It's The Great Pumpkin ..... (Recipe Collection that is)

Halloween will so be here, so I have a collection of great pumpkin recipes to share with you today.

First check out this cute one for Halloween Pumpkin Bars:

recipe link:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/halloween-pumpkin-bars

And this looks delicious!

Deluxe Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/deluxe-pumpkin-cheesecake

How about some Pumpkin Nutella French Toast?

Link: http://soupaddict.com/2013/10/pumpkin-bread-pudding/

 A "Paula" pumpkin recipe (so I'm thinking it must be good)

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-gingerbread-trifle-recipe.html

Pecans are never a bad idea...

Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Bread Pudding
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/caramel-pecan-pumpkin-bread-puddings

Neither is chocolate!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pound Cake
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-cake

This double layer pie looks yummy!

Dutch Apple Pumpkin Pie
http://www.meals.com/recipe/pumpkin-dutch-apple-pie-28641

As does this additional streusel topped recipe.

Pumpkin Steusel Cheesecake Bars
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-streusel-cheesecake-bars/35777889-f94f-413d-91cc-e02a009eca2e

Speaking of streusel....how bad could Pumpkin Bourbon Pecan Pie be?

link:  http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/bourbon-pumpkin-pie-with-pecan-streusel

Lastly, a muffin and a cake recipe that look delicious

Pumpkin Pecan Crunch Muffins
http://www.onceuponachef.com/2010/10/pumpkin-pecan-crunch-muffins.html

Pumpkin Pudding Cake Link:  http://babblin-brooke.com/2012/02/12/pumpkin-pudding-cake/

You know until I started searching these, I never knew so many delicious pumpkin recipes existed!  I need to stock up on some pumpkin before the Thanksgiving rush!  Seriously, the other year stores on the East coast ran short of canned pumpkin and it was nearly impossible to get.  And yes I know I could carve up my pumpkins from my step and scoop out their filling but (shamefully) I must admit I rather just have a can...

October is Coming!

October is almost here!  Fall is really starting to roll along now.  Kids (and teachers) are back in the swing of things down to school.  The weather is getting cooler, and windows are being opened.  On Tangier lots of waterfowl are beginning to pass through.  The last of the tourist season is winding up.

Here are some fun things to welcome October in.  


First some more free font links.  


Cute fonts with an October theme:

 Link to Misfits font download

Link to Nightmare font download

Link to Sketch Bones font download

 Link to Wild Wood font download

Link to Witched font download


And here were two new ones posted this week that will be nice for crafts and lettering:

 Link to As Long As You Love Me font download

Link to Chalk It Up font download



Next, a pretty October poem to inspire us:

OCTOBER

Crispy air and azure skies, 

High above, a white cloud flies, 

Bright as newly fallen snow.

Oh the joy to those who know October! 

Colors bright on bush and tree.

Over the weedy swamp, we see

A veil of purple and brown and gold.

Thy beauty words have never told. October! 

Scolding sparrows on the lawn, 

Rabbits frisking home at dawn, 

Pheasants midst the sheaves of grain, 

All in harmony acclaim, October! 

Brown earth freshly turned by plow, 

Apples shine on bended bough, 

Bins o'erflowed with oats and wheat, 

And satisfaction reigns complete. October! 

Radiant joy is everywhere.

Spirits in tune to the spicy air, 

Thrill in the glory of each day.

Life's worth living when we say, October!

by  Joseph Pullman Porter

And last a recipe to make us fat.  LOL

If you read my post Deep In Amish Country, at the bottom I mentioned some things that are our favorites to buy at Mrs. Lapp's farm stand.   One of the items was Whoopie Pies.  If you are not familiar with Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch cooking you might night know what these strange sounding things are. They are actually small cakes (or fat cookies) which are put together with a sweet filling, kind of like a giant Oreo.  There are different flavors of both the cakes and fillings.  Chocolate with white filling is traditional.  I have also had chocolate with peanut butter filling.  In a word, they are yummy!  Here is a link to a fall Whoopie Pie recipe (courtesy of Martha Stewart) that sounds delicious:

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies w/ Cream Cheese Filling 

Celebrate The Arrival of Fall!

Happy Fall Y'all

It's the first day of Autumn!  And today certainly feels like it! There is a cool breeze (almost chilly!), the AC is off, and the windows are open.  And to help us feel further inspired, here are some beautiful fall photos to remind us of the beauty we have to look forward to.  But first a quick fix recipe that will put you in a fall mood.

Pumpkin Cookie Dip

8 ounce block of cream cheese, softened
1 cup pumpkin puree (canned)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar (or more to taste)

1. Using an electric mixer, cream together cream cheese and pumpkin puree.

2.  Add in pumpkin pie spice and vanilla, beat until smooth.

3. One cup at a time, add in powdered sugar and blend until smooth, scraping down sides of the bowl with a rubber scraper.

4.  Place in bowl.  Decorate the top with a little more pumpkin pie spice and some crushed gingersnap or graham cracker crumbs.  Serve with gingersnaps or graham dipper sticks.  Also good with apple slices!

There is a tutorial here, Recipe @ Rachel Cooks, where she has both a "naughty" and nice "version" of pumpkin dip.  I laughed when I saw "fingers" on her list of things to dip and serve with.  

