Home is Where the Boat Is

Happy Wednesday!

The Annual Witch Rides are just 23 days away. . .

Time to dust off your broom, polish your shoes and buy a new hat!

If you’re in need of a new broom for the Witching Hour,

here’s one that’s easy to conjure!

I picked a crooked limb for my broom from a pile of downed limbs

and branches and gave it a coat of black craft paint.

Next I gathered a partial roll of black mesh left over from ‘Brella, the Floating Witch,

and some back Halloween picks, along with a black cable tie.

I gathered the mesh around the limb and zipped it up with the cable tie,

tucking the picks underneath the tie to hold them in place,

and then cutting off the excess.

I tied a little more mesh to make a knot to conceal the cable tie.

Since every good witch loves holiday sparkle, I attached

some orange and black Halloween tinsel garland leftover

from my Halloween Treat Cones.

A sparkly spider pick was added as the final touch, glued under the knot.

This DIY broom assembly took less than 30 minutes,

making me happier than a witch in a broom factory!

It’s not Halloween without a smiling Jack. . .

And a crow or five. . .

And a pile of pumpkins, the wartier, the better!

The lucky witches and winners of ‘Home is Where the Broom Is’

7th Annual Halloween Giveaway are:

Clara W. | Sue B. | Patricia S. | Pat S. | Robyn S. | Karen B. | Ann W.

Your goodies are on their way, thanks to all who entered! <|;>)

Annual Witch Rides October 31st

Come One Come All!

Boo!

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Metamorphosis Monday

DIY, Dogs, Fall, Monday Morning Blooms

How to Create a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece

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Learn how to create a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece for fall or for your Thanksgiving table.

They’re easy and fun to create and the succulents can be transplanted after pumpkin season.

Happy Monday!

It’s always a happy Monday for me when I join my blogging friends

for some flower therapy and Monday Morning Blooms!

You can find my blogging friends’ links to their floral inspiration at the bottom of this post.

Pumpkin Season is my favorite season and I’m sharing a fun DIY in celebration,

Succulent-Topped Pumpkins!

Warning:

This project is easy and addictive and will have you returning to the garden center

or ordering more cuttings online to create these centerpieces

for your home or Thanksgiving table!

I’ve seen these Succulent Pumpkins all over Pinterest for several years now and

this project seemed a little intimidating as I didn’t have any experience with succulents.

I’m happy to say that this couldn’t be an easier project for a succulent novice!

It does take a fair number of succulents for this project, but the good news is they will last

for months on your pumpkin and when it’s time to trade in your pumpkin

for boughs of holly in December, you can remove them from the moss

and transplant them in another container.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.

To start this project you’ll need a pumpkin.

Choose one with a low stem or remove / cut your stem without damaging the pumpkin.

You’ll also need some spaghnum moss or moss of choice.

Sphagnum moss will absorb and hold moisture and which will help cuttings root.

You’ll also need some spray adhesive.

Spray the back of your moss with adhesive and place it on the top of your pumpkin,

lightly pressing down to help it adhere.

When you have the moss foundation attached the top of your pumpkin

you’re ready for the fun part, adding your succulents!

I used a combination of succulents in pots I found at Lowe’s

and succulent cuttings I ordered online.

Using the cuttings is affordable as you can get a larger variety that way,

and are easy to attach as they don’t have any roots.

To attach your succulents to your moss, you’ll need some glue.

I used a hot glue gun, but you could also use a clear gel craft glue.

Note: While the thought of using hot glue on the base or tip of a root cutting

seems cruel, succulents are very resilient and it will not harm them.

Apply a little glue on the base of the succulent to attach it to the moss, it doesn’t take much.

The advantage of using a hot glue over a craft glue is that it dries almost immediately.

Start in the center of your pumpkin adding your taller succulents.

Audition them first, laying them out to see how you like your design before gluing them in.

You can leave some of the moss exposed or cover it completely

depending on how many succulents you have.

To help fill in the space and to add some additional texture and interest,

I added a few pine cones and some acorns for a touch of fall to my gray pumpkin.

When using pots of succulents, remove the dirt from the roots,

cutting away most of the root, while trying not to cringe. :)

Place a small amount of glue on the end and press into place onto your moss,

making sure the little roots are covered or tucked out of sight

underneath some larger succulent leaves.

Note: If you have succulents that you can taking cuttings from, allow the ends to dry out

and callous over before adding them to your moss.

If you order cuttings online, by the time you receive them, the ends

will have already dried out and be ready to use.

These mini tiger striped pumpkins are fun to create, requiring just a few cuttings!

You can make them in under 5 minutes and they

would make cute place card holders for Thanksgiving or party favor!

After your glue is dry and everything is set, give your creation a mist of water.

