31 Days of Fall - Day 31 Happy Thanksgiving

When I began this series on October 1st I truly hoped to blog for 31 straight days.  Well, that didn't happen, but I did blog for 31 days over the course of 8 weeks on one topic.   Not quite the goal I was going for, but I decided that even if I was behind, finishing the project was more important.  I'm glad to have blogged about our family's favorite time of  year and to have on record our favorite outings, recipes and a couple of craft ideas too.  

So to everyone

 

and thanks for reading!

 

 

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 30 - Turkey on the Grill

We love turkey around here.  When the November turkey sales hit the grocery stores, I buy 2 or 3 at the rock bottom prices so we can enjoy it all year, even in the summer.  Our favorite way to cook a whole turkey?  On the grill -- rubbed with butter, seasoned with salt and pepper, wrapped tight in aluminum foil and placed on a indirect heat grill.  As the turkey slow cooks, it get basted from time to time.  The result?  A golden, moist amazing turkey. 

There are several advantages to this method besides the delicious turkey.  It keeps the oven free to cook other items and it keeps the heat and mess out of the house.  Winner, winner turkey dinner.

 

Part of 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 29 Apricot Pecan Bread

What a fantastic flavor combination -- apricots and pecans.  With dried fruit being a fall treat it only makes sense to make this delicious bread when the weather turns cold. 

Apricot Pecan Bread

Part of 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 28 Chocolate Pecan Pie

This is an original Kentucky Derby Pie recipe.  I typically make it for Derby Day, but it is also a delicious fall pie, filled with chocolate and pecans.  Don't for get to serve with a dollop of bourbon flavored whipped cream.

 

Chocolate Pecan Pie

1 cup sugar
6 T flour
2 eggs
1/2 c butter, melted
1 c pecans, chopped
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 unbaked 9" pie crust
1 c cream, whippped with 1 1/2 t bourbon

Combine sugar and flour; add remaining ingredients, except cream, and pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake at 325 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes.  Serve just slightly warm with whipped cream.

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 27 Italian White Bean Soup

One of the best parts of fall is cooler weather, and at our house cooler weather means lots and lots of soups.  Some of our family favorites are Potato Soup, Chili, Chicken Noodle and Bean with Bacon. 

 

One of my personal favorites is this Italian White Bean Soup.  Most of the members of my family don't care for this particular soup, but that is just fine with me.  It freezes very well and I like to keep indivudual portions ready to take for lunch.   

 

 

Italian White Bean Soup

 

1 T vegetable oil

1 med onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed

1 can chicken broth

1/ 4 t black pepper

5 fresh thyme sprigs (or 1 1/2 t dried)

2 c water

1 bunch fresh spinach

1 T lemon juice

grated Parmesan cheese

 

In a 3 quart saucepan, heat oil.  Add onion and celery, cook 5 - 8 minutes or until tender.  Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.  Add beans, chicken broth, pepper, thyme and 2 c water. 

Stir to combine.  Bring to a boil, simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. 

 

While soup is simmering, clean spinach, discarding any tough stems.  Thinly slice spinach leaves.

 

Use emersion blender to blend soup.  Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Stir in spinach, cook 1 minute or until wilted.  Stir in lemon juice, remove from heat.  Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.   

 

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 26 Knit Dishclothes

Part of fall is getting ready for the holiday season.  I truly enjoy making as many of my holiday gifts as I can.  My time is limited, so I depend on some quick ideas, including these wonderful knit dishcloths.  If you have never done dishes with a homemade cotton dishcloth, you are really missing a life changing experience.  Everyone who comes to my house and after a party helps with the dishes loves them and asks for one, two or seven for their own kitchen.  I'm pretty sure I've not used a regular, store bought dishcloth in 12 years. 

You only need the most basic of knitting skills and equipment to make these.  I can make one in less than an hour.  It is a favorite fall tv-watching pass time. 

Links to dishcloths patterns -

Basic Dishcloth - this is the one shown, it is my favorite pattern

Simple Discloths - these are a bit "fancier"

Easy Dishcloths - easy and quick patterns 

Part of 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 25 Cheer Bowl

The highlight of fall cheerleading is Cheer Bowl.  Starting in September each cheer team puts together a cheer, dance, tumble, stunt performance all to perform at the FCYFA Cheer Bowl.   We are lucky to have a great squad and amazing coaches.  This year resulted in a 5th place win.  Can't wait to do it all again next year!

