Happy Halloween with Thursday Favorite Things!

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Happy Halloween!!!  This is our last party before Halloween and I have rounded up some Halloween treats and decor. Have a look around and get inspired for Halloween parties this weekend! 




Aren’t these Nutter butter cats from My Mommy Style clever?

 Don’t know what to do with your extra candy? Why don’t you make some candy stuffed cookie bars? Joy Food Sunshine gives us a recipe!

 Lincluden Cottage Life shared a Halloween House Tour getting ready for a party this weekend! 

 Candlelight Supper shared this spooky table complete with skulls and spiders!

Congratulations if you were featured! I have pinned your posts to our Thursday Favorite Things Pinterest Board! Please grab a “featured” button to display on your blogs!  I will also frequently share your posts on my Facebook page so be sure you follow along! 


Katherine’s Corner
Peonies and Orange Blossoms
Reinvented Collection
Surrounding’s by Debi
Marilyn’s Treats
Vintage Mama’s Cottage


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This Year’s Favorite Halloween Party Ideas

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I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Halloween party tricks and treats for the year!

Aren’t these Halloween cutouts fun?  Just cutout some spooky shapes on black paper and back light them in the window! I love this idea! Source is from flickr.

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This front porch is extra creepy with the dead branches and bats flying around. Source Town and Country Mag.

This wicked witches legs a la the Wizard of Oz are perfect for Halloween! The tutorial is by Grillo-Designs.

Speaking of witches, I love this entryway! This is pretty simple to copy, round up your black coats and buy some cheap witches hats, as for the brooms, you could make your own or find them for cheap!

I love these floating candles inspired by Harry Potter and the Great Hall at Hogwarts! How cool are they?? These are from HP Wish List.

 Little House on the Corner shared these free book cover printables! 

 These apothecary labels form Word Label are perfect for a party!

 I also love these floating witch’s hat luminaries from Polka Dot chair!! Aren’t they clever?

I like these spooky spider cookies from a Spicy Perspective

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Spooky Cat Halloween Table

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Happy Halloween! Now, you will need all of the luck you can get on this Halloween night as there is a table full of black cats crossing your path!

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 Scary cat is arched up with all of the hairs on her back puffed up to say “BOO!”  The cat is made by Steiff and is a reproduction from the original design 113 years ago! This year she is the centerpiece of the Halloween table! 

 I bought these new purple glitter candles this year that I knew would look fantastic with the MK courtly check! The candles are the color lilac and are from Oak Forest Candles.

I had a whole bunch of spooky ghosts leftover from my Spook Ghost Hot Chocolate as my husband and I could not eat them all.  

So, I came up with the idea to use them as name card holders!!  I simply designed some name tags and printed them off. Then, I taped them to a tooth pick and stuck the tooth pick into the meringue! It held splendidly! You will notice two different graphics – a creepy cat and a skull and cross bones. Those images are from Vintage Graphics Fairy.  (For Twilight fans you will notice some familiar names on the name tags…)

Vintage DIY Ghost Halloween Name Tag/Card Holder

I liked this picture below… you can see the bats flying around the window!

 At both ends of the table there are scary kittens!  I am not sick of the velvet pumpkins yet!  I love how vibrant their colors are!

 The black cat cried aloud to the moon, 

From where she could not be seen,

But from the sound of the lonesome tune,

We knew it was Halloween!

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Christmas, White House china, and more! Five on Friday

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I don’t know about you guys but I am EXHAUSTED this week. TGIF.  I have been working like a mad dog and today is my 9th day of work in a row! I finally have a full weekend to rest now!
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White House China

I was perusing some pictures of the White House State Dinner this week and I was studying their table settings when I noticed something… I have the same pink goblets!

Do you see the pink goblet just above the knives? 

 Now check out mine! They’re the same! haha!  I was tinkled pink when I made the discovery! 

Here is another look at the pink glasses on another table from this week’s state dinner.  Oh and I just noticed something. In the picture below, I have similar French chairs!

Pretty Fall Colors

I was looking through these pretty pictures of Fall Colors and I thought you might enjoy them too. Click here to look at all the pictures!

SPOTTED

I LOOOOOVE this 18″ Olive and Integrifolia Wreath.  Except right now I don’t have a place for it! WAhhhh! 

I really love this beautiful 6′ Dried Boxwood Garland as well! 

