October's gifts....

Happy Saturday morning!  The week-end is here!  I hope you have some plans made to enjoy a good October week-end.

The garden continues to surprise us.

CARROTS1

 

 

Early in the season, these carrot seeds were planted!  We try for them every year, though it doesn't seem easy for carrots to grow where we are.  These were the first two (there are others still in the ground), and they were delicious! 

Leaves, footballs, and pumpkins - oh, my!

A tasty treat, trimmed or untrimmed!

It just seemed to be the time to bake some gingerbread cookies!  Often, they are trimmed with some kind of icing.  The Husband prefers them plain, however, so they were quickly ready for him to enjoy.:-)  One of the "gifts" of October!

Remember to leave your response to be entered in the scarf drawing, another way to gain a "gift" in October.

Scarf #1

Scarf #2

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

For the season....

Happy Friday to you!  The week-end is almost here.  Do you have special plans?  We have had gorgeous weather here this week, perfect for outdoor activities.

I seem to have begun to feature books in the Friday blog.  Today's choices are perfect for Halloween reading.

Full of good ideas.

Do you have any special October projects underway?  I always enjoy reading through the books I have.  Sometimes I gain motivation to try something different.:-)

Remember!  There is a giveaway of these two scarves.

#1

#2

 

 

If you want to be considered for the giveaway, leave a comment and tell me which scarf has your interest by Sunday evening.  That is when The Husband will pull the winning names from the hat!  I will announce the winners in Monday's post.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Are you interested?

Happy Thursday to everyone!  In case you are interested, I am still having connectivity problems with the computer!:-(  There are times when I am unable to access some of your blogs.  Then, if I am able to access them, there are times I am unable to comment.  I wait and wait, then receive the message that the connection has timed out, whatever THAT means!   I will have to make time in a few days to see what can be done to make it work as it did at the beginning.

We have been having beautiful fall weather!  The temperatures have been cooler, and we even had the thermostat set overnight for the heat to come on if needed.  Well, I heard it during the night, then again this morning!

Changes in the temperature bring about changes in our wardrobe.:-)  Have any of you been sorting through clothes to be sure you have things in order for the cooler weather?  I have been doing a little - not much, mind you, but enough so that I have a couple of things to share with you.

Scarf #1

Scarf #2  

These scarves have actually never been used.  I have shown them folded in fourths.  If you are interested in either of the scarves, leave a comment mentioning which one, and I will include your name in a drawing on Sunday night, for announcing on the blog on Monday, October 14 - Columbus Day!  Please specify which one - or both, if that is the case - is of interest to you.  There will be two winners!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Connectivity issues....,

Here it is Tuesday afternoon, and this post is just now being made!  I have had some sort of connectivity issue; therefore, I am running a bit later than  usual!  I've no idea what the problem is - or if it is actually solved - but here I am at this point.:-)

Several days ago, when it became apparent that we were going to be having several guests, I began to search through my recipes and books for something that might be a good and simple dessert,  I found this one in a Bisquick cookbook from 2000.  Now, I know that some of you may not be able to purchase Bisquick where you live.  Perhaps there is a comparable product available as a baking mix.  Anyway, this dessert combines both favorites - pumpkin and pecans - and is sure to satisfy many tastes.

IMPOSSIBLY EASY PUMPKIN-PECAN PIE

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 cup evaporated milk (I used skim evaporated)
1/2 cup Bisquick (I used reduced fat)
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans
SPICED TOPPING
1 1/2 cups frozen (thawed) whipped topping (I actually used real whipped cream, whipped)
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Extra pecan halves
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease pie plate, 9 x 1 1/4 inches.
- Stir all ingredients except pecans and Spiced Topping until blended.  Stir in chopped pecans.  Pour into pie plate.
- Bake 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely, about 1 hour.  Cut pie into slices.  Garnish each serving with Spiced Topping and pecan half, if desired.  Store covered in refrigerator.
- To make Spiced Topping, stir ingredients until smooth.

Easy to put together and good for dessert!

As it is so late in the day for this post, it will take care of the usual "Recipe Wednesday" that I have been trying to feature.  I'll just leave this up until Thursday.:-)

We have had a beautiful October day here today!  Our morning temperature was right around 50 degrees F!  Today's high temperature is expected to reach the low seventies, and I think we are there now.  The skies are beautifully blue!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Apples galore....

....and more!  That was the theme of our week-end!  Thanks to Samplings from Spring Creek, we located a wonderful source for local apples.

Located west of Crab Orchard, TN on Rte. 70.

Beautiful apple trees in the distance!

Pretty flowers near the door way.

These - and more - came home with us!

Of course, the first order of business is one of these!

Not the pettiest that has ever come from our kitchen, but it certainly is tasty!

On our "Saturday jaunt" we stopped at a church that had announced a rummage sale and the making and selling of Pear Butter.  Sadly, there was no Pear Butter when we were there!  We left our contact information, and we will be called when there is more Pear Butter available.  Then - we were directed to the neighborhood pear trees with the direction to help ourselves to some!

So - The Husband picked a dozen!

We are poised to have our very own "Apple Festival" here.:-)  There will be some serious work with apples in the days ahead, so there may be an onslaught of recipes.:-)

What is your favorite way to enjoy apples?  Do you have a favorite variety? 

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

For Sunday....

Today is World Communion Sunday.

Honoring this day at our church.

                                             

                                  "Worship is when you're aware that what you've been

                                          given is far greater than what you can give."

                                                                               - Max Lucado, from Hope, Pure and Simple.

We are also celebrating UMW Sunday at our church today.  Today's Mission Focus from the UMW Prayer Calendar for 2013 is the Southside Community center, San Marcos, Texas.

May you have a blessed Sunday.

On an October morning.....

.....I took a walk down the street.  I stopped to take some pictures along the way.

Just outside our door.

Knock-out Roses still in bloom at the end of our driveway.

There is some red appearing in the neighbor's trees.

This dogwood is beautiful in the spring.

Morning Glories at the mailbox.

Two more dogwoods changing color.

Lovely colors of fall.

More Knock-out Roses down the street.

Recently completed stone work.

PINK Knock-Out Roses!  I LOVE these!

Some white mums.

Still some Crepe Myrtle blooming.

Thank you for joining me on my walk!  We have certainly had a beautiful first week of October here.  What about where you are?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.