A Pinterest Autumn

Pinterest - the virtual Pinboard.  By a show of hands, who has experienced Pinterest, and the unexpected addiction that comes with it?  It's really a nifty idea, but I have found that my work productivity dropped significantly since I received my Pinterest invitation, and my craft/d-i-y project list grew exponentially.  Truly, though, it's very convenient to collect links in one place, and I've recommended it to my clients with weddings coming up.  This way they can save pictures of things that inspire them, which helps me to plan an event around their tastes.  Fabulous.

I haven't been working on projects lately, though my list is growing.  I'm in the middle of a couple of months off from event-planning, which has been beautiful.  I've been systematically cleaning my house, and finished (yes, finished!) the laundry last weekend.  But who really blogs about laundry and cleaning?  {I'm only doing so to explain my bloggy absence.}  So in lieu of another d-i-y post (recipe, craft or otherwise) I thought I'd walk you through one of my virtual pinboards (named Fallishness.)  I'll site the original source where I can, but Pinterest doesn't always take you back where it came from, and sometimes the links are re-posts to begin with, and no source is sited.  If you happen to know the original post for any of these, please share, because I would so love to credit the rightful owner.

Let's start with table decorations.  How simple and delightful are these apple candle holders?  Such a perfect little Autumny touch.

Original post here

And speaking of apples, how about a whole bowl of apples turned centerpiece?  My husband wouldn't hesitate to pick one off the pile as he walked by, and that would be just fine with a decoration like this.  Who says practical can't also be beautiful? 

Anything with hurricane lamps is ok in my book!  I love these colors:

Original post here

I fell in love with this simple project.  Mason jars wrapped in twine, spray painted, then tied with a bow and illuminated with tea lights.  Stunning!

Can I just tell you that I already have the paper purchased for this project?  The world's cutest pumpkins, ladies and gentlemen.

Original post here.

It's dangerous for me to concentrate on fall food too much, however, I loved this pumpkin made from two bundts put together.  On my pinboard, I called this a Pumpkindt.

A few unique pumpkin decorating ideas:

Original post here

I can't help assuming that this is a home further South than mine, as our wood burner is already in action.

Original post here

And finally, some glittery pumpkins.  

Original post here

So how do you decorate for Autumn?

~ Sarah

Fall Festival 2011

*Contented Sigh*

Happy Autumn!  I know I've managed to sneak that into every post during the past few weeks, but really, Autumn is such a happy time.  I can't help but wish the happiness on others.  :)

This past weekend was the Fall Festival at Elk Mountain Ski Resort.  Unless I'm deathly ill or there's an emergency, I always make it to the Fall Festival.  They have craft booths, bands, family activites, etc, etc, but the main event (for me) is the ride on the ski lift.  We wander in and out of the tents, it's true, but after I'm done with that ride, I'm ready to leave any time.  Usually, I come with an Autumn 'kit', which includes blankets, hot chocolate, warm sweaters and coats, gloves/hats/scarves, and a camera, but summer paid us a late visit this year, and the day was actually hot.  Even at the very top of the mountain, where everyone takes pictures and usually shivers, it was comfortable without a sweater.  The ride down on the lift is especially wonderful as you view the horizon, so I'm always surprised how many people opt to walk down the ski slopes instead.  But to each their own. 

I loved this little girl dashing down the mountain in her long, flowing skirt.

The view from the top of the world...

The view going back down.

Later, Jayson and I stopped for some ice cream to top off the perfect day.

 

Happy Autumn!!  <3

~ Sarah

Pumpkin Pudding

Happy Thursday!!

Well, I have had a rather busy week, what with my little SUV breaking down, discovering it needs to be replaced (*sniffles*), and shopping for a brand-spanking-new vehicle.  (Big shout out to my friend, Amy, who has been chauffering my stranded little behind all over, and to my father-in-law, who rescued me in the first place as I sat with blinking lights in front of the mausoleum during rush hour.)

Despite all of this, I have NOT been too busy for a new recipe.  :-)  I love pumpkin, but, as stated before, baking doesn't seem to be my calling or gift.  That being the case, I wanted to make something pumpkiny but cold.  And I found it: pumpkin pudding.  I started with some general suggestions I found online, but once I tested it things started to get a little ad-libbed.

What you will need:

1. 1 can of pumpkin
2. 1 box of vanilla pudding mix
3. pumpkin pie spice
4. milk (evaporated or regular -- I used 2% because, well, I have no car and can't go to the store.)

What I also used:

1. Pampered Chef's Sweet Cinnamon Sprinkle
2. Pecans (mmm!!!!)
3. Ground cloves

Mix the pudding, pumpkin, and 2 cups of milk together, along with some pumpkin pie spice to taste.  If you are using additional ingredients, add them to taste, too.

My personal assistant and I agreed that it was certainly a delicious recipe, and, what's more, SUPER easy!!  Love it!

My personal assistant. 