I was thinking this week about how it seems that cornucopias don’t seem so popular for Thanksgiving as they once were.  I was studying cornucopias because I wanted to do include the elements from a Cornucopia in my Thanksgiving table (except I don’t have a cornucopia!) Anyway, this one is nice: Cornucopia

I love this Magnolia and Dried Citrus wreath.  

I noticed my Thanksgiving china is also on sale.  I own a lot of the pieces in the sale already so that is a disappointment! But if you are interested, here it is: Spode Woodland on Sale

And also, One King’s Lane has CHRISTMAS UP!!  I can’t decide what I like the most! 

Favorite Instagrams

From the Blog

If you missed it earlier this week I did a guest post at Katherine’s Corner on Spooky Ghost Hot chocolate!  They are little ghost meringues that you make and then they will float on top of your hot chocolate! They are perfect for a Halloween Party!!


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Fall Favorites – Thursday Favorite Things

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Can you believe we are already halfway through October?? I can’t!! I’m starting to think about Thanksgiving menus… Anyway, here were a few of my favorites from last week’s party!  If you missed it, I did a guest post at Katherine’s Corner this week so check it out if you haven’t already! And while you’re there, say Hi to Katherine!

Rosemary and Thyme shared this beautiful Holiday table!

An Aspiring Small Town Girl shared these DIY sugar skull pumpkins.

Penny’s Vintage Home shared her fun Halloween themed entryway!

While I Linger shared her Fall kitchen. Love this tiered tray!

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Katherine’s Corner
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Spooky Ghost Hot Chocolate at Katherine’s Corner!

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I am SO EXCITED today because Katherine at Katherine’s Corner asked me to guest post over at her blog today!  

For this year’s Halloween treat, I made these spooky ghost meringues that float on top of your hot chocolate! Aren’t the adorable??  The recipe has no tricks involved! (ha!). To get the recipe and see more pictures, please visit my post at Katherine’s Corner!

The little boos float on top of the hot chocolate, looking like custom-made marshmallows!  These treats are sure to delight your guests at your Halloween Party!!

 Here’s a little preview of them getting ready to go in the oven!  I shared a similar picture on my Instagram stories! If you missed it, be sure to follow along on Instagram as I do have some content on Instagram that I don’t share elsewhere! 

Don’t forget to go to Katherine’s Corner to read my guest post and get the recipe for these Spooky Halloween Ghosts!! Also, while you’re there, shop her shop and leave her a comment! Thank you to Katherine for this opportunity! 


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Halloween House Tour

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Boo!!  Come on in to this year’s Halloween House Tour!  Keep your eyes open for ghosts and bats! And don’t let the black cat cross your path! 

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Halloween Decor Ideas

The front porch to our haunted house is changed just a bit from the Fall house tour.  The mums are started to die, appropriate for this haunted house.  Now there are more pumpkins, a Jack O Lantern and stalks of corn.

Halloween Front Porch Decor Ideas

Beware! Bats are now flying around inside!

Halloween Front Porch Decor Ideas

The bats have even landed on the Fall wreath! 

Halloween Front Porch Decor Ideas

 Our dried corn stalk came from our garden! 

Halloween Front Porch Decor Ideas

 Let’s head inside… we are greeted by the spooky wise owls.  They have flown from their old nest and landed here.  Vintage Clapsaddle cards are scattered about to add to the Halloween mood. 

French country Halloween Decor Ideas

 Little pumpkins are scattered around the house….

French Country Halloween Decor Ideas

 Oh no! The black cat has crossed your path!  She scares all those that come through the front door and those that are eating dinner! 

Halloween Table Decoration Ideas

 Little kids dressed up for Halloween are on the mantel.  You might have noticed I added to the collection since the Fall tour! 

Halloween Decor Ideas

The little girl riding the pumpkin being pulled by the cat is new!  I love this little trio! 

Halloween Decor Ideas

Now in the kitchen sits my Halloween Village!  It is new to me this year… I have been buying the pieces off of eBay for a song.  They are by department 56. 

halloween village

The Halloween village have flickering lights and sounds!  

halloween village

Below is a video of my village! 

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Instagram Feature, and more – Five on Friday

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Instagram!

