Fall Fruits Festival ~ Pumpkin & Giveaway

** Giveaway now closed. **

Welcome to Day 2 of the Fall Fruits Festival! I hope you had as much fun as I did yesterday! If you haven't stopped by Day 1, you better go there to check out all the delicious pear recipes linked up (I am so excited that there are so many great pear recipes!) and enter the pear-themed giveaway! Then come on back here for Day 2 - Pumpkin!! You'll find another yummy recipe, a giveaway, and you get to link up your pumpkin posts and recipes today!

I usually post about tea on Tuesdays (Tea For Two-sday). So maybe I better share some pumpkin tea with you! Sit down and relax with a cup while you read on!

Back to pumpkin. I know - you're thinking that pumpkin is a vegetable. And you'd be right, because my readers are quite intelligent. :) But pumpkin is also a fruit! It contains seeds inside, which makes it technically a fruit...and it's also considered a vegetable. Good thing for me - I wouldn't have wanted to change the name of my theme week just so I could include the pumpkin!

Last year I had a Pumpkin Potpourri week with all sorts of pumpkin recipes and fun. There were some of my favorite recipes, like: Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Pudding, and Pumpkin Dessert. This year we've just got one day for pumpkin, so let's make it a good one!

I found this recipe for Starbucks Pumpkin Scones at RecipeZaar.com and had to try it. Y.U.M. These scones are wonderful! You can get the recipe there, but I do have pics for you!

Oh I do wish I had one right now!

It's time for another giveaway! Today's giveaway is pumpkin-themed, of course!

This giveaway is for a cute salt & pepper shaker set, a pack of Fall stickers, a Pumpkin recipe book, and 2 Pumpkin Spice teabags. Have a little pumpkin fun!

Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on this post! That's it! The giveaway will stay open through 10pm PST on Sunday 10/18 and the winner will be randomly chosen from the comments.

Now it's time for you to link up your pumpkin posts and recipes so we can all enjoy the pumpkin smells, flavors, and fun! You can link up a new or old post about pumpkins, but please do include a link back to this post so everybody can enjoy the Fall Fruits Festival! If you don't have a blog, feel free to share pumpkin links and recipes in the comments.

Be sure to check back during the day to see all the pumpkin posts linking up! And you've got to go back and look at all the pear posts from yesterday - such good ones! I hope you'll come back tomorrow too - Day 3 is all about Apples! I am really enjoying seeing so many friends stopping by and meeting new friends! Thank you so much for doing a great job spreading the word about my fun little week - the more posts linking up, the merrier!

Have a terrific Tuesday friends!

I'm linking this post up to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam (please note that her blog location has changed to http://www.beautyandbedlam.com)!

Take a moment to subscribe so you don't miss any of the fun during the Fall Fruits Festival!

Would You Like Dessert With That? ~ Favorite Fall Fruits

You made it to Friday again! Good job! Normally, we have Chocolate Friday - but the first Friday of each month is Dessert Friday so that you can link up any dessert or chocolate post!

My Dad has been here visiting, so I haven't made the dessert I was hoping to post. But Dad did help me make one of the desserts that I'll be featuring during my upcoming Fall Fruits Week! What a guy! I'll take this opportunity to tell you a little more about it so you can mark it on your calendars!

Let's call it Fall Fruits Festival! It will be October 12 to 17 . The fruits that will be included are pumpkin (yup, it's a fruit - and a vegetable!), cranberries, pears, and apples. And you know I will find a way to work in chocolate since it's my "favorite Fall food" - LOL!

There will be yummy recipes, giveaways, and opportunities to link up! In fact, you will be able to link up every day - one day for pumpkin recipes/ideas, another for apples,etc. What can you do now? Find your Fall Fruit recipe posts and dust them off or write new ones to get ready for the linking. You can also start spreading the word about the Fall Fruits Festival! Remember Pumpkin Potpourri Week last year? SO much fun!!

Since I don't have a recipe for you on this fine Dessert Friday, I am counting on you to link up your dessert posts below with MckLinky! You don't have to include chocolate today (but you still can!) You don't even have to include a recipe - it could be pics, video, poetry, or any family-friendly dessert creativity you come up with! :)

Have a fabulous Fall Friday my friends!

