Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Tis the season to eat pumpkin and this pumpkin cupcake recipe is as "semi-homemade" as it gets. These will be a hit at any fall gathering, birthday party, or school event, and there is no batter or icing making from scratch, making this a go to desert recipe for any parent. The biggest plus, people will think hours of prep work was spent on these cupcakes, when in truth, there was some help from Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines.

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin pie mix
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar (this adds a nice extra kick)
• 24 cupcake liners (Craft stores usually offer good deals on holiday liners and a better selection than the local market)

For the Icing:

• 1 1/2 containers whipped or Butter cream, white, or Vanilla Frosting
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 24 Chocolate Pumpkins (such as Russell Stover Pumpkin Pie, Snickers or Reese Pumpkin shapes, or even Pumpkin spice M&M's) for topping

Directions:

1. Spray 24 cupcake pan very lightly with baking spray (this can be skipped, this is just a precaution and usually makes it easier to get the liner out)
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Place liners in the cupcake pan.
4. Mix the cake mix, pumpkin pie mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs in a large bowl, with a standing mixer, hand mixer, or whisk (helps get the lumps out). For 2 minutes on medium speed.
5. Using a Ladle, place about half a ladle into the cupcake liners until each is full and all are evenly filled.
6. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top of the cupcakes and bake 19-25 minutes.
7. Let cool completely (2 hours is usually good, 3 might be better).

Frosting:

1. Mix the frosting and pumpkin pie spice by hand in a large bowl.
2. Using a spatula or butter knife or even bagging the icing, spread a generous amount onto each cupcake.
3. Place chocolate candy on top and prepare to serve.

Instead of mixing the pie spice in with the frosting, it could be sprinkled on top of the cupcakes. Also, if using M&M's. Hershey Kisses, or Reese, those could be baked into the cupcake, giving it an extra sweet surprise when bitten into. Happy Fall Ya'll!!

Halloween Candy

Halloween Candy!

Yesterday, I thought, does Dunkin Donuts have their Pumpkin Spice Coffee yet? So, did some research and found out, yes, they do. That's right, the item is not on the main menu but ask and ye shall receive. That's right people, the season is so close, stores are already putting out Halloween candy and in some cases, Christmas items.

Magazine in store

There is no better time of year than the holidays. Nothing beats the crisp air, the magic of fall, mysteries of Halloween, and kicking off the Christmas season with countdown's to Christmas and a ginormous Thanksgiving meal. The best part, being able to walk into stores and find favorite foods, pumpkin everything, fall colors, and warm clothes, and in some cases (especially with the help of coupons) holiday items at a decent price.

This time of year is the decorating season, which means spending and it can become tough not to be tempted by all the seasonal items. For example, while in Kohl's (love that store), there were several autumn dishes and serving dishes that I just wanted, but they were not on sale at all, yet. However, several tablecloths, some Halloween items, dish towels, and floor mats were. Unfortunately, the sale on the Autumn home goods, decorative items, were not so great either. However, Fall has not officially begun and by Fall these goodies will be half+ off, and if looking for a bargain, try out Big Lots, Wal-Mart, Target, or even look online.

Big Lots had Fall outside mats for $4! Much of their decorations were very fairly priced, $12 and under and they had a good amount of Thanksgiving products. Target has some good prices, but one has to look for them.

Fall Cereals in Ingles

Target seems to be good at hiding some of their sales in with the actual price items. It is a bit annoying, but look for the red and white sticker with a lower price than the rest of the surrounding objects. Also, check the end of the isles, that is where most of the bigger sales end up. Also, Kohl's and Target offer much more when it comes to coupons and savings. There is usually a promo every week and, despite what some sales clerks say, multiple coupons can be used and do work in many cases. Every once in a while, no, but most of the time it works.