So last week on Instagram my Apple Pie was featured on Better Homes and Gardens!!  I woke up one morning and noticed all of the sudden I had a bunch of new followers and I couldn’t figure out why… then I thought, oh! I think something must have gone viral! And I was right!!  This was pretty cool for me because I have never had anything featured on such a large platform! Thank you, Better Homes & Gardens!!

Below here is the proof!

 Look how many likes there are!!! 

Now onto this week’s favorites…

  

 Fall Chocolates

I tried some new Fall chocolates! Specifically, the Caramel Apple Scotchmallow from See’s candy!  Have you ever had it before? If not, it is a cinnamon marshmallow on top of apple caramel and it is pretty tasty!

Cherry Sweater!!!

I bought this new sweater last weekend and I LOVE it!   The sweater is here at J. Crew.  They also have cherry print silk scarf  pretty cherry skirt, a dress, and also a popover shirt!  There is something “cherry” for everyone! Why do I like it so much?? It reminds me of my favorite purse below.

DREAM PURSE below.  I wish I bought this purse when it first came out but it was so expensive… but now it is even more expensive USED. It is the Louis Vuitton Cerises Speedy. 

Spotted…

I went to the home department in Neiman Marcus and had fun seeing all of the new Mackenzie childs  products that I had not see in person before! Isn’t this pot rack darling with all of the courtly check pots?

These stacked pumpkins were pretty cute!!

 Ah ha! I spy… Christmas!! 

Soft Paws

Have you ever heard of Soft Paws? They are plastic claw protectors that you glue over the cat’s claws. They come in a variety of colors. They help your kitty keep from ruining things from scratching.  Miss Chloé has her Halloween Paws on.

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Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice – Thursday Favorite Things

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Wow! I completely lost track of time and did not even realize it was Wednesday!!!  I had to hurry and get this post out!  This week I am focusing on PUMPKIN SPICE!!  Do you all love pumpkin spice? I really love it. I just bought some pumpkin spice oatmeal at the store and… I didn’t like it.  Which is a giant fail for me as I love love love pumpkin spice! 

Pumpkin Spice Ideas

Don’t these pumpkin apple streusel muffins sound and look delicious?? I can almost smell them from here! Get the recipe at The Kitchen is my Playground!

 These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones from Marilyn’s Treats look so good! I absolutely love scones and I can almost taste them from here! Please swing by Marilyn’s Treats, if you didn’t know, she is also one of our co-hostesses and features posts on her blog every week as part of Thursday Favorite Things!

Doesn’t this pumpkin french toast from DIY Budget Girl sound so delicious for a lazy Sunday morning? 

Now, not all things pumpkin spice are food-related!  Whipped Green Girl shared her DIY pumpkin spice lotion! I don’t think I am quite skilled enough to make my own lotion, but I know some of you can! 

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Katherine’s Corner
Peonies and Orange Blossoms
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Pumpkin Bread for Breakfast

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I *love* pumpkin bread. I have made it 4 times (I think) so far since September.  I thought I’d share a little vignette I enjoyed one morning while munching on the bread.  

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the best pumpkin bread

The reason I am sharing is because I was so thrilled with my new pumpkin bread pan!! Look how cute the bread is with the pumpkins molded into the bread! I have been looking at buying one of these specialty bread pans for a long time and finally bit the bullet this year!  This is the cute pumpkin bread pan I used: click here for cute bread pan

the best pumpkin bread

 I enjoyed this bread with some coffee in my little antique cut glass cup.  However I frequently enjoy it with pumpkin spice tea- hence the teapot in the picture.  I put some pecan pumpkin butter on top of the bread – yum yum! 

the best pumpkin bread

 While in the store, we spotted another super cute pan that allowed you to make these cute little themed bites – they are so fun! The shapes are all different – pinecone, pumpkin, acorn, and walnuts!  They are really the perfect size for snacking and less messy!! I really liked the pan.

pumpkin bread bites

 As a hint for these fancy molded pans – spray them down with some canola oil and pop them in the freezer for 15 minutes.  Then pull out of the freezer and fill with the batter and put straight in the oven! Freezing these pans before helps the molded shape turn out way better! As for the pumpkin bread recipe? I confess, I actually use this mix, but it is suuuuuper good.  I have tried making some copycat recipes from scratch via Pinterest, however none are as good! 

