Scarecrows

Call it the "Wizard of Oz Effect", but I love scarecrows. Perhaps it's the movie depiction of a loyal, vulnerable and sensible friend who simply lacks a bit of self-confidence that speaks to me.  Or maybe it's just his sweet face and down-and-out clothing.  Regardless, fall, with it's requisite scarecrows, is something I always look forward to.  

Scarecrow peeking out from my fall mums and purple fountain grass

Several years ago, I happened upon this cute Scarecrow craft (in Family Fun magazine). Quite a few years in a row, I  created these as class party and table favors.  I stumbled upon the idea again last week and couldn't resist sharing.  It's not super kid-friendly (glue gun required) but at a minimum you could involve your kids in the sorting and counting of candy scarecrow body parts. The finished product is a hit and adorable, too.

For each scarecrow, you will need:

• 1 Wrapped round taffy or caramel - head
• 2 Tootsie Flavor Rolls (bright colors if available) - arms
• 2 rolls of colorful candies (like Spree or Smarties) - legs
• 1/2 oz. box of raisins - body
• raffia
• low temperature glue gun 
• scissors

(optional) 2-inch scale wavy brim straw hat (I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby - qty 12 for $3.47)

Assembly is super easy:

Keep the wrapping on all the candies and glue the head, arms and legs to raisin box body.

Cut 5-four inch pieces of raffia.  Place 4 pieces in a bunch and tie fifth piece in center of bundle. Glue knot to the top of the body (where raisin box and round candy taffy meet).   

If you elect to add the hat, wait until the glue used to secure head is dry before gluing on hat.  Please note: do not use too much glue.  

His job is to scare the birds 

and fill their hearts with dread. 

But your job is easier, 

to choose which to eat first: 

his arms, legs, or head.

Gorgeous Gourds (not what you're thinking)

When we were at the Arboretum two weeks ago for my birthday, we hurried through a  part of the botanical garden which I am certain totally merits a return trip (honestly, it was growing dark, but candidly, we were rushing to get home to watch the first Presidential debate. Because, let's face it, I'm not missing that). Anyway, 

I have NEVER seen more pumpkins in one place in my life!

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater's House

I failed to capture a photo of  Sleeping Beauty's carriage, but borrowed this one from the Arboretum's website:

Check out those topiary horses!

A pumpkin tree!

All I can say is pumpkin shortage? What pumpkin shortage?

It's Fall, Right?

Fall has a way of sneaking up on me, especially since living in Texas.  After all, who in their right mind would describe days where the temperature brushes 90 degrees "fall"?  Where I'm from, that's not even Indian Summer.  Most annoying is that no one here seems to know what to wear; the calendar says October but the number on the thermometer screams June (at least in most parts of the country).  At church on Sunday, I observed folks in shorts and sandals and others brazenly wearing boots and sweaters.  Oh, the disparity!

Perhaps all this head-scratching is why it's taken until today for me to even think about my autumnal and Halloween decorations.  Last year, I posted about how many fun and interesting fall and All Hallows Eve decorations these Dallasites seem to possess.  I'm even tempted to post a few more this year.  Believe me, there's a lot to take in.

I noticed last week, that one of my favorites is back:

Since I'm more inclined to focus on the scarecrows, mums (though for the record, not really a fan) and pumpkins rather than the bats, skeletons and witches, this is a favorite spot in my kitchen 

Isn't that little ceramic scarecrow candle topper adorable?
And I love when my kitchen smells like pumpkin spice.

After Halloween last year, I did stumble upon this cute, yet somewhat spooky, picture  frame on sale at Target.  I couldn't resist.  

I used a few of these photos and I'm thinking this may be a new favorite. 

My friends tell me I should be perusing Pinterest, but I'm more interested in the fall decorating that I can see in person and that help define where we live. I'm keeping my eyes open for more clever and creative decorations. If I stumble on some, I'll share, even if it requires that the air conditioning be on while I do it!   

Fall Pumpkin Bread

I've been making this pumpkin bread recipe since I was just out of college (i.e., a long time), so it's a tried and true favorite.  Don't be skeptical about the chocolate chips, they make the pumpkin bread (which is slightly savory  - despite it's cup of sugar), just the right amount of sweet.  The only negative of this recipe is that it only makes 1 loaf (doubling the recipe, unfortunately, won't yield the same results, so you have to make one loaf at a time).  Which is probably just as well because, this bread is delicious.  

Pumpkin Bread*

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees                  Makes 1 Loaf

1.5 c. (210 g) flour                               2 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp. salt                                       ¼ tsp. nutmeg    

1 c, (200 g) sugar                                ¼ tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda                              ¼ tsp. allspice

1 c. pumpkin puree (canned)              4 oz. mini choc.chips

1/2 c. vegetable oil

¼ c. water

Sift together flour, salt, sugar and baking soda in large bowl

Mix the pumpkin, eggs, oil, water and spices together in separate bowl, then combine with dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Pour into well-buttered 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.  Bake 50 – 60 minutes until a straw come out clean. Turn out of the pan and cool on a rack.  Enjoy. 

* Adapted from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook

A lovely way to gift pumpkin bread to your friends & neighbors.

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Holiday Decorating, Fall Edition

As much as I love holidays, I don't guess anyone would be surprised to know that I can't get enough of holiday decorations,  particularly those of the exterior variety.  


Admittedly, I've never felt skilled or artistic enough to tackle much in the way of outside decorating and, currently I don't have much space to store all the items that could make for a commendable spectacle but, I sure am a fan.  


So I thought I might take a few days and show some of the fun and festive ways that Texans decorate, including some adorable and/or scary Halloween displays.


This "pumpkin patch", at a house on a prominent corner not far from our house, is one of my favorites (the photos from my iPhone barely do it justice).  

These 3 dimensional pumpkins in all shapes and sizes are too cute.

This adorable polka dot pumpkin is my favorite.

This photo is from another angle, and gives a better sense of  just how many pumpkins
make up the display.

I don't know about you, but this display brings to mind something else (and another great thing about this time of year)--