Succulent Pumpkins

Recently, someone at work had one of these succulent pumpkins delivered and I thought it was so cute, but I had NOT idea how easy it was to make these!  I immediately started to research and bought the supplies.

I got two small pumpkins for less than $2 each at Trader Joe's.  I found some moss at the Dollar Tree, and I ordered 10 succulent cuttings off of Amazon.  

The key to picking a pumpkin, is picking one with a flat top.  And then, you add hot glue and press down the moss.  

Next, I added hot glue to the bottom of the succulents and pressed them into the moss.  This small pumpkin took about ten little succulent cuttings.  

I pulled off some of the bottom leaves of some of the succulent varieties.  After you get it arranged, you can spritz it with some water about once a week.  I've read that the succulents can take root, but regardless, these should last awhile b/c succulents are pretty forgiving.  When I'm ready to move from fall to Christmas decor, I'll probably try to slice off the top of the pumpkin where these lives and place it in a flowerpot and see what happens.

Fall Trail Mix

You can eat this trail mix at any time....and I do, but it feels right for the fall and it's so simple to put together!

My friend Susan shared this with me years ago and it will always be "Susan's mix."  It's the perfect mix of sweet with just a tiny hint of spicy (which you can leave out if you want, but most people don't even know that.  

Without further ado, or unnecessary words:  

Ingredients:  6 c. plain chex, 1 c. pecans, 1 c. pretzels (I always add a few more pecans and pretzels), 1 1/2 stick melted butter, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 1 scant tsp Cayenne pepper

Instructions:  Melt butter and stir in brown sugar and cayenne pepper.  

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.  Pour the butter mix over the dry mix and toss until the pieces are coated.  

Lay out on a large sheet pan and bake at 350 for 8 minutes.  Pull it out and stir.  Back another 8 minutes.  Cool and bag.  This should last at least a week if stored right, but....it's so delicious it won't last that long!  

 

Caramel Apples

 One of my favorite desserts is carameled apples.  When I was little I used to eat them all the time....and by eat them, I mean scrap the caramel off with my teeth.  Now that I'm older I still do that, but I also take a moment to feel thankful I still have my teeth to do the scrapping b/c heaven knows I haven't been kind to those two front teeth!
I've even made carameled apples in the past....but I only vaguely remember it and I remember the caramel running off.

I'm sure it was a complicated recipe, but in my old age, when I'm not feeling grateful to have teeth, I also look for simpler solutions, so.....apparently you can melt a 14 oz bag of unwrapped caramels and 2 T of water over low heat, coat your apples, and there is not dripping away (assuming you use a dried apple).  One bag does 6-8 apples assuming you don't eat half the bag before you dip the apples.  Not to say that happened, but, if it did happen, you'd only be able to make 4.  And....I totally count this as one of my fruits.

Caramel Cookie Bars

I like to eat icing with my icing.  In other words, I have a sweet tooth.  These bars are so sweet they even made me pucker in the best way possible.  The caramel centers reminded me of some toffee treats I had in Ireland, but the sweet cookie dough were all American.  This will definitely stay in my rotation.  I say caramel is the candy of September, but I think I can convince my theme loving self to let this recipe make an appearance in other months.  I found the original recipe at A Spice Perspective.

Caramel Cookie Bars

PRINT HERE

Ingredients:

Cookie Layer:  1 c. butter (softened, but not melted), 1 c. packed brown sugar, 1/2 c. sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 t. vanilla, 1 t. kosher salt, 1 t. baking soda, 2 1/2 c. flour, 2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Caramel Layer:    10 oz soft caramels (unwrapped), 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions:  

1.  Heat oven to 350.  Line a 9x13 inch pan with foil on the bottom and up the sides.  Spray it liberally with cooking spray.  

2.  Use an electric mixer to mix the butter and sugars until fluffy (about 2 minutes).  Add the eggs, vanilla, salt, and baking soda.  

3.  Add the flour a little at a time.  

4.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  

5.  Press half the dough into the bottom of the pan.  

6.  In a medium sauce pan mix the sweetened condensed milk and unwrapped caramels over medium.  Stir until the caramels are melted and the filling is smooth.  

