FALL IS IN THE AIR

It was another rainy day in a usually sunny Arizona. There is something about a fresh downpour that brings out the smells and colors brighter and better than ever before. When the weather gets gloomy it gives me an excuse to be okay with sitting inside and cuddling up to a good movie! Lately, the AZ temperatures have been getting a bit cooler and I know that means fall is coming! As each season changes it means new recipes, home décor, and candle smells. I fear that with October rapidly approaching Macys will decide to bring out their Christmas decorations another month earlier than the last. For now, I am happy to live in the moment of fall! Lucky us!

recipe and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"

Apple Cider Recipe

In a teapot combine 5 cups apple cider, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 apple sliced, 1/2 cup orange juice

 

recipe and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"

Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

Ingredients: 1/4 cup fine chopped onions, 1 small chopped red bell pepper, 3 cloves minced fresh garlic, 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup arborio rice, 3 cups (vegetable or chicken stock), 1/2 cup red or white wine, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 1 cup pumpkin puree, salt and pepper to taste, chopped scallions for garnish

 

In a pot heat the oil and sauté onions, bell pepper, and garlic until onion begins to soften. Add rice and heat until it becomes translucent. In another pot heat the stock and wine over low heat. Begin adding 1 cup of wine/stock mixture to rice. Continue to stir so rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Once the wine/stock mixture starts to absorb continue adding more to the rice. Continue doing so until rice is fully cooked. (If you run out of wine/stock mixture before rice is fully cooked, add a little water. You may not need all the wine/stock mixture if rice cooks before it is used-discard the remaining). Once rice is fully cooked add pumpkin puree and parmesan cheese. Walla! Serve hot with scallions on top.   

 

instructions and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"

Autumn Floral Wreath

Supplies: 12 inch foam wreath form, glue gun, glue sticks, 3 bunches of silk flowers in warm tones, 6 feet of 2 inch wide ribbon in a matching color.

Instructions:

1. Pull all the blooms from their stems and cut off the little plastic stem piece on the back of each flower.

2. Tightly wrap your wreath form with ribbon. Use hot glue to adhere the ends to the foam.

3. Use a generous amount of hot glue to adhere each flower. The more you use now, the less likely you are to have to re-glue flowers later!

4. Glue the blooms in bunches (starting with the largest flowers) and then fill in the gaps with more blooms. This makes it easy to space out larger blooms.

5. Last, fill in any gaps with smaller blooms. That's it! This is a 30 minute craft. Have fun! 

 

recipe and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"

Accordion Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic

Needed: potatoes (about 10 small), 1/2 cup butter, 1 tablespoon oil, 2 tespoons minced rosemary leaves, 1 tablespoon minced garlic.

Directions: Wash potatoes and cut 3/4 through in accordion style. Place potates on cookie sheet. In microwave safe bowl combine butter, oil, rosemary, and garlic. Cook just until melted. Use kitchen brush to coat each potato (make sure butter gets between each slice). Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes. They should be done on the inside and crispy on the edges. Brush with another layer of butter and serve with sour cream, chopped green onions, lemons, and/or cheese.

 

That's all folks! To see more ideas and recipes go to A Beautiful Mess

 

Love to all,

Mandy