 Last run through at our playoff game

With our trophy and medal!  Go Wolverines!

 

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

 

31 Days of Fall - Day 23 Halloween Hayride

Since my son was a year old, we have been hosting a Halloween Hayride at our house.  For the past 13 years we have loaded up lots and lots of friends and had a trick or treat extravaganza.  This year was bittersweet, as my son and his friends at 14 decided they were too old for the hayride.  So this year, my daughter had a trailer full of all her very best friends.  While different, it was still a GREAT time.

Part of 31 Days of Fall

31 Days of Fall - Day 22 Soft Almond Sugar Cookies

We LOVE sugar cookies in our house.  We like them with icing and without, with sugar and without.  We like them vanilla flavored and almond flavored.  We like them cut out and rolled.  We like them just about anyway you can think to make them.  I am always trying out new sugar cookie recipes to add to our collections.   This one, a Pinterest find is a real keeper.

Soft Almond Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 c white sugar
2/3 c butter, cold
2/3 c shortening, room temp
2 eggs
2 1/2  t almond extract
1 1/2 c cake flour
1  c all purpose flour
2 t cornstarch
2 t baking powder
1 t salt
colored sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream sugar, shortening and butter.  Add eggs and almond extract.  Combine flours, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.  Add to butter mixture.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll in colored sugar of your choice.  Place on cookie sheet. 

Bake for  4 minutes.  Quickly press each cookie to flatten with the back of a spoon or spatula -- if you don't the cookies will remain in balls, not flat perfect sugar cookies.  Bake 4 more minutes.  Cookies should hold thier shape, but not browned. 

Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack.  Allow to cool completely. 

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 
Ingredient Spotlight

31 Days of Fall - Day 21 Pear Muffins

In all the love pumpkins and apples get in the fall, pears are sometimes left out, which is terribly unfair as pears are such wonderful fruits.  So, to pay homage to the delicious, juicy pear, I sharing a pear muffin recipe I've been making for at least 13 years.

Pear Mini Muffins

2 c all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t allspice
1/2 t salt
1 c buttermilk
1/4 c vegetable oil
1 egg
2/3 c packed brown sugar
1 16 oz can pear slices, drained and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line mini muffin pan with paper liners or spray with cooking spray. 

In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt.

In a large bowl, blend buttermilk, oil, egg and brown sugar.  Add flour mixture top wet ingredients and stir until combined.  Fold in pears.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.  Bake for 18 - 20 minutes until golden.

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 20 Fall Snack Mix

Boo Boo's Girl Scout Troop recently spend the night at Zoo Atlanta.  Wow, what a wonderful experience!  To keep away the late night muchies, we made this Fall Snack Mix for each of the girls and moms. 

Fall Snack Mix


Maple Frosted Mini Wheats
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Cheez-It Crackers
Reese's Pieces
Candy Corn
Pretzel Sticks
Caramel Corn
Mini Oreos
Teddy Grahams
Goldfish

The best part about making a snack mix is you can put in whatever you want.  Then package it up to share with your friends.

 

 To start at the begining of the series - 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 19 Chili wtih Homemade Seasonings

The first cold, fall Sunday in Atlanta is the perfect time for chili.  I created this recipe years ago and it has always been a family favorite.  The original recipe called for a packet of chili seasoning.  In my constant attempt to omit MSG and limit sodium intake for my family, I searched for a "make your own" recipe.  I think I have hit upon a winner.  I plan on including this in my holiday gift baskets.

Chili Seasoning

 
6 t chili powder
1/2 t crushed red pepper
1T dried minced onion
1 T garlic powder
1 t white sugar
3 t ground cumin
2 t dried parsely, crushed
2 t salt
1 t dried basil, crushed
1/4 t ground pepper

In a bowl, crush parsley and basil with back of spoon.  Add all other ingredients.  Stir to mix well.  Store in an airtight container.  Use 6 t per pot of chili.

Jenny's Chili

1 pound ground beef, cooked with chopped onion and garlic
1 16oz. can chopped tomatoes with green peppers and onions
2 16 oz. can tomato sauce
6 t chili seasoning
2 sliced jalapeno peppers
1 16 oz. can light red kidney beans

Put all ingredients in slow cooker.  Stir well.  Cook on Low 8 - 10 hours or on High for 4 -5.