Wal-Mart is always a safety net when it comes to low prices, but be careful, it is easy to walk out with $100 worth of products and buyers remorse. However, got to admit, when it comes to Halloween and Christmas candy, Wal-Mart is my go to destination. I do not know if it is the isle of candy stacked high on the shelves or the fact that they seem to sell certain candies that are not available at other retailers or the fact the prices for what is being bought is actually fair. Whatever it is, when it comes to certain products such as fake pumpkins (yea, that hurt to write a little), leaf garland-sometimes-seasonal candle holders and table accents, and candy, this is my store to find savings (especially in October).

Fall items in Kohls

Other stores to check out, Crafty ones. Michaels, surprisingly, has good sales because everyone who crafts is usually ahead of the season so by mid September Fall items are as high as 80% off and by mid-October, Halloween items are right there with them and even some of the Christmas items go on sale. Baskets, Fake Pumpkins, and Garland are three things to look for sales in, and the sales are always awesome. Also, look for their ads and coupons online and in-store.

Well, the season is here-the craziness is about to begin and holiday madness is coming, but first, lets enjoy the beauty and fun of fall, raise a glass of coffee, eat some cake, and relax. Happy Fall!!!

Autumn Light

Autumn Light

Autumn is the time of year to enjoy hues of orange, yellow, red, and brown, along with a nice cup of cider or seasonal coffee, not just outdoors but indoors as well. Turning the house into an autumn wonderland and creating a warm glow is simple. The best part, it can be done without having to buy a bunch of decorations. Using some ribbons, colorful place mats, tealights, votives, and other items, a magical autumn feel can be brought into the home.

Autumn Lamps:

• Decorative fall ribbon, wired edged ribbon, or different colored burlap long enough to wrap around the lamp shade
• Velcro Fasteners (optional)
• Plan colored lamp shade, white or off white
• Autumn colored placemat or Cloth Napkin (optional)
• A Decorative Autumn item (pumpkin, plaque with a saying, or a picture)

Directions:

1. Wrap the ribbon around the center of the lamp to determine length, cut and place Velcro fasteners on the ends (depending on the size, may need two fasteners on each end).
2. Wrap the ribbon around the lamp and fasten the Velcro.
3. Place the lamp on a fall colored placemat beside a decorative fall item.

If desired, layer the ribbons starting from the bottom. Leave about 1/4 of an inch overlap at the bottom and just layer up to the top.

Also, instead of using Velcro, use one ribbon around the center and tie into a bow. This is an easy way to add some Autumn to your home without spending a bunch of money. Use what is around the house, leftover from years past, and placemats can be found on sell at almost any retailer for less than $3 (found some at Target under $1.50). Something so simple can add so much character to a room and will definitely add some warmth along with an Autumn glow.

Happy Fall!!!

Fall Treats

Fall Treats

Fall means shelves upon shelves of pumpkin everything!! It also means pies, caramel apples, caramel, and tasty treats and savory dinners galore. As everyone knows, most companies have taken advantage of this season, rather successfully. M&M's and Hershey's have their candy corn flavors, Hershey Kisses have pumpkin and candy corn, Russell Stover has several different candy bars including pecan pie, and even cereals and items in the frozen food section transform into pumpkin or apple something. Well, this year..... get ready for 17 new treats, including pecan pie M&M's!!! (recipes to come after these hit shelves). Even Beef Jerky and lie Diamond Almonds are transforming there goods into delicious fall flavor (no, not pumpkin flavored jerky).

Many of the fall items will be out by the end of August and throughout the season, some through Christmas. Also, be on the lookout for the Pumpkin Spice coffees and, of course, the lattes! So, enjoy, stock up and Happy Fall!!!

Fall Camping

Fall Camping

Camping in the Fall can be a great way to enjoy some family time around a campfire while roasting marshmallows, telling stories, or just sitting back and listening to the sounds of the outdoors. Fall camping is especially nice due to moderate temperatures during the day and often at night (depending on location), not to mention that not much can beat waking up to a world of colorful leaves. The best part about camping during this time, it does not take much prep work, does not need to be made complicated, is warm enough for short sleeves at points, but cool enough for a jacket and pajamas and night, and is a great idea for a quick weekend adventure.





