Tales From Twisty Lane

Friday, October 14, 2016

This and That

Outside my window the sun is shining and it's going to be another hot day.
Fall made a very quick fly by and summer has returned.
Record heat by this weekend.

ARGHH.

I'm still trying to fool myself into feeling cooler by knitting!

I finished one shawl in cotton.

I liked the pattern.
Over the Sea to Skye pattern and cotton from Craftsy.

It wasn't difficult.
I do have to think about what I'm doing ... no multitasking while knitting!

So I started another one in this pretty blue wool.
Asymetrical shawls seem to be the in thing.

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I added a scarecrow to the entry way.
I found him at Michael's and could't resist bringing him home.

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With the outdoor Halloween decorating done,
I've moved inside.
A few Halloween goodies have made their way beside the fabric pumpkins.

This is a painting by Ryan Conners - Kilkennycat Art.
She has an Etsy shop.
I'm not sure my Siamese, Cassie,
would be willing to deliver pumpkins by broom!

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Mr. Bones (I found him at Ross) has joined the sunflowers.

He makes me laugh.

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Just in case you need some Pumpkin decor help.
Design Love Fest has some great ideas for pumpkin lanterns.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Friday, October 7, 2016

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

Thursday, October 6, 2016

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

Friday, September 23, 2016

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

Thursday, September 8, 2016

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!

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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!

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

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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.