... pure BLISS - - in a cupcake!

Easy-Peasy Caramel Sauce:
12 T. butter
1 1/2 c. packed dark brown sugar
3/4 c. light brown sugar
3x/4 c. whole milk (do not substitute)

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sugars together, stir in milk and bring to a boil for 3 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool.

Scrumptious Cupcakes:
1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
12 T butter, room temp
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 t. vanilla
3/4 c. whole milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tins.
In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. 
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar over medium speed for 3 minutes.
Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating until combined.
Add flour and milk, beating on low speed, until just combined - scraping sides of bowl when necessary.
Fill each liner about 3/4 full.
Bake for approx. 20 minutes
Transfer to wire rack and cool.

Delish Caramel Buttercream:
 3/4 c. caramel sauce, completely cooled
3-4 c. powdered sugar, depending upon taste/preference
3 T butter, room temp.
1/2 c. shortening (Crisco)
2 T. milk
Course Sea Salt for topping

Combine powdered sugar, caramel sauce, butter and milk in mixing bowl.  Add approx. 2 c. powdered sugar (1/2 c. at a time) beating slowly and then add the shortening.  Add remaining powdered sugar (1/2 c. at a time), depending on your preference of sweetness.

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Once cupcakes are cooled, pipe buttercream onto cupcakes, drizzle with the caramel sauce and sprinkle the course sea salt on top.  Now ... go get yourself a cup of coffee, curl up and get comfy, because your world is about to fall away in one bite!  Forget Calgone!  This trip is much better :)

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I made these cupcakes for my hubby's birthday ... he is a fanatic caramel lover!  And, let me tell you ... these are now the requested cupcake for all birthdays - - why?  Because they are INSANELY GOOD! 

I searched and poured over the Internet to find this recipe and was lucky to find it here!  I made a couple tweaks to the buttercream recipe, as I wanted a lighter and stiffer frosting to pipe.  Also, I did not poke holes into the cupcakes and soak in the caramel sauce - - I tried it with one, and it was my opinion that the cupcake seemed too wet.  Trust me ... there is a TON of flavor here and the cupcakes really do not need the extra sauce, as they are moist, crumbly and a knockout!

Note that you will have a good bit of caramel sauce left over.  It's like the gift that keeps on giving :)  Pour it over ice cream (which by the way ... Land O' Lakes makes the BEST Vanilla - it's like custard and only has 3.5 grams of fat in 1/2 cup!!) ... or dip apples for a semi-healthy after-school snack. 

I ended up using most of the remaining sauce as a base for little apple tarts this Halloween.  I peeled and diced up about 4-5 Granny Smith's and cooked them in the sauce.  I then cut out circles of pie crust ... dolloped some caramel apples in the center and topped with another circle.  Make sure to press a fork around the edges to seal.  I brushed egg whites over top and baked at 350 until the crust became golden brown.  Sprinkled with course sugar.

“The measuring and mixing always smoothed out her thinking processes - nothing was as calming as creaming butter - and when the kitchen was warm from the oven overheating and the smell of baking chocolate, she took final stock of where she'd been and where she was going. Everything was fine.”

― Jennifer Crusie, Maybe This Time  

... leaves of fall - pins on fabric ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mind wanders so much during this season ... its as if I'm on stimulus overload.  The changing leaves, the painted skies ... the textured grounds ... the cooler air - - all call to me in soothing waves of inspiration.

My hands are busy with the preparation of a special wall hanging. 


A few weeks ago, I had the loveliest day meeting and creating with a group of the sweetest ladies at a nearby retirement home.

They captured their favorites of autumn on canvas squares using acrylics.  I have taken their beautiful paintings and have been creating a collective wall hanging to feature their work.

 

I'm hoping to have it all together today ... it's been a LOT of blanket stitches!  But, I am anxious to finish and send it on over to their home for display :)

Happy Wednesday!

Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,

The days pass quickly when I am sewing.

~Author Unknown

... comfort food ...

Doesn't that picture just make you want to toss on a cozy sweater, take a stroll through the fallen leaves and head home to cook up something warm and comforting?

I give you a homemade macaroni & cheese meal to fit that bill!

Cheesy Roasted Campanelli &

Seared Turkey Sausage

1 pkg. campanelli pasta, cooked and drained

1/4 c. butter

3 T. flour

1 t. mustard powder

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. ground black pepper 

2 c. milk (1% can be used)

3/4 lb. sliced cheese (Land O Lakes American Cheese)

1 pkg. smoked turkey sausage, sliced on the bias

1 T. olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly spray cooking oil to prepare a 9x13 casserole dish for baking. 