Repeat twice a week to moisten the moss and hydrate any new little roots.

Succulents are more at risk from being over watered than under watered.

Treat your Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece like a houseplant:

Place it by a window or sheltered porch area with indirect/filtered sunlight.

Protect it from freezing temperatures if it’s in a sheltered outdoor area and

keep it away from blowing heat vents indoors,

that would cause temperature fluctuations.

When you’re ready to retire your pumpkin for the season,

remove the moss layer of succulents and repot together or separate the plants

and pot individually using a Cactus / Succulent Soil Mix.

Lola and Sophie says this is a dog gone easy project!

Visit my talented friends to see their floral inspiration this week:

Pam at Everyday Living

Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse

Shirley at Housepitality Designs

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Metamorphosis Monday

Boats, Dogs, Lake Life, Water

Weekend Waterview from Lake Norman

29 Comments

Happy Sunday!

Here’s a little weekend waterview from Lake Norman.

We’ve enjoyed a week of beautiful Carolina blue skies and crisp fall weather

with mornings in the 40s and highs in the low 70s. . . sign me up for more!

The Autumn Blaze Maple is showing the first signs of fall color.

Fall is my favorite time of year and I hope it’s here to stay!

There has been a fair amount of activity on the lake for October thanks to Mother Nature. . .

Taking advantage of the sunshine and warm fall days.

Lola and Sophie say it’s perfect weather for a boat ride . . .

And think it’s perfect napping weather too. 🐾🐾

Hope you’re enjoying some beautiful fall weather where you are.

♥ Happy Sunday ♥

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Metamorphosis Monday

Christmas, DIY, food gifts

Homemade Vanilla Extract for Holiday Baking and Gifting!

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Get a head start on your holiday baking and gifting with Homemade Vanilla Extract!

It comes together in five minutes and is ready to use in two months, improving as it ages.

I’m sharing an easy DIY and gift in anticipation of holiday baking,

Homemade Vanilla Extract!

While it comes together in five minutes, it takes a minimum of two months for the

flavor to develop so you can start now and have it ready for baking and gifting in December.

Homemade vanilla extract will have the same great, if not better flavor, and

you can make it for less than half of the $5 an ounce price at the grocery store!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.

To make homemade vanilla extract you’ll need two ingredients, vanilla beans and vodka.

There are three main varieties of vanilla beans, Madagascar, Tahitian and Mexican.

Madagascar vanilla beans are processed using the “Bourbon” curing method

and known for their sweet sweet, creamy characteristics. Tahitian vanilla is

more floral and fruity and Mexican vanilla has a spicy-sweet flavor.

Vanilla beans are graded “A” and “B”. Grade A beans are best for baking and have a higher moisture

content, while grade B beans are more concentrated and better suited for extract.

To make my extract, I used Grade B Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans.

To make your extract you’ll want to use 5 – 6 beans per 8 oz. of vodka.

My package had 10 beans so I used 5 per 8 oz. jar. You don’t need top shelf vodka

to make vanilla, use a mid-range brand that you would drink that’s 70 to 90 proof.

Split your beans with a knife or cut with kitchen shears so the vanilla caviar / seeds are exposed.

I like the look of the beans whole, but you can cut your beans into smaller

pieces to help them release more seeds and steep and more quickly if you prefer.

Make sure to add any seeds / caviar stuck to knife or scissors to your jars, that’s the good part!

Place your beans in your jars and add the vodka to cover completely,

cutting beans as necessary so they’re completely submerged.

You’ll want a bottle that has a leak proof, airtight seal,

like these bottles that have swing bottle stopper.

When your beans are completely covered, close your jars and give them a shake.

Store your vanilla at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.

Shake a couple of times a week initially or once a day if you can remember

as the seeds will settle to the bottom.

Alternatively you can steep your beans in a large mason jar.

Add 10 – 12 beans to a jar, cover with 16 oz. vodka.

Cut the beans down to size so they’re completely submerged in the vodka.

After two months, use a funnel to transfer vanilla to gift bottles.

You’ll find links to different size bottles at the bottom of this post.

Now the fun part, decorating the bottles for gifts!

I picked some ribbon at Hobby Lobby, along with a miniature Christmas tree topper.

All Hobby Lobby’s Christmas merchandise is 40% off.

I threaded the end of the coil of the tree topper through the end of the latch,

spinning it to catch the other end of the latch to secure it to the top of the bottle,

and tied on a ‘Merry Christmas With Love’ tag.

The longer the vanilla steeps, the better the flavor!

This is the gift that keeps on giving, here’s a fun tip:

As you use your vanilla, top off your bottle with more vodka and give it a shake.

Unused aged vanilla extract (with the beans fully submerged) will last several years.

Once you begin using the vanilla and adding more alcohol after each use,

the beans will eventually need to be replaced.

