Rustic Rainy Day... Warm Kitchen, Natural Ideas

Rustic Rainy Days In My Kitchen....

we've had our share of rainy days in Maryland lately... so I'm trying to go with the flow, think positive, enjoy inside ideas, reflect on other's talents and read favorite books...

I could not put this down... have you read it?

Then I looked at Etsy, another place I love to peek...

look at the ideas people have!

so while I put a pot of soup on to slowly cook...

hearty aromas from the kitchen

are wonderful on a chilly, rainy day don't

you agree?

acorns by ronc3m  Etsy seller

burlap wreath by BrushStrokesStitches

boot liners WithThe Rain

fall festive pumpkins! LunaCaCo

dessert.... warm sliced pears and apples glazed 
with cinnamon, brown sugar, a touch of Frangelico 
before serving on vanilla bean ice cream
 on estate sale find pottery dishes. Jenn

Benvenuto! My Door is Open and my Recipe Book Too!

Come Over and Cook!

headed for my recipe box...thinking of fall... in the mood for cooking

somehow being in my kitchen trying new or favorite recipes has always been fun

my friends Marty and Gretchen have harvested their honey for the year
"BUCK NAKED FARMS"
and
my recipe for you is:

Spicy Sausage Dip
Ingredients:

1 (16 oz.) package spicy/zesty sausage

1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese

Hot sauce, to taste
Favorite crackers or scoops to enjoy
Directions:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the crumbled sausage until browned. Drain off any excess fat. Reduce the heat to medium and mix in the tomatoes, cream cheese, and hot sauce. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is warmed through and the ingredients are well blended. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve warm.

why don't you pack a bag and spend the night?

 

Seasons Domino Effect - BONUS Recipe Included!

The Season's Domino Effect

Have you noticed that when school begins and

we pack the beach towels and bathing suits away

suddenly we spiral into fall?

I saw Halloween decor out 2 weeks ago!

Sorry, I do not like Halloween.

I'm not sure why but I haven't liked it since I was a child.

But I love Autumn and just about everything about it.

Winter is another story.

garden, harvest, home....

peace to you and beauty
Baked Onion Dip
Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
Minced fresh parsley, optional
Assorted crackers
Directions
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, onion, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt; stir in Swiss cheese. Spoon into a 1-qt. baking dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley if desired. Serve with crackers. Yield: 2 cups.

Ready for Fall Fashions?

I put the "hot" in hot flashes!




My mom was always big on

wool knee socks, penny loafers,

wool knee length shorts,

blazers, Pendleton suits,

brooches, red lipstick,

leather gloves, pearl earrings,

cocktail dresses, pumps.


She was a one class act. I'll have to post some fashion photos of her that I have from when she modeled in the 1940's - the clothing is so sharp. She always looked like she was ready to go for an appointment, even if it was to the grocery store.

Bette Ann

Fall Harvest Idea of the Week

JUST FOR YOU!

and me....

and a hostess gift!

I saw this in Country Home magazine and thought it was chic, country and smart. You take any open mouth or flared vase or pitcher and fill it with tumbled stones and water. Cut pretty branches with colorful leaves still attached. Settle the bottoms of the branches into the stones in the vase. Pick the apples and place the between the leaves and there you go girl!

** I wondered if we could use the wooden picks I use to skewer meat and veggies when I cook things on the grill? I buy them at the Asian market or the dollar store. Let me know if you think they are long enough.... Jennifer

MARYLAND ORCHARDS - APPLE PICKING

'tis the season to go on a fun family outing and buy pumpkins, apples, gourds, corn stalks, and just a autumn in your soul....
ENJOY MY LIST:
Bachman Valley Farm
Rt. 97 North
Westminister, MD 21158
Carroll County
Phone: (410) 876-1776
Open: July - December
Directions: 2 miles north of Westminister
Apples: Empire, Gala, Stayman, Red and Golden Delicious
Other fruit: Peaches and Nectarines
Baugher Apple Orchard and Packing House
1236 Baugher Road
Westminster, MD 21158
Carroll County
Phone: (410) 848-5541
Description: Wagon rides for PYO customers, farm zoo, playground June through October, Fall Fun Days, Hayrides, Scarecrow Workshop.
Website: www.baughers.com

