Perfect Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz) Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl oz) Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
Whipped cream (optional)


Directions:
Mix pumpkin, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and allspice in large bowl. Beat eggs and add to bowl. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour mixture into pie shell. Add pie crust shields.

Bake in preheated 425°F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Top with whipped cream before serving.

A trip to Salem, Massachusetts: Part II

From my last post, you'll remember that I recently visited Salem, Massachusetts. While exploring the area, we stumbled upon the Boston Bead Company shop and I just couldn't control my excitement, I hadn't expected to include bead shopping during this awesome day!

The shop has some adorable Halloween themed beads, so I told my friends to pick out a few and I'd make us all earrings to remember our trip! Here's what I came up with:

A trip to Salem, Massachusetts: Part I

Some friends and I recently took a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts. It was a beautiful day and there is so much to do in this small New England town! First we visited the the Salem Witch Trials memorial and took a guided walking tour of the historical spots and museums. 

Aside from the historical significance of Salem, it is a cute, quirky place full of friendly and equally quirky locals, which means we fit in just perfectly.

AND... For my fellow Harry Potter fans, there is even a real wand shop called Wynotts Wands! This was by far my favorite :)

(Photo credit 1 | 2)

We really worked up an appetite with all that exploring, so we enjoyed some locally brewed pumpkin ale and ate at a pizza place with an alien cat on their sign!

There is nothing better than a day spent with your friends and this will be a day I'll always remember!

Hello, October!

Hello and Happy October! I absolutely love this time of year for its beauty and the inspiration it brings, to the indulgence of pumpkin-flavored everything! I have some great posts planned for this month and a special offer for my new e-newsletter subscribers! Be sure to sign up below (or click here) so you don't miss all the fun!

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Something a little different

I have been feeling very crafty lately and with the season change I decided to create some home-decor for Fall. Here are the projects I've been working on:

Painting acorns. These looked so cute in an old mason jar until they started sprouting and growing mold. Apparently, you should bake them before painting.. Whoops!

I found this wooden jack-o-lantern in the basement of my mom's house. I took him home, gave him a paint make over, and added a candle. Viola!

I just love typography, so I knew I wanted a sign. I used scrap wood and letter stickers to create this cute "Fall in love" sign.

Top of the entertainment center, all decorated. This cost me $0!

Painting mason jars. These candle holders were made by my friend Beth and I. They aren't as easy as some tutorials would lead you to believe, but we had such a fun craft day!

Clay mini pumpkins! I haven't touched polymer clay in years, but these turned out so cute that I will explore this medium more.

What fun DIY projects have you tried lately? Did you have any mistakes like my moldy acorns? I'd love to hear your story!

Currently, I am...

Fall inspired designs

 

The blues-rock sounds of The Black Keys

 

Enjoying beautiful New England scenery

 Exercising my civic duty!

October in Photos

This month was a busy one, for sure. With a craft festival, a private home party and a monthly Connecticut Bead Society meeting, I was constantly on the go. I wouldn't have it any other way either :)

For the second year now, I participated in the Saybrook Country Barn's Craft of Main St show. It is always a good time, even if I'm huddled up under a blanket because it's so cold!

Here is a (bad) shot from a private home party I had this month. I had so much fun hanging out with all these talented, lovely ladies!

Kabela Designs came to the Connecticut Bead Society meeting with a challenge for all of us. We were all given the same bead kit and 30 minutes to make a design. Then we laid them all out to see. It's amazing how different each person's piece of jewelry was even though we had the same materials to work with!

These are a few of Kabela's pieces that I purchased. The middle set of links has Swarovski crystals and I've already made a pair of earrings using the keys!

Even with all this work to do, I still took some time out to go apple picking!

Photos of recent jewelry work are to come soon. Hurricane Sandy had us all in a hold for the last few days, but the power is back on and we're all safe!

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Apple Soup

One of my favorite things about the Fall season is the abundance of pumpkins! They are so bright and happy, not to mention delicious! And one of my favorite dishes for this time of year has to be this tasty Pumpkin Apple soup.

Ingredients:
2 – 15 oz cans pumpkin puree
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2/3 cups applesauce
2 granny smith, or other tart apples, diced
1 small onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup cream
Salt
Olive oil
Almonds, sliced

Directions:
Preheat large soup pot. Drizzle with olive oil. Add diced onion, apples and a little kosher salt. Saute until onions are translucent. Add chicken or vegetable stock, apple sauce, and spices. Bring to a boil and cook until apples are very tender.

Add pumpkin and brown sugar and cook for 10 – 15 minutes over medium heat. Use a submersible blender to blend soup until it is smooth. You can also use your blender to blend the soup in batches. Add cream to soup and heat through, but do not boil. Add more cream or water if desired to thin out more. Remove from heat and serve. Garnish with sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, dried apple slices or hazelnuts. Enjoy!

What I made

This time of year I am just swamped with shows and what not, so I can only give you a quick post today! Here is an 'upcycled' necklace I made last night. I'm still exploring the two-toned thing, as you can see :)
Happy November everyone!

Pearls, Glass beads, Silver toned and Gold toned chain.