The best Pumpkin Bread

Are you a pumpkin bread fan? Do you have a favorite recipe? If you do – leave me the link as my WS bread mix habit is not cheap! 


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2016 Pumpkin Festival in Germany

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This year I had another opportunity to visit the World’s Largest Pumpkin Festival! It is held every year at Schloss Ludgwigsburg in Ludgwigsburg, Germany (just outside of Stuttgart). 

We went stumbled upon it by accident in 2013 and when we decided to go to Europe this past September we made sure it was part of our itinerary again! 

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Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Every year the festival consists of over 400,000 pumpkins!!!  The festival is lots of fun! It is held on the castle grounds of this palace below: 

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Even if you aren’t pumpkin stir crazy, the grounds are beautiful and you can also tour the inside of the  palace as well.  We had been inside in 2013 so we passed this time. 

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Every year the pumpkin festival theme changes.  This year it was Circus themed (Zirkus, in German).  When we were there in 2013 it was a Sports theme.  So if you go every year it is always different! 

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

 The pumpkin art is made mainly from wood, straw, and gourds/pumpkins. Just enjoy the pictures now! 

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

They had this wall with all the different pumpkin and gourd varieties! I loved looking at it! 

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

The festival also has pumpkin-themed food of all types: pumpkin… soup, bread, muffins, rice, ravioli, pasta, quiche, and of course, strudel! Now this soup inspired to me to create my own copycat version here! The dark stuff floating on top is pumpkin seed oil and it is DELICIOUS.

German Pumpkin Soup

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

There are also special events that occur during the festival.  Last time we were there they had pumpkin boat racing in the main fountain of the palace!  This year we just missed Ray Villafane, the famous pumpkin carver. 

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival 2016 - Kurbisaustellung Ludwigsburg | Peonies & Orange Blossoms

You can view my trip to the pumpkin festival in 2013 here.

So what do you all think of the pumpkin festival?? Have you ever seen anything like it??

OH PS – I saw a stork for the first time in real life in Germany at the festival and was so excited I had to share! 

a Stork!

For more information, you can visit the official website here.

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Home Updates, Paris Fashion Week, Christmas, and more!!

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FIVE ON FRIDAY!!!

I have a lot to share today! LOTS of pictures! 

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House Updates – Choosing a Fireplace Mantel

Earlier in the year I wrote about how I am going to have a freestanding fireplace in my house with floor-to-ceiling rock work.  

I have been working hard to pick a fireplace mantel because apparently the builder needs to know for framing design and stuff.

Initially I thought I wanted a plain French fireplace like the classic Provence-type fireplace, below:

 But then I thought, this is the centerpiece of the room and I really do like French fufu, so maybe I’ll go just a *little* more fufu because I like it.  Not like Versailles Marble & Gold fufu.

The fireplaces are all limestone (either cast/carved or a mixture). 

So these are what I have been considering…  The dimensions though of the one below are a little wonky for my fireplace so I don’t think it will end up working.

 This one below is a major contender. 

 I also like this one below too. But the shelf on top is nearly 2″ wide which I think is a little big. 

 This one I don’t have the dimensions for, but I think it is nice.

  

I like this one below too.

Which one do you all like BEST? Leave me a comment!!

Christmas & Bloomingdale’s SALE!

Bloomingdales is having a 25% off Friends and Family Sale right now and I thought I would get a start on my Christmas shopping. 

Here is some Christmas decor that caught my eye that *never* (and I mean never) goes on sale!! (Please don’t feel pressured to buy anything here, I am simply sharing some things that I like that don’t go on sale!)

Juliska Reindeer Games Mug 

Juliska Winter Frolic Ruby Tree Platter 

Christopher Radko Haute Houndstooth Muffy Ornament 

Juliska Winter Frolic Under the Mistletoe Ruby Trivet

 Michael Aram Snowman Globe Christmas Ornament 

Swarovski 2016 Annual Star Ornament 

I have several of these Pendleton Wool Throws in different colors and I LOVE THEM!! 

Pendleton Wool Throw in Red

Pendleton Glacier Park wool throw

Shop the Bloomingdale’s 25% off sale here!! Enter the Promo Code FRIENDS at checkout!! The sale is their whole website, including clothes, shoes, and more so be sure to check it out!!

