“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label pumpkins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pumpkins. Show all posts

Friday, October 5, 2018

Poetry and Pumpkins





The Pumpkin  
John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807 - 1892

"Then thanks for thy present! none sweeter or better E’er smoked from an oven or circled a platter! Fairer hands never wrought at a pastry more fine, Brighter eyes never watched o’er its baking, than thine! And the prayer, which my mouth is too full to express, Swells my heart that thy shadow may never be less, That the days of thy lot may be lengthened below, And the fame of thy worth like a pumpkin-vine grow, And thy life be as sweet, and its last sunset sky Golden-tinted and fair as thy own Pumpkin pie!"




Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins!

October screams PUMPKINS! I love them! My baking takes on a very Pumpkin theme until after Thanksgiving and then I move on to Christmas with other ingredients. Check below for my Pumpkin recipe!







Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
                        Crust
  1              box  Spice cake mix
  1              stick  butter -- softened
  1              whole  egg
           
                        Filling
  8             ounces  cream cheese -- softened
  1             stick  butter -- softened
  2             cups  sugar
  2             whole  eggs
  1             teaspoon  vanilla
  1             can pumpkin puree (15 oz.)
  2             teaspoons ground cinnamon
  1             teaspoon ground nutmeg
  1/2          teaspoon ground ginger


For the Crust:  In large mixer bowl blend the cake mix and butter to combine.  Add the egg and mix until it forms a soft dough. Spray a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Press the dough evenly into the dish. Set aside and make the filling.

For the Filling: In large mixer bowl cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.  Add the sugar, eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined. Add the pumpkin and spices, mix well. Pour over the crust.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.  Center of dessert will be gooey but not runny.

Cool at least 20 minutes, cut or spoon onto serving dish and top with whipped cream. Serves about 12.


The Harvest Moon
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807 - 1882


It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes
And roofs of villages, on woodland crests
And their aerial neighborhoods of nests
Deserted, on the curtained window-panes
Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes
And harvest-fields, its mystic splendor rests!
Gone are the birds that were our summer guests,
With the last sheaves return the laboring wains!
All things are symbols: the external shows
Of Nature have their image in the mind,
As flowers and fruits and falling of the leaves;
The song-birds leave us at the summer’s close,
Only the empty nests are left behind,
And pipings of the quail among the sheaves.



Hope you enjoyed this bit of Pumpkin Palooza! 
Happy Fall to All!
Diane

🍁🍂🍁🍂
🍃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🍃




Friday, October 4, 2013

An Autumn Poem

I was looking around today for a nice little Autumn poem and just couldn't find anything I really was in the mood for. I was checking my bookmarks and came across this goofy website poem generator that I had saved.  I have used it a few times just for fun, and decided today I would have it help me write a poem.




I  used the generated poem for inspiration in the poem I wrote below.  Sometimes it's fun just to play!


Autumn's Rosy Red Apples
I could stroll down this path forever
  overjoyed with a lovely orchard
  full of rosy red apples and orange pumpkins
  breathing in the blustery brisk air
  feeling the sunshine on this autumn afternoon
  what a gorgeous way to spend the day.

Look to the blue sky
  the leaves are falling like confetti on the grass
  orange and reds glimmer on the pond
  the reflections draw my eye down towards
  water as the leaves float to and fro
  isn't this enjoyable? Gorgeous!

I could stay here forever
  so if on a carefree whim you happen
  on an orchard on a warm and
  sweet Autumn day
  you may find somebody
  happy go-lucky adoring
  the rosy apples
  and it might just be me.
                      ~~CraveCute







My other inspiration for the poem was my trip to Jim's Apple Farm  a couple of weeks ago. I hope you have all been able to get out and enjoy some of this beautiful weather.  We are getting some blessed rain finally, but next week is predicted to be gorgeous again!  We are barely into Autumn and Winter is already nipping at our heels! We have snow in the states just west of us and I am NOT ready for that yet!















































Just follow the orange pumpkin-ed road to the end of the row and you have a great photo-op for your family! So cute!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! See you in blog-land! ~~ Diane


Linked with Common Ground


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Butterscotch Pumpkin Cookies

I have pumpkin on the brain. I have been thinking about pumpkins too much. My Pinterest board is overflowing with pumpkin things, soups, main courses, desserts, decorations, all pumpkin. After a while, I will have had it with pumpkins. The next thing I will be into this season will be cranberries, but that is for another day.

Today we are still thinking pumpkin. Here is a wonderful recipe that I adapted from one I found on Pinterest. My family thinks these are the best pumpkin cookies ever! The Butterscotch Frosting really makes these cookies over the top good!


Butterscotch Pumpkin Cookies

2 cups flour
1- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup chopped pecans (toasted)


Butterscotch Frosting: 6 Tablespoons butter
1/3 cup brown cane sugar
2 cups powdered sugar 1 or more teaspoon(s) water to right consistency

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Chop pecans.  In a saute pan, toast pecans until fragrant.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon,ginger and nutmeg.  Set aside.  In a large bowl (or mixer) cream together the sugar and butter.  Add one egg.  Stir in the pumpkin.  Add flour mixture and mix until incorporated.  (Do not over mix.)  Stir in pecans by hand. Drop with a teaspoon onto a cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes.

For the Frosting:
Heat butter in a a saucepan.  Add brown sugar and stir.  Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar.  Add a teaspoon of water or more until you reach desired consistency.  Frost the cookies. Grate a little more nutmeg over the top before the frosting sets. Wait at least five minutes, then sample!





Pumpkin Chewy Deliciousness




Linked to What I Love Wednesday

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

A Few Thanksgiving Favorites...

