Puttin Out the Leaves.....

I so love the holidays!!  It all begins with Halloween and then Thanksgiving along with Christmas and New Years!  I know there are others but this time of the year just seems so magical.  It seems that for weeks on end we get to be excited, full of Love and anticipation.  Everyone just seems to step a little livelier and have more Joy in their hearts.  I only wish I knew a better way to hold onto this all year long.

I am one of those people who is always working on one holiday about the time the other one shows up - I am still puttin out the leaves when I should be Christmas shopping and getting ready for the tree.  I think I am just trying to make it all last a little longer and of course I am just always behind and procrastinate.  But that's another story.

I know I am not alone - there are lots of blogs about enjoying the Fall season and then the Holidays.  We all try to grab all that we can from each day because it seems so far away before it comes again. 

Well here is my craft tip for today.  A good friend gave me this one and most may already know about it but here goes.  If you want free use clip art and images for scrapbooking and crafts, just go to Google.com and enter the subject.  For the one above I just entered thanksgiving images and tons popped up.  The click on the one you like and then left click to save as an image file.  There are so many uses for these and they are beautiful.  Just another way to Savor the Season!

Black Bean Chili.........

Oh Yeah - it is Chili time again!  In our family we usually try to wait until around Halloween to start making our Chili - it is such a super comfort food especially on a chili  day....heheh.  Today I have a pot of Black Bean Chili simmering on the stove and I just love the aroma!  While I have made lots of veggie chili - this is my first attempt using Black Beans.  My Step-Father was Cuban, so I have eaten lots of black beans and I absolutely LOVE them all kinds of ways!  And.....they are good for you - bonus!


For me there are few things I enjoy as much as a simmering pot on the stove, a clean kitchen and the hum of the washer and dish washer while I cook.  I know this sounds a little crazy but I love it - maybe because I haven't always been able to do this kind of thing.  Even better is the aroma wafting through the house.  Doesn't get any better.  Okay so I am getting carried away.  Below is the recipe - go make yourself some happy - as the hubby would say it's Heartwarming!

Black Bean Chili
1 bag of dried black beans
1 chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup chopped carrots
1 medium can tomato paste
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
6-8 cups of water
Beef bullion or broth
Olive oil
Butter
Thyme
Basil
Bay Leaves

Add your beans to a stew pot and cover with water and a lid and let sit on stove over night.  This helps to soften then.  Saute carrots, onions and garlic in butter and olive oil until soft - about 5 minutes.  Add rinsed beans and water along with seasonings to taste and beef bullion.  Simmer this mixture until beans are soft - mine normally take a couple of hours.  Then add tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot and stir well - a wisk will help break up and disolve the tomato paste.  I also added a can of big red kidney beans to mine to bulk it up a bit.  If you would like you can add corn or other veggies at this point and cook for another hour or so.  All chili is usually better the next day so I make mine ahead of time.  Top with grated cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, chives and serve along with corn bread and crackers.  YUM!!!

Perfectly Pumpkin........

Okay - so I am not a master baker but I sure do love to make things sweet and delicious and if they are easy, all the better.  My hubby brought home a box of this magical potion this week and I have been brainstorming on how I could make something (other than cookies) with this mix.  Well if you look at the bottom of the back of the box there is a great recipe and I tweaked it just a bit.  Turns out it works great and this same idea could be done lots of different ways to please your family's taste.  Oh and even better - they will make your house smell deliciously FALL!!!  Gotta love that!  So here goes.

Pumpkin Praline Toffee Bars
1 (17.5 oz) Pillsbury Perfectly Pumpkin Cookie Mix
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter melted
1 large Egg
1/3 cup dark corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 3/4 cup of toffee chips
Heat oven to 350 and spray an 8 X 8 inch baking pan with cooking/baking spray.  (The instructions on the box stated that the pan should be lined with foil - I chose not to do that)
Stir Cookie mix and 1/2 cup melted butter in a medium bowl until well mixed.  Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Whisk egg, corn syrup and 2 tablespoons of melted butter together with vanilla.  Stir in toffee chips - you could substitute pecans or other nuts here - until well blended.  Spread mixture over baked layer.
Bake 23 to 25 minutes until topping is set and golden brown.  Depending on your oven this may take a little longer - mine did.  Cool for 15 minutes and serve with whipped cream.  YUM!

Here is how mine turned out.......if you want to go crazy, you can add a can of cream cheese icing to the top and serve with whipped cream.  So delicious!!

Ah--- Awsome Fall......

I know I have said it many times before but I just absolutely, head over heals, no holds bared LOVE Fall!!!  Only problem is it goes by way too quickly and gets all caught up in thinking ahead till Christmas and I look back and don't remember enjoying it the way I would love to.

So - I am taking the advice of one of my favorite bloggers, The Inspired Room, and challenging myself to write something about Fall everyday in the month of October - okay - so I am starting early but I am excited.

Another favorite thing in Fall is all of the beautiful art that is out there to help us get in the mood - the little guy to the left is a perfect example.  He just makes me happy and smile every time I look at him and he was created by one of my favorite artists - Primsy Doodle Designs.  She has the most wonderful whimsical designs for every event and season and I so love the colors.  There are several links for her sites scattered on the blog - check her out and you will be inspired.

When I see Fall art, and crafts, they inspire me to do - to act and get involved.  I hope  you are inspired to do the same and enjoy this absolutely wonderful season!!!  For those of us in the hot South - this is also a respite from the extremely hot weather we have over the Summer and the disappearance of the humidity.  Better hair days - long walks, great food and more......join me in challenging ourselves to live in the moment and enjoy this Fall.....