Let’s Talk about Tartan

All of this Christmas talk has me dreaming about tartan!  So, last year, I bought these Red Tartan Chargers  from Williams Sonoma but they sold out and I went all over town looking for them and *finally* got a set of 12.  If you are thinking of buying these this year, now is the time! (Again, don’t feel pressured, these just sold out super fast last year and took me waiting for people to return them to get some of my own!)

White Tartan Mugs, Set of 4 

I bought this Red Tartan Bedding Set last year and I LOVE it.  If you are thinking about buying it, you need to do it quickly as it sold out super fast last year!

It also come in the white color way: White Tartan Bedding 

or this pretty Blue Isle Tartan Bedding

 This Le Creuset Tartan Cast Iron pan is pretty cute, too!

It was Paris Fashion Week this past week! I love looking at all of the pretty outfits every season that the designers make! I like to pretend that I am shopping and always pick out an outfit I would wear from each show!  If you had an unlimited budget, what outfit would you choose to wear? 

#1 Valentino

#2 Chloé

#3 Chloé

 #4 Chanel

#5 Chanel

#6 Chanel

#7 Alexander McQueen

 I love the handmade details on this dress!

#8 Alexander McQueen

 #9 Alexander McQueen

#10 Dior

I think I would wear #3 Chloe. Although #2 is perfect for a cruise! In reality I would probably wear the athleisure suit from Dior (#10) the most! 

ANDDD also, Louis Vuitton debuted an iPhone case that looks like one of their trunks! I am wanting one, however don’t know how insane they will cost!

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I added a new PAGES tab up at the top – it is a HOLIDAY page!!! It is in the works currently and I have Halloween ready but Thanksgiving and Christmas should be up shortly! 


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French Country Fall Ideas – Thursday Favorite Things

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 Before our French country Fall tour begins, let’s sit back and enjoy some hot mulled apple cider.  Kingsbury Brook Farm shared a delicious recipe for hot apple cider!

 Then, let’s enjoy a Frenchy appetizer! Simplify Life with Mrs. R shared this recipe for this French Inspired Pear & Brie Pastry! YUM!

Okay, now onto the French country tour… Belle Blue Interiors shared her French country kitchen. I love how the orange of the pumpkins goes so well with her blue dishes!

Olivia from Reinvented Collection, one of our co-hostesses shared her painted cabinet makeover decorated in the French country style for Fall! Don’t you love it? Please also swing by her blog – she has her own features every week too!!

 Bringing French Country Home shared her entry way styled in a natural French country way. Love the antlers in the French market bag!

 Designthusiasm shared this beautiful French country table for Fall! I love the use of pink roses end eucalyptus Who says Fall has to be all orange?

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Katherine’s Corner
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Rustic Fall Centerpiece Decor with Owls

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With every season I change the decor in the center of our ridiculously oversized kitchen island. I have to crawl on top the counter to place the owls in the center!  

I love decorating for Fall with my owls.  I have slowly added to the collection, but I think I am done collecting them.  I’ve had these pieces for years now.

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Rustic Fall decor with owls, Steiff bears, acorns, and candles

The wreath holder is up year round and I change the wreath as the seasons change. For Fall I have an acorn wreath which I love.  Below is a look at the entire centerpiece.  I have scattered mini Fall candle figurines, lit Fall leaf light strand, Steiff teddy bears and a nutcracker.  The pumpkins are from the garden.  The scent from a seasonal candle fills the room putting one in a Fall mood!

Rustic Fall decor with owls, Steiff bears, acorns, and candles

 I love this nutcracker and the sunflowers. Who says nutcrackers are for Christmas only? You can also see some of the little candle figurines better – pumpkins, owls, and a squirrel! 

Rustic Fall decor with a nutcracker

 A closer look at the owls and acorn wreath. As you may have noticed, photographing in this room is incredibly difficult with the lighting situation. It is so bright at the windows but dim in the kitchen.  I can’t use natural light in the kitchen so all the pictures take on a yellow hue. 

Rustic Fall decor with owls

 Below are my little Steiff teddy bears. We have pumpkin bear who I’ve had for several years. This year I have a new bear who is carrying a maple leaf that is changing colors. He is really cute and is actually a yellow-orange-brown color just as in the picture.  And you may have noticed the odd color of the pumpkins… they are YELLOW!  Yes, really, it is not photoshop! They grew on our compost pile as volunteers. I have never seen yellow pumpkin before! We are thinking we are going to save the seeds and plant more next year just to see what happens! 