I'm also linking this up to Your Life, Your Blog at Real Life! Go link up a past post from your own blog and read what everybody else has been up to!

Fall Nesting Returns

Fall Nesting Week is back at The Inspired Room! Last year, Melissa forced persuaded me to get with it and decorate for Fall during her Fall Nesting. It was my first attempt at any seasonal decorating other than Christmas. I'm still not a great decorator, but I am having fun with trying to decorate for the seasons (doing it as cheaply as I can is part of the fun!). So this year, I prepared even though the temp outside is in the 90's and the sun is shining bright. My family and friends that live around here have mentioned to me that it is in fact, summer according to the calendar and our weather. Not according to Melissa, I say!

Come on in and take a look around! The potpourri is simmering on the stove (recipe from Blessed).

And you might as well grab a Pumpkin Blueberry Muffin for a snack...

or maybe some Pumpkin Pudding!

Here's part of the living room when I decorated it for Spring/Summer...


and here's how I changed it a little for Fall.


Added some dark thrift store pillows & throw to the other couch.


I like to add fresh rosemary since we have a huge bush of it in the front yard! And yes, that's a pic of my chubby babe who turned 10 last month - sigh.

Gotta have some apples around!

I like to mix the orange with crisp white.

My centerpiece is still a work in progress. I was thrown off because the grocery store does not have pumpkins yet - you know, because it's *ahem* summer here.

It's about time I put out a little chocolate display! Let's pretend like I didn't write that sign in 3 seconds and that my "v" and "r" don't look exactly alike. :) While we're at it, let's pretend that those same chocolates will still be here next month.


Last year, I enjoyed the Fall fun so much that I hosted a Pumpkin Potpourri Week! It was such a hit that I will be having another Fall-themed week at the end of this month. It will feature Fall fruits - like pumpkin (yup - has seeds so it is a fruit!), apples, and either cranberries or pears. I'm still working out the details, but come back for the fun!

And if you enjoyed your goodies, then come by tomorrow (Friday) for Dessert Friday! I'll be sharing a recipe and letting you link up your yummy dessert posts!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope I've inspired you to try a little Fall decorating if you haven't already!

You must head over to The Inspired Room and look at all the Fall posts linked up - you will definitely get a Fall feeling!

Have a fabulous Fall day!

Circus Tickets Winner And Questions For YOU

Well first we have to announce the winner of 6 fabulous tickets to Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey's opening Sacramento show at Arco Arena on 8/27!! So exciting!!

Drumroll please...And the winner is:

Jill

Congrats Jill!!

Now if you didn't win, but still want to go to the circus, here are the show dates and discount ticket info:

Thursday August 27th: 7:00pm
Friday August 28th: 11:00am, 7:00pm
Saturday August 29th: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm
Sunday August 30th: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm

You can get a 4-pack of tickets for $44. Use promo code MOM when purchasing tickets at Arena Box Offices, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter code in the “MC Promotion Box” on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Not valid on VIP, Front Row and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Service charge, facility fee and handling fees may apply.

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Now I have a couple of questions for you.

First - last year I had Pumpkin Potpourri Week in September. It had recipes, opportunities to link up, and giveaways. It was a big hit! Should I have another Pumpkin Week this Fall with all new stuff or should we try something new? Like a week of Apples? Or something else? I want to know what YOU want! Please comment and let me know (even if you've never commented before - I won't tell anyone!)!!

Second - I would like to know what you're thinking of the blog these days. What things keep bringing you back? What do you skip over? What do you want to see more of? Anything bothering you (you can even leave an anonymous comment to tell me)? Anything that you absolutely love? Please let me know! I blog for me, but I also blog for YOU!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for reading! Thanks for your support and your comments! I do hope my blog gives you a little break from your stressful day.

Hugs and air kisses to you all! And if that is just too mushy for you, then handshakes and nods of the head to you! :) Oh - and chocolate!! How could I forget the chocolate? Stop by tomorrow for Chocolate Friday with a special guest post! And link up your chocolate posts so we can all share the yumminess! <----Now see, that might be something you comment about - maybe I am too demanding. I didn't even say please! :) <----Or there, too many smiley faces might be a pet peeve of yours.<----Or bad grammar.<----Or too many arrows.

