Rick and I may not come out of 2020 without having gained a few pounds, but baking this time of year is one of my favorite things to do. We are enjoying each and every bite too!
Yesterday I made these Candied Pecans from Lauren's recipe that you can print from her blog.
"Tastes Better From Scratch"
I quarantee you it's fabulous and tastes exactly like the warm Candied Pecans you purchase from vendors at festivals! It says to let them cool completely and store them in a tight container, but they were extra good while they were warm.
I also made some very yummy gluten free pumpkin bread the week before. I used my regular recipe but substituted Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1 to 1 flour. I've used this recipe for years and it makes one bundt cake and a loaf. It's perfect if you want to gift one! I don't think this happended this time though, Ha!
A rather large crack developed in the center of the loaf, but tasted great!
My only fall decor has been limited to my crocheted items and a few other pieces. This black and white plaid pumpkin I crocheted a few years ago goes perfectly in my kitchen with my new curtains, therefore I placed it on this old scale.
My living room had a few more pumpkins made with yarn wrapped over cheap pumpkins from
The Dollar Store. Simply cut a hole in the top and bottom of the pumpkins removing the stem. Wrap the thick chenille like yarn through the top and bottom all the way around and add a stick for the stem.
I did crochet a Halloween pillow for myself and my daughter, Amber. You can find the pattern for the pillow here at
TLB Patterns.
This cute plaid garland came from either Michael's or JoAnn's. Isolation is messing with my memory!
These little wine cozies were crocheted using a pattern from
To keep us from losing our minds this summer we got out and went camping at local state parks every month. Even though the last trip this fall was rather rainy, it was still good to get out of the house and into nature. Get creative, bake, or get out and enjoy the beautiful parks around you. You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel.
We like everyone else have had some tough things to go through lately and I won't dwell on that here, but how are you doing and what are you doing to overcome the Isolation Blues?
"Halloween 2020"
I wish I had a new Halloween painting for 2020, but this year being what it is, I haven't had much inspiration to paint. Instead, my husband and I have spent alot of time camping and getting away from everything. It's been great for us and our dog, Daisy, and I hope at some point I get some inspiration to get back to work. For now, I'm just going to sit near a camp fire by a lake somewhere.
These are my two nonspooky Halloween prints that are my best sellers in my Etsy Store. If you would like to check them out click here. Once you arrive at my store, click on "Halloween Prints" in the top left column and you will see all the prints I have available in that category. What are you doing for Halloween this year?
"Pirate's Cove"
"Echoes of Trick or Treat"
I just finished this little 6" x 6" painting and listed it in my
Etsy Store. Halloween will be here before you know it. I'm sure the candy sales will be way down during this pandemic or all of us adults will be eating it as we work from home! I'll miss the kids coming by in their costumes.
Ethel and Fred built a house when they got married 45 years ago. Connie and Horace built their house next door and a deep friendship between the neighbors blossomed and they became family. They loved the little trick or treaters who visited every year on Halloween and both couples placed carved pumpkins on the fences posts. That's how their little road became known as Jack-O'Lantern Lane.
We don't get as many trick or treaters as we used to because they go to the nursing homes and churches, which I'm sure is a lot safer. They won't be going to the nursing homes this year though. How sad. My mother loved handing out candy last year to all the little ones coming through the nursing home. What are you doing different this year?