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There is so much to love about Thanksgiving, the family time, the friendship, the food, the fun, the football. Did you notice those things all start with the letter"F", hmmmm. Actually I am not even that big a football fan, but I can still join in the spirit of it all. The rest of those things, well they are all wonderful. Even better no rushing around to get presents ready.

Over the years the food has become even more important to me, it is a link to the past. It is a way to reconnect to those memories of days gone bye. Today I am sharing a recipe of my Mom's, when I make it, all those years of baking with her in the farm kitchen come back to me. 

 Oh, I did forget to mention one huge thing though. 
It's what the season is all about, Thankfulness.



Mom's Pumpkin Pie

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. You will need two 8 inch unbaked pie crusts.

                                      4 whole eggs
                                      2 cups cooked pumpkin, (1 can Libby's Pumpkin)
                                      1 cup granulated sugar
                                      3/4 cup brown sugar
                                      4 TBS. flour
                                      2tsps. cinnamon
                                      1tsp. nutmeg
                                      1/2 tsp. ginger
                                      1 tsp. salt
                                      2 cups whole milk


In a large bowl with a wire whisk beat the eggs. Add pumpkin, sugar and dry ingredients. Beat until smooth, add milk and beat again.  Pour into the unbaked pie crust shells.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven to 350 degrees and bake another 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center of pie comes out clean.  Makes two 8 inch pies.
Let cool to room temperature before putting into the refrigerator. Top with whipped cream just before serving.








One thing I am thankful for is my Mom's Pumpkin Pie recipe.

What are you Thankful for this year?

linked to Tina's PicStory 

Friday, October 28, 2011

Halloween Party, Food & Fun...



..... And big ones too!

 Still not inspired for a big (or little) Halloween party? Grab some pumpkins, candles and some sticks from your back yard. Add some twinkle lights and voila, your home is magically transformed.

Well maybe it's not that easy, but with a few decorations, one great cocktail and some basic food you can have a fun and fantastic Halloween party! Here are a few ideas for you...



First of all...

Set the mood by adding something nice to your front entry.



 2 Hearts


No time to carve pumpkins? Simply arrange a few around the entry. Add battery powered candles if you feel uncomfortable with open flames.










Nice soft lighting makes your guests feel at ease.





Start with a fabulous cocktail!
Halloween Sunset cocktail recipe





How about a couple of appetizers? Yum!





A simple pumpkin cheese ball is always a hit.







Here is an example of a wonderful table set up for a party.


Halloween Dessert Buffet





Need more food ideas? Here you go.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Bites











You look stressed. Try this cocktail. It's called a Harvest Moon. Feel better now? Delicious!







Some yummy treats!









Caramel Apple Recipe




This candy arrangement makes a great 
centerpiece that you can eat.

Halloween Candy Kabobs


Hint: Add a few drops of canola oil to a paper towel and lightly rub the bamboo skewer before sliding the candy on. It makes things much easier. Arrange in a large vase or pitcher.


                  






A cup of warm cider sends your guests 
off feeling all warm and toasty!


272/365 - cider with cinnamon








Coffee after a party is the universal sign of
  "Thanks for coming and good night".



coffee curl




Make sure you have some ready to go about a 
half hour before you would like your party to end.  For more fun Halloween images and ideas visit my board below.





Hope you have a Spooktacular Party!


Update: Due to changes in Pinterest most images have been replaced with a link to my Halloween pinboard or removed. ~ Diane


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Cozy Autumn Home...

I really don't decorate that much for Halloween. We have a nice pumpkin and beautiful mum on the front porch. Inside just a few touches of fall on the buffet and piano. I am more of a Christmas person but I did take a few photos of some of the things I have put out for autumn.

Cute Wooden Pumpkin Kitty and Pumpkin Spice Potpourri.


Darling Vintage Fitz and Floyd Mugs I bought on Etsy
I love the Raccoon mugs I bought on Etsy from Feed the Birdies Vintage!




I layered a gold placemat shaped like a leaf over the runner to set off the
kitty and potpourri bowl. They are in front of a large leaf embossed platter.




 Yes, there is a pumpkin sitting on the Witches hat.






I added some fun texture to my photos and in the above a little sparkle
to give it a little magical quality.




I think these Vintage Black Cat Salt and Pepper Shakers really look
at home in front of the white pumpkin.

I am linking with Potpourri Friday 2805.



Friday, September 16, 2011

Autumnal Beauty



We love the beauty that the changing seasons bring here in the northern United States. It has been a busy week for me but I couldn't pass up the Pinning and Singing link up when I found out the theme was Autumn/Fall. Here are just a few of my favorites from Pinterest. Yes, we are pinning and singing again. My song selection is by the wonderful Frank Sinatra. Hope you enjoy your time here today!





These are some colorful leaves on my Juneberry shrub. They are also sometimes called Serviceberries.













Gorgeous Velvet Pumpkins!






Frank Sinatra "When the Wind Was Green"
Frank covers every season in this one, but it is on his album September of My Years, so I thought it was a great fit. Love Frank! Update!!! Sorry this link is no longer available on YouTube.  Go to the link above to hear a sample on Amazon.





Apple Cupcakes! So Cute!








Peaches don't grow well here, we will leave that to you folks in Georgia. We do grow some mighty fine apples though! Below is a new apple called Sweetango, derived from the Honeycrisp apple.





The Honeycrisp apple was developed at the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center and released in 1991.







Beauty!





Candy Corn Shortbread Cookies!





Wow! I have to stop somewhere! Have a great weekend!

For more Pinning and Singing blogs, click on the button below!