Prepare a saute pan with olive oil and heat on medium heat.  Add smoked turkey sausage to pan and sear on both sides for approximately 2 minutes, until a slight char is evident.  Remove pan from heat.

In a separate medium saucepan, melt butter and whisk in the flour, mustard powder, garlic powder and black pepper.  Simmer mixture on medium heat for approximately 2 minutes.  Wisk in milk and heat thoroughly.  Thereafter, stir in slices of cheese, reserving 10-12 slices for layering.

Once sauce is together, place a single layer of cooked and drained pasta in casserole dish.  Add sausage.   Then place strips of cheese overtop.  Drizzle half of the sauce mixture on top of layers.  Add a final layer of pasta, cheese and the remaining sauce.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Served with some fresh veggies or a side salad.

Enjoy!

Sidenote:  Other cheeses may be substituted for this recipe; however, it is my opinion that if American cheese is used, Land O Lakes American cheese is the best option.  I tend to shy away from the American cheeses that are prepackaged in plastic ... as it seems that the cheese takes on its packaging - - plastic-looking cheese that is gummy instead of crumbly.  Of course, this is just my opinion.

TO THOSE WHO ARE LOCAL TO ME -- Our Giant Eagle apparently carries TWO DIFFERENT TYPES of Land O Lakes American Cheese.  One, that they refer to as the "block cheese" which is my top choice -- and another that is referred to as "presliced cheese" which can be compared to Kraft slices in plastic.  Now, here's the best part ... they are SAME PRICE!!  My complaint is that there is NO reference to give notice to the customer of the difference in qualities on the Giant Eagle labels ... and of course, I feel that the price should be cheaper for a lesser quality item.  So, just a forwarning, should you grab a pound in the display cooler that the deli has offered for convenience and you grab a package (wrapped and bagged just as if it had been handed to you from a deli clerk) of Land O Lakes American Cheese - - be WARNED.  You may find that when you bring it home ... you have just purchased shiny, plastic-like cheese - minus the perk of a cheap price.

On a brighter note ... the temps will be falling through the weekend and I'm thinking ... apple dumplings!

"Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort."

~ Norman Kolpas



... warming up with soup - - super quick!

Here is a perfect soup for those chilly fall days when you're short on time ... It's our go-to "soup for supper" meal that's ready in pinch (as long as you start your water for boiling, first thing!).

2 cans Campbell's Tomato Soup

1 can water

1 can milk (2% or whole)

3 gloves garlic, minced

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, grated

1 lb. frozen tortellini

(that's it!!)

Prepare water to boil in a stock pot for tortellini - - follow package direction for cooking.  Mix the soup, milk and water in large saucepan and heat thoroughly.  Add minced garlic to soup and simmer while tortellini cooks.  Drain tortellini.  Wisk in Parmesan cheese and stir well.  Add cooked tortellini .... and serve! 

A nice compliment to the meal is a loaf of crusty bread from the bakery or even -our favorite - baking up Pillsbury Country Italian Bread - - that way you get a Box Top, too!!  (for those parents out there with elementary-aged kiddos!)  :)

Enjoy!

It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without soup or bread in it.

~ M. F. K. Fisher

... hitting "pause" for fall ...

Since this day took me out and away from my paintbrushes (still working on the completion of my faux stained glass panels for my home - project how-to soon to be shared!) ... I decided to save a bit of time to "pause" and take in our newly arrived season ... autumn :)  A toast was in order - - Oh, yes!  My Pumpkin Spice Latte was finally in my grasp!  Close to $5 for a coffee ... this doesn't happen too often for me!

 While picking up the french loaves for dinner (courtesy of Sam's Club - $2.77 for TWO "arm-length LOAVES!  Why bake?!), I browsed the racks of seasonal recipes and crafty, gift ideas,

selecting a few mags to peruse for my "Hit Pause and Enjoy the Moment" episode at one of my favorite spots ...

 ... along our town's riverbank.

(the leaves are just beginning to change across the water ...)

I love this time of year -- I love taking walks with my kiddos ...

 ... finding treasures on our way ...

 ... and taking in the beauty of God's artistry ...

 ... and receiving "hearts" from my little guy ...

 And, if this day could not get any better ... I opened my mailbox to find the latest This Old House.  Another of my favorites in my hands before the buses came!  So, I nestled in on the porch with a cup of Chai and honey (never mind that my dining room was still covered in paints and a load or two of laundry still remained  - but they will still be there ... seasons and moments will not).

