Two Ingredient Pumpkin Muffin Bites

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!  Do you ever have a weekend where you just putter around, doing a little of this and a little of that?  This was my weekend! I worked out in the yard for … Continue reading →

Related posts:

1. Overnight Pumpkin Cheesecake French Toast and a Dessert Mash-ups Cookbook GIVEAWAY
2. Chocolate Muffins {using a cake mix}
3. Butterfinger and Caramel Bites!

Make The Most Of Fall With These Outdoor Projects

As we all try and check things off our outdoor maintenance list for this fall, I thought I’d throw a few new ideas onto the table to complement your efforts in fall landscaping, gardening, and lawn care.

Make a permanent place for your firewood

If you have a wooded backyard, you can likely relate to the constant upkeep involved with pruning branches and clearing fallen limbs. This outdoor firewood storage unit is the firewood management solution that I wish I had built 5 years ago. Its 3-sided construct is made from a single fence panel, and it sits atop two reused pallets. The top, a heavy-duty corrugated roof that matches my modern doghouse, is durable and will help keep the wood sheltered so that green branches can completely dry.

Plan for to your spring herb garden

If you’re cleaning up tree trunks this fall, keep in mind this easy upcycle: a log herb planter. Carve it out now, give it all winter to dry in a shed or garage, and it will be ready to plant within next spring.

Update your curb appeal

Any change in seasons is the perfect reason to update your outdoor decor. This year, I rid our entryway of a ragged out woven doormat and created a beautiful, cedar all-season doormat. It’ll serve us well this fall, and transition perfectly into the snowy winter months.

Make an easy update to your home with new house numbers. These numbers were cut from cement board which is extremely durable for outdoor decorating purposes, and also gives you the flexibility to create house numbers in any font and size that you wish.

Organize your outdoor accessories

Just like you swap the sandals for the sweaters in your closet, take a day to organize your shed. Move the winter accessories like the snowblower, shovels, and roof rake to the front, and the lawn and garden equipment to the back. Bonus points if you make extra floor space in your garage by getting your bicycles and children’s toys onto the wall.

Think energy efficiency

Take this as an opportunity to learn how to install solar panels. Fewer leaves on the trees may mean more sunlight on the roof of your house, garage, or shed. Do research to learn more about how fast you can recoup your investment in energy savings, and check with your local electric company too – in some areas, if you generate more solar energy than you use, you may be eligible to sell your overage for cash!

Looking ahead? Here are 5 projects to plan for next Spring:

• Boost your curb appeal in a weekend
• Don’t let stereotypes scare you, bats are extremely helpful creatures that help control the bug population, so why not build them a safe cedar bat house? Fewer bugs will translate to a more comfortable backyard, and fewer pests to disturb your garden can help to yield healthier plants and better crops. If you live in a warmer climate, you may be lucky enough to see bats roosting immediately. In colder regions, expect to be host to a new family come springtime.
  

• Plan for new transplants (and if you want to get a jump start now, Fall is one of the best times of year to transplant!)
• Springtime lawn and garden maintenance

Get the Look: Modern + Classic Thanksgiving Style

Earlier this week, I shared my dining room tablescape for the Bloggers Stylin Home Tours: Thanksgiving Edition. I love how airy our vintage table, a craigslist find looked all dressed with candles, flowers and desert for Thanksgiving. I tend to lean on the more modern less is more approach when setting a table, today I'm sharing my sources to achieve the same look. Plus you'll never guess what items came from the Dollar Tree store that added touch of modern glam on my table.

1. Candle Holders: Tea Light Holders Similar Style Sliver Cut Tea Light, Elsa Tealight Holder small, Mona Tealight Holder small & medium
2. Dinnerware: Bowls Color Glaze Prep Bowls, Champagne Glasses Similar Style Camille Champagne Coupe Glasses. Gold Rim Dinner Plates Dollar Tree Store
3. Glass Vase: Lucita Vase, Vase on Bar Cart Clear Crackled Vase
4. Bar Cart: Eliza Bar Cart
5. Set the Table: Napkins Metallic Star Napkins. Napkin Rings Aria Brass Napkin Rings

When it comes to shopping for my home especially for dinner parties, I shop everywhere from Crate and Barrel to the Dollar Tree store, to get the most bang for my buck. I like to mix items we already have with few new finds to make our table shine a little more. My happiest find is buying a set of four white gold rimmed plates from the Dollar Tree. The gold rimmed plates added the touch of glam I was after. I also love stocking up on tealights from the Dollar Tree store and Target. I purchased the flowers on my dining room table and bar cart from our local market along with fresh greenery for around $20 bucks. I hope you have fun creating your own Thanksgiving table in a few weeks and remember to shop your home first!