Remove the old beans, add fresh ones, shake, and continue to use/refill.

Aged extract, without beans, will last indefinitely.

Vanilla extract is most commonly made with vodka, but you can also use bourbon, rum or brandy.

My 750 ml bottle of vodka was $13 and my vanilla beans were $15 so the

cost of 16 oz. of vanilla extract was $1.75 an ounce and I have 9 oz. of vodka

left, plenty for mixing some

Rudolph’s Concentrated Christmas Mischief Cocktails in December.

hiccup :)

Happy Extracting and Baking!

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Metamorphosis Monday

Dishes, Fall, Flowers, Potting Shed, Tablescape

Fall Nesting with Transferware in the Potting Shed

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Happy Monday!

Can you believe we’re on the cusp of October? Where did September go?

I took some time out to enjoy a little fall nesting in Potting Shed

and to celebrate my favorite season.

I’m a lover of brown transferware and ironstone anytime of year,

but fall is when it really shines.

I pulled out some pieces to give them their due and for some tabletop fun. . .

And to feather my nest twig by twig.

Williamsburg Aviary by Wedgwood is designed for nesting,

no matter what the season.

Join me for a cuppa hydrangeas and a Staffordshire Bouquet. . .

Limelight Hydrangeas have begun their fall metamorphosis and the blooms

will continue to burnish and deepen to a bronzy-hue.

Their faded beauty pairing with the soft brown edges of

the transferware and white pumpkins.

Autumn’s Delight by Johnson Brothers with its multi-colored fruit pattern is evocative of harvest season.

You can see at an Autumn’s Delight Alfresco Fall Table, HERE.

I couldn’t resist the pretty flower basket details of

Royal Staffordshire Clarice Cliff ‘Charlotte’.

You can see it at a

Fall Alfresco Tablescape with a Touch of Blue, HERE.

To pair with the transferware, I added some abandoned nests. . .

Sauce boats are serving up hydrangea blooms. . .

A little bird cottage offers some nesting details,

complete with stone chimney, planter, metal roof and fencing.

Nesting Details:

Transferware / vintage

Woven charger mats / World Market, several years ago

Twig Flatware / Pier 1

Napkins / Hobby Lobby

Hope you’re enjoying a little fall nesting weather where you are!

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Between Naps on the Porch

Books, Dessert, Fall, Food

Quick and Easy Apple and Brie Galette with Pomegranate

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Creamy Brie meets fall apples in an easy galette; dusted with cinnamon,

sprinkled with slivered almonds, drizzled with honey and topped with

pomegranate seeds for a bright burst of sweet and tart.

Happy Friday! How about a quick and easy dessert to kick off the weekend?

Apple and Brie Galette comes together in 10 minutes, easier than apple pie

to celebrate apple season!

This Apple and Brie Galette is a sweet repeat from deep in the archives and part of

a book review with The Novel Bakers from 2014.

It’s worthy of its own post so I’m sharing it again in case you need a quick and easy fall dessert.

Galettes are easy, free-form, rustic tarts made with a single crust of pastry.

You can use refrigerated pie crust or frozen puff pastry to make a quick galette,

or of course your favorite pastry recipe.

In addition to pie crust here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Apples

Brie

Brown Sugar

Sliced Almonds

Cinnamon

Honey

Butter

Pomegranate Arils / Seeds

Use any variety baking apple such as Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Jonathan / Jonagold, or Granny Smith.

Slice your apples, leaving the peel on to keep it quick and easy, or peel if you prefer.

Top your pie crust with sliced Brie, brown sugar, sliced almonds and cinnamon.

Add thinly sliced apples (peeled or unpeeled).

Drizzle the top with honey, dot with butter, and fold edges over to form your crust.

Brushed the crust with egg wash and sprinkled a little sugar on the pie crust edge.

Bake 20 – 25 minutes until crust is golden.

Allow to cool and firm up slightly before cutting and garnish with

pomegranate seeds.

Easy and delicious!

The pomegranate arils add a bright burst of tart and sweet.

If you don’t want the hassle of peeling a pomegranate, you can find arils

ready to eat in the produce section of most grocery stores this time of year.

Print Recipe

Apple and Brie Galette with Pomegranate Seeds

Celebrate apple season with these easy dessert.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple, Brie, dessert, easy, pomegranate, rustic

Servings: 8

Ingredients

1 Refrigerated Pie Crust
4 oz. Brie Cheese
1 tbsp Brown Sugar
3 tbsp Sliced Almonds
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
2 Apples, thinly sliced (peeled or unpeeled)
1 - 2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp butter
1 egg
Pomegranate Arils / Seeds

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place prepared pie crust on parchment lined baking sheet.
Top pie crust with sliced Brie, brown sugar, sliced almonds and cinnamon, leaving a 2-inch border along the edge of crust.
Top next with thinly sliced apples (peeled or unpeeled), fanning apple slices out.
Drizzle the top with honey, dot with 1 tablespoon cubed butter, and fold edges over to form your crust.
Brush the crust with egg wash (egg beaten with a little water) and sprinkle a little sugar on the pie crust edge.
Bake at 375 degrees 20 - 25 minutes until crust is golden. Allow to cool and firm up slightly before cutting and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Notes

Use any variety baking apple such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Jonathan or Jonagold.