Butler's Orchard
22200 Davis Mill Rd
Germantown MD 20876
Montgomery County
Phone: (301) 972-3299
Description: Complete selection of fruits & vegetables, bedding plants, herbs, preserves, honey, home baked goods, cider, pumpkins, gourds, straw, cornstalks, Indian corn, mums, decorated Christmas trees, wreaths roping. Group Outings by appointment, Pumpkin Harvest Days, Pumpkin Festival, Hayrides, Farm Animals Hayloft Barn, Straw Maze, Pedal Tractors, Pony Rides, Live entertainment, Hayrides with Bonfire by reservation.
Other Fruit: Pick Your Own: strawberries, blueberries, sour cherries, thornless blackberries, red raspberries
Website: www.butlersorchard.com

Catoctin Mt. Orchard
15036 North Franklinville Road
Thurmont, MD 21788
Frederick County
Phone: (301) 271-2737
Open: June - December open daily. January-March open Fri-Sun
Directions: The market is located on the west side of Route 15 and visible while driving along route 15. Take North Franklinville Road exit from Route 15 to access the market and orchard areas. Catoctin Mountain Orchard's Farm Market is located 25 miles north of Frederick County, Maryland and 15 miles south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Apples: Lodi, Summer Rambo, Paula Red, Gala, Cortland, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathon, Empire, Stayman, Red York, Granny Smith, Ida Red, Braeburn.
Website: www.catoctinmountainorchard.com

Larriland Farm Inc.
2415 Rt. 94
Woodbine, MD 21797
Howard County
Phone: (301) 854-6110 or (410) 442-2605
Open: Late August / Early September - first weekend in November
Directions: Exit 73 from I-70, 3 miles south on Rt. 94.
Description: Pick Your own fruits and vegetables. Cider, flowers, honey, jams & jellies. October hot dogs, hamburgers & apple fritters. Tours & Evening Hayrides by appointment, Straw Maze, Hayride. Always call the day you are coming to find out what's available that day and to avoid disappointment.
Apples: Ginger Gold, Gala, Red Delicious, Magnolia Gold, Jonagold, Empire, Golden Delicious, Cameo, Fortune, IdaRed, Stayman, Mutsu, Suncrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, Enterprise, Granny Smith, Pink Lady
Other Fruit: Blueberries, black raspberries, thornless blackberries, nectarines, peaches, plums, red raspberries, strawberries, sour cherries
Website: www.pickyourown.com

New Jersey is for family, eating, visiting, relaxing, bears, and me!

Every year my cousin Linda and I drive to northern NJ to visit our cousin Ruthie. It feels like "home". From the first time we walked in the door of her gray blue shingled Victorian, we couldn't get over it. We sit on the sofa and look at each other and say " this always feels like home". Her neighbors all know her, know we're arriving, say "hello" at the corner breakfast coffee shop. We ride around and look at old houses, new stores, places our great uncle and grandfather and dads hunted and fished. At night we talk about family memories and in the morning we start all over again over fresh brewed coffee.

The time passes too quickly and we reluctantly put our bags in the back seat, hug Ruthie good-bye, always aware of her teary eyes. Did I mention she's a mush? Treasure your family... every moment. We do! I'll tell you the bear story another time...

Fall Decor & Facing CLUTTER - Can't Help It!

Yes, by all means enjoy the crisp fall days, cider, hay rides, sweaters, rolling in the leaves, walks on local trails. Our dog Spice appears to be a vegetarian. She manages to eat every tomato that grows in our garden and then moves on to the fall pumpkins I buy for the yard and the apples that drop from our tree. She also loves the green mush that falls off the bottom of the lawn mower - don't ask! Spice is 12, it must be a health diet for her. Our cat Thomas supplies her with mice and moles too. Eewww. As the cold weather approaches I have great plans for my clutter. CLUTTER: A confused or disordered state or collection, a jumble; sorted through the clutter in the attic. I begin with one drawer, or a closet. I give away, throw away, donate, organize and somehow have to do it all over again at some point. Any advice? Did you know there is a magazine entitled "Organize"?

OCTOBURRRR Outings!

THE COTTAGE - Leesburg, VA

Nothing like a drive in the country this time of the year to buy pumpkins, antiques, gourds, apples, scarecrows, have lunch, check out a local winery. If you happen to bee in the Leesburg, VA area - look up The Cottage - these ladies have been hunting in every nook and cranny for things for you to absolutley have to have for your yard and home! There are other terrific shops along the way ... friendly people, a beautiful drive, nice places to eat, local produce stands. Enjoy! Look for: LUCKETT'S ANTIQUES & GENERAL STORE , REALLY GREAT FINDS and LIGHTFOOT RESTAURANT