I've Done The Taste Testing

October is here.

That means the heat and humidity is coming to an end.

And, Pumpkin everything has taken over.

I walk early each morning 
and noticed one of my favorite neighbors had decorated for fall. 
I call it "subtle elegance"!

Sometimes, even here near the Gulf of Mexico where green is king in Autumn, 
 Mother Nature does her own Autumn decorating.

Pumpkins at home.

The acorn candle is new this year.

I've been drinking Teavana Chai Tea

 from my Autumn mug by Susan Branch.

  Dreaming of cooler days.

I can always depend on Trader Joe's for yummy pumpkin everythings!

Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Petite shortbread cookies with Pumpkin Spice or Yogurt icing.

I'm happy to report that I've done the taste testing for you

and the cookies are yummy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Amaze Me Monday 

Mosaic Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Willy Nilly Friday

Autumn Days Come Quickly

Autumn days come quickly, 
like the running of a hound on the moor. 
–Irish proverb

If, in the fall of the leaves in October, 
many of them wither on the boughs and hang there,
 it betokens a frosty winter and much snow.

Spring rain damps;
Autumn rain soaks.

Of autumn’s wine, now drink your fill; 
the frost’s on the pumpkin, and snow’s on the hill.
–The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1993

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~ Albert Camus

There is a harmony in autumn, 
and a luster in its sky, 
which through the summer is not heard or seen, 
as if it could not be, 
as if it had not been! 
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” 
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

“Fall has always been my favorite season. 
The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, 
as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” 
― Lauren DeStefano, Wither

Wishing YOU well and much joy!


Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

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I'll Be One of Those In Line

Welcome to October!

I love October.
It means, with a little luck, the 90 degree days and high humidity
will be fewer and farther apart and maybe we will see 60 degree mornings.
Relief!

Here's a little information about my favorite month:

October's birth flowers are the cosmos and the calendula or marigold.
Cosmos is a symbol of joy in life and love and of peace.
The calendula (aka garden, English, or pot marigold) represents
winning grace, grief, or chagrin in the language of flowers.

The October birthstone is the opal, which symbolizes faithfulness and confidence.



October Holidays:

October 9 is Leif Eriksson Day.
October 10 is Columbus Day in the U.S., which is always observed on the second Monday in October. 
October 10 also brings Thanksgiving for my Canadian friends.
Wrapping up the month is Halloween (All Hallows Eve) on October 313st.

October's full Moon, the Fall Hunter's Moon, occurs on the 16th.



It also means that I decorate for Halloween.
I have a theory about living on the Gulf Coast.
We go nuts decorating during the fall.
We don't get to enjoy the beautiful colors of fall,
so we have to make our own!

I've had the ghost for many years .. too many to count!

I like the old-fashioned, 50s looking, plastic decorations.
This year I added Hazel the Witch.



 





I'm all ready to enjoy October, Halloween and Pumpkins! 








Speaking of Pumpkins:
It is Pumpkin time at Trader Joes.
Oh, my! 







And, last but not least:

I admit it.

I'm hooked on Fixer Upper on HGTV.

I just keep watching no matter how many times I might have seen the episode.

This is the latest news -- they have a magazine.

It will hit the newsstands on October 11.

I'll be one of those in line!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!


Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Mosaic Monday

Monday Social

I Will Have Had Enough

I'm sure you've noticed.

Pumpkin Spice is everywhere.

I'm sure by the end of October I will have had enough,
but for right now, Pumpkin Spice is a little thing that I'm enjoying!

Thomas Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice English Muffin
topped with Pumpkin Butter from Trader Joes.
(I'll be eagerly awaiting their cranberry muffin.)
Pumpkin Spice iced latte with Pumpkin cream on top.

Wishing YOU well and much joy this pumpkin season!

Little Things Thursday  

Starting Early

I've been fighting a bad back and haven't been able to get out and about.
Here are a few fun things I did find this week.

Autumn arrived and the cornucopia makes an appearance.

You can learn more about the cornucopia and celebration of the harvest here.


In Musashi's Garden, the plumeria are still blooming.






Of all the pretty Autumn table-scapes I've seen,
I think I like this one the best.
Vibeke is Norwegian and her blog is gorgeous. 

Do you enjoy armchair traveling?
Do you love Paris and all things French?
Enjoy watercolors?
Then you should visit Paris Breakfasts.


On the way home from the grocery,
I noticed this:

A neighbor got the jump on Halloween!

Everyone knows I love Halloween,
but even I don't start this early!



I'll leave you with a few words of wisdom from
the Fortune Cookie Journal:

"Nothing good comes from jealousy but
there is good to be found in jelly beans."



Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Mosaic Monday

Hints of Change

I went to Whole Foods and look what I found.
A hint that the seasons are changing.
The first pumpkins have arrived.
These are all carving pumpkins.
I guess, here in the tropics, they won't get mushy until they are cut!

