cottagegreenonthelake

Halloween Epilogue … recipes for Chili con Carne and “Cake Mix” Cookies with Candy Corn

For us … yesterday was a carefully orchestrated frenzy of driving to different places in 4 different cities and spending time with all of our family. Adding to the enjoyment of all our Halloween activities, it was also Grandparent Day at our granddaughter’s school! (: We were finally able to relax a while when our son, daughter-in-law and little grandson came over, that evening, and we all sat down together for our traditional Halloween family dinner, getting ready and “fueled” for the rest of the evening’s activities.

Now … before we close the “book” to October, here’s the epilogue with 2 recipes I told you I would include in a subsequent post. Both of these recipes were a part of our “traditional Halloween dinner.” The Chile con Carne recipe below is from Better Homes & Garden; I have been making this same chili recipe for my husband and family for 39 years! (:

Better Homes & Gardens Chili con carne

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef or stew meat
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1 16-oz. can Petite diced tomatoes
1 16 oz. can Dark Red Kidney Beans (drained)
1 8 oz. can Tomato sauce
1-2 teaspoons chili powder (I used only 1 teaspoon, since I wanted our 2 year old to be able to eat it!)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
salt, to taste (I used 1 teaspoon Morton’s Light Salt)

Directions:

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook ground beef or stew meat, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until meat is browned. Drain fat. Stir in tomatoes, drained dark red kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil, and salt. (to taste) Heat to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes. Makes 4- 6 servings. Ladle into bowls. Garnish w/add’l onion, jalapenos, grated cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and Fritos. Tip: If using stew meat in your recipe, cook until meat is tender.

Cake-Mix Cookies with Candy Corn (pictured on right)

These “cake mix” cookies are so easy and delicious and … the variety of cookies you can make using different cake mixes and add-ins, is only limited by your imagination! (:

“Cake Mix” Cookies with Candy Corn

Ingredients:

1 box of yellow cake mix (I used Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix)
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
orange, white and yellow candy corn

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together and roll into 1-2″ balls. Tip: Candy Corn will dissolve into liquid if it comes into contact with the metal of your cookie sheet. I added my candy corn, 2-3 per cookie, after the dough was already on the cookie sheet so I could place my candy into the batter. Bake for 9 minutes.

For different variety’s of cookies, just pick the flavor of cake mix you want and choose whatever you’d like to add-in. Devil’s Food “Cake-Mix” Cookies with white chocolate morsels are “delish” … as our granddaughter would say! (:

Our little grandson eating his cupcake. After the first bite, he broke into a huge smile! (:

A busy, tiring, fun Halloween; October is over! Scarecrows and spider webs are already being taken off of porches and wreaths and are being replaced with harvest decorations and pilgrims. Because, as hard as it is to believe, in only 3 short weeks and 2 days … it will be Thanksgiving! (:

But for now …

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say. Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below. Don’t be dismayed if you don’t see your comment “appear” right away. Word Press checks everything I receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

“No Tricks just Treats”… by Trenda

It’s almost here … the most “spook-tacular” evening of the year! The days in October have slowly “peeled off the calendar” until finally, to the children’s delight, the “countdown” and last preparations for this very special night of costumes, late-night curfews, lots of candy, and fun are winding down.

It’s Halloween Night!

Unfurl the tablecloth, set out the plates,

put out the punch bowl, if tarnished, that’s great!

Pumpkins by moonlight, a cauldron of sweets!

There’s Reese’s, and candy corn, Kit’s Kat’s galore!

If there’s not plenty, the ghosts are forlorn!

C’mon, let’s hurry … it’s Halloween night!

Giggles and doorbells, signal the start.

Small faces peering ‘neath masks, some quite scary!

Proffer bags, shouting, “Boo … trick or treat!”

by Trenda

Getting the “table set” for our traditional family chili dinner and desserts (before all the hay rides, dunking booths, bounce houses, and slides …at the Harvest Festival, held at our church. It’s a “Happy Halloween” indeed when I get to see all our family and grandchildren! (:

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins …

I LOVE everything about these cupcake liners “Simply Baked – elegant entertaining everyday by Christy Designs, LLC.” … the playful design with scalloped edges and black stripes against the orange background; how sturdy they are compared to traditional cupcake liners, how easy it was to pour the batter in these little baking cups … and the easy clean up. My cookie sheet was clean after baking my cupcakes! I bought my Baking Cups (20 paper baking cups per container) at Home Goods for only $1.99! Here they are setting on my cookie sheet, when I was filling them. Directions on the clear plastic sleeve they are packaged in, says to fill each baking cup, 1/2 full. Tip: One of my favorite time savers and tricks is to use a baking funnel (I bought mine at a Kitchen Supply shop) to fill my baking cups and cupcake liners!

