doesn't this flush of purple blossoms make you smile?

As always, I cannot resist snipping flowers to enjoy inside...especially in the fall!

Tuesday Tablescape

Autumn is my favorite season. I am drawn to the golds, oranges and reds of the season and love the combinations even for a tablescape.

 

I'm crazy about this quilt which I found at a yard sale a few years ago and enjoy using it this time of year. For today, it's playing the role of a table cover. 

My cousin made the pumpkin eons ago and I decided it would be a perfect container for a centerpiece of faux fall stems. The owls are keepsakes from my great grandma's salt and pepper collection. 

My plaid dinner plates have the same colors as the quilt, so I pulled out those.

We had a lovely autumn day here today. It was sunny and unseasonably warm. I hope your day was good, too!

Preserving Autumn's Splendor

As part of my fall decor, I have put up an autumn tree for several years. Last year I adorned the tree in the solarium with dried naturals and we enjoyed it so much that we decided to do the same this year. With this goal in mind, I began gathering my "goodies" in September. As before, most of what is used on the tree is simply dried on the stalk. Milkweed pods, goldenrod, Autumn Joy sedum, aronia, two varieties of hydrangea, pinecones, fountain grasses and a few other plants came from our yard.  I also used teasel weed, little blue stem and, with thanks to my aunt and uncle sharing their IN stash, beautiful bittersweet.

 

Last year in our Missouri Conservationist magazine I read about preserving autumn leaves in a mixture of 1/3 glycerin and 2/3 water and so I also gave that a try this year with success. They recommended filling a disposable aluminum cake pan with the concoction, submerging the leaves and allowing them to soak for three to five days. They are pliable and retain their color. I was able to tuck them into the branches.

 

As a finishing touch, I also added in dried black-eyed Susans flowers that I pressed late this summer.

 

 

It is a pleasure being able to dry, preserve and press autumn's splendor for our enjoyment.

Happy Veterans Day

                                               Happy Veterans Day!

This special day is a time to honor all military, both past and present.  Take a moment to remember, acknowledge and appreciate those who have given so much for our country.

Thank you to all veterans!

Step Right Up!

A combination of my interest in repurposing and a fondness for old pieces led to a project a few months ago. Step right up if you want to hear all about it!  It all began last summer when I spotted a very old mini step ladder stored in my mother's garage. It's been around forever and I asked her about it. She replied that it was far too rickety and unstable for anyone to use and that she really needed to pitch it. My little wheels began turning and so I brought it home.

See the spatters of paint from many projects my dad did over the years? I wiped it down and did some spot sanding before applying a couple of coats of white chalk paint. I scuffed a few places just to maintain an old, shabby feel.

I remembered that Dollar Tree carried small gold baskets in the past, so I popped by and found they were still in stock! Score! I bought one for each step and painted them all a light silver.

Hand towels, 

soaps, a lotion and tea towel,

and an extra roll of toilet tissue all have a dedicated spot.

The ladder fits this corner in the guest bathroom very well, serving as what I consider to be an interesting little piece.

I always enjoy completing a little project like this. Have you accomplished any recently?