Thanksgiving Centerpieces: What is your table going to look like this year?
Posted by Andrea
Thanksgiving Centerpieces
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Tag Archives: autumn
What Fills Vacant lots in the Fall?
In the early Fall sunflowers start growing wild on the side of the road which I LOVE. Those vacant lots that are usually an eye sore become something to behold. When you think of sunflowers, is the first thing that pops into your head a country- style border in a bathroom or kitchen? I wish the answer was no but I think that is probably what most people think of when they think of sunflowers. They got stuck in country motif, but I think sunflowers are gorgeous wild flowers.
I had a flower company for about 9 years called Les Fleurs Floral Design and I loved doing fall weddings with lots of browns, rusts, oranges, blues and top them with sun flowers. However, I must tell you that when you are cutting wild sunflowers, have your vase of water with you so that you can put the flowers directly in the vase after you cut them. Sunflowers need lots and lots of water! Remove the foliage and then find a cool place for the flowers, in their vase, to hydrate before using them for an upcoming dinner or event.
Now that I have given you my thoughts on sunflowers, I want to hear yours…Greg doesn’t appreciate them and would put them in the weed category. What do you think?
Posted by Andrea
Homemade Applesauce
This side dish is one that will be loved by all, especially the children! I combined a couple of recipes and found just the perfect combination.
Start by peeling the apples. I have had many peelers throughout the years but there is only one that deserves the title of fabulous! The funny thing is that it is the cheapest one that I have ever had. I actually had a very similar peeler when I was a missionary in France. When I got home and got married I started to cook a lot more. I did not like the peeler that I received as a wedding gift. So I went out to Target and bought another one. Still it was not great. Finally I went to William Sonoma and bought two different kinds; one that was like the one in France and another that was more fancy and three times the price. The one for $3.50 won out! I always hand wash and dry them so they don’t rust. I know I sound so funny being so particular about my peeler, but…I am. So…drum roll…my peeler!
Here are my apples all peeled and ready to be cored and chopped.
Toss the apples with lemon juice in a sauce pan.
Add water, sugar and cinnamon.
Cover and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until apples are soft. Allow to cool and then mash with a fork or potato masher.
Serve and enjoy! I forgot to garnish with light brown sugar for the photo!
Homemade Applesauce
10-12 apples (any kind, I used gala) peeled, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4-1/2 cup white sugar (it depends on how sweet the apple you use is)
1 1/2 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Garnish with light brown sugar
In a saucepan, toss apples with the lemon juice. Add water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher. Serves 12
Posted by Andrea
Halloween Decor
I love to get magazines that are full of Halloween decor. Here are some of the great things I’ve found…
Posted by Andrea
Mums Glorious Mums
The kids are now back in to the routine of school, the nights are getting cooler and the leaves in the mountains are transforming from shades of green to red, orange, and yellow. Not sure I am quite ready for the snow yet but the cooler weather does feel great. A lot of the plants are beginning to die but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have great Fall color in your yards and homes. The answer to your Fall color dilemma is MUMS! They come in so many great colors and they add life and color to your yard.
Can you believe the colors?
Greg’s parents lived in Pittsburgh for three years. They lived in a gorgeous neighborhood with traditional brick houses. Very picturesque! When we went to visit we loved going to this quaint nursery called Trax Farms. They have the world’s best apple cider and they do games and activities on holidays. It is a definite must see if you are ever out that way.
I literally could not believe my eyes when I saw this huge array of beautiful, colorful mums. It made me love Autumn even more than I already do!
We visited Greg’s parents in Pennsylvania twice during the Autumn months and it is truly breathtaking during this time of year. We instantly fell in love with the homes and neighborhoods. Everyone got really into decorating their homes for the season. They used pumpkins, corn stalks and mums! Lots of mums! They even take the time to decorate their sheds.
Posted by Andrea
Boots of the Season
The part of Fall that I really love is pulling out the cozy sweaters, buying a new pair of jeans and the BOOTS. I love boots! I always have. The boots that are showing up this season have lots of laces and buttons. They remind me of the movie Pollyanna with Haley Mills. Remember when she goes shopping (Pretty Woman shopping) where all the employees wait on her hand-and-foot? I still remember how they used this special tool to do up her shoe laces. I loved those boots!
This season is definitely not disappointing us boot department. Here are some of my fav’s of the season.
Galina Ankle Boots from Anthropologie
Impo Tayside Bootie from DSW
Regalia Button Boots from Anthropologie
Clarks Palmyra Leona Boots from Zappos