*

I found the Dump Cake recipe I was looking for.
Here it is:

Autumn Dump Cake

1 can (29 ounces) pear pieces in light syrup, undrained
1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 package (doubt 15 ounces) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into thin slices
1/4 cup caramel topping, warmed

1. Preheat oven to 350F. 
Spray 13x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Drain pears, reserving 1/2 cup syrup. 
Spread pears and apple pie filling in prepared pan; 
drizzle with reserved pear syrup. 
Sprinkle with cranberries. 
Top with cake mix, spreading evenly.
Top with butter in single layer, covering cake mix as much as possible.
Drizzle with caramel topping.

3. Bake 40 to 45 minutes 
or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Makes 12 to 16 servings.

Image from Dump Cakes booklet.

Good with a scoop of ice cream!

*

I always check out the flowers at Whole Foods
and I found some lovely tulips...
in Fall colors!

*

Then I went to Trader Joe's to finish my grocery shopping
and I found more flowers.
I think the iris is near the top of my favorites list.
I just love everything about them.

*

Meanwhile, in Musashi's Garden,
a little anole was shedding his skin.
It's busy around here!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Home Sweet Home

Mosaic Monday

SaveSave

On The Menu

There is rain in the forecast ... lots of it.

So I thought it would be a good time for some soup.

I just happened to have a bag of baby spinach that I needed to use.
There was tortelinni in the freezer. 
 A can of tomatoes from the pantry.
And, I was lucky, 32oz of vegetable broth.
That's all I needed.

I found this recipe in Fine Cooking years ago and it remains one of my
favorite quick and easy recipes.
You can find my original post here.
And, it's pretty too.

I chopped a small onion and let it cook in some olive oil.
Added 32 oz of vegetable broth.
The canned tomatoes.
A bag of baby spinach.
Letting that cook until the spinach was wilted.
Then I added the tortellini.
Let all of that come to a boil and the tortellini fully cook.
Done!

Sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and serve.

Quick and easy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

It is pumpkin time at Trader Joe's. 

You name it they have it.

Pumpkin Bread Mix

Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries

Pumpkin Bagels

*Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Granola

*Pumpkin Yogurt

Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal

Pumpkin Cranberry Scone Mix

Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Tea

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix

*Pumpkin Bar Baking Mix 

*Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Cheesecake

*Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Pumpkin Panettone

Iced Pumpkin Scone Cookies

and on and on.

* These are the "pumpkins" I've tried and I think are very good.

I went in to get the pumpkin yogurt and cream cheese.

I'll enjoy them while I can!

**

I have a new flag for the balcony.
I change them up with each holiday or when I get the urge!

He makes me smile.

***

This is latest look at the afghan.
I've added the tulip, waves and puff rows.




I am trying to follow their suggested colors by using my stash yarn.
I'm delighted to see my stash dwindling.
The more it dwindles ... the more yarn may be in my future!

Mina has to give her seal of approval.
I think each kitty would like an afghan of their own.

****

While I wait for the next section of the afghan to be posted,
I'm working on more cowls for gifts for the coming holidays.
There are a number of birthdays to think about, too.
This is the Papillon Cowl and it does resemble a butterfly.
Fun!





Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday 



and Hookin' On Hump Day.
 

Pumpkin Crazy

The world is going pumpkin crazy.

I went to Trader Joe's this morning and the pumpkins have taken over.

There's Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Pumpkin Bread Mix

Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix

Pumpkin Ice Cream

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Pumpkin Yogurt

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Pumpkin Cream Cheese to go on the

Pumpkin Bagels

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Spice Chai

Kennebunkport Brewing Co. Pumpkin Ale

Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Butter 

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Macarons

Pumpkin Cheesecake

and that's just a few of the pumpkin "things".

I found a succulent in a pumpkin ceramic pot that came home with me.

Must be why Pumpkin is the "Pumpking" this time of year!

Then there are the pumpkins on my block.

A big pumpkin and a pumpkin Pooh!

I did find a skeleton among the pumpkins.

It's Pumpkin Crazy time!

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Happy Pumpkin Time!

It Must Be Autumn

There's a storm coming today.

Lots of wind and rain.

Tomorrow fall makes another appearance with

low temps in the high 50s and highs in the low 70s.

Yippee! 

I just have to get through the storms today.

The light wasn't good for picture taking, but I did it anyway.

Most of my decorating for Halloween is done --
I picked up this little kitty and his mouse friend
at an after Halloween sale last year.
I giggle everytime I see him.

He likes to have tea!

Lenox has made a whole set of dishes called Butterfly Meadow.
This is the fritillary butterfly cup and saucer.
I love the little lady bug on the saucer.
Pretty wavy rims on the teacup and the saucer.

Lovely detail on the cup.

It must be Autumn if the Pumpkin Spice Bagels are on the grocery shelves!
I'm going to make a nice cup of green tea.
I don't want my tea to compete with the taste of the bagel.
And then I'm going to settle down to read Autumn by Susan Branch.

I'm joining some tea parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a wonderful cup of tea!