Here are the cupcakes after baking, frosted with vanilla frosting and topped with miniature bats and ghost sprinkles. Tip 2: When in a hurry, use your favorite tub of frosting. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the tub of frosting for a homemade flavor, stir well to combine. To color white frosting, use food coloring (I use Wilton’s concentrated gel for coloring my frosting, to create the bold orange color I wanted, without thinning my icing.)

Halloween sweets … Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting and “Cake Mix” Candy Corn Cookies

Our Traditional Halloween Dinner Menu

Chili con Carne with toppings … Fritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, and diced jalapenos (recipe in subsequent post)

Tossed Salad with Iceberg Lettuce and Fresh Spinach, diced red onions, chopped celery, chopped red onions, sliced radishes and peperoncini

Desserts: Chocolate Cupcakes w/vanilla buttercream frosting and “Cake Mix” Candy Corn Cookies (recipe in subsequent post)

” … the moon and the stars to govern the night; His love endures forever …” Psalms 136:9

Hope you have a safe and fun-filled day and evening with those that make your face and heart smile!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Pumpkin Spice Latte with Candied Spoons & Decorative Autumn Chocolates … by Trenda

I love “the tastes of autumn” … yummy pumpkin pies and apple crisps, spicy chili’s and homemade stews, creamy hot chocolate’s and pumpkin latte’s! This weekend you may be raking leaves, carving pumpkins, going to a Harvest Festival, or enjoying a hayride. Whatever you’re doing, wouldn’t you love knowing you have a delicious pumpkin-spice latte simmering in your slow cooker, to enjoy after you’re finished?

Here is the recipe for Betty Crocker’s Pumpkin-Spice Latte that is prepared in a slow cooker!

Pumpkin-Spice Latte

Ingredients:

5 cups strong brewed coffee
4 cups milk (2% or whole)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Garnish: whipped cream topping, cinnamon or pumpkin spice, cinnamon stick

Directions:
1) In slow cooker, mix all ingredients except whipped cream topping. Beat with whisk until well combined.
2) Cover and cook on High heat setting 2 hours, stirring once after 1 hour.
3) Serve in mugs, top with whipped cream, add a cinnamon stick and sprinkle whipped cream with cinnamon or pumpkin spice, if desired.

Autumn Drink Station with White Chocolate stirring spoons and decorative chocolates …

White Chocolate Dipped Stirring Spoons for Pumpkin-Spice Latte’s …

I love adding little “touches” that make every occasion special and memorable. These decadent treats will add a festive touch to any get-together! The chocolate spoons and candied stirrer’s look charming “gathered” and waiting in a container where your latte is simmering! They’re delicious stirred into a mug of pumpkin-spice latte or scatter the candied leaves and pumpkins on a autumn platter to nibble on!

Candied Leaves and Pumpkins …

Instructions to make … Chocolate-coated Stirring Spoons

Supplies and ingredients needed … plastic spoons, wax paper, Wilton Melting Candy, and assorted sprinkles. Optional: cellophane candy bags, ribbon in your choice of colors. Pick colored spoons in your choice of colors. I wanted my colors to be in autumn shades, so I used orange, yellow, and lime-green plastic spoons. Pour your Wilton Melting Candy Discs into microwaveable containers. I bought my candy at Hobby Lobby on the candy making aisle and chose white chocolate colored in the same autumn colors as my spoons … orange, yellow, and lime-green. Follow the melting directions on the back of each bag of candy. After the candy has melted, stir until smooth and dip the colored spoon into the candy, coating the bowl of your spoon. Set your candy-coated spoon on wax paper with the candy side facing up. You can leave your candy plain, or sprinkle the chocolate with your choice of decorations or colored sugars. After my chocolate had hardened, I slipped a cellophane favor bag (found on the candy making aisle) over each spoon and tied a ribbon around it.