Tips For Fall Camping

• Take warm weather and cold weather clothes, be prepared for either
• Keep food simple-take hand food, sandwich supplies, plenty of water, a small grill if planning on fishing, tin foil and vegetables and oil or butter for making "poor boy" aka Hobo packet meals, nuts and trail mix, cooler with plenty of ice (Reminder: keep all food sealed and stored)
• Pillows and Sleeping Backs a must, extra blankets and throws just in case
• Tent and a tarp to place under the tent (tarp can be optional)
• Firewood-never leave home on a camping trip without it
• Matches
• Flashlights, Lanterns
• Foldable chairs
• Books, Games, Footballs, Fishing Polls
• Insect repellent
• An Emergency kit
• Just a reminder: always be sure any fire is completely out

Depending on the campsite or where the camping is taking place, plan on relaxing as well as going on an outdoor adventure. Try to find a spot with hiking trails, maybe a creek or lake, and maybe even a town nearby just to stop by on the way in or out of the campsite.

What to Do on a Fall Camping Trip

1. Go for a walk or hike and just enjoy the crisp air and the colorful scenery
2. Collect leaves. Take a large Ziploc bag and collect leaves for pressing into a leaf book or using for fall crafts.
3. Picnic. Go for a walk thru woods and find a spot to picnic and play Frisbee or football.
4. Go Apple Picking or find a pumpkin at a nearby farm.
5. Carve Pumpkins while camping
6. Plan on telling Ghost Stories (for those old enough to handle it)
7. Plan on camping during a Fall harvest festival occurring in a nearby town and enjoy a day at the festival and an evening by the fire.

Dupont State Forest

Where to Camp in the Fall

Being southern, this is kind of a personal preference, the southeast, especially north Georgia, upstate S.C., or Western N.C. Of course, the Blue Ridge or the Smokey Mountains are awesome areas to camp during this time and there are many events throughout these areas in the fall, from pumpkin patches and corn mazes, to fairs and festivals. Helen, Georgia, always has Oktoberfest and one of the kick offs to the fall season (kind of pre-fall) is the Apple Festival in Hendersonville, N.C.

Of course, there are many other areas throughout the country to enjoy some fall beauty, or at least fall feel. For those living in CA, Big Sur has an abundance of campgrounds and offers some amazing sky views and the harvest moon is huge, and cities such as Monterey, have fall events for families.

Another good area to camp at in fall, the Adirondacks. When camping in fall, it may be best to go early in the season because chances are by late October, it will be very cold and possibly snowy (also true for the Smokey Mountains and also some of the Blue Ridge in N.C. and V.A.).  There is plenty of apple picking, pumpkin patching, and corn-mazing to be found, but a really cool event to witness is the Balloon Festival. The festival features live music, craft and furniture fairs, activities for families and kids, lots of food, and hot air balloons.

Bridge in Big Sur

Some other areas recommended, the eastern coast. Yes, from Maine (even though it is chilly) to Savannah, GA. If looking to venture out and explore some history or go on a ghost tour, check out campsites near Charleston, South Carolina, Williamsburg, VA, or Savannah, GA. About an hour, maybe a little more, from Charleston is Lake Marion, and it is a great area in which to camp and explore. One of the best reasons to go during the fall to places such as Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana and some of the other southern states, it is still pretty warm during the day, but cool enough at night to enjoy a campfire, the sound of a football game on a portable weather radio, and get a nice nights sleep.

No matter where the campsite is, check out local events, when the fall foliage is supposed to peak, what the weather is usually like or will be like, and be prepared to check in to a cabin or hotel if the weather is too cold or too rainy (especially for those who have kids, it is good to be close enough to a town or city if needed). Even so, just remember that camping in the fall is all about experiencing the outdoors during one of the most colorful times of the year, so go on a kayak or rafting adventure or a hike or just hang at the site talking, and just relax and thank God for the beautiful season of Autumn!

Recommended Fall Camping List:

These are a few, personal recommendations, but there are many great locations around the U.S. Talk to friends, family, and do some research to be certain.

