Photos: Roses from the Garden in October!

Project: Succulent Pumpkin Planters

I got this great idea at work to create succulent pumpkin planters. First, carve off the top of a pumpkin. I used white pumpkins. They have a great shape and are easier to cut. Plus white pumpkins are unique and trendy this season. Fill a small plastic container with succulents and slip it into the carved pumpkins. It is important to plant the succulents in a container because it will allow the display to last longer. Add a bright fall bow for some colour and Spanish moss to fill the empty spaces. It is a great centrepiece for any table or porch for Thanksgiving and Halloween. Also the pumpkin can easily be replaced once it begins to rot because of the plastic container. Once the season is over, remove the container and keep the plants near a sunny window. The last two pumpkin pictures were made and are available for purchase at Martha's Greenhouse in Windsor. However if you are feeling creative and want to try it yourself, all materials are available for purchase at Martha's as well.

The one for my grandparents

The one for my mom

Use a variety of succulents

Able to purchase this one at Martha's Greenhouse in Windsor

Also found at Martha's Greenhouse

Falling for Fall

Falling for Fall with some festive decorations. As I mentioned before, I absolutely love fall. The weather, activities, food, and warm clothes! I made this wreath for my mom last fall and I decided to update it a little after it was squished in the closet for a year. The bows were made with brown and sparkly orange ribbon that I bought from Martha's Greenhouse in Windsor. They take about five minutes to make and they look great hanging from a fence, attached to your porch, or to cover up an unattractive spot in your garden. She has different colours to mix and match or you can buy them already made for $19.99.

Here are some photos:

 

 

Dessert: Terribly Delicious Extreme Chocolate Cookies

Looking for any excuse to use sprinkles and eat chocolate, I found this recipe on the dessert blog Sweetapolita. It is fairly simple and other than the bittersweet chocolate, you should have most of these baking supplies in your cupboards. Also it only makes 12 cookies so you can't eat too many :)

Cookie Recipe:

1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Melt 1 cup of chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan with an inch of hot water (not boiling water).

2. Mix together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.

3. Combine sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

4. Mix all ingredients together in one bowl and add remaining 1/2 cup of chopped chocolate.

5. Bake at 325 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

A poor blogger's version of a double boiler!

Chocolate Glaze:

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon corn syrup

1. Melt all ingredients in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan filled with an inch of water. Melt until smooth.

2. Dip cooled cookie in chocolate glaze and dip into your choice of sprinkles.

I'd call that  Rick's Dozen because my dad couldn't wait until I sprinkled them.

 Enjoy these chocolate cookies with chocolate milk :)

Sunday Favourites: Author - Rona Jaffe

Author: Rona Jaffe
Born: 1931

Dutton - 2003

Died: 2005
Genre: American Fiction
Major Works: 17 Novels

As a fan of the HBO television series Sex and the City, Rona Jaffe reminds me of the original Candace Bushnell. Oh you're not a fan of Carrie Bradshaw? Well, Sex and the City was originally a novel by Bushnell that was adapted into a television show. To me, Jaffe was the pioneer of this four-girl fictional genre.

My first Jaffe book happened to be her last written novel, The Room-Mating Season (2003). The book centres around four girls living and working in New York City during their 20's. They then continue to weave in and out of each other's lives throughout the years.

Though this was her final book, most of her work is structured this way. They feature three to four girls who meet due to circumstances, but create bonds that involve each other for decades. Other great Jaffe novels include Class Reunion (1979) and the sequel After the Reunion (1985). These two books are about four girls who meet at Radcliffe (Jaffe's school) during the 1950s and their lives lead right back to each other in the end.

These novels aren't for everyone and they are geared towards a female audience. However they are entertaining. Unfortunately Jaffe passed away from cancer in 2005, but she lives on in her work.

Dessert: Apple Pie Baked in an Apple

Autumn is in the air and it is my favourite time of year :)

Favourite Autumn Things:

apple picking
mums
leaves falling
Halloween
breezy days
scarves
pumpkin carving
thanksgiving
apple pie
autumn colours
cozy nights
gourds
school starting
fall jackets
leaf piles
and
harvest


To get into the season I made an adorable autumn dessert: Apple Pie Baked in an Apple. It is simple and way less complicated then it looks. And best of all, it is entirely edible! So enjoy :)

Apple Pie Baked in an Apple Recipe:

Serves 4

5-6 Granny Smith Apples
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 cup Sugar
1 tbsp Brown Sugar
Pie Crust (Homemade or Pre-Made)

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

1. Make sure the apples are able to stand on their own. Cut the tops off all four apples. Scoop out the inside with a spoon or melon baller. Keep whatever apple insides you are able to salvage for the mix and throw out the core.

2. Peel the remaining apples. Slice apples thinly and mix with the sugars and cinnamon. Add more or less sugar or cinnamon if desired. Fill the hollowed apples with the mixture.

3. Roll out pie crust. Cut into strips. You can use the strips to create a lattice pattern for the crust (I didn't have time to make a lattice pattern - I was on a time constraint).

4. Place apples in a pan and fill the bottom with water.

5. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for 20 minutes or until crust is golden.

Recipe Adapted from:

http://domesticdilettante.com/2012/01/11/applepie/

Dessert: Monster Cookie Dough Dip

Oh My Goodness! This dessert is absolute heaven. It combines my two favourite things: Sweets and Dips! I made this for my sister's party. Everyone loved it. The great part about the recipe is there are no eggs so there is no concern about getting sick.

What can you dip in the cookie dough? Well anything...particular anything salty is a great contrast with the sweet. We had tea cookies, pretzels, and apple slices.

Adapted from: The Girl Who Ate Everything

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup M&Ms
1 cup milk chocolate chips

1. Cream together cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter.
2. Add powdered sugar, brown sugar, flour, and vanilla.
3. Add oats slowly. If you want a thicker dip add the recommended amount. Add less if a thinner dip is preferred.
4. Add the M&Ms and chocolate chips.
5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

See more at:

http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2012/05/monster-cookie-dough-dip.html