To make white chocolate autumn leaves you will need a candy mold. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, on sale for only $2.00! The package I bought had 2 sheets of molds and made 16 leaves and 12 pumpkins. Instructions for molding candy are on the back of the package. Melt your candies according to directions on the back of the bag and spoon your candy into your mold. Note: This is not an exact process and any over-filling or spills can be trimmed away with a sharp knife, after the candy has hardened. After you have filled your molds, tap your sheet of candy gently on the counter to help the candy settle and remove any air bubbles. Place candy sheet in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Release hardened chocolate by inverting mold and gently tapping it on the work surface.

The leaves with lollipop sticks were made using another candy mold sheet. These special candy mold sheets have slots to insert your sticks in, before pouring the candy into the mold.

I hope you enjoy this last weekend in October and that you have as much fun as I did making these special treats! I’m looking forward to my cup of Pumpkin-Spice Latte! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

A Sunday Drive in Autumn …… by Trenda at Cottage Green on the Lake

It was a beautiful autumn day here in East Texas. The gray-blue clouds had been hiding the sun for most of the day and kept our temperature’s in the lower 70’s. It was a perfect day for a Sunday drive … a Sunday golf cart drive!

Lately, our lives have seemed more harried than usual and we were way overdue for some relaxation … “gazing and cruising, along the lake and the lane.” Our only regulations for the day …

to stop for any ducks crossing the road
no speed over 20 miles per hour!

I grabbed all the essentials for a lazy Sunday drive … a jacket, a soft buffalo-checked blanket, and my vintage plaid picnic satchel – a favorite gift Richard surprised me with, reminiscent of my favorite lunch box and affection for anything in red plaid! (: (You’ll be seeing it, from “time to time” so I decided to add a full description here, for you to visualize!) The zippered picnic bag and contents were made by Aladdin in the 1970’s; the red plaid bag has two tall, red plaid thermos’ inside and a cherry red sandwich keeper. All had never been used and still had the original advertising tags when Richard gave it to me!

I’d just made some chocolate chip cookies, so I wrapped up some of those (still warm from the oven!) grabbed our thermos’ and headed out the door. Are you ready to go? Let’s go together… “gazing and cruising, along the lake and the lane.” (:

Up the road we go and around the Pumpkin Patch …

A neighbor’s house where … like the banner says, pumpkins, mums, and the people within, make everyone feel welcome!

A lovely stone entry draped in autumn leaves …

A scarecrow standing sentinel and greeting all, with the lake beckoning in the background …

A lovely spot to “sit a spell” by the water …

Grinning Jack-o-Lanterns line the curvy lane leading to this house. We couldn’t help but smile back, as our cart whizzed by!

Let’s stop here for a little while, enjoying our cookies and looking at this beautiful view of the lake from our peninsula. We were thrilled when this flock of double-crested cormorants flew in chasing a school of minnows and decided to share our picnic spot!

As the Cormorants swam away, we brushed the crumbs from our laps and headed our golf cart on up the peninsula road. The lake is on either side of our road and can be seen in this gap between the trees …

On further down the road, something you wouldn’t expect to see near the lake … this quaint little barnyard with llama’s, goats, and chickens. These little goats are enjoying their evening meal …

The owner scatters pumpkins about his charming barnyard and atop his fence posts …

Rounding a corner we came upon this miniature lighthouse “guarding” the coastlines of our gentle lakeshores … I love the beautiful Fan Palm flourishing beside the lighthouse!

Another sunset … (we can never resist!) and had to pull over to gaze at this gorgeous sight of the deepening shadows in the sky, as the sun slipped below the horizon …

Last surprise of our tour, a little Tuscany at Cedar Creek Lake, a vineyard on the sloping bank leading to the waters …

It’s getting chilly, for this Texas chic and the evening shadows are deepening. Last bend in the road and time to head home …

Did you enjoy our Sunday drive and our views along the lakeshore? This is just the beginning of our “autumn show” here in Texas. I love all the different sights, sounds, and smells associated with every season and look forward to sharing each with you … 4theseasons! (;

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Halloween DIY Treat Bags and Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps …….. by Trenda from Cottage Green on the Lake

Part 2 of “A Halloween of Memory Past” (Click on Part 1 of … A Halloween of Memory Past from previous post “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath” by Trenda)

PicCollage[439].png Halloween of Memory Past by Trenda ~ cont’d from previous post “DIY Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath”

