Witches...Witches...Witches everywhere..tis the feeling of Halloween in the air! I absolutely love October. It is my favorite month of the whole year. Last weekend we loaded up the motorhome and went to Sundance, Utah. You know the Robert Redford resort. It's about a half hour from my home...up the canyon. The leaves were amazing! The kids watched a ton of scary movies, which is fun to do outside in the woods.
Counting Pumpkins
As for me I finally finished my Counting Pumpkins stitch. "She counted her pumpkins and whistled a tune on an October night when she rode on the moon." I just this little witch and the whimsical bats and pumpkins. It is made using tea-dyed muslin and rich colored wools. I use fabric glue to adhere the wool pieces and then whip stitch the edges to the muslin. So it was the perfect thing to do while chilling out in the mountains. You can find the pattern in the Fall Patterns section and the frame in Specialty Frames. So if you love pumpkins, witches and bats as much as me, you'll love this project.
One of our favorite things to do in October is to visit Gardner Village to see the witches. Hundreds of visitors and witches converge on the village to practice their best cackles and sweetest potions.
Ever Feel Like This?
Singing For Candy Apples
How Witches Fish...
Little Warlocks
Before I leave for the week I wanted to pass on the best fall recipe I have had in many a full moons. I made Vanilla Pear Brad Pudding with Brunt Carmel Sauce. Soooo Yum!!! It was super easy and so delish...you have to try it before the fresh pears are gone.
Vanilla Pear Bread Pudding
10 Pears
2 Loaves of Fresh Texas Bread or Brioche
2 Cups of Milk
2 Cups Heavy Cream
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
A Pinch Of Salt
I Pear Thinly Sliced for Garnish
Burnt Carmel Sauce
Fresh Cream
Quarter and core the pears. Slice into thin slices lengthwise. Lightly spray a deep dish casserole or souffle dish with butter flavored non-stick spray. Arrange half the pears on the bottom of the pan. Cut the crust off the bread and arrange some bread slices over pear slices. Layer the rest of the pear slices on bread and sprinkle a half cup of brown sugar over top of the pears. Then another layer of bread. It is best to overlap bread slices a little.
In a medium bowl or mixer whick milk, cream, eggs, 1cup of brown sugar, and salt. Pour over bread slices. Cover with tin foil and bake at 325 degrees for an hour and fifteen minutes. Let cool while you make the carmel sauce. Serve with a slice of fresh pear garnish and squiggle lines of carmel sauce and a dollop of fresh cream.
Burnt Carmel Sauce
1 1/2 Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup
2/3 Cups Heavy Cream
1/4 Cup Butter
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat till it just starts to brown. Turn down heat and slowly boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Let cool.
I hope you have a fun week doing whatever it is that makes you smile and enjoy life a little. Take a walk...read a good juicy book...and enjoy the cool days and bright colors. Fall is truly a gift for us all.