Kinkade Village, Gatlinburg, TN

1. Cascade Lake Recreation and Campground-very family friendly-hiking trails, kayaking, fishing-located: DuPont State Forest
2. Black Forest Family Camping Resort-south of Brevard, NC
3. KOA-Anderson, S.C.-located near Lake Hartwell, very clean, cozy, great staff, and the nearby town of Pendleton has an absolutely awesome bakery-if planning on a visit to a Clemson game, check out this KOA.
4. KOA-Charleston-located on a plantation, as a guest of the campground, take a hayride and get a tour of the grounds.
5. Smith Mt. Lake State Park-nice area, on a lake, beautiful VA mountains, cruises and pontoon tours, in Huddleston, VA
6. Camp LeConte-yes, it is an experience and this place is beyond awesome and located in Gatlinburg, TN-great place to visit in the fall and at Christmas. From camp and RV sites to tree houses, a very unique experience.
7. Skidaway Island-Savannah, GA-trails, tours and family events-great family camping.

Fall Cleaning

Fall Cleaning

 

As far as Spring cleaning goes, it does not happen, but by the start of August, this girl is thinking, "Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!!" All of a sudden, school is about to begin, fall baking and decorating magazines are hitting shelves, and fall clothing is coming out, which means, the house needs a complete fall clean-up.

Organizing the Spices

When thinking of Autumn, the first two thoughts are decorating and baking. First and foremost, is baking. Autumn is the time for comfort food to come in to play and when one of the first major holidays occurs, Thanksgiving. Like many folks, the spice cabinet is full of spices, hot sauces, and even teas that have outlived their life and yet, sometimes used. So, the first area that gets some order to it, is usually the cabinets. Here are some tips:

• Designate a cabinet strictly for baking and spice supplies. This way, when cooking nearly anything, there is no digging through multiple cabinets looking for a spice or mix packet or for balsamic vinegar or olive oil or whatever else.
• Even if the flour and sugar is not on the counter, go ahead and place it in a container in the cabinet. This way it is sealed and there will be no open bags (usually more than one of each).
• If the item is out of date-toss it! Just get rid of it, it is ok because, start buying and preparing for the holidays now and by the time they hit, all items will be up-to-date and good to use.

The Junk Cabinet

Another area is the junk cabinet or drawer. Most folks have one, which is fine. The problem tends to be, everything from the mail to medicine and batteries (used and new) end up placed in it. If it stays, organize it using containers for batteries, tape, even an open container for mail (just remember to go through it), extra keys, and anything else being kept in there. After that, if here is still space, use the rest of the cabinet for any medicine and vitamins or move those into a medicine basket in the bathroom. Another way to reduce the mail clutter in the cabinet, place a mail holder next to the kitchen door and place mail in that, it will get cleaned out.

Dishes, Pots, and Pans!!

Sometimes, the dish cabinet turns into the dishes and container cabinet or the dishes, cups, and container cabinet. Then there is the problem with buying new cups or dishes and not getting rid of older ones, same goes for pots and pans. Here are some tips for these areas:

• Clean out the unwanted or messed up pots, pans, cooking items (processors, toasters, etc.), dishes, and cups.
• Place dishes in one cabinet, cups and glasses in another, and so on and so fourth. The pots and pans should probably be near the oven, dishes and glasses and cups, typically close to the sink.
• Try not to put any of these items under the sink. Leave that area for trash bags, maybe a tool box (which comes in very handy) and a container with rags used for cleaning.

As far as other cabinets or the pantry goes, place cans with similar canned items, Cereals in one spot, bread in one spot, junk food in one area, and so on. Something kind of neat to do, get a small chalk board for each, or a select few, cabinet:

• Use the adhesive picture hangers to place them on the cabinet
• Write the items in the cabinet (ex: Spices, Canned Goods)
• Get different colored chalk and draw a leaf or pumpkin on the side

Not only will this be a reminder as to where to find items, it is festive, and easily adds a personal touch to the kitchen.
 
Happy Fall!!