This recipe was adapted from

The Forest Feast: Simple Vegetarian Recipes from My Cabin in the Woods

by Erin Gleeson.

I highly recommend all of Erin’s books, including The Forest Feast Gatherings.

Celebrate apple season and find a harvest of Fresh Picked Apple Recipes for Fall, HERE.

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Metamorphosis Monday

DIY, Halloween

Halloween Witch Craft: ‘Brella the Floating Witch

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Celebrate Halloween with a fun little “witch craft” and conjure

a floating witch using an umbrella from the dollar store.

Happy Thursday! I’m revisiting a fun little “witch craft” today.

Black Hat Society Members and followers might remember this

DIY Floating Witch from a few years ago.

This is a fun project that will have you cackling with glee and is easy

to conjure using an umbrella from the dollar store!

‘Brella, as I like to call her, <|;>) got a petticoat refresh,

along with a lacy overlay ‘skirt’ with some feather boa trim.

The original DIY details are below, along with new photos and her frilly skirt update.

Additionally, you’ll find 15 more creative crafts from my

blogging friends with their links at the bottom of this post.

This fun DIY starts with a pair of witch legs and an umbrella.

I picked up an umbrella at Dollar Tree. Open the umbrella and break off the handle below the spring that keeps it open. This was easy to do with a dollar store umbrella, just bending the handle back and forth until it snapped off. If you’re using an umbrella you already have or one that’s more substantial, you might need a pair of pliers or snips to cut off the handle.

Fire up your broom and fly to craft store. You’ll need a pair of witch legs, I got mine at Hobby Lobby on clearance for $8.00.

Note: Hobby Lobby doesn’t have any Halloween merchandise this year so check Michaels, Target or Walmart.

I had black chenille stems and a roll of black mesh in my supplies left over from my Witch is In Wreath. I found some 6-inch wide glittery tulle in 25 yard rolls in orange and black to match the legs at Hobby Lobby. I used two rolls of black and one of orange.

To conceal the sticks in the witch legs, I used the black mesh, bunching it up and threading the stick with the mesh.

Next I wove the black mesh under the umbrella stretchers to give her “skirt” some volume.

Cut your tulle in lengths long enough to hang down to create a skirt and loop them or to tie onto the umbrella stretchers. You’ll want to play around with your tulle and cut it to your desired lengths, depending on the length of your witch legs. I like when the lengths of tulle vary and they’re not all the same.

Every good witch needs some bling, so I added some glittery spiders that I had and I picked up a couple of rolls of sparkly tulle with sequins that I found at Michaels for 70% off.

Once I had the upper part of the witch legs covered in mesh, I tied them off with black chenille stems, then tied them together. I had to use a little hot glue to keep the chenille stems in place and from slipping on the sticks of the legs.

I used a couple of chenille stems twisted around the remaining part of the umbrella stem and used them to secure the witch legs to suspend them from the umbrella.

Here’s a view from underneath with her “bloomers” showing! Make your witch petticoat as full as you want, varying the lengths of your tulle, no need to be perfect.

To hang the umbrella witch, I slipped a chenille stem under the ‘button’ on the top of the umbrella, twisting it around to make a secure loop.

Update 2020:

To refresh Brella’s petticoat, I picked up a couple of rolls of glttery tulle ribbon,

tying them to the umbrella stretchers.

I found the silver confetti glitter ribbon at Hobby Lobby this year in the fabric area and

orange glitter tulle ribbon came from JOANN fabric and craft store a couple of weeks ago.

‘Brella said she doesn’t mind her bloomers showing when she’s flying

but is protesting that this position is most undignified!

To add a ‘skirt’ to the umbrella, I used two lacy spider web table runners

I purchased on clearance last year at Hobby Lobby for 60% off.

I untied the chenille stem that was wrapped around the umbrella button,

and threaded the two ends through the open stitches in the runners.

I crisscrossed the two runners, placing them in an x pattern to

cover of the top which left a little of the umbrella fabric exposed.

Rather than cutting the ends, I decided to tuck them up under the umbrella stretchers

so they’re still usable as runners, should I want to remove them.