Homemade Buttermilk Doughnuts for National Doughnut Day

Celebrate National Doughnut Day with fresh buttermilk doughnuts.

I love using “National Days” as an excuse for decadence. November 5th is a good one as we celebrate National Doughnut Day. But wait a second. Wasn’t National Donut Day back in June? I seem to remember Ellen making some super cool cactus donuts to celebrate. It’s true. National Donut Day is the first Friday in June to commemorate Salvation Army workers feeding the popular baked good to World War I soldiers (which spawned the nickname “doughboys” for infantrymen). November 5th is National Doughnut Day, which is a celebration of the tasty treat itself. Jelly donuts have a day of their own (June 8) and cream-filled are celebrated September 14. It’s possible I’m not the only one looking for an excuse to make doughnuts.

Use a doughnut cutter or biscuit cutters of two different sizes to create the familiar shape.

November is a pretty great time to celebrate the doughnut. Cool weather means I’m happy to spend time in a hot kitchen and warm, fresh doughnuts lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg are perfect for the season.

Deep fried in oil, doughnuts take about 2 minutes to cook.

This recipe for buttermilk doughnuts takes less than 45 minutes to prepare. Crisp on the outside, soft inside and delicious though and through, it’s a surprisingly easy recipe you’d be tempted to make more often if it wasn’t, you know, deep fried dough rolled in sugar. Did I mention an excuse for decadence? Besides, National Pizza with Everything Except Anchovies Day isn’t until next week. I’m not even kidding about that.

Don’t forget the doughnut holes!

Buttermilk Doughnuts

Yield: About 18 doughnuts (plus holes)

• Vegetable or peanut oil for frying
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons cinnamon

Pour peanut or vegetable oil in a deep, heavy skillet to a depth of about an inch and heat on medium-high to a temperature of 370 degrees while preparing dough.

Whisk buttermilk, egg, sugar and butter together in mixer.

Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt and nutmeg and mix until a soft, sticky dough comes together.

Place dough on a floured work surface, flip over and roll to a thickness of about ½”

Use a doughnut cutter or a 3 inch biscuit cutter and 1 inch biscuit cutter to stamp doughnuts (save the holes).

Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar and cinnamon  together in a bowl.

Fry doughnuts a few at a time for 60-90 seconds, use tongs to flip and fry for another minute until golden brown (doughnuts will expand while cooking, so take care to avoid overcrowding).

Using tongs, remove doughnuts from oil, roll in sugar/cinnamon to coat and place on paper towels on top of wire racks to cool.

Bonus: Fry doughnut holes for about a minute on each side, toss in sugar/cinnamon and cool.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

7 Fall Throw Must-Haves

This time of year, I love being wrapped up in throws, I have an ever growing collection. I also love using throws as a decorative accessories to dress my sofa, add the perfect combination of cozy + color. Throws also look amazing on beds, and chairs. Today I'm sharing a roundup of 7 Fall Throw Must-Haves for your home guaranteed to add texture, up the cozy factor, and add color.

No 1. Moroccan Wedding Throw Blankets are so pretty and add mix of texture and a bit of glam. They can be used on your sofa or bed. Etsy, is a good place to start in searching for a pretty Moroccan throw, Jennifer from the Chronicles of Home, shares pretty DIY Moroccan Throw version on her blog.

image via Harpers Bazaar

No. 2 Faux Fur Throw. My favorite cozy addition for fall, is the faux fur throw. They feels so luxe and honesty look pretty year round. West Elm, has a huge selection of pretty faux fur throws, all on sale right now [ I just bought a second faux throw over the weekend ] World Market also has a fantastic selection of fur throws, I got one from them too, a few years ago.

image via Interiors By Studio M

No. 3 Herring Bone Throws. These throws are classic and dress up your sofa in minutes, for a luxe version visit Serena and Lily, and for an affordable option Target Threshold line, sells a twin version that's a steal, under $25 bucks!