Plan for the evening: grab a blanket, snuggle into a comfy deck chair, and eat pumpkin pudding!

~ Sarah

The Colors of Autumn

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my home?  I live in northeastern Pennsylvania, which is an altogether mercurial place to live.  PA's weather is... temperamental, at best, with an occasional snowfall in May, and bikini weather in January (neither a regular occurrence, but they have both happened). 

But I love it.  I love that my wardrobe has it all: thick, warm, soft sweaters, cute shorts and tank tops, hand-knitted, colorful socks.  And then, there's the changing of the seasons.  PA is at its best in early spring, when the mountains turn fluorescent lime, immediately after a snowfall when all the trees glisten, at the peak of summer when the mountains nap under a lazy haze... and, of course... in autumn, when the world looks like a crayola box.

Something about Autumn makes everyone come alive here.  Suddenly, there are things to do, places to visit, and reasons to bundle up and venture out into the crisp, chilly air.  There are fall festivals, hayrides, corn mazes, ski lift rides (yes, they open the ski lifts so everyone can view the trees), quilt shows, etc etc.  Tunkhannock, a delightful little town nearby, has an annual Airing of the Quilts, which is usually the first Saturday in October.  On this day, you can walk up and down the streets, and view the quilts that businesses and homes have spread out on railings, bushes and clotheslines.  It's amazing. 

This past weekend, I spent the day with Jayson walking through Tunkhannock, drinking hot cider, and snuggling close under my colorful umbrella.  I stopped periodically to take photographs of the colorful things that popped out at me.  I thought you'd like to see them, too.

Look at this spectacular climbing ivy...

  

 

 And this burning bush!

Or how about this Autumn-colored flower bed?

I loved these pinkish-red hydrangeas:

Even the fallen leaves looked so lovely.

Surprisingly, I didn't take as many photos of the quilts this year (probably because of the rain), but it was a wonderful day, with a wonderful companion.

Happy Autumn!

~ Sarah

Delicious Turkey Sandwich

Isn't it a wonderful time of year?  There's something so magical about Autumn... lovely colors bursting everywhere you look, scrumptuous foods appearing everywhere you go... and everything is laced with cinnamon, cider, pumpkin, cloves and apples.  Perhaps Autumn is not like this where you live, and I am deeply sorry for you, but only a cynical person can hate Autumn in northeastern PA, I think.

I like to salute Autumn constantly while it's here, so I even look for Autumn-ish recipes to make for dinner, and I thought I would share a recipe I made for dinner last night.  I was inspired on our camping trip (see Iron Chef Camper) by my dear friend's lunch recipe.  Seriously, it was the most amazing sandwich I've ever had.  I can't remember everything that was on it, but I made a noble attempt with what I definitely recall.  She named it something like Thanksgiving on a sandwich.  Perfect for autumn!

What I used:

1. Rye bread
2. fresh turkey
3. sharp provalone cheese
4. granny smith apples
5. honey mustard (or delicatessan mustard)

Toast the bread, then spread with your choice of mustard.  I couldn't decide which one I liked better, so I made one of each and Jayson and I split them both.  (If forced to decide, I preferred the honey mustard, but only a tiny bit more... they're both delicious.)

Melt the cheese and heat the turkey in a skillet, then spread on each sandwich.

Add thin apple slices to each sandwich.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the finished sandwiches, but they were amazing!  We've added this to our 'must have frequently' recipe rotation.  I highly recommend it!

What Autumn recipes do you enjoy / recommend??

~ Sarah

(Shout out to Amy!! <3)

Tribute to Pennsylvania

Where do you live?  What is it like?

Every place has its own uniqueness, its own beauty... but although I have seen a number of beautiful places, I’ve never found one I love so much as my home, especially now – when the summer is coming to a close, and Autumn (oh, lovely Autumn!) is nearly here. 

 

Jayson and I were off to the fair last week.  Our usual M.O. is to meet friends of ours on the last night of the fair for the Demolition Derby (yes, yes, ‘you know you’re a redneck if...’) Our friends couldn’t make it this year, but we went ourselves.  The fair was alright, but the ride was divine!  It was a perfect late-summer afternoon.

As Jayson curved, climbed and crawled through the charming countryside that is our home, I rolled down the windows, closed my eyes, and let my hand and hair be carried in the breeze.  We passed through glorious, rolling mountains, petite farm houses and beautiful, dainty gardens.  The signs of Autumn are beginning to peek out from behind summer... a colorful leaf here, a wild tree speckled with blushing apples there, a cool breeze feathering through the tall grasses.

We drove in comfortable, companionable silence, enjoying our journey.  Then, the car slowed, and I heard a turn signal as we prepared to turn onto the interstate.  I felt my heart sadden.  “Is there no back road we can take?”

A half-smile from his lips and a twinkle in his eye... yes, there were back roads, and we would travel them today.

I love Pennsylvania.

~ Sarah