Little Bits of Fall

Fall is most definitely settling in here in Midcoast Maine.  The mornings are chilly, the foliage is near its peak, and we're beginning to enjoy more soups, casseroles, and crock pot comforts when dinnertime rolls around.  Yep ... a new season is upon us, friends ... and I am reminded that the cold weather preparations are only just beginning.

In the meantime, here's a peek at the fun stuff:

 

I hope you're settling in and enjoying the season too.  It sure is a beautiful time of year, isn't it?

Custom Coverlets ... Quilted With Love

Last month, not too long after Brendan's birthday, a UPS truck driver pulled into our driveway just before bedtime.  The big kids assumed he was delivering something for Brendan ... until they saw the box with their names on it.  Delighted smiles ensued ... and then the squealing began.  Lots and lots of squealing.  It was a wonderful way to end the day.

As it turns out, my Auntie Elly had made them the cutest coverlets ever, quilted, as always, with lots of love and a keen eye for composition and color.  These handmades felt like a great big hug ... all the way from Arizona.  The kids were thrilled, including Brendan. (His custom quilt -- a.k.a. "monkey blanket" -- was a baby gift. Now he has a coordinating pillow cover to match.)

These big, beautiful quilts have seen lots and lots of action so far and I predict it will be a warmer, cozier winter because of them.  After all, they're not just quilts.  

Not by a long shot.

They are a tangible reminder of just how blessed, lucky, and loved we are.

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On a separate note, I'm sharing some salt dough inspired fun over at Making the World Cuter today.  Come take a peek!

Colleen's Kitchen Recipe Swap

Welcome to the Autumn Edition of our weekly recipe swap!

Please feel free to share any and all family favorites here until 11:00 p.m. EST on Sunday.

If you'd like to participate, please write up your post and leave the link (to that post only) below.  All I ask is that you also link back to me within your post so that your readers can join in the recipe swapping fun too.  You may also include the Colleen's Kitchen button above if you like.

I enjoy this little blog party so much!  It's always fun to check out new blogs and recipes.  So don't be shy ... and let the recipe sharing begin!  The more, the merrier.

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Let the fall-themed recipe fun continue!  These naughty-ish muffins were a huge hit here this week.  You just can't go wrong when pairing apples with caramel.  Especially this time of year.

Caramel Apple Muffins

(adapted from Taste of Home)

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

2 1/2-3 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 egg

1 cup skim milk

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tsp. vanilla

1-2 apples, peeled and diced

1 bag Kraft Caramel Bits (in the baking aisle)

Topping:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup oats

2 T butter, melted

1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350º.  In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.  Combine wet ingredients in a smaller bowl and add to dry.  Stir until just moistened.  Add in caramel bits and diced apples.  Fill greased muffin cups about 3/4 full and sprinkle with topping.  Bake for 20-22 minutes.  Serve warm.  Makes 12 muffins.

NOTE:  These muffins are best when the caramel is soft.  Microwave for 15-20 seconds before eating.

(click here for printable recipe)

Also linked to:

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap

Remodelaholic Recipes
Mommy's Kitchen
Tasty Tuesdays
What's Cooking Wednesday
Around My Family Table

Thanks, as always, for joining in the food-related fun!  Have a lovely weekend...

::: And just to give you all a heads up: Homemade Holidays will be returning once again starting on Friday, November 5th.  We had loads of fun with this weekly swap last year! The format will remain the same ... so feel free to check it out and join in whenever you can.  The more, the merrier. :::

  

Coloring My World

It's been quite a productive fall so far here in Midcoast Maine.  Which feels good, even though much of that productivity has centered around the smaller things: rearranging furniture, filling nail holes, touching up paint, hanging curtains ... and updating a few Goodwill and other everyday items.  

But sometimes it's the little things, right?  Especially when they start to add up.  And look pretty.  So here's a little peek at what's coloring my world this week, thanks to the magic of paint, gel stain, and my trusty sander:

Here's a new color for me, inspired by fall.  This shelf is on my kitchen counter and has been for quite some time.  It was black ... and blah.  So I went for a pumpkin-inspired color and I really love the warmth of it.  It's a lovely accent color without being too crazy or out of place.  Someday, when the kitchen gets painted, it's going to look wonderful next to the cranberries and tans.

This shelf is one of my favorite Goodwill finds.  It started out white. I painted it black last year and, to be honest, I didn't like it.  Until now.  This distressed and sea-inspired shade of blue really pops ... and it brightens up this corner of my living room.  The inexpensive Christmas Tree Shop lamp also adds a nice punch of color.

It's hard to tell in this picture, but this piece is painted and finished in the same color as the blue shelf pictured above.  This little gem was another Goodwill find from ages ago.  It used to be a recipe box with a dark wood finish.  Now it's hanging above the kitchen sink.  It's been fun to think about how the displayed items will change from season to season.  And I'm pleased to have just a little more of this color sprinkled throughout the house.