 



31 Days of Fall - Day 18 Pumpkin Patch

Since my children were born, each October, we trek to the pumpkin patch.  It is one of our most honored family traditions.  We have been to small ones, big ones, ones in Georgia and ones in Kentucky.  For us this experience truly defines fall.

 Looking for the perfect pumpkin is most important, as the size, shape and texture will determine just how we decorate them for Halloween.

 

SUCCESS!

 

 

 Not one, but two perfect pumpkins.

 

To start at the beginning --- 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 17 Tailgate Recipes

Fall Saturdays in the South mean lots and lots of football.  It also means plate after plate of great food.  For some tailgating is quite a production.

For us, it usually takes place on our back porch with lots of friends flipping from game to game to game.  No matter where you tailgate, food extremely important.  Here are some of our favorite tailgate recipes.

Olive Cheese Bread

Marinated Cheese and Olives

Hot Corn Dip

To start from the beginning - 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 16 Pinterest Inspiration Recipes

If you are like me, you have an overabundant number of fall recipes pinned on your Pinterest boards, but just in case you don't, here's some inspiration for you.

Apple Pie Breakfast Cereal

Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Pumpkin Pie Cresent Rolls

BBQ Pot Roast over Cheddar Ranch Grits

I hope to try all of these in the next few weeks.  If you try one, let me know what you think.

To start from the series beginning - 31 Days of Fall

31 Days of Fall - Day 15 Pumpkin Granola

I've been making my own granola for a couple of years now and I love it.  It is the perfect quick breakfast served over yogurt.  I've even convinced my 13 year old to try it.  Some of our favorites are Peanut Butter Granola and Vanilla Granola. 

 For the holidays I like to make Pumpkin Granola.  Add dried apples and cranberries when serving for a filling breakfast. 

To start at the beginning of the series - 31 Days of  Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 14 - Corn Maze

This was our first time at a corn maze.  We decided to try out the University of Kentucky National Championship Corn Maze at Devine's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Harrodsburg, KY.

 We had a BLAST!  While it was our first trip, it won't be our last.

If there is a corn maze near you and you have never tried it out, I highly encourage you to put it on your fall to do list!

To start from the beginning - 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 13 - Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing says FALL like homemade soups, with Chicken Noodle being a classic.

This Chicken Noodle Soup recipe adapted from the Food Network Kitchen is perfect.  Served with grilled cheese sandwiches or cornbread or breadsticks it is a perfect meal for a cool fall night.  I like to make this after Thanksgiving with left over turkey. 

To start from the beginning - 31 Days of Fall.

31 Days of Fall - Day 12 Applesauce Cookies with Caramel Frosting

 

Apples and pumpkins just scream fall to me, any recipe including one of these ingredients always catches my attention.  These Applesauce Cookies are no exception.  The best part about this recipe is the ingredients are staples in most pantries.  These soft, spice filled cookies got a thumbs up from everyone.  I think they would make great whoopie pies too -- going to have to try that soon. 

 

Applesauce Cookies with Caramel Frosting

 

2 cups sugar

1 c shortening

2 eggs

2 c applesauce

4 c flour

2 t baking soda

2 t baking powder

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t cloves

1/4 t nutmeg

 

Preheat oven to 357 degrees.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices.  Set aside.

Cream sugar and shortening together until fluffly.

Add eggs and applesauce, mix well.

Add dry ingredients and mix until incorporated.

Drop small spoonfuls (I used the large Pampered Chef cookie scoop) of batter onto parchment covered cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 - 10 minutes.

 

Caramel Frosting

6 T butter

1/2 c heavy cream

1 c packed brown sugar

2 t vanilla

2 c powdered sugar

 

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, cream and sugar.  Cook stirring occasionally until mixture begins to boil.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Let cool, then stir in powdered sugar.  Spread on cooled cookies.

 

I will use more powdered sugar next time, at least 1 cup if not more -- frosting is VERY runny -- more ended up on the parchement than the cookies.

 

To start at the beginning of the series -- 31 Days of Fall.

 



31 Days of Fall - Day 11 Pumpkin Topiary

 

This lovely now adorns our front porch.  Make with 50% off pumpkins from Michaels and supplies from my craft closet, it adds a punch to my outdoor fall decor.  It has been out for about 2 weeks and is hold up well, even through a couple of storms.  I found inspiration at A Little Tipsy and Reinvented. 

 

 

To start from the beginning -- 31 Days of Fall posts.