7.  Pour your caramel mix over the pressed cookie dough.  

8.  Drop the remaining cookie dough in small clumps over the top of the caramel mix.

9.  Bake for 30 minutes (until the center is set).
10.  Cool completely, lift the bars out of the pan with the edges of the foil and cut into squares.
*The original recipe says you can freeze these.  Thaw individually and eat them later.  As if any of these will make it to my freezer....

Fall Wreath

My pal Kelly asked me for a fall wreath, so I put together a few of my favorite tricks.  

I grabbed a foam wreath (they sell these at the Dollar Tree, but you can find larger sizes at any craft store, they just aren't as cheap).  I found some yarn from Hobby Lobby on clearance that matched the fall colors I had in mind.  I simply wrapped it around and around.    I used some felt I had in my house already to make some flowers to attach.  Very easy and affordable.

Crocheted Pumpkin Banner

 Last year I began the journey of crocheting.  My second project was these pumpkins.  The tutorial was originally for small coasters, but I strung mine together to make a bunting....because....I love buntings.

Here is the adorable tutorial for anyone out there that crochets.....or wants to learn-this one was pretty easy for a beginner and because nobody is wearing it, it's OK if it's not perfect...which is pretty much how I pick all of my projects-forgiving in imperfections!  I excel at forgiving crafts.

Pumpkin Subway Sign

Here's a quick tutorial I did for Good Morning, Texas on Tuesday.  It took me awhile to figure out the are of subway signs.  

 It used to be the paint would smear under the vinyl, but I found (thanks to the internet) if you first paint the letters with mod podge and let it try....

 ...and go back over with paint, it will stay in place.  One note-make sure if you are using fence post (like I did)-sand them first or you will still get some smearing!

Faux Copper Pumpkins

 I few years ago I bought some copper pumpkin lanterns that I fill with mums and candles.  This year I took a page out of the world of dollar crafts and I made my own with plastic pumpkins.

I just grabbed some spray paint and different sized plastic pumpkins (I love this current toddler size from Walmart that was about 80 cents.  It took one coat and now it's ready for a little potted plant/gift.  I'll be back with those results.

Glitter Glam Leaves

Here's a really simple fall diy=glitter leaves.  I just used the glitter I had on hand, and the light available in the evening, but they really are pretty in person.  These will be going into a fall centerpiece....just as soon as I clean off my dining table.  So....November maybe.

I bought this bag of leaves at Michael's, but I've also seen them at the dollar tree.  It doesn't really matter what color they are b/c you are going to cover them up, but I liked that they didn't have bulky plastic 'veins'.  I painted them with mod podge and then went to town with my glitter.  I shook off the excess and let it dry.  If you don't like glitter to 'shed' through the years, you can add another layer of mod podge over the dried glitter leaf, but it does dull it just a bit-it will go on white, but dry clear.  I'm used to glitter, so....glitter shed it shall be.

Beer Bread Gifts

 Last Halloween I put some of these together for my friends.  I saw the idea at homewithmandy and knew it was the perfect gift.  What a great hostess gift if you are headed to parties, or....just want to make someone's day.
You can buy the disposable pans, or....I found thee at the dollar tree, which seemed like a good price to me.  I grabbed some pumpkin beer and then mixed together:

Ingredients:  3 c. wheat flour, 1 T. sugar, 1 T. baking powder, 1 t. salt in a bag.

I added a 12 oz beer and made some printable directions.

You can download them for free here.

All you have to do is mix the beer and the bag of mixings and bake it up.
I even made one for myself.  It taste great with honey....and it's oh so easy, and a fun presentation. Proof it bakes.

*One bag of wheat flour was enough for 6 loaves, though I did have to add about 1/4 c. white flour to the last loaf to have enough.  

Pumpkin Screen Painting

A little over a year ago I got new windows/screens.  I saved my old screens to craft with (plus this door below....that project is still on the shelf).

 I printed of a pumpkin picture like the one I painted last summer, but....I'm just now forcing myself to get these screens painted!  The key to painting on screens is A)  Choosing an easy design.  and B)  Paint on a trash bag or old table cloth b/c it will help the paint 'pool' and fill in some of the gaps in the screen as it dries so that the paint is a little darker.

I added a bow to the corner, but I actually just pinned it on the screen with a safety pin, this will allow the bow to be pulled of for storing it flat.  I also painted the silver a black color so it was more Halloween/Fall, and I sprayed a coat of water proofing spray to that so it wouldn't scratch off as easily.  

