Ghosts, Goblins and ready for Halloween

I don't do a lot of decorating for Halloween but I have my few favorite pieces and I will share them with you. Approaching my house, the front porch and front door ready for Halloween.

A sweet little witch that says, "Welcome my Pretty's." Above her head a Fall pumpkin that my daughter painted "Welcome" on it so it will stay up until after Thanksgiving. In my black iron pots planted with boxwood I have black and orange lights to set the mood. My talented daughter made my Halloween wreath hanging on the front door.

 

 

Just inside the front door in my foyer I have this ghoulish looking pumpkin, a collectors item that I have had for years. He is decoupage and houses my candy I give out to trick 'o treater's



 



 Atop my bar are these very scary ghoulish cats. I recently had a dinner party that I served a witches brew from my pumpkin beverage container and the pumpkin glasses were rimmed with black salt setting the mood for a Halloween dinner party. I will also use this dispenser and glasses at Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

And, of course, since I think back door guests are " BEST" they too need a proper greeting. What better greeting than this.

 

Happy Halloween to each of you and I hope you have a wicked evening.

Fall Mantle

I don't do a lot of decorating for Halloween anymore but will share more of my Halloween pieces that I am sentimental about next week. Most of my changes are more for Fall and today I am sharing my "Fall Mantle".

Over the summer I found these gorgeous pheasants that I could not resist purchasing. They are made of tin with a whitewash and then some rust added giving them an antique quality.

The wreath I have had for years that was spray painted orange, they are actually the foliage of corn husk and it's appearance definitely speaks FALL.

They definitely have an antique look about them and the first time I spied them I knew I HAD to have them.

I thought they were a handsome pair.

I originally had used some tinted clear glass pumpkins on my mantle but they just didn't seem to work so well with my pheasants so I decided to use these pumpkins instead. I think they worked so much better. A more neutral and natural mantle with the wide burlap ribbon woven through.

And another great "find" but a turkey sitting on my hearth.

 

 

 

Also made of tin with the rust on it and made by the same company.

 

 

I was pleased with the way the "Fall mantle" looked in our living room and it will remain there until the day after Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day everyone and thank you so much for visiting my blog. I love to read your comments.

 

 

I am sharing this post at "HOME AND GARDEN THURSDAY" and "FOODIE FRIDAY".



Apple Cake with a Caramel Drizzle

My favorite season is of course, Fall. When we begin to have cooler mornings my mind turns to making some of those comforting foods most associated with Fall. To be sure an Apple Cake is tops on my list and I just happened to come across an excellent recipe.

My inspiration was a recent purchase of this Fallish Bundt pan. Another blogging friend showed me this picture and I knew immediately I HAD to have this pan. Like my friend I have a fetish for unique baking pans. It just screams Fall don't you think?

 

It was perfect for my Apple Cake. I was a little unsure, I was afraid it would rise too much but I made a good decision in using this pan. It turned out perfectly.

 

"Apple Cake with a Caramel drizzle"

 

1 cup cooking oil

2 cups sugar

3 eggs, well beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans

3 cups peeled apples, chopped

 

Cream well the oil, sugar and eggs. Add vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together including the cinnamon and nutmeg and blend into creamed mixture. Fold in the pecans and apples. Pour into a well greased Bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and cool. Pour the Caramel Drizzle over the cooled cake.

 

"Caramel Drizzle"

 

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Bring the first 3 ingredients to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat immediately and stir in vanilla. Beat with a spoon until the icing is cool. Pour over cake.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

An easy and simple cake but so worth it. This cake batter will be very thick but spoon it into the pan by spoonful's.

I always use a good pan spray made especially for baking. I don't take any chances with my cake coming out in pieces especially when using an intricately designed baking pan such as the one I used.

 

The cake came out beautifully.

 

Now who could resist this and just so you know, it was absolutely delicious. An excellent addition to my Fall recipe file.

 



I am sharing my post at Michael Lee's blogging party, Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm. To access other wonderful recipes shared just click HERE.

Enjoy your weekend, Carolyn