I flipped through the pages ... sprouted new ideas ... made my husband roll his eyes (I don't think he appreciates my ever-growing renovation plans - can't imagine why???)... and breathed in the scent of this beautiful season.

... when inspiration hit for a companion to that french bread ...

2 T. olive oil
1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 pkg. baby carrots, roughly chopped
5 russet potatoes, cleaned and diced w/ skin
5 c. chicken broth
5 T. butter
5 T. flour
1/2 t. chicken bouillon
2 c. milk
1/4 t. ground pepper
1/2 t. sea salt
3 dashes of cayenne pepper

Heat olive oil in stock pot on med heat.  Add sliced smoked sausage and saute.

Remove sausage from pan to bowl lined with paper towel - set aside.

Add chopped onion to pot and stir briskly to deglaze.  Once onions are caramelized, stir in carrots and potatoes.   

Add chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes, checking tenderness of potatoes. 

 

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over low/med heat, add flour and chicken bouillon, and stir briskly for approximately 2 minutes.  Add milk and continue to stir occasionally, allowing the mixture to thicken.

Add mixture to stock pot and stir.  Simmer on low for 5 minutes.

 

 

 

(Isn't that one beautiful looking loaf??  And to think that I have another one for french toast in the morning!! 

Life's good.  :)

And ... bon appetit!

A tasty offering to celebrate the rustling of crimson leaves on baring branches, the warmth of hand-knitted cowls on chilly days, the scent of burning wood on starlit nights and the sound of dulcimers and flutes in all their sweet splendor.

And, I leave you with the words that struck me speechless today ... as they hung on a banner in our Sam's Club, of all places!! ... the words rang true and grabbed my heart ...

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

 - Helen Walton

... funny to be reminded of life's truth while shopping bulk at a discount club!

Happy Autumn :)

Autumn about town ...

Well .... I've almost missed this season all together! Not only, here on my blog, but here at home, too. I know that it has been some time since my last post, but it has been a whirlwind of sickness, surgery, recovery and sickness again - - all of it, experienced by my dear daughter. She's still not up to par, but in school again today ... so, fingers crossed - I'm sending my prayers up that she's turned the corner and will be back to her lovely self soon :) Poor thing has missed SOOO much school, cheer season, girl scout outings, Halloween parade, and recently the Halloween dance ... it makes my heart ache. However, there are always blessings in the mix to be so very thankful - - and I count them everyday!

With most of September and October taking care of my girl, we have missed so much of this beautiful season. So, I decided to grab my camera this morning and take a walk through our local town. I bundled up in layers of sweaters, a hat, and a scarf and drove into town. I used to do this much more often when the kids were younger ... I would be strolling or pulling them through town, taking in the sites and decor, and finding the wonder that I always do with this place. Perhaps, it is because I've lived here for most of my life. I don't know. But, I like to look for the special nooks that one might not notice when driving by ... or the interesting details that make our little world here unique.

So, here is what captured my heart this morning ...

scarecrows greeting passersby at every corner in town ...

One of my favorite homes in town ... artistic, eclectic and sooo whimsical!

... makes me want to curl up with an old quilt and a good book :)

I loved this tree with its beautiful, reddish leaves draping over the welcome walk and scattering its hues about ...

Although this photo is not particularly artistic, I had to captue it! This pumpkin has been lit in front of this house since I was a small child, and perhaps even earlier than that!

It makes my heart smile with remembrance ...

One of the last, golden beauties on one of my favorite streets ...

... another fall marvel gracing the yard of our historical homes.

... when I see this home ... I am transported into a storybook. Wish this one would go on sale!!

These pics above are of a home that is a ritual part of our town walks ... mostly because of the magic found in the backyard ...

... how about that when I took these photos, I didn't event see the ducks!!

look at that gorgeous chicken!!

the "barn" in the back - - how sweet!

... A special treat from our newest art gallery, The Canvas.

... another gem - - The Red Rover. A great little find for gift basket giving :)

... one of our treasures - Simple Gatherings, filled with unique & seasonal treats for your home!

love this door & lanterns
... light posts make my heart happy :)

I'm glad that I fought off the urge to just stay home in my pjs and get to work, but instead took the time this morning to savor the last bits of fall (you know, we had our first snow this weekend!). I encourage you to take the time ... seek out the wonderment of the day ... and savor the beauty and blessings in your life. Days go by too quickly ...

The one red leaf, the last of its clan,

That dances as often as dance it can,

Hanging so light, and hanging so high,

On the topmost twig, that looks up to the sky!

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge