Fall Decorating using Mason Jars

Fall Decorating using Mason Jars

Mason jars can be used as storage or for decorating. With the ability to buy in bulk, utilizing mason jars for tables, mantles, counters, or as lanterns is easy and fun.

Fall Flowers in Mason Jars

• Place a bundle of flowers into Mason Jars (can be a variety of sizes)
• Tie a fall colored ribbon around the top of the jar
• Display the jars outside beside pumpkins or inside on tables or fireplace mantles

If desired, before placing the flowers into the jars, kids or adults can use sharpies and draw fall sayings or pictures on the jars. Also, change water out daily to reduce molding on the plant's stem and for a nice fresh look.

Fall Leaf Lights

• Place a piece of clear tape on the bottom of a bagged leaf from the craft store and gently slide the leaf into the jar
• Once the leaf is in place, use a plastic spoon or knife to press the tape to the inside of the jar and place another piece of tape at the top of the leaf
• Place a LED battery powered candle or a bunch of LED string lights (small-also available at Michael's) to place inside the jars
• Use the lights as a pathway to the house, along the mantle or throughout the home

Turn them into hanging lanterns using twine. There are several ways in which to tie the twine but here is an example:

1. Cut 40-42 inches of twine.
2. Wrap the twine around the top of the jar, leaving one end longer than the other-only leave about six inches on the smaller side and tie into a knot.
3. Wrap the longer side around again and tie in a knot.
4. With the remaining twine, go over the top of the jar to the other side and loop under/through the wrapped twine, tie into a knot (loop again if desired.
5. Hang the jars and use LED candles or lights inside.

Mason jar decorating is easy, Fun, and even the kids can get involved! Happy Fall!!

Hallmark's Autumn Premiere's

Hallmark's Autumn Premiere's

The time of year where Hallmark graces the television with seasonal movies is finally here! Instead of waiting for the Christmas Premiere's (beginning Oct. 31st), the countdown to the countdown begins with Autumn movies, plus a special "Good Witch" season 2, two hour event. To kick off the Autumn movie premiere is, Autumn Dreams, a story about a couple who marry young (despite their parents disapproval), get a divorce only to find out years later, according to something in the paperwork, they are still married, and each have to find a fix quick because both are getting married to other people. True to Hallmark form, the couple is forced to work as a couple to get the matter resolved, will sparks fly between the two or will they split for good?

The next new movie is, Harvest Moon. A young woman looses a fortune and tries to regain it by fixing a struggling pumpkin farm in the country, but discovers pumpkin is not only for jack-o-lanterns and pies, but can also be used as a beauty product. Along the way, she meets the handsome farm manager and love fills the air under the Harvest Moon.

The third movie premiere, October Kiss. A nanny is hired by a handsome over working executive who needs help with his kids close to Halloween. She ends up teaching the family there is more to life than work, school, and chores, and soon the handsome executive might find that he has fallen for a fun, adventurous woman. 

The fourth premiere, perhaps the most anticipated, The Good Witch Season 2, two hour special! The Good Witch movies and television show have become the hit of Hallmark and if there is one special before the Christmas movie event that is a must see, this one is it. No one knows what may take place in the charming and busy town of Middleton, but it will be a fall event to remember and one that needs not be missed.

Of all the years, this seems like one of the most anticipated in terms of Saturday night events and Premiere's going all the way to Christmas on The Hallmark Channel. So, have a get together, bring out the cider and pumpkin pie and cozy up with what will soon be fall favorites on Saturdays in October. Happy Fall!!!!

Fall Kid Crafts: Leaf Garland and Pumpkin Turkey

Leaf Garland and Pumpkin Turkey
Fall seems to bring out the craft masters in everyone, even children. This is one of the most magical times of the year leading up to one of the most favorite holidays, Christmas, and it is the time to let the craftiness shine. Using fake (or real) pumpkins, packages of loose colorful leaves, fall colored ribbons, fall colored clothes pins, twine, a marker, and tape, the indoors can be transformed into the colorful outdoors for children to enjoy all season long.

Leaf Garland

Materials:

• Fall Colored Twine or Ribbon
• Fall Colored Clothe pins (found at craft stores)
• Plastic or Metal Hooks or Large River Rocks (depending on where the garland is to be hanged)

Directions:

1. Determine where to hang the leaf garland, then cut the twine, leaving 6 to 8 inches extra on each end (a little less if using river rocks to hold on a mantle or shelf).
2. Tie the ends in a double knot on each hook and place leaves along the twine using the clothes pins.

