Fall 2014

 Has anyone noticed the sales popping up at stores, especially the summer sells? Kohls is doing home sales and summer item sales, along with Old Navy, Sears (who is also featuring Back to School items, and Yankee Candles has new Autumn scents on the website. Best of all, some of the costume stores are still having sales and offer new arrivals, Party City has up to 70% off costumes right now making it a great time to bu and save.

Mt. Mitchell, Fall 2013

It is no wonder Fall items are starting to sneak their way into the stores, with many schools starting in less than a month and autumn officially two months away tomorrow, stores are enticing buyers to get ready for cooler weather and autumn colors.

Even so, there are some good deals to be found on these seasonal items, such as:

• Dinnerware: Pier 1 actually has some good prices on their fall dinnerware, Sears 2014 Fall and Winter Catalog offer some great sets at good prices, and overstock.com always offers good deals on seasonal items.

• Halloween Decor: Halloween decorations and most autumn decor is priced well right now. Speaking of overstock.com, Martha Stewart pumpkin/Halloween clings are $8.09 for a pack of 12-trust me, that's a good deal. There is a face paint kit marked down from $28 to $12.86, a lighted black witch marked down from $91 to $29.99, and so much more. Halloween costumes.com is offer 25 % off all costumes online, and spirit Halloween.com is having a huge sale, some pieces are over 50% off!!! 

Also, Pier 1 has Halloween Decor online as well, after all it is only 101 days til Halloween, might as well prepare now. 

• Candles: Okay, this one is tricky, but there are some deals to be found, especially on eBay. Some of the seasonal candles seem to go up in bidding or set prices on eBay as the season draws closer and once it hits, now is the time to stock up-even if the candles are from last year, as long as it is a brand one prefers and can be found at a better price than in stores, go for it. As for Yankee Candles, there are several new items, flavors, and collegiate candles. 

 FYI: Black Friday in July at Target is back, July 25th and 26th, check out the website for details.

So, go ahead start looking for deals-one just found is a cranberry mold at William and Sonoma for 14.95. Happy Fall Shopping!! And if nothing else, just buy some summer items marked 75% off. 

 

Decorating for Fall: Painting and Accessorizing

Autumn Decorating

 Is this cool weather making anyone else crave Autumn, we are so close to the season!!! 49 days away from NFL kickoff, less than that for college football, 132 days til Thanksgiving, 105 days to Halloween, probably less than a month til we see Halloween candy on the shelves, and Halloween costume previews and sales have already begun online. The season is almost here!!!!!

While grocery shopping today on the chip isle I noticed "Pumpkin Seed Tortilla's" by Marie Farms. So, of course, I bought them and the chips are delicious. Tip: place the chips on a baking sheet lightly drizzled with olive oil, sprinkle a generous amount of Kraft's Five Italian Cheese on top, sprinkle two tablespoons of pepper over the cheese, and heat under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and melted (2-3 minutes). What a great Halloween side dish for a gathering this would make. 

Decorating For Fall

Since it really is close to the first day of autumn, lets talk decorations. Aside from Halloween decor, lets stick with simple ways to spice up the home for those cozy, comfortable, cool autumn days. Start the season with some simple steps using easy to find items to bring fall inside. 

• Autumn Paints-okay, I am a sucker for fall colors and a favorite paint is Benjamin Moore's Key West Ivory, Hepplewhite ivory, Pumpkin Spice, Harvest Moon, Spiced Apple Cider, and Pumpkin Mousse. Now, even though I love these colors and they are great for indoors, especially for kitchens and bathrooms, the one place I love seeing these colors throughout the year is actually on the screened-in porch and the outside decks. Now, most paint companies have similar colors, I have tried others and just found that I like the pallets offered at Ben. Moore, but this is an awesome way to bring some fall into the home and my favorite place to paint in one of these colors is definitely the kitchen.
•  Fall Colored Accessories- Decorating rooms for the season does not mean having to change the paint color or the furniture, by just changing the items on the fireplace mantle, the pillows, throws, or curtains, the home can be turned into an autumn wonderland.