‘Brella is a girly witch so when I asked her if she’d like some

feather boa trim on her skirt, she cackled with glee! <|;>)

The feather boas came from Hobby Lobby a few years ago but I’ve seen them at Michaels,

Party City and even Dollar Tree in years past.

To test how the feather boas would look, I clipped them on the edge of the umbrella

using binder clips. I decided I could hide the clips in the feathers and I

would have the option to reuse the boas if I chose to later.

Use a glue gun if you prefer to attach the feather boas or trim of your choice permanently.

‘Brella is enjoying our beautiful fall weather, floating among

the tree branches, in anticipation of her midnight ride on Halloween.

Hang your floating witch from the ceiling for a Halloween greeting,

over a table for a witch’s tea party, or suspend her from a chandelier!

Fly over HERE to see her at the table. . .

If you can’t find any witch legs, you can make your own with stockings or tights,

stuffing them with polyfill and adding a pair of thrift store shoes.

Make a trio of witches to suspend from the ceiling and let your cauldron bubble with fun! <|:>)

There’s still time to enter my ‘Home is Where the Broom Is’

7th Annual Halloween Giveaway.

Fly over, HERE, to join The Black Hat Society and

throw your name into the cauldron for the giveaway!

I’m joining my blogging friends for a Creative Craft Blog Hop today.

A special “thank you” to our hosts, Andrea of Design Morsels

and Chloe at Celebrate and Decorate for organizing this hop.

You’ll find more creative craft projects at the links below:

Celebrate and Decorate – Dollar Store Skull

Design Morsels – Mummy Door Decoration

Chas’ Crazy Creations – Breast Cancer Awareness Wreath

Birdz of a Feather – Cement Planter DIY

My Thrift Store Addiction – Thrifty Tips for Crafting Seasonal Pillows

B4 and Afters – Crochet Scarf Patterns

Debbees Buzz – Elegant Black Pumpkins

The Painted Apron – Trick Or Treat Creations

My Hubbard Home – Rustic Autumn Craft

Purple Hues and Me – Whimsical Scarecrow

My Family Thyme – Stamped Tea Towels

Our Crafty Mom – Halloween Tiered Tray Ideas

Raggedy Bits – How To Make Wooden Halloween Pumpkins

Home Is Where the Boat Is – Halloween Witch Craft

Decorate & More with Tip – Simple DIY Pumpkin Pillow

Zucchini Sisters – Pumpkin Truck Sign

BlueskyAtHome – DIY Pumpkin Wreath

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Metamorphosis Monday

DIY, Fall, Flowers, Monday Morning Blooms

Create a Foraged Autumn Harvest Arrangement

37 Comments

Celebrate the beauty of fall with a foraged arrangement of late season flowers, foliage and seed pods. Apples add some natural beauty for an easy-to-assemble arrangement that welcomes fall to your home or outdoor living space.

Happy Monday!

It’s always a happy Monday for me when I join my blogging friends

for some flower therapy and Monday Morning Blooms!

You can find my blogging friends’ links to their floral inspiration at the bottom of this post.

Fall officially arrives tomorrow for those of us in the

Northern Hemisphere and I’ve been counting down the days!

Mother Nature is on board (for a change ;) bringing us a taste of fall

with highs in the low 70s, a welcome change after our hot and humid summer.

My favorite season is pumpkin season and when the calendar page turns to

September, I’m ready for harvest of pumpkins, leaves and apples!

You can find a harvest of Fresh Picked Apple Recipes for Fall, HERE.

To make an easy autumn harvest arrangement, I started with

a galvanized bucket I found at T.J. Maxx a few years ago.

Limelight Hydrangeas have begun their fall metamorphosis and the blooms

will continue to ‘pinken up’ and begin to deepen and burnish to a bronzy-hue.

Fall is a great time to plant shrubs in your garden!

If you’re looking for an easy to grow, low maintenance shrub that will

provide you with beautiful cut and dried flowers too, see

my public service announcement: Plant a Limelight Hydrangea…or Five.

In addition to hydrangeas, I foraged for some foliage free-for-the-clipping . . .

Goldenrod, Chinese Chestnut pods, Crape Myrtles seed pods and Loropetalum.

Goldenrod blooms along the roadside and in fields from August through October

in North Carolina and is an important late-season source of nectar for pollinators.

It’s blamed as the source of hay fever in late summer and early fall,

when ragweed pollen is actually the culprit, in bloom at the same time.

Tip: When using an arrangement with fall grasses and goldenrod indoors, give

them a spritz of hair spray to keep the grasses and tiny flower clusters from shedding.

I used my favorite flower arranging tool, chicken wire, to support the flower and foliage stems.

This is an easy and organic way to create an arrangement for fall using late season flowers, foliage,

pods, berries and / or grasses, all gathered from the great outdoors.