via serena and lily

No. 4 Kantha Throw. I love Kantha throws, and they are on my Santa Baby Wish list, they originate from the Eastern States on India and are made from saris layered and hand stitched together. They are colorful and so pretty and can add the perfect amount of pop to any room. For a pretty authentic version, start your search on Etsy or visit a local flea market for unique finds.

via At Home In Love

No. 5 Hand Knit Throw. I love hand knit throws, they are soft and add so much watch and texture in a room and of course perfect for fall. One of my favorite knit throw is from Etsy store Camp Kitschy Knit, they have a beautiful selection of handmade cable knit throws.

image via Decor8

No. 6 Buffalo Check Throw. Buffalo check is having a major style moment, and is popping up everywhere. To me Buffalo check is classic and a must for cool fall days. Hands down, I think vintage ones are the prettiest, so perfect to cuddle and perfect for picnics, search Etsy & Ebay for vintage ones.

via My Domaine

No. 7 Black & White Throw. A black & white throw is a timeless classic and looks good pretty much anywhere: kids bedrooms. living rooms, bedrooms and offices. Ikeas EIVOR throw is a staple and looks very very high end compared to its price, win win!

image via Buzzfeed

All this talk of cozy throws, makes me want to make a latte and wrap up in one. What styles are your favorite throws for fall?

Pecan Pumpkin Roll Recipe

Hey there Shabby Creek Cottage readers, it’s Laura from Inspiration for Moms. It’s fall and I couldn’t be happier! I’ve been driving around town soaking up all the beautiful colors. For some reason, my car keeps ending up at Trader Joe’s. I think it’s because of all the mini white pumpkins I can’t stop buying. […]

The post Pecan Pumpkin Roll Recipe appeared first on The Shabby Creek Cottage.

Pumpkin-Free Fall Decorating

Fall decorating is typically dominated with pumpkins and, more recently, an explosion of decorative gourds. They’re festive and absolutely evoke the essence  of autumn, but as the Halloween portion of fall draws to a close, I find myself ready to clear the slate and decorate for autumn in the absence of pumpkins. I’m on orange overload, and it’s time to get creative with some of fall’s other favorite elements.

Firewood
There’s nothing for autumnal than sipping hot cider by a crackling fire. Send that subliminal message by stacking some firewood near the hearth and your house will feel cozy and ready for cooler evenings and mugs of hot chocolate.

Image via HGTV

Looking for more subliminal fall decorating ideas? Take a peek at this article by Houzz.

Incorporate Warm Metallics
Copper is a perfect element for autumn decorating, since it’s both warm and rich. Copper candle holders add a cozy glow.

Image via HGTV

Not into copper? Gold is another perfect-for-fall metallic. Check out this article on Apartment Therapy for great ideas on how to incorporate gold into fall decorating. 

Nature’s Bounty: Leaves
In most parts of the country, autumn means brightly colored falling leaves. Scoop up a handful (or go snag some fake ones from a craft store!) and incorporate them into your outdoor decorating using a little burlap. Find the tutorial here.

Looking to bring the leaves indoors? How about a gorgeous suspended leaf chandelier? Tutorial here.

Luxe Rustic
I love the juxtaposition of rustic elements with luxe materials or textures. Acorns and pinecones are a quintessential part of autumn, so why not dress them up a little? Adding rich metallics to rougher, more natural decorations is the perfect blend. Make your own luxe rustic door wreath here.

Color Crush: Rust
Call it orange’s more sophisticated sister, rust is a great color to use in autumn decorating. And since it doesn’t scream Halloween the way orange does, you can use it all the way through to winter. The quilt and throw pillows shown here add the perfect touch of rust to an otherwise neutral room.

Image via HGTV

Cozy, Knitted Throws
Once the temperatures drop, an easy way to add an autumnal element to any room is to add soft, cozy throws for snuggling up.

Image via HGTV

Rich, textured textiles
Fall is a great time to bring back the heavier, richer textiles that seemed a little too much for summer. Add in darker colors, heavier fabrics, and more solid patterns.

Image via HGTV

For those who prefer to buy, and not DIY:
This article on Bustle has great links to pumpkin-free fall decorating elements that can all be purchased.