I might be scared to read these comments...

Pumpkin Potpourri Week Winners

Pumpkin Potpourri Week was so much fun! I hope all of you enjoyed it as much as I did! It was like having a big party! :)

Thank you everybody for making it such a success! My commenters gave me wonderful support; my linkers gave us more fun ideas and recipes; and my promoters helped spread pumpkin all over the blogosphere!!

I will work on putting the button on my sidebar with the week of posts so you have a place to come back to for all the pumpkin recipes and ideas.

I suppose you want to know who the winners are...

OK, here they are:

Winner of the Commenters' Giveaway:

Steph at Angelic Accents - Congrats Steph!

Winner of the Linkers' Giveaway:

Ashley at Livin our Love Song - Congrats Ashley!

Winner of the Promoters' Giveaway:

Cynthia at Springmont Cottage - Congrats Cynthia!

The winners have all been contacted. If for any reason, I don't hear back - I will draw new winners.

Thank you all again for joining in the pumpkin fun last week! Come on back anytime - you're always welcome!

Pumpkin Potpourri Week ~ Would you like chocolate with that? Or pumpkin?

Welcome to the last day of Pumpkin Potpourri Week! Glad to have you back! In case you missed anything, you might want to click on the links for a recap:

Day 1: Giveaways and Pumpkin Blueberry Muffin recipe
Day 2: Pumpkin tea and Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Day 3: Pumpkin craft ideas, Pumpkin Pudding Recipe, and other people's pumpkin links
Day 4: Pumpkin poem and Pumpkin Dessert Recipe

Pumpkin Fact for the Day
*** Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A and Potassium and is high in Fiber. ***

On my blog, I have chocolate posts every Friday which you are able to link up to with your own chocolate posts. I just had to combine the pumpkin and the chocolate...HAD TO! But I didn't have a recipe with pumpkin and chocolate combined. Sure, I could have added chocolate chunks to my pumpkin bread or mini chocolate chips to my pumpkin pudding or drizzled chocolate over the top of my pumpkin dessert - but I thought that would be cheating. So, I did something that I have NEVER done...I attempted to create one myself! Crazy, I know!

I started with a box cake mix and a can of frosting to make it easy on myself and easier for you when you make it ('cause you know you want to try it and see how you can tweak it). I added pumpkin and spices and I'm happy with the result - a warm, mellow flavor added to the chocolate - though you should know that it's my first attempt. Maybe you could do it even better! I was going to make it a 2-layer cake, but the layers seemed a little heavy with the pumpkin, so I left it a single layer with frosting on the top (that way you have 2 - LOL!). Afterward, I thought of a fun way to serve it - make the cake in pie pans and frost the top. I also think this would make fabulous cupcakes.

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
1 box chocolate cake mix (I used butter recipe chocolate and used 2 T. less butter than called for)
I (15 oz) can pumpkin puree, with 1-1/2 tablespoons removed and set aside for frosting
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves

I can whipped cream cheese frosting
1-1/2 tablespoons pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Follow directions on box for chocolate cake, then stir in 1 can pumpkin (except for 1-1/2 tablespoons) and following 5 spices. Pour into greased pans and bake according to box directions. Remove from oven and cool completely.

In medium bowl, mix whipped cream cheese frosting, pumpkin and 2 remaining spices. Frost cake(s) as desired.

You could certainly do this from scratch using your favorite chocolate cake recipe and cream cheese frosting recipe and just make the pumpkin and spice additions. If you like chocolate and like pumpkin, I think you'll like this. If you try it, please let me know what you think!

Now it's your turn to share! Today, you can link up any family-friendly chocolate-themed post with Mr. Linky (See last Friday for chocolate ideas). And you can link up your pumpkin-themed posts! If you're really brave, combine the two! If you don't have a blog, you can leave your recipes or ideas in the comments.

It's not too late to get entered in the giveaways! Go back and make a comment on each day's post if you haven't already to get all your entries for the Commenters' giveaway. Link up recipes or ideas on Wednesday's post or today's post to be entered in the Linkers' giveaway. And if you have promoted Pumpkin Potpourri Week, be sure to let me know about it so you can be entered in the Promoters' giveaway! You have plenty of time to come back and do it all - the giveaways are open until Sunday night, 9/28.

