Fall is Coming...Someday

If I could bring fall in just by "wishing"...it would arrive in Texas bigger than life. In reality, the air conditioner is still blasting to help curb the 90 degree temps and the 150% humidity. (well, at least it feels that way!!) Not to be defeated, I like to help create the "feeling of fall" by decorating our home with all of my favorite "fallish" items. And of course...by burning my FAVORITE fall scented candle by Yankee Candles-Spiced Pumpkin...yummmmm! Somehow I believe that it might help hasten the arrival of the season. So far, it is hotter than the dickens out...but I am ever hopeful! Besides, soon we will get a taste of the real thing when we travel to visit family in Ohio and enjoy time together camping, attending the BEST period craft show, visiting and hanging out. Ashley and Casey are driving down to meet us...so that is an extra special treat! I thought I'd share a pictorial tour with you in case you are also suffering from the "I need my fall fix" dilemma. Enjoy!

First off, this little guy greets you as you step onto our porch-WELCOME!

Our Front Door...

My Scarecrow friend beside a wooden pumpkin I made years ago...

The girls got me this adorable pumpkin votive candle holder last year to add to my fall decor collection. I burn Yankee Spiced Pumpkin votives in this on our kitchen counter...more of my favorite scent!!I LOVE candles burning...especially in the fall...A basket of plenty on the fireplace hearth in our new family room...Many of my decorations are purchased from Hobby Lobby during a 50% off sale! This one I found a basic wreath and added a few "extra" things to get the look I wanted...another Hobby Lobby find...More Spiced Pumpkin votives on the mantle...I enjoy having a mantle to decorate this year!!And yet more candles...

HAPPY SPRING!!!

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Ok, so it has officially been spring for one week now and we sure are enjoying the beautiful weather. Brad and I ate dinner on the patio the past few nights and lingered to talk, listen to the birds and just to enjoy the evening.

We worked in the flower beds over the weekend and have restored our own corner of beauty to God's creation! I'm sorry to say our yard and flower beds have been sadly neglected these past several months. So, after a weekend of weeding, planting and mulching... we are now ready to officially welcome spring and Resurrection Sunday; a day of new beginnings!! What a joy to look out and see a large selection of "happy" flowers!

It was too nice to stay indoors all day, so this morning I grabbed my camera and went out to play around capturing some sites in our flower beds! In celebration, I thought I'd let you take a peek!

Our azealas look beautiful this year!

So far this year, the deer have not discovered this little gem of a rose bush!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

These two pictures show two of many flowering plants that a dear friend planted in our front beds the week I had to put our two faithful dogs to sleep. It was a bright spot for me during a difficult time! Thanks Glenda!

Our bougainvillea died out last winter, but we enjoyed their color so much that we purchased new ones over the weekend. Thought we'd give them another try!

I updated some of the potted plants on our back porch. I love to keep a lot of color out there as we can see this area from several rooms inside the house.

Happy Spring to each of you, and may you remember to praise the Creator as well as His Creation!

Photo Source: Personal Portfolio

Fall is in the air!

You have to live in the south to appreciate what a treat it is to walk outside first thing in the morning and realize that maybe; just maybe, today will be the day that heralds the arrival of "Fall". The crisp, cool air is such a welcome relief after years, ok, maybe not years...but at least months of heat and humidity. Although I enjoy living in Texas, it is no secret that I dearly miss the vibrant colors of the trees, the cool crispness of the air, the sites, sounds and activities I loved each fall while growing up in Ohio. You just can not match the incredible magnitude of color painted across northern hillsides as far as the eye can see. A final mosaic from God’s hand before the earth settles down for a long winter's nap. To be fair, I haven't quite decided yet who wins the prize for most advantageous environment; fall in the northeast or the bright sunny sweater weather of a temperate Texas winter. (during which time, of course, the overcast north is immobilized under 10' of snow and ice) That is a discussion for another day. Right now, suffice it to say, I am in need of my annual "Fall Fix"! So I pushed the envelope a little this year by pulling out my fall decorations and began burning our spiced pumpkin candle before the traditional September 1st kick-off date. I won't admit to just how far in advance I began this arbitrary ritual, except to say that we are on our third candle (and we're not talking votives here!). So, in honor of my favorite season of the year, I want to share one of our favorite recipes that have become a part of celebrating fall in our home. I recently took a large platter of these spicy treats to a gathering of women I am involved with from our church and everyone asked for the recipe. I placed the pumpkin dip in a special ceramic pumpkin shaped bowl that my dear husband gave me for my birthday a few years back. You could easily duplicate my ceramic pumpkin by purchasing a miniature pumpkin from the produce department of your local farmer’s market or grocery store. Cut a lid from the pumpkin, scrape out the insides and spoon your prepared dip into the hollowed out serving container. I like to place my pumpkin full of dip in the center of a large “fallish” serving platter I bought years ago at Wal Mart. The cookies taste great and come out picture perfect every time. I seldom roll in the additional sugar or dip in the vanilla baking chips as they are wonderful without the added sugar. So experiment to your heart’s content and have a taste of fall on me! Blessings, Diane

Gingersnap Cookies
2 c. white sugar
1 ½ c. oil
2 eggs
½ c. molasses
4 c. flour
4 t. baking soda
1 T. ground ginger
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. salt

Optional:
Additional sugar to roll dough in
2 pkg (12 oz each) vanilla baking chips
1/4 c. Crisco
Combine sugar & oil, mix well. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in molasses. Combine dry ingredients, gradually add to creamed mixture and blend well. Shape into 3/4” balls and roll in sugar. Place 2” apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake @ 350 for 10-12 minutes or until cookie springs back when touched lightly. Remove to wire racks to cool. Melt chips with Crisco in small pan over low heat. Dip cookies halfway; shake off excess. Place on waxed paper lined baking sheets to harden. Also, can use with “Sweet & Creamy Pumpkin Dip” below. These freeze very well! From: Country Woman Magazine. Runner-Up Contestant for Best Cookies.

Sweet & Creamy Pumpkin Dip
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
2 c. confectioner’s sugar
1 can (15oz) pumpkin
1 T. Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 t. Orange Extract
½ t. Ground Ginger

In a food processor, blend cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Remove cover, add pumpkin and remaining ingredients. Blend thoroughly. Chill at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve. Serve with Gingersnap cookies, Red Delicious apples or pears, cored and cut into 1/2” slices, leaving skin on for color. Tip: Toss fruit with a little lemon juice mixed with water to prevent browning. This is adorable served in a small pumpkin shaped dish or clean out a real pumpkin (mini size) and use as serving bowl. Yield: 2 1/2 cups.

I saw this in Sunday's comic section of the newspaper: For Better or For Worse, by Lynn Johnston. I thought it applied :-)