Removing 3 – 4 inches of the outer wood of branches of leaves or woody stems

with a vegetable peeler helps the stems ‘drink’ and stay fresh longer.

I keep a vegetable peeler with my flower arranging kit and supplies

so I’m not dulling the blade of my kitchen vegetable peeler.

No flower arranging skills required with this arrangement,

just let your materials ‘fill and spill’, tucking in clusters of pods or berries

to add texture and interest.

Branches of fall leaves would be a beautiful addition too.

Apples were added to the arrangement with bamboo skewers and then placed

in the center of a grapevine wreath, surrounding it with a few harbingers of fall. . .

Pumpkins, Indian corn, leaves, apples and more seed pods.

Every year I find myself drawn the texture and color of these ‘warty’ pumpkins. :)

Our leaves don’t typically turn until November in North Carolina . . .

I collected the first leaves of our Autumn Blaze Maple that had dropped

prematurely and are showing a hint of fall color to come.

Visit my talented friends to see their floral inspiration this week:

Pam at Everyday Living

Shirley at Housepitality Designs

Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse

By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With Summer’s best of weather

And Autumn’s best of cheer.

-Helen Hunt Jackson

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

Between Naps on the Porch

Cupcakes, Dessert, Dishes, Food, Halloween, Soup, Tablescape

‘Home is Where the Broom Is’ 7th Annual Halloween Giveaway

234 Comments

Welcome to Home is Where the Broom Is and

The 7th Annual Meeting of The Black Hat Society !

We all could use a little escape these days wherever we can find it in

these uncertain times, and for me the appeal of Halloween

is its combination of fantasy, treats and spooky fun!

While I realize Halloween isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ . . .

Here at Home is Where the Broom Is,

and for Black Hat Society Members. . .

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! <|:>)

{ Black Hat Society Spooktacular Halloween Table }

{ Witches’ Potion Table }

The time of year to dust off your broom, polish your shoes and buy a new hat!

{ Tootsie Rolls Witch Shoe Cupcake Toppers }

{ Floating Umbrella Witch DIY for Halloween }

In preparation for that midnight ride October 31st,

you’ll want to fuel up with some sweet treats. . .

{ Halloween Oreo Brownies }

{ Witches’ Cauldron Cupcakes }

{ Easy Witch’s Potion Popcorn }

{ Witches Tea Party: It’s All About the Treats! }

More Stares than Scares: Peanut Butter Spider Halloween Cookies

{ DIY Halloween Candy Vase Centerpiece and HalloWine and Candy Pairing Tablescape }

I’m sharing some Halloween love with a little giveaway. . .

{ The Witch is In DIY Halloween Wreath }

In celebration of the Witching Hour and to help you scare up some treats. . .

One witch will receive a ‘Keep Calm and Ride On’ Kitchen Towel, Wilton Witch Leg Pretzel Molds, Witch Baking Cups, Meri Meri Party Picks, Decorating, aka Potion Sprinkles and Witch Shoe Cocktail Napkins

{ Witching Hour Cupcakes }

A second witch will receive a Witch Cauldron Kitchen Towel, ‘Trick or Treat’ Potion Stirring Spatula, Halloween Baking Cups, Spooky Sprinkles, ‘The Witch is In’ Melamine Bowls and Halloween Party Picks

A third witch will receive ‘Witch Way to the Candy’ Kitchen Towel, Witch Cookie Cutter Set, ‘Trick or Treat’ Potion Stirring Spatula, Halloween Spooky Sprinkles and Wilton Candy Eyeballs.

‘Witch’ Way To The Treats Halloween Tablescape

A fourth witch will receive an ‘October 31’ Kitchen Towel Set and 4 Assorted Halloween Dishes.

{ The Witching Hour Halloween Apothecary Table }

And a fifth witch will receive a ‘Happy Halloween’ Skeleton Kitchen Towel, Skeleton Spreaders and Meri Meri Trick or Treat Cupcake Kit.

{ Bone Appétit: Rod & Rowena’s Last Hurrah and Halloween Fun }

A sixth witch will receive a Hawthorne Gardens 18 x 18 Pillow Cover, Skeleton Spreaders, Skeleton Serving Set and Butterfly Die Cuts

{ Skeleton Crew and Dogs on the Porch }

And last but not least, some lucky dog will receive a bag of Lola and Sophie’s favorite Sweet Potato Dog Treats and Pumpkin Spice ‘Puppucino’ and Donut Squeaky Toys. 🐾🐾

{ Best Witches for a Happy Howl-oween }

To throw your name into the cauldron and enter this giveaway,

Members of the Black Hat Society, aka,

Subscribers/followers automatically get a second entry.

To become a Black Hat Society Member, subscribe by email and let me know by comment.

For a third entry, Pin a photo from this post on Pinterest and leave an additional comment telling me so.