As we walked up the sidewalk, I would size up each house, trying to determine if first … anyone was home and would answer the door and second … what kind of treat would be handed out. My experiences had already taught me that behind the door of an unwelcoming house, there always seemed to be a stale bit of peanut butter taffy wrapped in orange or black paper. Whereas, the brightly lit homes with welcoming porch lights and cheer-y doorbells seemed to house people who would fane surprise that there were spooks at their door and would generously grab into their bowl of treats and distribute a handful of goodies! …………………………… by Trenda

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Recalling my memories of Halloween’s Past, I love making special treats and stuffing little treat bags for each of the masquerader’s coming to 0ur home! Look at these cute little Halloween bags. They were so easy and fun … to make and fill! My treat bags are filled with a little trac of Knock-knock jokes, vampire teeth (complete with a packet of red watermelon-flavored goo, to squish out like blood!) Halloween candies, and Jack-o-Lantern rings. I also made some bigger sized bags for our own precious goblins (a cheerleader and a vampire!) and concocted these extra-special treats … Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps and Harvest Moon Pies

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I bought the larger sized handled Kraft bags at Hobby Lobby, 5 for $1.99 and the smaller ones at Michael’s, 6 for $2.99. I stamped each bag with black ink from my “Pigment” black ink pad and used 2 cute stamps I “found” on sale at Hobby Lobby! To dress up my little bag, but wanting to keep it, simple … I tied a piece of raffia into a bow on each handle. I love the “scarecrow-look” of this rustic little bag with the straw bow!

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Now, for some fun and easy treats to make and put into each treat bag! These darling little Ghost Peeps are dressed for Halloween with a “coat” of candy (; and are adorned with bright polka dots, sprinkles, nonpareils’ and a fun assortment of Halloween pumpkins, bats, and mini ghosts.

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Pictured below are all the supplies needed to make the Ghost Peep Pops. Tip: I melted my candy melts in tea cups so I wouldn’t have to use so many melts, but would have enough “candy depth” to coat the bottom of each ghost.

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Then I inserted a Halloween straw (I bought mine from Home Goods) into the bottom of each ghost and propped the chocolate coated Ghost Pops up, while the candy hardened. Tip: I found that my toaster made a perfect drying rack! (: I made sure my toaster was unplugged and then inserted each Ghost Peep Pop into the toaster slots. The candy hardened up perfectly, without having any side flattened.

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After the candy hardened, I wrapped each ghost in a cellophane candy bag and tied it with a brightly colored polka dot ribbon.

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From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say. Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below. Don’t be dismayed when your comment doesn’t “appear” right away. Word Press checks everything I send or receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

Halloween DIY Treat Bags and Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps …….. by Trenda from Cottage Green on the Lake

Part 2 of “A Halloween of Memory Past” (Click on Part 1 of … A Halloween of Memory Past from previous post “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath” by Trenda)

Halloween of Memory Past by Trenda ~ cont’d from previous post “DIY Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath”

After the candy hardened, I wrapped each ghost in a cellophane candy bag and tied it with a brightly colored polka dot ribbon.

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say. Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below. Don’t be dismayed when your comment doesn’t “appear” right away. Word Press checks everything I send or receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

Autumn Dinner … Smoked Sausage, Spinach and Orzo topped with grated parmesan cheese/ PLUS .. DIY Autumn Napkin Rings

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As the day unfolded, the lyrics to “Monday, Monday” by the Mamas & the Papas came unbidden to my mind. “Oh Monday mornin’ you gave me no warnin’ of what was to be ……” not that I “can’t trust that day” as the song says, but our long Monday had already blended into evening, the evening quickly turned into night, and it became obvious that whatever I made for dinner needed to be easy, nutritional, and definitely, after the day we’d had, needed to be comforting.

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I went to the kitchen and after perusing the contents of my pantry and refrigerator, I think I created the perfect Monday Autumn Dinner that met all those criteria: it was easy, nutritional, and it was a delicious, steaming bowl of comfort food and … “It was all I hoped it would be.” (;

Autumn Dinner of Smoked Sausage, Spinach and Orzo topped with grated Parmesan Cheese

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Note: For those of you wondering what orzo is … it is a fine and creamy pasta, similar in shape and size to long-grained rice. In fact, it is the small pasta in “Rice a Roni” that makes that rice mixture so creamy.)

