Fall Baking

I wanted to share some yummy fall desserts that are filling the air in my kitchen with spicy, pumpkin goodness these days.

First off are these super moist cookies.  Be sure and make a double batch because they disappear quickly :) 

image

The recipe can be found here from all recipes.


Next, up is an easy pumpkin cake made with only a few ingredients.    This is a relatively low-fat cake as there isn't any oil or butter in it!  I think that means you can eat more and not have the guilt, right???

Pumpkin Cake

1 yellow cake mix

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin 

3 eggs

2 Tbsp pumpkin pie mix

Mix all ingredients together then pour into a greased bundt pan.  

Bake @ 350degrees for 45-50 minutes.

Let cool for about 15 minutes then remove cake from pan.

 

Glaze

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup chips (butterscotch or semi-sweet)

Bring whipping cream to a simmer then add chips and heat until melted.

Once cooled pour over cooled cake.

What do you have baking in your kitchen?

I {heart} fall

This afternoon I took my kindergartner and his friend to the park.  We had such a fun time being outside in the wind and sunshine (gotta love a 70degree day in October!)  While there my son's friend discovered a very large walnut in the parking lot on the way to the water fountain.  We marveled at its' size (5" across) and how much it would hurt if we happened to be standing in the wrong spot when it fell!!  Ouch!!!!  Anyway, my son was jealous that his friend found it first and was quite certain he needed one, too.  So the race was on to find more!  After some looking we then found the tree dropping these gorgeous beauties on the side of a dry creek bed.  They were easy to spot since their bright green colors were in stark contrast to the fallen dull, brown leaves next to them.  A couple of walnuts made it home with us and this one fits right in on my porch amongst my fall scene.

Using a bale of straw I just began to layer all things fall.  My sister gave me the shiny large pumpkin from her garden in Minnesota.  Love it:)  I think I may need to plant some pumpkins next year. 

The straw sits right next to my door.  The door that I have poured my blood, sweat and tears into these last weeks.  No kidding.

I refinished it like a crazy woman.  And yes, I was waaay over my head with this project.  The gory knitty, gritty details I will save for another post.  Uh hum, back to all things fall outdoors

Look at this mum about to burst with all its' awesomeness!

Wishing you Fall BLesSings!

"The Lord bless you and keep you, 

the Lord make His face shine upon you,

and be gracious unto you; 

the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

Fall Decorating

We had a wonderful weekend with my family but before their arrival I had fun decorating my home for fall.  Funny how just the little changes I made here and there brightened up the whole room.  I have to admit though orange is one of my favorite colors.  To me it is a color that personifies cheerfulness.  Please come take a peek in my home . . .

First off my kindergartner came home from a field trip to the pumpkin patch with this nicely shaped pumpkin.  It seemed the perfect companion to the stuffed mouse on our mudroom bench.  Isn't he sweet?

Adding some fall leaves, picks and a banner brought some much needed color to my mantel.

From my kids book collection I pulled out some fall favorites and put them on the mantel ends.  Books were the obvious choice for me since I didn't have any matching candles and they work because they echo the colors surrounding them.  It helps unify everything.

Next, I pulled out the spring flowers in this vase and replaced them with a fall bouquet.  It was a much better choice because now the leaves "pop" against the white vase. 

Fall used to be a season I didn't enjoy but now I really do.  I fully embrace it (well except the cold temperatures.)  The colors of fall: gold, bronze, red, orange and brown feel all cozy to me due to their warm tones. 

I am going to focus on fall all this week so please come back tomorrow and I'll share photos of my porch decked out for fall.

BlesSings!

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens:  let your glory be above all the earth."  

Psalm 57:11

doll sundresses and tote

In my last post I showed the little doll sandals I made and today I wanted to show you the doll dresses to go with them. They are for my four nieces.

I chose a different fabric for each of the dresses.  To make the sundresses I (mostly) followed a video on Youtube, filmed my a young girl named Sarah (stephenswodadancer.)  For some strange reason I am not able to load it into my blog so if you'd like the directions just do a search on Youtube.  There are a lot of girls sewing for their dolls.  I think that is so neat!

Next up was a tote to carry the clothes and a doll or 2 in.

The tote was fairly easy to make.  I used quilting cotton and it was a treat to work with.  It was so soft!

 The pattern for the doll tote is found in Joan Hinds book, "All Dolled Up."


Blessings!

Making Doll Sandals

I have been making some gifts for my nieces dolls. My nieces are planning on visiting us next week with my sister and parents so I am trying to get finished before they arrive! My desire was to make a sundress and matching sandals  for each doll.  I thought it would be fun to show you the shoes first.  They were just too fun to make:)  I felt like such a cobbler, a happy cobbler at that!! 

Aqua Sandals

Pink Sandals

Light Blue Sandals

Light Blue Sandals w/ Red Soles

Credit for this idea goes to:  www.beanbunny.com/summersandals.html  

I mostly followed her instructions except I did not put a sole on the bottom for a couple of reasons.  First, I didn't like the space visible between the top and bottom soles and secondly, it is pretty hard to cut each sole out exactly the same and I couldn't live with the edges not lining up evenly.  So, yes they have a "raw" bottom but I can live with that since they are so stinkin' cute from the top!!  I used fray check on the ribbon edges or my wood burning tool to seal them.  In addition, I found tacky glue was easier to work with than a hot glue gun to secure the ribbon edges to the underside.

My Supplies (all can be found at Wal-Mart)

In general, I have a weakness for all things tiny and pretty such as baby shoes (if only they didn't outgrow them so quickly!)  Now that I've made these tiny doll shoes they are a new "love."    I think the sandals all lined up are pretty and are ready for playing dress up!

Okay, so that is the sneak peak at the doll shoes I have been crafting.  Next, up the sundresses!!

BlesSings!!

Blueberry Pie Anyone?

I brought over a blueberry pie to our new neighbors who just moved in.  It is a wonderful recipe that I wanted to share with you.  Are you ready?  It is really easy if you start with a ready made crust and a can of pie filling.   I simply took the blueberry pie filling and added a few ingredients to jazz it up a bit.   I then followed the recipe on the back of the can for the crumb topping. 

You know, eating dessert with my family is one of the sweetest moments of my day.  It's when the blows of the day seem to melt away as we "taste and see that the Lord is good."  So without further ado here is my recipe . . .

Filling:
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp butter

Topping:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 Tbsp butter

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375degrees F.  Press a pie crust (I use Pillsbury) into the bottom and sides of a 9inch pie plate.  Combine the filling ingredients and pour onto pie crust.  Next, combine the first 5 ingredients for the topping and mix in the butter until crumbly.  Spread the crumb topping over the pie filling.  Bake for 40 minutes in the oven.  Cool on a wire rack.

Serve warm with ice cream on the side and enjoy!!

Reflections

Hello readers!  

How are you today?

Today found me outside soaking up some sunshine, just like my clematis plant.  

While sitting on my front step I observed this bud pointed up towards the sun. 

Isn't that how we are to live our lives as believers?  

Eyes on the Father, the source of all help, wisdom and love?  

Our Father, the master gardener. 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."  John 15:1

Notice how the vine is wrapped tightly around the pole?  

"Abide in me, and I in you."  John 15:4a

Won't you join me in choosing to abide in Him today?