(The Pin/Save button pops up on the upper left corner of each photo).

This giveaway is open to those living in the continental U.S. until midnight October 1st.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Best Witches <|;>) for a Happy Weekend! ♥

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday

Books, Dessert, Fall

Easy Caramel Apple-Pecan Cake

23 Comments

Caramel Apple Cake is a taste of fall in an easy dessert, filled with fall spice,

studded with fresh apple and layered with a gooey caramel-pecan topping!

Happy Monday!

Let’s start the week off with an easy dessert to add to your fall “to bake” list~

Caramel Apple-Pecan Cake!

I had some fresh-picked apples ready for baking from my

Falling for Apples Table and Floral Arrangement.

You can use any apple that is suitable for baking from the store or apple picking.

Gala, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Golden Delicious

or Granny Smith would all be good candidates.

This easy and delicious recipe is adapted from The Shenandoah Valley Apple Cake

recipe in The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook.

This is a moist and flavorful cake and oh the aroma while baking. . . !

I made just a few changes, one of which was in the spices, as it called for

cinnamon and ground nutmeg. I only had whole nutmeg and didn’t want to spend 20 minutes

grating a teaspoon required, so I reached for the pumpkin pie spice in the pantry.

Spice blends can vary brand but my McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice

only differs from their Apple Pie Spice with the addition of ginger,

both containing cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.

If you close your eyes and sniff your pumpkin pie spice and it brings to mind

the aroma of an apple pie fresh from the oven, don’t hesitate

to reach for pumpkin pie spice for your fall apple recipes.

This is an oil-based cake recipe, so basically you blend your ingredients and pour it into your pan.

You can use any neutral flavored oil that’s in your pantry . . .canola, vegetable, corn or safflower.

While butter is usually preferred for the flavor over oil when baking,

there are benefits to using oil in your cake.

Benefits of an oil-based cake:

Oil-based cakes are typically one-bowl recipes so there is less clean up.
They come together quickly, skipping the step of softening butter and creaming it with sugar.
They stay moist longer after baking and their flavor tends to intensify the longer they sit.
They’re more likely to be tender as the over mixing steps are eliminated that cause gluten development and makes for a tough cake.

The other change I made to the recipe was toasting the pecans, and adding them to the caramel topping.

Toasting nuts brings out the natural oils and enhances their flavor.

It only takes 6 – 8 minutes to toast pecans in the oven while prepping your ingredients.

Set your timer so you don’t forget and burn them or take them out as soon as you smell

them, your nose knows :) when they’re ready.

I also substituted salted butter in the caramel topping which helps

balance the sweetness of the caramel, but use unsalted butter if you prefer.

I shared this cake with my sister this weekend and it was declared a keeper!

Keep any leftovers in the fridge. Serve it at room temperature or

we enjoyed it cold from the fridge and with a cup of coffee or mug of hot tea.

The contrast of cold and hot was very appealing and delicious!

Find a harvest of Fresh Picked Apple Recipes, HERE.

The winner of a copy of The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook

is Mary Anne McWhirter!

The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook: Heirloom Recipes for Modern Gatherings

is available whereever books are sold, online and on Amazon.

Print Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Pecan Cake

A taste of fall in an easy dessert, this Caramel Apple Cake comes together quickly and is studded with fresh apple, pecans and layered with a gooey caramel-pecan topping.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple, cake, caramel, dessert, easy, fall

Servings: 20 servings

Ingredients

Apple Cake

1 1/2 cups canola or neutral-flavored vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
3 cups apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (use a baking apple variety such as Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady or Granny Smith)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons apple or pumpkin pie spice

Caramel-Pecan Topping

1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick)
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions

To toast pecans

Toasting pecans or any nuts brings out the natural oils and enhances the flavor in recipes and is easy to do! Spread nuts in an even layer on a sheet pan in a 350°oven for 6-8 minutes or until fragrant. Your nose knows :) when they’re done. Remove from oven and allow them to cool.

To make cake

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray 9 x 13 pan with nonstick spray.
In large bowl, beat together the oil, sugar, salt, eggs, apple pie spice, baking soda and vanilla.
Add the flour, stirring until well blended.
Fold in chopped apples and pecans with a rubber spatula. Batter will be thick.
Pour batter into sprayed pan and bake 45 – 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Allow cake to cool in pan before adding topping.

To make caramel topping

Melt butter in a sauce pan.
Add half and half and brown sugar, stirring over medium heat until sugar is melted.
Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Pour over cooled cake and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Caramel topping will thicken and firm as it cools.
Store leftovers in refrigerator up to 5 days. Allow cake to come to room temperature before serving or is also good cold.