1. Pillows-There are some great original fall pillows available on EBay, and of course, finding fall colored pillows on sale at major retailers is also an option.
2. Crafty items-Lots of fall crafts available throughout magazines during the season, a personal favorite is making owl, ghost or cat faces using a cleaned pumpkin and acorns, sunflower seeds, and whatever other item from the craft store on sale that is available (directions to come in a later blog). For these items, I like to place them on the fireplace because they give an extra touch of the season .
3. Autumn Leaves-Okay, clear the fireplace mantle, get two clear or same colored long bottles (wine bottles without the labels even), go outside or to the craft store, and find long twigs with lots of colored leaves, place on the mantle with an autumn scented candle in the middle, well away from the leaves or on either side of a large picture or television. This is also a great idea for tablescapes.
4. Curtains (including shower curtains) and table clothes-two items that are absolutely easy to change  and are available at every home store, in the home section of stores, and online. Paired with seasonal pillows in the living room and towels in the bathroom, the decorating is jut that simple.

• Candles-It is not fall without the smell of the season throughout the house. Candles are a seasonal essential in this home. They make perfect table toppers, mantle accessories, and can be placed in decorative holders. Two favorites, Yankee and Partylite.

So, these are a few tips on decorating, more to come along with instructions on how to, but for now, start preparing so when the time comes, all one has to do is pull out the items and go to town!!!! Happy Autumn.

This is an article I wrote in 2011, but all the recipes can still be found on their website.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Looking for good, elegant, elaborate, or easy Thanksgiving recipes? Go to Food Network online or grab their November magazine issue to find recipes for the big day.

Food Network Magazine: November 2011
The big feature for the month is, of course, the turkey and 50 pies. Thanksgiving is nothing without the turkey, stuffing, cranberry, and a piece of pie.
Customers will be happy to receive a pull out of 50 pie recipes. Recipes include everything from pumpkin and apple to Mochaccino and Sweet-Potato Bacon. The recipes are simple, and sure to be a hit as a Thanksgiving desert.
As far as the turkey goes, there is roasted, fried, and brine. One recipe that looks absolutely awesome is, the Memphis Fried Turkey by the famous Neeley's. This is a must try recipe.

Thanksgiving Sides
The magazine also has a number of sides to go along with any Thanksgiving dinner. There are several different salad recipes and lots of good green recipes. One that caught my eye was the Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Hazelnuts by Bobby Flay. Brussel sprouts may not sound like a great side dish, but with the right spices, flavoring, and pairing of textures, they can be made into a weekly side dish.
Of course, the magazine has their take on the famous green bean casserole, and lots of potato recipes. For something different, try a side of "Creamed Corn Tamales" by Santos Loo. This take on traditional cream corn looks fantastic.

Alton Brown
Alton Brown's "popovers" are featured in this edition of the magazine. Popovers are light rolls made from egg batter. Mr. Brown has perfected the method to making a "proper popover." The recipe is actually featured in a book based on his show, Good Eats. The recipe is worth trying for anyone who is not big on waiting for yeast to rise, or who seems to mess up the fresh rolls every time. His recipe is so easy to follow and make, these fluffy rolls are sure to come out tasting great.

Food Network Thanksgiving Television Shows 2011

Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

This weekend is kicking off Food Networks Thanksgiving premieres and specials. Starting out with a rerun from last year of Throwdown with Bobby Flay vs. Pioneer Woman. Both create a menu complete with turkey, vegetables, gravy, stuffing, and desert. After the throwdown, watch the Neely's cook up some white cheddar potatoes and pumpkin cupcakes, and of course, awesomely good turkey.
Rachael Ray will be featuring turkey pot pie with cranberry orange topping (sounds great). Giada will be finishing the morning with cranberry orange glazed turkey. Don't forget to check out other specials and shows tomorrow, including Sandra Lee and other famous food network stars.

Thanksgiving 2011
Food Network will begin their Thanksgiving shows this weekend, and it seems like it will start with a Snoopy cake off special. Even so, once more info is out, this will be updated. For recipes and tips always check the Food Network site, and grab a copy of the magazine.

Source
Food Network Magazine, November 2011, Volume 4, Number 9.

The Pumpkin Patch

Growing a Pumpkin Patch!

Growing pumpkins has been a long dream. Last year the attempt was a nightmare. No bees were coming to the flowers to pollinate, the pumpkins did not get enough water due to some very bad advice, little fungicide and insecticide were used due to bad advice, and every pumpkin that started to develop quickly shriveled up and died. Yeah, it was a bad pumpkin patch. So what to do when a pumpkin patch goes wrong? Try again.

