Tablescapes and Recipes

Heidi over at http://foxglovesfabricandfolly.blogspot.com/ is hosting Tablescapes and Recipes. Click on over and view the fantastic decorating and scrumptious recipes.I am a huge Halloween fan so, I always use the pottery Jack o Lantern filled with fall colored stems for my centerpiece. I have had Mr. Jack o Lantern for 28 years now. I got him the first year we were married. I actually don't use placemats for fall. I love the dark, rich look of the mahogany table. The plates are ones I bought several years ago at Wal*Mart of all places! They were on clearance for $1.00 each! The are a beautiful moss green with leaves embossed around the edges. See those red candle sconces? I bought them a couple of weeks ago at a thrift store for .50 each. Instead of putting tapers in the black candle holders, I put the sconces in and love the look. (Please ignore the matches on the table, duh!)

Don't you just love all the colors that the artificial pumpkins come in? I think they add so much to my decor and the best part is that they last forever! Autumn isn't complete in our family until I make this delicious Pumpkin Roll. It is really easy to make, is delicious, and looks spectacular on your dessert table.

Pumpkin Roll:

1/4 cup of powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)

3/4 cup of self rising flour

1/2 tea. ground cinnamon

1/2 tea. ground cloves

3 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1- 8oz. cream cheese softened

1 cup powdered sugar

6 tablespoons butter (not margarine) softened

1 tea. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 15 x 10 jelly roll pan, line with waxed paper and grease the wax paper as well. Get a large cotton towel (not terry cloth) and lay flat on counter and sprinkle with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.

Combine flour, cinnamon and cloves in a small bowl and set aside. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until thick. Beat in the pumpkin. Stir in the flour mixture. Spread evenly on the jelly roll pan. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Watch it carefully. Remove from oven when cake springs back at touch. Turn the cake out onto the powdered towel immediately. Carefully peel off the waxed paper. Roll up the cake and towel together, starting with the narrow end. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For filling:

Beat the cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract until smooth. When cake is completely cool, unroll carefully and spread cake with the cream cheese mixture and reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when you serve it.

Delicious!

Linda

Friday Show and Tell

Kelli over at http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/ hosts Friday Show and tell each week. Click over and join the fun.

This week I am sharing this gentlemen's collar box. I bought this at an auction many years ago. Even though it is in poor condition, I really liked it. There was even some collars and cuffs still in the box along with cute little bow tie.

And when I opened the bottom of the box:
There were some old silver certificates!
I don't keep the box out on display because I am afraid it will deteriorate further. Hope you enjoyed my show and tell.

Oh, by the way if you enjoy creating tablescapes and are looking for some great fall recipes, head over the Heidis blog http://foxglovesfabricandfolly.blogspot.com/. and sign up to be on her Tablescapes and Recipes show tomorrow! Can someone tell me how to make the photos for Kellis and Heidi's blogs work when you click on the photo? thanks

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend

Linda

Signs of Fall Long Ago

I love this photo of my grandfather. It embodies everything he was. His real job was a prison guard at the correctional center that adjoined their farm. But his favorite job was farmer. Each fall as soon as turkey season started I would call him everyday (long distance) to find out it he had gotten a turkey yet. He would tease me and say "no, I guess we will just have to buy one of those frozen things from the supermarket". But I knew that wouldn't happen! Every year for Thanksgiving me would be having wild turkey and pheasant. He loved to hunt and we ate everything that he killed. I grew up eating wild turky, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, etc. It was just a way of life for me.

He and grandma also grew the most unbelievable garden in the world. Would you look at the size of that pumpkin! If you look closely at the base of the bird bath there is some indian corn. Grandma grew this every year.

I always get a little misty eyed when I look at these photos. I really miss my grandparent and their farm, but I feel so blessed to have had them for as long as I did.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful day!

Linda

Where did September go?

Does it seem like September flew by to anyone other than me? Soon Halloween will be upon us! I must admit that I an a huge fan of Halloween and always have been. So needless to say, I have lots of Halloween decorations! But, I thought I would show you one that I made this past weekend. Say hello to Halloween Pointy Kitty! She was really fun to make. I saw a photo of one in the newest Mary Englebreit magazine and went to the website called "Wee Wonderfuls" and downloaded the patten. I think she is so cute. She made need a Chrismas companion.

I love this hutch/china cabinet that is right off from my kitchen. My Dh made this many years ago and it was going to have punched tin fronts, but I decided I would rather have glass. Each season I decorate it with my favorite things that celebrate the season. Of course now it is donning its Fall and Halloween decorations. I will show you a close up of some of my favorite things in upcoming posts.