This bowl has seen a lot of use.  I've had it for ages and I always have it filled with a candle and some seasonal bowl fillers.  It used to be a distressed red, but it originally had a bright blue finish and a garrish snowman face.  Sometimes you have to look beyond those things, especially when the bones are good and the price is right.

And then there's one last black to blue makeover.  My cheap wooden tray really pops now.
 

Like I said, it's the simple things.  What's coloring your world this week?

 

 
 

Who needs date night?

Who needs date night when you can spend part of your Saturday evening rearranging the dining room?

Yep ... it's been a long time in coming, folks.  A new -- and roomier -- arrangement for our dining room.  We've been talking about it for ages ... mentally moving things around, measuring ... and getting frustrated whenever we have gatherings of more than eight people.  Which seems to be happening quite a lot lately.  Nine people really don't fit at a table meant for eight, no matter what we've been telling ourselves.

So before we popped in a movie, we got down to work.  It was fun, a little frustrating, and totally worth the hour or so we spent moving things around.


The old arrangement looked like this when peeking in from the kitchen hallway:

And now it looks like this:

We used to see this view from the living room:

And now we have this open/airy/larger feeling view:

 

With an empty wall where the hutch used to be ... and plenty of space for a kids' table when necessary:

One last view from the corner:

It's been a few days and everyone is really enjoying this "new" space.  It feels so much bigger, which is just amazing.  I can't believe the difference!

The "To Do" list still includes some touch-up painting, a little tweaking and arranging ... and a few GW makeovers to round out the decor.  But that's the fun stuff.  

As Teddy Roosevelt is famous for saying: 

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." 

I'll keep you posted ... 

And the winner is ...

Good morning, friends!  

As always, it was a blast hosting another giveaway for you all.  Your sweet comments and enthusiasm are much appreciated indeed.  Thanks so much!  We'll have to do this again soon...

In the meantime, the lucky number generated by Random.org is:

... which means the winner is:

Congratulations, Casey!  

Make sure to send me an e-mail so I can get these goodies on their way to you later this week.

Have a wonderful day, every one!

 

 

::: Menu Plan Monday :::

 

Fall is here!  And so are the long-awaited soups, baked goods, and heartier dinners.  Here's what's on the menu this week: 

      
Breakfast Staples:

• Mini Apple Pie Tarts (freezer)

• Berry Baked Oatmeal/Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
• Cereal, fruit, and yogurt with granola 

• Wheat Toast/English muffins with Maple Pumpkin Butter 
• Mommy's Kitchen Instant Oatmeal
• Crock Pot Apple Pie Oatmeal

• Holiday Gingerbread Muffins 

• Spiced Blueberry Applesauce

Dinnertime Fare: 

• Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup and Rosemary Bread 
• Chicken Potato Bake and Squash-Apple Bake 
• Homemade Pizza Night: Buffalo Chicken Pizza/veggies and dip
• Chicken Stuffed Shells, carrots, and Outback bread  

• Breakfast Dinner: Sweet Potato Waffles (new!), sausage and Spiced Blueberry Applesauce

• No Fuss Night/Leftovers

 

Baking/Freezing List:   

• Everyday Bread

• Molasses Oatmeal Bread (new!)

• Take-Along Breakfast Cookies (new!)

• PB Oatmeal Muffins
• Pumpkin Cranberry Biscotti

• Homemade Granola

• Candy Corn Sugar Cookies (new!) 

Colleen's Kitchen Recipe Swap

Welcome to the Autumn Edition of our weekly recipe swap!

Please feel free to share any and all family favorites here until 11:00 p.m. EST on Sunday.

If you'd like to participate, please write up your post and leave the link (to that post only) below.  All I ask is that you also link back to me within your post so that your readers can join in the recipe swapping fun too.  You may also include the Colleen's Kitchen button above if you like.

I enjoy this little blog party so much!  It's always fun to check out new blogs and recipes.  So don't be shy ... and let the recipe sharing begin!  The more, the merrier.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

If you enjoy the flavors of fall, then this week's recipe is for you!  We've been spreading this butter on toast, English muffins, and mini bagels all week.  It's ever-so-slightly sweet with just a hint of maple flavor.  Such a lovely option for autumn breakfasts.

Pumpkin Maple Butter

(adapted from CalorieCount.com)

16 oz. can pumpkin puree

1/4-1/2 cup real maple syrup

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan.  Cook uncovered on low, stirring occasionally for 45-60 minutes until the butter reaches a spreadable consistency.  Store covered in the fridge for about two weeks.  

(click here for printable recipe)

Also linked to:

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap

Remodelaholic Recipes
Mommy's Kitchen
Tasty Tuesdays
What's Cooking Wednesday
Around My Family Table 

Thanks, as always, for joining in the food-related fun.  Have a lovely fall weekend!