Rustic Fall decor with owls, Steiff bears, acorns, and candles

A last look at our Fall centerpiece and our unique yellow pumpkins. 

Rustic Fall decor with owls, Steiff bears, acorns, and candles

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my little Fall centerpiece for the kitchen!

And here I picked a few of my Fall favorites…

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The Best Apple Pie Recipe

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I am sharing with you today my FAVORITE apple pie recipe.  I have been making this recipe for several years and I still think it is the best apple pie recipe EVER!

The BEST homemade apple pie recipe - seriously, I have been making this for years and get rave review from everyone!

Granted, in general, fresh homemade apple pie is usually always good, but this one seems to be better.  I think it has to do with precooking the apples.

The best homemade apple pie recipe - the top crust was made with Fall cutouts!

Doesn’t it just look delicious and put you in a Fall mood? Now imagine yourself enjoying the pie… do you like yours with ice cream or whipped cream?

The best homemade apple pie recipe - seriously, I have been making this for years and get rave review from everyone!

The BEST apple pie recipe: (printable version here)

For the dough:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 3 to 4 Tbsp. ice water

For the filling:

  • 2 lb. Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into slices 1/4 inch
  •   thick
  • 2 lb. Honey Crisp apples, peeled, cored and cut into slices 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  • 4 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 egg white, beaten with 1 tsp. water
  • 2 tsp. granulated sugar

Directions:

To make the dough  (Now, if you are going to do as many cutouts as I did, you will want to double the dough recipe): In a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, and granulated sugar together until combined, about 5 pulses. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 pulses. Add 3 Tbs. of the ice water and pulse 2 or 3 times. The dough should hold together when squeezed with your fingers but should not be sticky. If it is crumbly, add more water 1 tsp. at a time, pulsing twice after each addition. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, divide in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap the disks separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out half of the dough into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Fold the dough in half and then into quarters and transfer it to a 9-inch deep-dish pie dish. Unfold and gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of the dish. Trim the edges flush with the rim of the dish. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

On a large sheet of lightly floured parchment paper, roll out the remaining dough disk into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Using leaf pie cutters, cut out as many leaves as your heart desires. Refrigerate the cutouts for 30 minutes (I actually did not do this step this time and instead cut them out and immediately put them on top of the apples).

Meanwhile, make the filling: In a large Dutch oven, stir together the apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and cornstarch. Set over medium heat, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until the liquid has thickened and become glossy, 5 to 7 minutes more. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven, place a baking sheet on the rack and preheat the oven to 400°F.

Let the pie shell, lattice top and leaf cutouts stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Transfer the apple filling to the pie shell, then gently invert the lattice top over the pie. Trim the edges flush with the rim of the dish and press the top and bottom crusts together to seal. Brush the underside of the leaf cutouts with egg wash and gently press them onto the edges of the piecrust, overlapping the leaves slightly. Decorate as desired with the remaining leaves. Brush the entire top crust with egg wash and sprinkle with the granulated sugar.

Place the pie dish on the preheated baking sheet. Bake until the crust is crisp and golden brown, about 1 hour, covering the edges with aluminum foil if they become too dark. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool for at least 1 1/2 hours before serving. Serves 8.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

 

Here’s a look at the pie just before it headed into the oven…

…and here it is fresh out of the oven! The smell is intoxicating.

The best homemade apple pie recipe

I actually shared this recipe on the blog several years ago, but I thought I’d give it a little photoshoot refresh.  However at that time I did a lattice top with these leaf cutouts. The cutouts in the pictures in the post are much easier to do than the cutouts in the pictures of the old post.  In the old way the dough would rip when trying to transfer it to the top of the pie.

The best apple pie recipe - seriously, I have been making this for years and get rave review from everyone!

 

Oh yum, just before eating… hot apple goodness oozing out… I like my apple pie with a touch of vanilla ice cream.  Or homemade cinnamon ice cream. My mom votes next time we try it with homemade salted caramel ice cream. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

One last look at the pie, yum yum!

If you are interested in the piecrust cutters, I used these ones here from an earlier year.  These ones here are similar and cheaper.

The best apple pie recipe - seriously, I have been making this for years and get rave review from everyone!

 

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