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 cup orzo
1- 13 oz. pkg Smoked Sausage (I used Butterball’s Hardwood Smoked Turkey Sausage)
1 cup frozen chopped spinach
2 cups water
2 teaspoons Knorr’s chicken bouillon flavor
grated parmesan cheese to taste

Recipe:

Add 2 tablespoons of butter to a skillet and turn on medium heat to melt. Add 1/2 cup of chopped red onion and cook until onion is translucent. Add 1 cup orzo and continue cooking until orzo is golden, and slightly browned. Cut up smoked sausage in bite-sized pieces and add to skillet. Then add 1 cup of frozen chopped spinach and 2 cups of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of Knorr’s Chicken Flavor Bouillon.

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Cover and turn heat to a little less than medium heat (watch mixture to make sure orzo doesn’t start sticking!) and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover and stir. Dish into bowls and top with grated parmesan cheese.

I think our “comfort meal” dished into my Johnson Brothers “The Friendly Village” is befitting for our cozy Autumn Meal.

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Then … look at these darling little napkin rings, that just took minutes to make! I love the rough texture of the grapevine, in contrast to the silky leaf and shiny bittersweet!

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I just took a mini-grapevine wreath (usually sold in sets of 4 or 6 at any craft store. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby) and hot glued an autumn silk leaf on it … then I wrapped one strand of bittersweet, bending the wire so the bittersweet arched over the top of the wreath, to highlight and frame the leaf.

PicCollage[463].png Voila! A rustic autumn napkin ring … a perfect accent piece for your autumn meals!

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As I carried our tray of food over to our favorite chairs, put my feet up, said our prayer, unfolded our napkins, and ate our first bite … I heaved a sigh; thankful the day was over, thankful the Lord had gotten us through each worry, care, and task that had to be done, thankful I had a home to share with my dear husband, and “in everything” I did “give thanks” as the last words of the song wafted through my mind …”Monday, Monday, so good to me.”

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Here’s hoping for you that …”Every other day, every other day, every other day of the week is fine, yeah” ! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted reading what you have to say. Please post your comments or questions below. Don’t be dismayed if you don’t see your comment “post” right away. Word Press checks all posts I send or receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting … “it’s a good thing.” (:

DIY “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern” Halloween Wreath … by Trenda

“A Halloween of Memory Past” by Trenda In just a little over a “fortnight” we will have a host of little ghosts and goblins coming to our doorstep. Once, not really so very long ago, I was one of those happy “trick or treater’s” … traipsing down the streets, I peered to see out of my plastic mask that was always askew, had eye slots that were cut too small to properly see and was held in place by a thin rubber band that pulled my hair and I was always afraid would snap and pop me in the face! I made sure I stayed close to my strong, broad shouldered father and seeing his comforting silhouette outlined in the shadows was particularly assuring on a night called All Hallows’ Eve! My father carried a railroad lantern to lead his little band and family of mix-matched character’s … a hobo, a skeleton, 2 gypsies, and a clown … and I remember the red glow cast by his lantern, added to the mystique of the evening. (to be continued)

Remembering that feeling, I love to make our home as welcoming as possible on Halloween and enjoy creating an expectant atmosphere, befitting the night, that the children can sense as they climb up each step to our door.

Now with all that in mind … today I am writing the DIY instructions for this Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween wreath that you can make and hang on your front door to welcome each of your little visitors! The “jewel and sparkle” a wreath adds to your door, is like adding a necklace to your outfit! (:

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Below, is a list of supplies you will need to make your wreath.

Materials needed:

metal wreath form
up to 3 rolls of mesh in your choice of Halloween colors
pipe cleaners
glue gun and glue sticks
assorted Halloween decorations
scissors & wire cutters

Instructions:

First, make a simple loop hanger using a pipe cleaner and wrap it around the back of the wire wreath form. This is the hanger you will use to display your wreath on your door, but it is also convenient to use while constructing your wreath. Tip: I always use pipe cleaners that match the colors I am using in my wreath. Then, when I am finished they aren’t easily seen and “blend” right into the decorations and colors of the wreath. Take your first color of mesh and go around the form of your wreath, bunching the mesh loosely. To form a “poof” or segment, wrap a pipe cleaner around the mesh and wire wreath form to secure the mesh to the form. I trim my pipe cleaners off at this point to keep things neat and so they won’t get “in the way” and snag my material. Continue bunching and securing mesh around the perimeter of your wreath form. Don’t be timid! There’s no wrong way to do this! (:

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Then, do the same thing again with the next color you have chosen for your wreath. Gather and bunch your mesh and secure it with pipe cleaners to your wreath form. Be sure and “stagger” where you bunch and secure your mesh, not conforming with the same pattern you used with the first color. This will make your wreath fuller. See picture below.