This year, I moved it closer to some bushes with an abundance of bees, planted them in April and so far, so good. 10 pumpkins are already on the scene, minimal damage with the help of some fungicide, and things seem to be going well. A few hints to growing a good pumpkin patch, learned from last years failure:

1. Plant a little early (depending on the area lived)-however, be careful of frost, always cover the sprouts before dawn if there is any chance of frost. Old bed sheets held down with big rocks, brick, or concrete work perfectly, but remember to take the sheets off after the threat of frost is over the next day.
2. Talk to local planters-locals who grow these things know best. Some say to not plant early, but many say to plant early. They are also the people to talk to about the use of fungicide and insecticide (it does not take much of either).
3. Water the pumpkins when needed (not after 7+ straight days of rain but at least every other day, every morning if the ground is very dry). 
4. Water in the morning-that way the sun dries off the leaves throughout the day.
5. Use plant food. Pour some vegetable food (mixed as directed) recommended by local gardeners or after thorough research, onto the roots of the plants every 7 days.
6. Pick off the bugs. Instead of constantly spraying down with insecticide, walk through the patch at least 2 times a day and pick off any bugs eating the leaves. If needed spray with insecticide, but follow the directions to the tee. Use as directed.

These are a few things I have learned. Now, hopefully these babies will continue to grow and it will be a bountiful harvest, and on Halloween (just maybe) I will be sitting in my pumpkin patch.

13 Nights of Halloween is Here!

ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween is officially under way starting tomorrow night (although, for me, it should be 15 nights with the start of Harry Potter). The line up includes, Switched At Birth and Pretty Little Liars Halloween Specials, The Mummy, Adam's Family, Adam's Family Values, Beetle Juice, Edward Scissor Hands, Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo 2, The Haunted Mansion, The Sorcerer's Stone, and Monster House. Of course, one movie that has become a Halloween must watch is being featured several times is, Hocus Pocus. One movie that seems to be missing from the line up is the beloved Casper. Why it is not on the list is strange, but hopefully it will be featured on another channel line up.

So, get ready to have fun and enjoy some good family Halloween movies (just avoid the showings of the 3rd Poltergeist).

Autumn Craft: Leaf Wreath

Autumn Leaf Wreath

A leaf wreath is a great craft for adults and children. This wreath is particularly easy, made for children, and can be used as a hanging wreath or a wreath around the base of a candle.

Materials:

• 1 paper plate (such as Dixie)
• Tape or glue or glue gun
• A variety of autumn leaves, real or fake
• Hole puncher
• 1 autumn colored ribbon

Directions:

1. Collect a variety of colored leaves from a walk or grab some fake leaves from a craft store. Dry the leaves using a paper towel.
2. Cut the center of the plate out (don't worry about rough edges, they will be hidden by the leaves).
3. Use a hole puncher to make a hole close to the top of the plate.
4. Using the backside of the plate, place the larger leaves on first using glue, double sided tape, or a glue gun (if using glue, let dry before moving on to the next step).
5. Take the remaining leaves and create layers for volume and to hide any evidence of a plate behind the leaves.
6. String a ribbon through the hole, let the glue dry and hang in windows or on a door, or use at the base of a pillar candle.

Kids love doing this craft, and it is a great craft to use in schools or as a way to introduce leaves and autumn colors to young kids.

Children's Halloween Books

Halloween Books For Young Kids

Halloween is an exciting time for children, and teaching them about the season through books is a wonderful way to prepare them for the exciting evening. Here is a list of books that have been fun to read to our kids.

1. My First Halloween by Tomie DePaola
2. Baby Snoopy's Pumpkin by Charles M. Schulz and Tom Brannon
3. A Pumpkin For Pooh by RH Disney, Frank Berrios, and illustrated by Gus Alavezos
4. Halloween ABC (Little Golden Books) by Sarah Albee and Julia Woolf
5. The ABC's of Halloween by Patti Reeder Eubank
6. Clifford's First Halloween, Clifford's Halloween, and Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween (Clifford the Big Red Dog)
7. The Night Before Halloween by Natasha Wing
8. Little Scribbles: Halloween Fun with Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano and Susan Banta
9. What Is Halloween? by Michelle Medlock Adams and illustrated by Amy Wummer
10. Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer Barrett O'Connell
11. Haunted Castle on All Hallows Eve by Mary Pope Osbourne (great for 7 year olds)
12. The Best Halloween Ever! by Barbara Robinson (another great one for 7 up)
13. There Little Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat by Lucille Colandro
14. The Berenstein Bears: The Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstein
15. The Littlest Pumpkin by R.A. Herman and Betina Ogden

These are some of our favorite books. Anothe one is soon to be The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, a timeless classic. Happy reading!