Thank you all for making Pumpkin Potpourri Week so much fun and such a big hit!

Have a fun and blessed Fall weekend!

Pumpkin Potpourri Week ~ Day 4 ~ Pumpkin Dessert

Welcome to Day 4 of Pumpkin Potpourri Week! I'm glad you're back. Are you having fun? Thanks for encouraging people to come by - the more the merrier!

Make sure you are caught up by clicking on these links:
Day 1: Giveaways, Pumpkin Blueberry Muffin Recipe
Day 2: Pumpkin tea, Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Day 3: Pumpkin craft ideas, Pumpkin Pudding Recipe, Links of other pumpkin posts

If you've been on my blog for a while, you will see that I like to write silly little rhyming poems, like here and here. In honor of Pumpkin Potpourri Week, I wrote another one. Warning - not very good quality, just silly!

The pumpkin sat near the welcome mat,
And greeted folks that said hi.He would peek in the door across the floor,
And let out a little sigh.For he longed to be on display, you see, Where it was warm and dry.
One day he was lifted and to the kitchen shifted,
Though he did not know why.
It seemed a win to be taken in
After all that time had passed by
But that very same day, to his dismay,
He became a pumpkin pie!

Pumpkin Fact of the Day
*** Native American Indians introduced pumpkin to the Pilgrims. ***

So pumpkin has been at Thanksgiving from the beginning!

Today's recipe is one of my favorite pumpkin recipes. I got it from a friend years ago. The pictures don't do it justice - it is buttery delicious!!

Pumpkin Dessert
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 (12-1/2 oz) can pumpkin
1-1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 box yellow cake mix
1-1/2 sticks butter or margarine
1 cup nuts, chopped (I use walnuts)

Combine eggs, pumpkin, milk, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla; mix and pour in 9x13 in. glass Pyrex dish. Combine yellow cake mix and butter; mix until it resembles meal, and sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle nuts. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.

Can't wait to hear if any of you have had this before or what your thoughts are if you make it!


You can find more delicious pumpkin recipes in my Recipe Index!

If you enjoyed stopping and smelling the chocolates with me, I'd love it if you click the following words to Subscribe to Stop and Smell the Chocolates by Email or RSS!

See you tomorrow!

Pumpkin Potpourri Week ~ Works-For-Me Wednesday ~ Pumpkin Fun

Welcome to Day 3 of Pumpkin Potpourri Week! Today is about having fun with pumpkin! If you're just stopping by for the first time, you better go back and check Day 1: giveaways and a pumpkin blueberry muffin recipe; and check Day 2: tea and a pumpkin bread recipe.

Thanks for coming by - get ready for some fun and more yumminess! Keep reading until the bottom for the chance to link up YOUR wonderful pumpkin posts!

Kids love pumpkins! Try going to a pumpkin patch in your area for some Fall fun. Here's a picture of my son picking out a pumpkin (4 years ago - must they grow up??).

How about getting the kids involved in some pumpkin crafts? Here are some easy suggestions that I ran across:

~ Make paper plates into pumpkin crafts by painting the entire plate orange and then decorating with paints, pens, and/or stick-on foam pieces.

~ Decorate outside of pumpkin using alphabet macaroni to form words and phrases. Use decoupage medium to stick words on outside of pumpkin and then paint over macaroni and paint on pumpkin, if you wish.

~ Use quilting pins to stick on sequins or other decorations onto outside of pumpkins.

~ Use mini pumpkins in your landscaping. Find sticks and paint with acrylic paints. hammer a nail into one end of stick, then carefully remove nail head with cutters and insert mini pumpkin onto nail. Put sticks (now pumpkin wands) into ground outside wherever you want!

~ Make a frosted pumpkin by painting lines on stem and top of pumpkin and following lines down partway using white dimensional fabric paint. Using dimensional paint, make snowflake shapes around pumpkin. Coat pumpkin with white glitter. Could even be a centerpiece on a white doily with artificial snow ( a craft book's idea - not mine!).

