Beauty in the Simple

I enjoy a good pumpkin display, I have to admit, and if you have followed me for any length of time you know I usually take a “more is better” approach to decorating. I like to refer to it as “cluttery chic”.  This year I have been inspired to take a more scaled back look for the season and to find “beauty in the simple”. Enjoy my attempts!


Simple leaves on the Eiffel Tower brings to mind Fall in Europe …happy memories. 


What is more quintessential Fall than bittersweet in antique enamelware?


Several old garlands of leaves and a wire frame is all it took to make this simple but dramatic wreath.


The perfect sentiment to embrace this time of year as we grow closer to the holidays. 


Our sweet Princess has simple needs…a good costume and a basket of candy is her only requirement for a great Halloween!

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Friday Features #334

I pulled my warm pajamas out last night…Fall is really here. What I can’t believe… Halloween is next week. Where did October go? I do have a costume in mind. Pretty easy when the fellow teachers at your school decide to be a box of crayons. If you need a last minute idea, this schoolhouse Rock costume by Condo Blues made me smile! photo Friday Favorites Banner 2.jpg

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Sing to Me Autumn

Sing To Me, Autumn

Sing to me, Autumn, with the rustle of your leaves.

Breathe on me your spicy scents that flow within your breeze.

Dance with me, Autumn, your waltz that bends the boughs of trees.

Now tell me all the secrets you’ve whispered to the seas.

img_0729
Sleep with me, Autumn, beneath your starlit skies.

Let your yellow harvest moon shimmer in our eyes.

Kiss me, Autumn, with your enchanting spellbound ways

That changes all you touch into crimson golden days.

Love me, Autumn, and behold this love so true

That I’ll be waiting faithfully each year to be with you.

By Patricia L. Cisco

 

Friday Favorites #343

Is everyone enjoying this summer encore weather. Just when I thought it was safe to pack away the shorts and flip flops…it seems that Fall will be returning next week and we can resume our seasonal activities. Speaking of Fall activities, am I the only one who goes a little crazy with the Apple picking? If you have one or two or twenty leftover, try my cheesecake baked Apple recipe.   This week I selected the beautifully understated decorating style from The Organized Dream.  I love how she captured the joy of the season with simple pine cones.   
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An Abundance of Apples

We always go to the Apple orchard with the same intention every year… we will only pick enough apples for snacking and a few Apple pies… and every year we return home, look at our many bags of apples and wonder what came over us.  I think it is the combination of crisp fall air, a bite from an Apple just picked from the tree, jubilant time with extended family and visions of Apple creations that keep me picking…and picking….Anyway, it does give me the excuse to spend some quality time on Pinterest…

This yummy desert is a combination baked Apple and caramel cheesecake…we use apples so it must be healthy…right?


The usual cast of characters

 1. 4 to 6 baking apples, depending on size.  I used Red Gala

2. 2 tbsp brown sugar

3. 1 tsp cinnamon. 

4. 1/4 cup powdered sugar

5. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract…not to brag but I make my own!

6. Graham cracker crumbs…enough to sprinkle on top

7. 3 tbsp butter

8. 1 block cream cheese

9. Several pieces of caramel candy rough chopped
 

The steps to greatness

1. Slice the top of the apples and scoop out the inside.  A large melon baller works great.  We also save the Apple pieces and bake in a large ramekin…nothing is wasted


2. Mix together melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Brush the inside of the apples with butter mixture allowing it to soak in.  Pour excess on Apples in ramekin.  Bake 20 minutes in a 400 degreee oven. 

3. Meanwhile, cream together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and chopped Caramel.  Spoon into apples and bake 10 minutes more.  Top with crushed graham cracker crumbs.  


4. Serve hot or cold…both are delicious!

And just because…enjoy the beautiful picture of our Princess taken by the talented Sarah Michele on the Naval Academy Yard!

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Friday Favorites 342

Boy has it been  a week! Many friends and family felt the full brunt of Hurricane Matthew, and thank goodness, experienced minimal damage. We tolerated a rainy, windy Saturday in Annapolis but it didn’t dampen the spirits of our Navy football team! The town will talk about the great win of ’16 for decades to come! Sunday and Monday provided the quintessential Fall holiday weekend we all needed. My porch now reflects the beauty of the season.  I can’t wait to enjoy a pumpkin pie milkshake and watch the leaves do their thing. The featured recipe sounds amazing.  img_0713 photo Friday Favorites Banner 2.jpg

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An Annapolis Fall Weekend!

So, that loud cheer you heard yesterday… a big day in the history of Navy Football. While the princesss and I enjoyed the afternoon in the warm, dry house, my hero walked to the stadium to witness the win. Yes, we live that close. Today seems to be that quintessential perfect east coast Fall day…come join me on the porch.

Mums and pumpkins…and a few gourds…what could be more perfect!


Indian corn on an antique drying rack…probably my favorite fall decoration.


The leaves are still green on the trees, but on my porch they are the magnificent colors of Autumn.


The perfect spot to curl up and enjoy the beautiful day…I wish you could join me!


Behold…the Apple…the perfect snack for today!

Show and share. Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Vintage and thrifty.              Make it pretty. Many blessings. Art of homemaking. Made by you. Metamorphosis. Wow us Wednesday. Talk of the town. Let’s talk vintage. Share it. Vintage bliss. Moonlight and Mason jars. Tuesday with a twist brag about it. Work it Wednesday. Share your cup. Share your style. Home and garden. Welcome home. Thursday favorites. Wonderful Wednesday. Waste not Wednesday. Thoughts of home. Vintage charm. Your inspired designs. Friday feature.                 Home sweet home. Feather nest Friday. Sweet and simple. Morning cup of joe. Home matters sweet inspiration.              Best of the weekend  Tada. Imparting grace  vintage chic. Sunday at Home Snickerdoodle. Amaze me Monday                    Busy Monday. Monday inspiration Digging it. Inspire me Monday  silver pennies 

An Annapolis Fall Weekend

So, that loud cheer you heard yesterday… a big day in the history of Navy Football. While the princesss and I enjoyed the afternoon in the warm, dry house, my hero walked to the stadium to witness the win. Yes, we live that close. Today seems to be that quintessential perfect east coast Fall day…come join me on the porch.

Mums and pumpkins…and a few gourds…what could be more perfect!


Indian corn on an antique drying rack…probably my favorite fall decoration.  


The leaves are still green on the trees, but on my porch they are the magnificent colors of Autumn.


The perfect spot to curl up and enjoy the beautiful day…I wish you could join me!


Behold…the Apple…the perfect snack for today!

Show and share. Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Vintage and thrifty.              Make it pretty. Titus 2. Many blessings. Art of homemaking. Made by you. Metamorphosis 

Friday Features

Once upon a time I had a neighbor who made the most amazing chicken noodle lemongrass soup when I was not feeling 100%. She gave me the recipe but in the midst of the many moves of the military life…it was lost. My feature selection from the Ethnic Spoon reminds me of this wonderful dish and I can’t wait to try it…I won’t even wait until I’m sick!

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The Apple Tree

An apple adventure…


Way up high in the apple tree…

…two little apples smiled down at me. 


I shook the tree as hard as I could…

…down to the ground the apples fell. 


And mmmmmm were they good!

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