November Stamp of the Month

Tis the Season! So much going on. I'm the Chair for an On-line Auction for Autism Dog Services. That involved a lot of computer time so I didn't feel too much like blogging lately. Then I realized that it was the end of the month again. How does that happen? I'm so close to completing my yearly challenge, I just had to do a card this aft. It helped that it was my favourite Birdbrain and he was pretty quick to colour.
Here's the image from this month at From the Heart Stamps...

And here's my card using the Sweet Sunday Sketch 297...

And here's the Sketch that I used..

It's not a great photo but it was already dark by the time I finished and I was a bit pressed for time as you know. I did stamp a nice Christmas sentiment inside the card but the gloss on my Birdbrain was still wet so I didn't want to risk it. Note to self. Do not leave challenge until the last day of the month.

Fall in Bloom

Well, my words from the last post are coming back to haunt me. As much as I love trees, I kind of forgot about the fall raking. Oh well, it was a beautiful day to spend a couple hours outside and I'm lucky that my area still has curbside pickup so even though hauling tarpfuls of wet leaves is a bit of work, it's way easier then bagging them.
I find it hard to throw out my fuschias as they are still looking decent and blooming. I can hardly believe they have escaped the frost and negligence of non-watering. They like the cool temperatures and so do I.

My friends enjoyed an afternoon in the fresh air as well and a little ball retrieving.

Fall Colours

It took me over 4 years to get a tree replaced on my boulevard. First the dead tree was cut down, the stump remained for ages, it was pulled out, a weak dying specimen of a tree was planted which promptly died the following spring as anticipated. Finally after several years of calling and hounding; a good specimen of a Red Oak was planted. Not the Red Maple that I requested but after all that time, I was just happy to have a tree.

I think this photo was taken in the Fall a couple seasons ago. This year I was happy to see for the first time, the beautiful colours of my Oak tree and how much it has grown.

Several of the trees in my neighbourhood have died recently. Trees don't live forever either! So I'm on a mission again to get them replaced to enhance the beauty of the street and provide oxygen, cooling and habitat for all the squirrels that keep my dogs entertained. Wish me luck!

From the Heart October Stamp of the Month

Yikes. I was cutting this one close. Only a few hours to get it completed and posted but I made it and I'm happy to say, this makes 10 in a row. I absolutely love this Cornucopia image from From the Heart Stamps but I was a little late getting going this month and missed the Canadian Thanksgiving so I wasn't quite as inspired to finish the card. But I love a challenge and this was a super cute image. Here it is....

And here's my card....

I wanted to use those little leaf diecuts in the worst way and must have cut out about 50 in various shapes and sizes before I just went with it.

And in other breaking news, Lindor is featured as Pet of the Week in the Kitchener Record today. I sent in her photo a year ago and was pretty sure she would get picked A. because she's adorable and B. because its Trick or Treat tonight and she makes a pretty cute cowgirl.

Happy HOWLowe'en!

Pumpkin Muffins

I have the strongest feeling that I have posted this recipe before but I can't find it on the blog and I made them again last night and they were yummy so I am going to share. They are also pretty lowfat which is a bonus. The recipe usually calls to make 12 but I usually go with 9 or 10 cuz I like a good-sized muffin, if you know what I mean!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla

Stir together dry ingredients, stir together moist ingredients. Pour moist over dry and stir unti
just barely mixed. Spoon into prepared cups and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
Bake at 375F for18 to 20 minutes.

Optimists Fundraiser

I went to a great Fundraiser Crop yesterday put on by the Kitchener West Optimists. Krista did a great job with many games and prizes and vendors. I was too busy working on my cards to take many pictures but I did remember to take a couple of the cute goodie bags that we got when I got home.
I hope they raised a lot of money for children in our community. It was a fun day. Perfect place to be with the dreary, rainy weather.

This was the cute little make and take that the Stampin' Up vendor did for the entire group...

and her take away treat bag..

Pumpkin Pie

So the Thanksgiving festivities are over for another year, but there is still the clean-up to contend with. Shouldn't be too bad and its another beautiful Fall day so I don't want to waste it all indoors.

I tried to get a photo of the pies before I put them out and I want to post the recipe, mostly for myself and I'll tell you why. I like to use the recipe off the back of the E.D. Smith  Pure Pumpkin but sometimes I like to buy the no name pumpkin because I'm cheap like that and they don't have a recipe. Sure I could look one up, but I'm a bit of a traditionalist and have been making this same recipe for years and its delicious. Creamy and just the right amount of spices. In fact, I could use a piece right now (but maybe I'll wait for lunchtime)
So this recipe is for me for next Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Pie
(makes one pie)

2 eggs
1/2 can of 796 mL Pure Pumpkin
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
3/4 cup (175 mL) evaporated milk
1 unbaked pie shell

Beat eggs in bowl. Add other ingredients and then add evaporated milk.
Pour filling into pie shell. Bake at 425F for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350F and continue baking
for 30 to 35 minutes until knife inserted in centre comes out clean. (see above photo with knife mark visible)

I usually use the whole can and double the rest of the ingredients to make 2 pies or freeze the leftover pumpkin in spoonfuls for the dogs for when their tummies are upset.