Instead of leaves, a message on burlap triangles or squares or card stock can be made, or both can be used. This is a great idea for shelves around the house and in a child's room.

Pumpkin Turkey

This is a fun fall craft and can even be turned into a "turkey bank" (piggy bank). The best part, no glue or staples or anything sharp or sticky involved, except for clear scotch tape and child safe scissors. Even so, parents, this means, easy clean-up (SCORE!).

Materials:

• 1 Small or Medium plastic pumpkin for each child
• 1 Package of Fall Leaves (available at Michael's or other craft stores)
• 1 brown or black marker
• A roll of Scotch Tape, clear
• Scissors
• Some Fall Colored Ribbon (optional)

Directions:

1. Determine which end of the pumpkin sits best on a surface.
2. Hold the pumpkin upside down while the kids use tape to place the leaves on it in layers-tape along the bottom and sides of leaves (it really does not take too much tape).
3. Set pumpkin on a flat surface, draw eyes.
4. Tape fall colored ribbon around the middle of the pumpkin and display.

Both of these crafts are well under $10 a child, and the leaf garland is under $5 a child. They are kid friendly fall activities that kids can most definitely do and be proud of as well as enjoy. Happy Fall!

Fall Sign Craft

Fall Sign

This is a great fall craft for children, young and old. Creating a fall sign, thanks to help from local craft stores, is fun and kids will love having their sign placed on a door, in the hall, or anywhere on the wall. All that is needed is some paint, letter stencils, paint brushes, a plain wooden sign with string attached (if string is not attached , just drill two holes and cut a long piece of twine, loop through the front and tie a knot behind each hole), and fall stickers.

Materials:

• 1 Wooden Sign with string attached for each person
• Fall Colored Craft Paints
• Letter Stencil
• Paint Brushes
• Fall Stickers

(all items available at craft stores)

Directions:

1. Paint the sign Orange or Yellow and let dry (if using craft paint, probably an hour or two).
2. Decide what to write on the sign and where to put it. Use a sponge brush or a small brush and the stencils to paint the letters, use a darker color than the background.
3. Let dry.
4. Place autumn leaf stickers on the corners and 3-D stickers throughout the sign.
5. Hang the sign and add some fall to the home.

If desired, use real leaves that have been pressed and placed between clear paper and mod podge. Place a thin layer of mod podge on one side, place on the sign, let dry a while, and then lightly coat the top side with mod podge and let dry.

There are so many ways to create a sign for fall, all of which will be enjoyable and put all involved in the mood for the season.

Pumpkin Pie Banana Pudding, Parfait, and Treats

Pumpkin Pie Banana Pudding, Parfait, and Treats

Pumpkin everything is here! It is one of the best times of the year, when comfort foods begin to heat up the kitchen and sweet treats at the end, or beginning, of the meal is a must. Thanks to the pumpkin craze, many pumpkin treats can simply be bought and enjoyed by themselves, but pair some of these new pumpkin goodies with old favorites such as Banana Pudding and Parfaits is easy and delightful.

Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Ingredients:

• 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz.)
• 4-5 cups of milk (depends on how think one likes the pudding)
• 2 bags of Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Spice flavored Milano Cookies
• 8-10 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 8 oz. tub of cool whip
• Nutmeg for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Prepare the two pudding mixes as directed on the boxes. Once the mix is thick, add the pumpkin pie spice and stir well. Set aside.
2. Using a large bowl, layer the cookies, bananas and pudding mix. Cover the bottom of the bowl with cookies, place bananas on top, then spread pudding, do the same layering again (usually twice is enough but sometimes a third layer can be added).
3. Spread cool whip on top, sprinkle with nutmeg and chill in the fridge for 4 hours before serving.

This is a great way to add a touch of fall to an American classic, by making 2 or 3 small changes and utilizing the special products only available during the fall and Christmas seasons.

Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait

This parfait is perfect for breakfast or a snack and uses Sunbelt's pumpkin spice bars and the new Chobani Greek yogurt pumpkin spice flavored (which can be substituted with pumpkin spice ice cream if desired.