Apple Pie Bread

 I love bread.  I love fall.  I'm a fan of apples.  This one hits all the marks.  the crumble top definitely makes it happen.  I originally found this recipe on mybakingaddiction and had to give it a try as the thermometer went below 90...finally...a few weeks ago!

Apple Pie Bread

PRINT HERE

Ingredients:  1/2 c butter (softened), 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 c brown sugar, 1/4 c buttermilk, 2 t baking powder, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 t vanilla, 2 c flour, 2 t homemade apple pie spice, 1/2 t salt, 2 c. apples (peeled and grated, 3/4 c. pecans (chopped), 1/2 c cranberries (optional)
Crumble Top:  1/4 c brown sugar, 3 T flour, 1/4 t apple pie spice, 2 T butter, 1/3 c pecans (chopped)
Instructions:
1.  With a mixer, beat the butter for about 30 seconds.  Add the sugar and mix well.
2.  Add buttermilk and baking powder.  Beat.
3.  Add eggs and vanilla, beat until combined.
4.  In a second bowl, toss the flour, apple pie spice, and salt.
5.  Add flour mix to wet mix on low.
6.  Fold in apples, pecans, and cranberries.
7.  Place in sprayed 9x5 bread pan.
8.  Mix the Crumble Topping.  Spoon over bread and press down gently.
9.  Bake at 350 for 60 minutes (until toothpick comes out clean).

Dollar General Fall Table Ideas

 A week or so ago I went to the Dollar General.  I was tasked with the mission of creating a fall tablescape using things I could find at the store.  The show should be airing today on GMT.  I'll post the video later on facebook.  It should air, complete with the full tablescape and the third project I gave away before I took a picture.  Ooops.

 Up first I found these leaf plates for 2 dollars.  I liked the shape-cute for nuts, or they make a fun salad size plate.  The color didn't match my table.  I bought a brown/gold glass pumpkin-sort of mercury glass-ish.  I started by giving the plate a brown base with brown spray paint.

Once it dried I took a spray bottled and sprayed the plate until water bubbles rested on top about two squirts).  I then took gold spray paint and sprayed it over the wet surface.  I took a paper towel and blotted it up immediately, so it left a speckled surface-gold with some brown showing below.  If you don't like it....spray some more and repeat, but it's a pretty easy project.  If you want to use these as salad dishes, there is a clear shellac that makes things food safe you can get at places like Home Depot.  

I also took some clear vases and dollar twine and wrapped it around to make these rustic flower vases.  I put a dot of hot glue every inch or so just to hold it into place.  I used some clothes pins for a table setting, but you'll just have to watch if you don't believe me.  I'm drawn towards browns and golds.  I think it ended up pretty well considering, and I got to work with Paige, who I love getting to hang out with on and off camera.

 

Pumpkin Bread

One of my most pinned post is my Grandmother's pumpkin bread. You can find the recipe here. One recipe makes six little loaves, or 3 larger bread loaves (9 inch).  I always tell people this recipe is tastier than any other pumpkin bread I've ever tried....and there are a bunch of doubters right up until they try it.  Seriously, add this to  your list of things to try this year.  Fall doesn't count until this makes its way into my belly.

Primitive Fall Wreath

 This summer I went to a quilting retreat.  In a very uncharacteristic move...I didn't bring too many projects...which meant I have time...and some stuffing to fill that time with.  I started googling ideas for primitive Halloween projects.  It's currently my obsession.  I saw a wreath like this on etsy...and so I put together a few characters.

 Here is a free link to the crow pattern.  There are a lot of things I'm pretty mediocre at, but when it comes to free form cutting....it's a weird skill I excel at....I drew a pattern of this bird before I sewed him together.  I added a button eye and a scrap for his scarf...b/c crows wear scarves.  You could also paint his beak, but....I didn't have my paints, and I didn't have my motivation when I got home!  I used some primitive-ish looking fabric I got at JoAnne's.

 I cut rough circles out of brown fabric, stitch a loose stitch along the edge and then pulled it shut after adding stuffing.  I cut two more circles with yellow and fringed the edge and then glued it to the back.

For the pumpkin I cut out a rectangle, sewed three sides, stuffed, and then put a stick in the middle and gathered the top.  I wired on some Spanish moss to a grapevine wreath and then glued these guys down and added a bow.