Now, On To Those Photos:

These photos make me want to go on a trip.  I took some really pretty fall pictures a couple of years ago on a trip to DC / Northern Virginia, maybe it's time to go back!  Here is my favorite:

Oh, and this one.  :)

Cake Bake - Tangier Style

Happy Friday!  N. and I have successfully made it through the first week of school!  Now our thoughts turn to the weekend.  But first, check out these pictures of the school my class took while out on a walk with me this morning. This year I have been asked to make our school's website, and I am having my class help out.

Speaking of looking forward to the weekend, on Tangier there is a tradition of having a homemade sweet, such as a cake or pie to go with your "big" weekend suppers.  A very popular fundraiser on Tangier is a Cake Bake sale.  These are often held on Friday, or on Saturday morning, so you can get your weekend sweet and not have to spend your day off in the kitchen.  Here are a few of my favorite cake recipes from the old church cookbook (Food For My Household).  Most of these are old fashioned traditional recipes, and all taste great!

These Recipes Take The Cake:

If you have ever heard of a Smith Island Cake, this recipe is very similar and delicious!

More Sea Glass Craft Ideas

Some Non Jewelry Sea Glass Ideas

Don't you love the look of sea glass?  You don't have to live near the sea to appreciate its delicate colorful beauty.  Plus, coastal style decorating is really "in" right now.

I make several different kinds of necklaces, scarf charms, and other jewelry type items with sea glass, but I am always on the lookout for a new thing to try.  Here are some different and unique ideas I have found.  I have credited the source where I found it under each picture.  These are not my original ideas, but I sure do hope to try them!

Google Image from completely-coastal.com

This one is a must have for me!  How cute is that???  You can't live on Tangier Island and not have a few crab decorations!  They have a glued on sand background - but I think to make it easier Krylon has one of those stone spray paints that is a light sand mix color.  Good color, right texture, and no glue and real sand mess.  Yeah, I thinks that's my plan.  Now finding just the right pieces of glass to arrange like that will be the problem.  You see I can be am a perfectionist.  I might not will not be happy unless mine looks JUST like that.  And that's the thing with sea glass.  No pieces are ever the same.  But it's too cute not to try.  Let the sea glass hunting begin!

google image via followpics.co

Also high on my list is this gorgeous sea horse done with sea glass, shells, and a few beach rocks.  I wish I could buy this exact one because it is perfect for my utility room with that background and those colors.  I am usually pretty confident in my "crafty" abilities, but this one I am not so sure of.  I REALLY love it though!

Google Image from totallygreencrafts.com

Here's another great idea.  A sea glass monogram.  You can get the letter blanks at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores.  Glue on sea glass, and place in a shadow box style frame.  Looks pretty simple.  I wonder what kind of glue these people are using.  If you have experience using glue on sea glass.  Please message me or post in the comments below.  Thanks!

from lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com

These are cute too!  Birdhouses decorated with sea glass. Great idea!

from pluckingdaisies.com

I also found these on a blog post from someone who used them as wedding favors.  There is a souvenir wedding scroll inside, along with some sand, sea glass, and shells.  Great wedding idea, but I think they'd be cute as decorations, too!

Thrift Store Finds / Old Recipes

Have You Heard The Term Up-Cycling?

Somewhere, sometime, in the fixer-upper DIY blog world someone came up with the term "up-cycle".  It's a play on the word recycle.  To upcycle is to take some thing old and trashy and repurpose it into something new and fabulous.  I think "upcycled" is the new "shabby chic".  LOL

Upcycling - If Only This Kind Of Cycling Could Help You Lose Weight

On Thursday while I was off the island for our school system's opening convocation on the mainland, I was lucky enough to grab a few minutes to go in the Hospice Thrift Store in Onancock.  I was looking for some items I might be able to use in future projects.  And hey come to think of it, I skipped lunch to go there - so maybe there is a way upcycling can help you lose weight!  Here is what I came home with for about $18 (which goes to a great cause!)

So, What Am I Going To Do With Them?

Umm, I haven't got a clue.  Yet.  

I am pretty sure that metal pitcher is going to get some copper accents and go in my breakfast room, as well as the little scroll double candle holder.  Those trays I am still trying to decide on, but when I saw a bunch of them laying there for about $2 each, I picked them up on a whim.  My original thoughts were to spray paint them and use them for things like candle pans, and jewelry trays.  We shall see.  


I love going in thrift stores and looking at things.  This summer I was able to go in the Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughters CHKD Thrift Shop in Chesapeake, just outside Virginia Beach.  I got some amazing picture frames, wall art, and a sweet little Tommy Hilfiger purse.  I am afraid if I lived in a larger area I would be penniless from thrift stores and yard sales (oh, and Hobby Lobby).

Now how could I resist a purse with a little anchor???

And Now Some More Great Tangier Recipes To Share

Need an idea for something delicious this weekend?  Here are some more recipes from the "old" church cookbook "Food For My Household".  Starting with Joy's macaroni salad.  Joy taught school with me at Tangier Combined for only a few years before she passed away from cancer.  This was her "famous" recipe:

and some more of my favorites, starting with one from our school cafeteria manager Jody.
  
PS:  Jody, please make this more often...

Hope you enjoy!