Fall Has Arrived-Tablescape Thursday-Giveaway

     It is finally looking a bit like fall in Illinois. The leaves are starting to turn, the morning air has that crisp, fresh smell and the nights are cool and beautiful. This is my favorite time of year. The inspiration for my table was the sparkly acorn from an area gift shop. It was a treat from my dad when he was here.

     I liked the idea of pairing it with the rustic twig pumpkins. The colorful leaves are actually a placemat that I bought at Kohl's.

     The bronze candlesticks have been around my house for many years. I used some bronze and gold garland to add a little more glitz to the table. It is actually Christmas garland from Crate and Barrel, but is perfect for this time of year.

     The set of 3 votives in shades of bronze, rust and chocolate are from Jeffrey Alan's. If you look closely you can see that they have a little rhinestone bling on them.

     I used my pumpkin salad plates (HomeGoods) and my deep green dinner plates (Wal-Mart). Both were purchased for my first tablescape adventure last October.

     The placemats and napkins are a textured cream color. For napkin rings I used strips of fall scrapbooking paper, simply glued into a circle with a glue gun.

The flatware is Rogers Bros. Enchanted Rose silverplate (Ebay).

Acorn salt and pepper shakers seem to work well with this table.

I selected these vintage wine glasses because

of the wheat pattern on them. I don't

know the pattern, I've had these for many years.

Of course we have to see the table by candlelight.

     I mentioned using the plates on my first blogging tablescape. I decided to go back and show you what that table looked like. I remember thinking it was pretty...but now, I just want to throw that tablecloth away. It was one that had been at my house for many years. This should give hope to all of you who are just starting to "play with your dishes"! It does get easier  the more you do it! Ugh...I really don't like the way this first one looks!

Don't forget you still have time

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I am linking today to Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Please take some time to visit her beautiful blog.

Miracle In Chile

     I find myself unable to think of anything else today, as one by one the trapped miners in Chile are being rescued. I turned the television off last night after the 4th miner was on the surface, but I kept waking up and turning it back on to make sure nothing had gone wrong. As I type this, the 11th miner has been reunited with his family.

     I can't imagine what it must have been like for these men. The first 17 days with little food and no idea if they would ever be found, the remaining days in a small space, temperatures like that of a sauna and only their faith to keep them hopeful of a rescue.

     There is so much bad news in the world. Seeing so many nations work together to save these men is a miracle in itself. The fact that we have the technology to go a half mile into the earth and bring up these men, another miracle. The rescue workers who unselfishly volunteered to go down into the hole, leaving safety to save others are heroes. There are many more men to bring to the surface. I feel as if the world held their collective breath when they brought up the first miner and won't exhale until the last has climbed out of the capsule. Isn't it wonderful to see something on the news that is positive, hopeful and makes your heart sing?

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies...So Good!

     I've been asked to post my Peanut Butter Cup Brownie recipe and I decided not to wait until Friday to do so. This is one of my most requested recipes, it is always a success. I assure you, you can't go wrong with this one.

There is obviously a little chocolate in these brownies!

     Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 inch square baking pan with foil, letting the ends extend over two sides (see above). Coat the foil with nonstick spray.

Ingredients:

Brownies

1 stick butter

5 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter (I use chunky)

3 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup all purpose flour

about 15-20 small Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (cut in half)

Glaze

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 T. butter

1 1/2 tsp. corn syrup

Garnish

small Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (cut in half)

3/4 cup M & M's (I use the seasonal ones for whatever season it is)

Melt butter and chocolate in the microwave stirring often. Do this in about 15 second intervals until the chocolate melts. Remove from heat. Add sugar, peanut butter, eggs and vanilla; stir with a whisk until blended. Add flour; stir until smooth. Spread half the batter in the pan (right into the foil). Sprinkle the 15-20 peanut butter cups cut in half over the batter and cover with remaining batter. Bake 25 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out with moist crumbs. Do not overbake! Cool in pan on a wire rack. When cool, make the glaze. Melt chips and butter in the microwave. Stir in corn syrup until blended. Cool just until it is no longer hot but is still spreadable. Spread over cooled brownies and top with remaining peanut butter cup halves and M & M's. Refrigerate 15 minutes until Glaze sets. To serve-lift foil by ends onto a cutting board. Cut into 36 squares. I keep these refrigerated until a little while before serving. They are best served at room temperature. Enjoy!

Melted Chocolate, peanut butter and sugar...mmm!

The first half of the batter in the pan, top with

peanut butter cups...then remaining batter.

The finished brownies before they are cut.

I will be linking this to Michael @ Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday

Click Here to Sign Up for a $55 CSN GIVEAWAY!

Weekend At "I Need Mom"

     I took a blogging break over the weekend. It wasn't intentional, I just couldn't fit it in with my real life. Saturday night I had a small dinner party. It was a relaxed, fun evening with friends. Our Illinois weather was perfect for drinks on the deck before dinner, I managed to get all the food on the table without burning anything and I think we all really enjoyed just having time to spend together. I will post a few recipes later in the week.

The Menu

Cheese Board

Crab Bites

Swiss and Bacon Toasts

Baby Greens with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts

Baked Potato Bar

Roasted Pork Loin

Fresh Green Beans

Rolls

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Caramel Apple Cobbler Cake with Ice Cream

I also wanted to share a very simple project that was completed this week. Using an inexpensive Wal-Mart lamp, white spray paint, brown stain and beaded trim...my lamp went from the above look to...

...something that matched my desk redo much better. The beaded trim actually has an aqua bead in it to go with the knobs on the desk. It is trim that has a sticky side and you are supposed to be able to just apply it by peeling off the backing. I did that and it looked great, for about an hour and then it all fell off. I used a glue gun to attach it the second time.

I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday and Mary @  Little Red House for Mosiac Monday today. Please take a moment to visit our wonderful hostesses.

Don't forget to sign up for my

GIVEAWAY!

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Pumpkin Pie Snack Mix-Foodie Friday

   
     This is another one of those recipes I jotted down while sitting at the hospital with my niece. I don't know what magazine it came from. If someone knows, I'll add the credit to the recipe. It is an easy, slightly sweet twist on what we call "Party Mix" around here.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 T. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal (I couldn't find this and used Corn Chex instead)
8 oz. pecans

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Melt the butter and add the vanilla. Mix all three cereals together with nuts, pour butter/vanilla over and sprinkle on sugar/spice mixture. Toss gently. Microwave about 4-5 minutes, spread on cookie sheet to cool.

Note: I have a powerful microwave. I set it for 5 minutes and I had a few burned pieces. I would try 4 minutes but watch it closely. It isn't good burned!

I'm joining Michael @ Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.

It is the best place in all of Blogland

if you are looking for wonderful recipes!