Notes

Apple pie spice and pumpkin pie spice both contain cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice. Pumpkin pie spice has the addition of ginger. If you close your eyes and sniff your pumpkin pie spice and it brings to mind the aroma of an apple pie fresh from the oven, don’t hesitate to reach for it for your fall apple recipes.
For accurate measuring of flour, fluff your flour from the canister or bag and then spoon into your measuring cup so it’s overflowing, then level off with the edge of a knife. Scooping directly from the bag or canister will yield a heavier cup and larger amount that can negatively affect your baking recipes.
If using a glass baking dish, reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees and bake up to 10 minutes longer.

Happy Fall Baking!

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Happy Wednesday!

The Annual Witch Rides are just 23 days away. . .

Time to dust off your broom, polish your shoes and buy a new hat!

If you’re in need of a new broom for the Witching Hour,

here’s one that’s easy to conjure!

I picked a crooked limb for my broom from a pile of downed limbs

and branches and gave it a coat of black craft paint.

Next I gathered a partial roll of black mesh left over from ‘Brella, the Floating Witch,

and some back Halloween picks, along with a black cable tie.

I gathered the mesh around the limb and zipped it up with the cable tie,

tucking the picks underneath the tie to hold them in place,

and then cutting off the excess.

I tied a little more mesh to make a knot to conceal the cable tie.

Since every good witch loves holiday sparkle, I attached

some orange and black Halloween tinsel garland leftover

from my Halloween Treat Cones.

A sparkly spider pick was added as the final touch, glued under the knot.

This DIY broom assembly took less than 30 minutes,

making me happier than a witch in a broom factory!

It’s not Halloween without a smiling Jack. . .

And a crow or five. . .

And a pile of pumpkins, the wartier, the better!

The lucky witches and winners of ‘Home is Where the Broom Is’

7th Annual Halloween Giveaway are:

Clara W. | Sue B. | Patricia S. | Pat S. | Robyn S. | Karen B. | Ann W.

Your goodies are on their way, thanks to all who entered! <|;>)

Annual Witch Rides October 31st

Come One Come All!

*Boo!*

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

Learn how to create a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece for fall or for your Thanksgiving table.

They’re easy and fun to create and the succulents can be transplanted after pumpkin season.

Happy Monday!

It’s always a happy Monday for me when I join my blogging friends

for some flower therapy and Monday Morning Blooms!

You can find my blogging friends’ links to their floral inspiration at the bottom of this post.

Pumpkin Season is my favorite season and I’m sharing a fun DIY in celebration,

Succulent-Topped Pumpkins!

Warning:

This project is easy and addictive and will have you returning to the garden center

or ordering more cuttings online to create these centerpieces

for your home or Thanksgiving table!

I’ve seen these Succulent Pumpkins all over Pinterest for several years now and

this project seemed a little intimidating as I didn’t have any experience with succulents.

I’m happy to say that this couldn’t be an easier project for a succulent novice!

It does take a fair number of succulents for this project, but the good news is they will last

for months on your pumpkin and when it’s time to trade in your pumpkin

for boughs of holly in December, you can remove them from the moss

and transplant them in another container.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.

To start this project you’ll need a pumpkin.

Choose one with a low stem or remove / cut your stem without damaging the pumpkin.

You’ll also need some spaghnum moss or moss of choice.

Sphagnum moss will absorb and hold moisture and which will help cuttings root.

You’ll also need some spray adhesive.

Spray the back of your moss with adhesive and place it on the top of your pumpkin,

lightly pressing down to help it adhere.

When you have the moss foundation attached the top of your pumpkin

you’re ready for the fun part, adding your succulents!

I used a combination of succulents in pots I found at Lowe’s

and succulent cuttings I ordered online.

Using the cuttings is affordable as you can get a larger variety that way,

and are easy to attach as they don’t have any roots.

To attach your succulents to your moss, you’ll need some glue.

I used a hot glue gun, but you could also use a clear gel craft glue.

Note: While the thought of using hot glue on the base or tip of a root cutting

seems cruel, succulents are very resilient and it will not harm them.

Apply a little glue on the base of the succulent to attach it to the moss, it doesn’t take much.

The advantage of using a hot glue over a craft glue is that it dries almost immediately.

Start in the center of your pumpkin adding your taller succulents.

Audition them first, laying them out to see how you like your design before gluing them in.

You can leave some of the moss exposed or cover it completely

depending on how many succulents you have.

To help fill in the space and to add some additional texture and interest,

I added a few pine cones and some acorns for a touch of fall to my gray pumpkin.

When using pots of succulents, remove the dirt from the roots,

cutting away most of the root, while trying not to cringe. :)

Place a small amount of glue on the end and press into place onto your moss,

making sure the little roots are covered or tucked out of sight

underneath some larger succulent leaves.

Boo!