We have decided that since we no longer have any livestock, we are going to turn the barn into a garage for DH's antique cars, and also have enough space for the boat, tools, 4-wheeler, etc.. that are either sitting outside or are in our garage. Our garage will be turned into a music studio for Yngwie. Our friend owns a Bob-cat and brought it down Saturday for Dh to use to level the ground.

DH and Yngwie both have had an absolute ball playing with this. They not only have leveled the ground around the barn, but have leveled the driveway, the neighbors driveway, dug around the boat ramp, etc. Yngwie even skipped going out with friends on Saturday night so he could play with the Bob-cat.

And this past Sunday was probably the last tube riding day of this year. It was very pretty and warm out, but once you were wet and on the tube, believe me it was chilly. Kind of sad to be putting away the summer toys, but I love this time of year with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Linda

Fall Decorations

The weather is cooling down at bit here in SW Virginia, especially at night. It's definitely sleep with the windows open weather.

I feel somewhat guilty about the wonderful weather we have been having while seeing what devastation that Galveston had. Please continue to remember and pray for those folks down south who have lost everything. I can't even imagine. Also remember all the wonderful heroes who have gone down to help clean out and rebuild. That is one of the things I love the most about living in the gold ole USA. We help each other in time of need.

I have already put out most of my fall decorations and I had started to just wait and do the Halloween decorations next month, but decided I only wanted to climb up in the attic once, and didn't want all the mess of boxes and paper twice, so I just went ahead and put the all up! This is a photo of our dining room table. I really love those lightweight craft pumpkins. In the background you can see a small Halloween tree, but I'll show you more of that later.This little table came from my grandmothers. The top of it was originally a school desk. It has a slot for you pen and a place for your inkwell. Since I have a covered porch I am hoping that it will be okay out there. We are getting ready to do some much needed work on our front porch so I'm not doing alot of decorating there this year.

My son Yngwie and I have been having quite a discussion concerning weight. I am getting a bit concerned about the fact that he thinks he is overweight.

I don't see any weight problem. He is almost 6' tall and is broadchested. But he is not overweight! I do remember all the drama of high school and I used to worry about my weight, but for the opposite reason. I really was waaaay too skinny. Of course time has corrected that. LOL!!! He has been doing some weight training and it has helped with his self image some, but I can't wait until the "drama" of high school is over.

I better get to work! Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Blessings

Linda

The White Gate Farm

I have been sorting through my Grandmothers photos and scanning them so that they can be shared with all our family members. There are so many great memories that come back as I peruse these photos. I can still remember the smell of the woodsmoke in the air and the feel of the cool wind when we walked through the fields. Grandpa and Grandma raised corn for their livestock. Tons of it. Not only that, Grandma also raised Indian corn that she would sell at the Lords Acre sale that their church participated in, in the fall.
Grandpa was a guard at the State Prison that bordered their farm, but he was also a farmer and raised cows and chickens. There was always a horse or two, just for riding too.
These photos were dated 1968. That is my little sister and I raking leaves, which we probably just jumped in after the fact! I feel so blessed to have had such wonderful grandparents in my life. There was so much love at there home.

Blessings

Linda

Friday Show and Tell

Kelli at http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/ hosts Friday Show and Tell each week. Click on over to her lovely site and take a look at some wonderful treasures. This week my post is about my addicition. It is a very serious addiction that I haven't had the willpower to stop. Are you ready for this?

I am a compulsive doll rescuer! Especially Barbies! During my many travels through yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores, etc, if I see a Barbie or any doll under 12" tall, she will leave with me. After I get them home and get them washed, hair combed and properly dressed, I have a hard time parting with them. The problem is I have been this way since I was about 6-7 years old.

So last weekend I decided to pull out all the dolls that I have collected over the years and count them. This took ALL DAY!!! So here for your viewing pleasure is some photos of my addiction. Some various 1950's dolls. There are 4 Madame Alexander dolls I got at an auction for $1.00 each!

Trolls galore

Miscellaneous Barbies, Skippers, Shirley Temples, etc

My favorite, dolls under 6" tall, like Kellys or the McDonalds Mdme Alexanders dolls

A few of my Ken dolls, along with GI Joe, Steve Scout, etc. I love Barbie with Elvis! Again, just some random rescued dolls! Theres Little Debbie and Miss Sunbeam along with Chrissy (mine from my childhood). Do you see Eliza Thornberry and Debbie?

Lots of rescued Barbies!Remember Kiddles and Flatsys? There is a few Dawn dolls peeking in the photo too!More Barbies and vintage Skippers!Lots of Kelli dolls

I love these small frozen Charlotte dolls.There is Buffy and Mrs. Beasley!

There were 748 dolls. 748!!!!!!

What am I thinking???