Pumpkin Fact of the Day
*** Pumpkins are grown on 6 of the 7 continents. ***

Can you or your kids guess which one they aren't on? Hint - Have you ever seen penguins eating pumpkin or served pumpkins on ice? That's right - Antarctica!

Your kids can also help cook your favorite pumpkin recipes. Here's a kid-friendly pumpkin recipe that is yummy enough for some grown-ups to declare they like it better than pie! What kid doesn't like pudding (OK - there probably are some, but humor me please)?

Quick Pumpkin Pudding
1 (6 oz) package vanilla instant pudding mix
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk (1-1/2 cups)
1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Whipped cream

Beat pudding mix and evaporated milk according to package directions in a large bowl; refrigerate for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; mix well. Spoon into dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until ready to serve. Top with whipped cream.

Makes 8 servings.

I serve this at Thanksgiving for the kids. I like to put out toppings for the pudding: graham cracker crumbs, mini chocolate chips, nuts, whipped cream. Yum!! If you want to make the recipe lower fat and calories, just use sugar-free, fat-free pudding mix and skim evaporated milk.

All this pumpkin fun works for me! I hope you are enjoying it! You should stop by Works-for-me-Wednesday at Rocks in the Dryer for lots of good tips and ideas (not necessarily pumpkin-related).

But don't leave yet!! Here's your chance to link up (and another opportunity to be entered in a giveaway). Find or create your favorite pumpkin-themed post and link it up with Mr. Linky below. Some of you have already posted great pumpkin recipes, decorations, and craft ideas - link 'em up! Or write a new one and come back to link it. If you don't have a blog, please leave your ideas and/or recipes in the comments and I'll enter you in the giveaway.

Can't wait to read all of your pumpkin ideas!! Come back tomorrow - more pumpkin on the way!

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Pumpkin Potpourri Week ~ Tea for Two-sday

Oh, yes - I still had to have Tea for Two-sday! The pumpkin theme didn't stop me!

Welcome back to Pumpkin Potpourri Week! Did you enjoy the first day with all the giveaways and the yummy pumpkin blueberry muffin recipe? Thank you so much for spreading the word - it's becoming a pumpkin party!

We'll get to the fact and the recipe, but first I want to share some pumpkin tea with you. Here is a tin of it that I found at World Market (Cost Plus). It's Zhena's Gypsy Tea Pumpkin Spice - they had me at pumpkin. It's a caffeine-free Rooibos blended with spices and vanilla. As expected with a red tea, it's very mild and smooth. The spices are a very subtle after-flavor - nice and mellow. I LOVE the color - a lovely red-orange!

Sit down, have a cup, and let's talk pumpkin!

Pumpkin Fact of the Day
*** Pumpkins are 90% water. ***

Who knew? Does that mean that pumpkin treats can count toward my daily water intake?

Well, you have to have something to eat with your tea. I think some pumpkin bread would go nicely with it. This is my favorite pumpkin bread. I got the recipe from my mother-in-law years ago. SO moist! It makes 2 large loaves or 3 small loaves at once. It's also really good for making mini loaves and giving as gifts, though I have some friends that prefer getting the full-size loaves as gifts...right?!

Pumpkin Bread
3 cups sugar
1 small can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 cup oil
2/3 cup water
3-1/2 cups flour
Mix with flour:
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
(I use heaping teaspoons of the last 3)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour loaf pans (2 large or 3 small).

Mix the flour and last 7 ingredients together. Mix the rest up and combine it all in whatever way you think is best! I've tried a few ways - not sure that it really matters. Pour into loaf pans.

Bake for 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours. If you are doing 2 pans, start checking after 1 hour. I check every 5 minutes after that. Once a pick inserted in middle comes out clean, it's done. I think the key is to pull it out the MOMENT the pick first comes out clean. This gives the moistest bread without being raw in the middle. If you make smaller loaves, the time will be less.

Cool for a bit in pans on wire racks and then take loaves out to cool the rest of the way.

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Now try to make yourself give the second loaf away or freeze it. And I dare you to eat just one slice of the stuff.

If you really must have a lower-calorie pumpkin bread recipe, I just posted one on my other blog.

Don't forget the giveaways and come back tomorrow for more pumpkin fun!