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Repeat the same procedure again, using your last color of mesh and making sure to weave and bunch your mesh in areas you see that need more fullness. Note: It is up to you how many colors of mesh you use. Sometimes, I use only 2 fabrics or even one color of mesh or burlap. Just make sure when you are using fewer colors that you bunch your fabric tighter, so you have a full wreath.

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Now, the fun part begins! Take your decorations and just hot glue them to your wreath. I add my biggest items first … next, any smaller items I have.

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Then … I add my “filler” last. Filler is added to your entire wreath and “pulls” the look of your wreath together, unifying and blending all your colors and decorations on the wreath. Filler can be any material – it adds texture and conformity. In the photo below … see how I’ve used my neon green curly twigs as filler.

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Then, I added a few “bursts” of accent with a ribbon that incorporated all the colors of my 3 different mesh … a purple, orange and black plaid. Wherever I wanted a little more color, I cut some random lengths of my plaid ribbon and “wove it” into the mesh ribbon, and hot glued the ends to hold. The final step was gluing some sparkly wrapped paper candies … table confetti, that I found at Hobby Lobby for only $1.50 … in just my colors of purple, orange, and neon green!

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Now when …

“Silent phantoms

of the night

In their robes

of ghostly white.

They are always to be seen

On the night of Halloween.”

come to your door, they will be delighted to see the wreath you made welcoming them to your haunt!

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Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say. Please leave a comment, below. Don’t be alarmed when your comment doesn’t post, immediately. Word Press makes sure each post I send or that I receive hasn’t any SPAM attached … “it’s a good thing!” (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Part 2 of … Feathering the Nest by Trenda

In Part 1 of “Feathering the Nest” I asked … “What do you enjoy collecting? Whatever your passion is, use those items to decorate and “cozy up” your home.”
The most frequent question I have been asked, over my years of decorating is … “How should I decorate my home?” Decorate your home with the things you love! For those of you that “need a little help” figuring out what you love in decorating or what you like to collect, that’s what I want to help you discover, today.

Home … the perfect nest

In Part 1 of “Feathering the Nest” I asked … “What do you enjoy collecting? Whatever your passion is, use those items to decorate and “cozy up” your home.”

The most frequent question I have been asked, over my years of decorating is … “How should I decorate my home?” Decorate your home with the things you love! For those of you that “need a little help” figuring out what you love in decorating or what you like to collect, that’s what I want to help you discover, today.

A cheery welcome gleams from the lamplight reflected in the large mirror over the fireplace and again in the mirrored frame of the bird picture. A bright green bird looks stunning, placed next to the contrasting blue and white porcelains.

“What do you love to collect?” Just think what gives you a little “thrill” whenever you see that item sitting on the shelf of your favorite store or sitting in a darkened display in an antique store. Sometimes it’s buried under a pile of “store jumble” or it’s the last item hanging on a peg, in just the color you needed!

The muted colors of this pheasant blend perfectly with my collection of loved, worn and faded antique books.

Whenever you see your particular “eye candy” your pace quickens, even though you remind yourself not to get too excited as you “unearth” your treasure, all the while you are hoping “it is” what you “think it is!”

These are the things you love and that you are passionate about … and what you should decorate your home with! It may be lots of different things. For me it’s violins, birds, feathers, bird nests, bird cages, squirrels, acorns, pencils made from branches, books, antique flower frogs … just to name a few! (;

Beatrix Potter’s “Peter Rabbit” is opened displaying the beautiful illustrations that are fitting with the garden paraphernalia I have scattered about the desk. The little water bucket and watering can look charming holding pencils and paintbrushes instead of the “expected” flower arrangement, they usually hold. Also fitting with the theme of gardens, I’ve placed 2 of my antique flower frogs; one for propping the book page open, the other … just for keeping the other “frog” company! (:

Or … you may like collecting items that follow a theme … anything associated with birds, vintage garden tools and signs, a nautical theme, or beach themes.

This little table holds a twig lamp and all things bird-y and dear to me … a miniature and ornate cloche shelters a blown glass hummingbird that belonged to my precious sister, long-since “graduated” to heaven … a special teacup and saucer that were once my grandfather and grandmother’s that I’ve tucked a tiny nest into with a little hummingbird hovering above … and a plump, mercury glass bird, nestled between them. Look at that beautiful, midnight twilight gleaming beyond the window!