Some I will never sell, they are they vintage Barbies, Dawns, Kiddles, and Flatsys, most which were mine growing up. To tell the truth I have probably given away over 100 Barbies to little girls who happen to come my way! Right now my great niece loves to come to my house to play. Wonder why?????

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Linda

Just a Little Eye Candy

Literally! Super busy today!

Hope You all have a great day!

Linda

Soft Molasses Cookies

These cookies are my son's very favorite and are on my top five list. (Chocolate chip is number uno!). When these cookies are baking, the smell that wafts through your kitchen will drive your husband and kids crazy! They will be standing in the kitchen, in your way, the entire time these cookies bake and the moment you take them out of the oven, they will grab a glass of milk and some of these warm cookies and plop down at the kitchen table completely contented. You also may need to hide some of these if you plan on eating any, because they disappear very quickly.

Soft Molasses Cookies:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups flour
1/2 tea. salt
2 1/4 tea. baking soda
2 1/4 tea. ground ginger
1 1/2 tea. gound cloves
1 1/2 tea. ground cinnamon
sugar for rolling ball into

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses and eggs. In another bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder and spices. Blend thoroughly with a wire whisk. Gradually mix flour mixture with the creamed mixture until dough is blended and smooth. Roll dough into balls about the size of a walnut, roll into sugar, and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE!
Cool on wire rack and store in tightly covered container. I got about 4 dozen, though the recipe says 3 dozen.

Hope everyone has a great day!
Linda

The Fruit Cupboard

Here summer lies, imprisoned in a jar,

And autumn stands beside it in a glass.

Crab-apple jelly and pear pickles are

the fruits of autumn while strawberries class

as summer sweetness drained ere roses pass.

There is such beauty on these shelves of mine,

the scarlett chili sauce, the pretty green

of piccalilli, and beet relish fine

in brighter red with pale pears set between;

and jars of jam lend contrast to the scene.

The bees store honey from the sunny bowers;

the ants prepare for snow in summers heat.

My cupboard is a record of long hours

but now behind glass doors the seasons mett,

and all my toil, inspired by love is sweet

by: Anne Campbell (from an 1980's Ideal Autumn book)

My garden is now gone, except for a few banana peppers and a very few small tomatoes. I have sowed some turnip, kale, and mustard greens for the fall. Everything that could be preserved, has been. In the winter when I open one of my jars of fruits or vegetables that I canned, I am reminded of summer. I am ready for fall! Tomorrow I will share a wonderful fall cookie recipe. Soft Molasses Cookies.

Blessings

Linda

White Chocolate-Cherry Cheeseball and Fairy things!

Good Morning All,
How do y'all like my new banner? These photos are of my grandmother and her farmhouse. She cooked on that green woodstove summer and winter. When I was little I would wake up early when I heard grandpa go out to feed the livestock and would run down the stairs and into the huge kitchen to sit in the rocking chair by the woodstove. I would stick my feet on the feet of the stove and it was so warm! See all that canned food? Grandma canned it all right on that woodstove! Going into their basement which was dirt, not concrete, was a feast for the eyes and nose. There were apples, applesauce, tomatoes, grape juice, potatoes, beans, everything you can think of she preserved! I miss those days and that house so much. The house in the top right corner is the house she was born in and that is her on the fence. The photo is dated 1920.

Tuesday I got my new Gooseberry Patch Christmas book in the mail and while I was disappointed with the craft section, the recipes looked great. So yesterday I picked up the supplies to make the White Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball and it got a thumbs up from my family.

White Chocolate Chip Chesse Ball

8 oz. pkg cream cheese softened

1/2 cup butter softened

1/2 tea almond extract

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 c sweetened dried cherries, chopped

3/4 c. sliced almonds, lightly toasted

Beat together cream cheese, butter and almond extract until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Stir in chocolate chips and 1/2 c cherries. Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to handle, at least 2 hours. Shape mixture into a ball and refrigerate until ready to serve. Roll in almonds and garnish with white chocolate and more dried cherries in desired. Makes 2 cups.

The only thing I changed was I used slivered almonds instead. When I make this again, I am going to chop up the white chocolate chips. They are a little large for a cheeseball. I served mine with graham crackers.

Yesterday on my way out to the garden look what I found in my yard. A fairy ring! Folklore has it that these rings are formed by fairies dancing in a circle. There is a scientific reason that these rings occur but that definition isn't nearly as fun as believing fairies made it, so I reject their reality and substitute my own!
I also harvested my pumpkins and so many peppers! Do you know what I do with this many sweet banana peppers? I cut them into slices and freeze them. You know when you want to make a recipe that calls for green, yellow, and red peppers and you go to the grocery store to get them and find that they cost $5,000,00.00 each? Well I just use the red and yellow banana peppers that I freeze as a substitution! Works great.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!