Ingredients (serving size: 1 parfait):

• 1 Pumpkin flavored Greek yogurt
• 2 Sunbelt Pumpkin Spice bars, crumbled
• 1/4 cup vanilla or chocolate flavored yogurt
• Pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon for sprinkling

Directions:

Place some crumbled pieces of the bar in the bottom of a small glass or parfait glass. Top with half the pumpkin spice yogurt, then with more crumbled pumpkin bar, then 1/4 of vanilla yogurt, more crumbled bar, place the remaining pumpkin spice yogurt on top, and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.

Both of these make good treats to serve at a Halloween, Harvest, or Thanksgiving gathering, especially popular with children.

Pumpkin Treat Suggestions:

Here are a few more ideas on how to take advantage of these treats while they are out:

• Line a plain store bought frosted cake with pumpkin spice cookies and write Happy Harvest on top using Pecan Pie M&M's
• Use the sunbelt pumpkin spice bars crumbled into Corn Flake or Special K cereals (even Raisin Brand) to add some fall flavor to the morning
• Make parfaits with vanilla and pumpkin spice ice cream and Milano Pumpkin Spice cookies crumbled, top with whip cream and pumpkin flavored seasonal treats
• Bake a favorite sugar cookie recipe adding M&Ms to the top or finely crush up the pumpkin spice Milano cookies and mix them into the recipe

Happy Fall!!!

 

Fall Decorating 2015

Fall Decorating 2015: Keeping it Simple

When it comes to decorating the home for Fall and Christmas, keeping it simple is not easy to do. It is so much fun to go overboard, buying little items for each room, pumpkins for every corner of the floor, and miscellaneous fall items for bookcases and fireplaces and maybe even the kitchen counter. It's fun until time to pack up or time to clean around all the extra items, but it can also look cluttered. Instead of over doing it, these tips will help give the house a cozy fall look, without the extra expenses and clutter.


Fall Decorating: Pumpkins

Pumpkins are probably top on the list when it comes to fall decorating, some simple tips include:

• Clay flower pots, painted or not painted, with a small tree-add small pumpkins to the pot placed around the tree, tie a piece of autumn colored twine around the pot.
• Place a variety of different sized pumpkins on one side of the steps or porch. Place a large or medium pot of mums on the last step with larger pumpkins with fall ribbons tied around them on the porch.
• Spray paint pumpkins with Chalk Board Spray (wash and dry before hand-and to preserve the pumpkin, wipe a thin coat of "paste wax" over it, let dry), place outside or inside and write messages such as "Welcome," "Happy Fall," or "Falling for Fall."
• Paint pumpkins and then paint polka dots on them, use as table decorations or on the fireplace mantle or even on counters.

All of these can be done with real or fake pumpkins, if considering placing a flower pot inside a pumpkins, a big suggestion is use the fake one, but be sure to cut two or three small hole in the bottom for the water to drain out if needed.

Fall Decorating: Table and Dining Room

• Flowers in a large pot, vase, or decorative pitcher with fake leaves and pumpkins added in make a lovely center piece and is quick, simple, and easy to take care of.
• Fake leaf garland-take advantage of the sales on these at Michael's and use them to add color to any room, doorway, or even ceiling in the house. A favorite is using them almost like streamers, especially for an autumn get together.
• Place a decorative pumpkin with an empty and cleaned out wine bottle in the center of the table, place some twigs of leaves (fake or real in the wine bottle)

Fall Decorating: Fireplace and Living Room

• Place a pumpkin in the center of the coffee table with an autumn magazine beside it
• Place two candles, one tall one short pillar, on a fall colored charger ($1.99 at Michael's), place a small pumpkin beside the unlit candles, along with some fake bagged leaves under the pumpkin
• String leaf garland over the windows and fireplace mantle, place a row of different sized and colored pumpkins along the mantle or just a few in the center of the mantle
• Place a long rectangular basket in the center of the mantle, add fall potpourri and place a few fake leaves around the sides of the basket
• Center a large or small autumn flower arrangement on the mantle, add family pictures from autumns past or present on both sides, as many as desired

All of these tip are super easy, inexpensive, and bring the warmth of the season to and into the home. Enjoy this glorious part of the year, leading up to the holidays, and make autumn decorating enjoyable. Happy Fall!