Do you have a passion for collecting items that are a particular color? Do you find yourself irresistibly drawn and buying collectibles and items in the perfect shade of peacock blue or sunny yellow? Use those items you have in matching colors and group them together to make an impact and visual point of interest.

This collection on my desk is unified in color and theme. A chartreuse green watering can is filled with pencils and paintbrushes … another “impromptu” pencil cup is really a flower planter and is also chartreuse green. The little frame beyond with bird houses is colored, again, in chartreuse green and complimentary shades of plum, a sweet gift from our beloved daughter that says … “A mother’s love is what makes a house a home.”See how I unified different collectibles in my bookcase by using chartreuse green repeatedly … chartreuse green watering cans … book jackets … mossy rocks … planter … and little water pail.

An etched glass jar holds a collection of ferns and mossy rocks and maintains the garden theme while evoking the mood displayed on the book jacket, “The Secret Garden.” A large silver acorn and a mercury glass mushroom are all part of the magic in a “secret garden” and who else do you think resides there? … a couple of Frog Prince, of course! (:

When you use and incorporate the items you love in decorating, your home will begin to be the haven you desire and will have the “cozy” feeling you’re longing to create. Why? … because your home will be filled with the things you love and the collectibles that make you happy and reflect “your taste.” A home you’ll love coming home to!

Look how the textures of the hydrangea, the filigree on the planter, and the scrolling on the word ‘TRUST’ all compliment each other and make this arrangement visually interesting with the use of texture.

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Along the lake shores on an autumn afternoon by Trenda

It was a glorious afternoon for cruising around the lake in our pontoon boat. The water had just the slightest ripple from the autumn winds that would randomly “sigh” … just to playfully stir and rustle the leaves and the water. <!–more –>

Before we “set sail” we carried a picnic down to the dock and couldn’t help but marvel, once again, at God’s artistry as we gazed at the panoramic view of the beautiful, blue lake in front of us.

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Our lunch (always delicious when served … “a la dock!”) was Ham & Swiss cheese/spinach/& roasted red pepper wraps … homemade chicken soup … and crisp apples with a creamy dip of peanut butter and honey.

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Look at this spectacular show we were thrilled to have front seats for … dinner and a show! These black, point-y beak “diving waterfowl” are Double-crested Cormorants and though some reside here permanently (choosing our lake to be their “forever home”) … most migrate here and arrive in large numbers in autumn to enjoy our delightfully mild winter’s! Their departure in late spring always makes me a little despondent, so their arrival is always a welcome sight and another reminder of autumn’s return! Yesterday, they swooped in unexpectedly, right in front of our dock, chasing a school of minnows and enjoying an “all you can eat” buffet!

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After we finished, we threw some saved tortilla pieces and brushed the crumbs from our laps into the water (to the delight of some waiting ducks!) and climbed aboard “Bentley”[yes, we name all our transportation conveyances! (; ] … adjusted our American flag, and backed up into the waiting blue.

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Our first stop was to visit our goose friends who immediately recognized our boat and eagerly came to greet us with friendly honks and flapping’s!

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As we threw each tidbit from our bread supply (a collection of heels, stale croissants, and an occasional half-eaten sweet roll we keep frozen for just this purpose!) our feathered friends rushed and fought to nab each morsel. They often over-stepped their neighbor’s personal zone and weren’t bothered a bit when they batted “their brother” in the face with their wings or greedily grabbed their portion. (:

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Shaking the last of our bread offerings into the lake, the geese honked their disproval … or was it their thanks? (: … when we headed out and away from their cove.

Sights along the shoreline…

The Loch Ness monster of Cedar Creek Lake …

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Towering Oaks and majestic Bald Cypress’ along the water’s edge …

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A gorgeous setting for this white heron posing in front of burnished Bald Cypress Trees that are just beginning to show their tinges of autumn splendor.

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A mermaid, ready to dive into the waters below, appears mystical and believable in the magic twilight hour.

Heading back home in the pink and golden glow of an autumn sunset.

“Then sings my soul …”

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From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

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Ingredients:

5 cups strong brewed coffee 4 cups milk (2% or whole) 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) 1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

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Home … the perfect nest

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5 cups strong brewed coffee
4 cups milk (2% or whole)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice