today's inspirations:

things that made me smile today :)


via papery & cakery


inspiration board via gryphon-ny


via a merry mishap

via superficial snapshots

via rebecca ringquist

via joetta maue

via oh happy day

via an open [sketch]book

via confettisystem

pumpkin pie pots

via inchmark

Make your favorite pumpkin pie recipe (like this one from Everyday Food - below). Double the recipe which should give you enough filling for roughly 20 little mason jars. Fill the jars, stopping about 3/4" from the top. Bake at the usual temperature, but start watching them carefully after about 25 minutes since they won't take as long to bake as a pie. Pull them out when the center seems set (about 35 minutes depending on oven variance). Let cool for an hour or so, then throw them in the fridge while you make the whipped cream.


Pumpkin Cream Pie DOUBLED RECIPE, via Everday Food Serves 20

• 1 Basic Pie Crust, rolled and fitted into a 9-inch pie plate
• 2 can (15 ounces each) pure pumpkin puree
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving
• 2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from a 1/4-ounce envelope)
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

The whipped cream recipe includes a bit of unflavored gelatin, which you dissolve in some water and then fold in. The gelatin helps it keep its shape so it doesn't fall the way ordinary cream would when left out for a bit. Spoon some cream into each of your jars, filling all the way up to the top, and screw on your lid. Return your jars to the fridge until you are ready to serve. These can be made up to a day ahead.

pink, pink, pink

Oct. is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Check out these fab pink items, all whose proceeds support Breast Cancer research!

Simply Vera Wang Coin Purse at Kohl's $10

Simply Vera Wang Necklace at Kohl's $5

want!!!

Luving this leather/lace cuff w/ hidden pocket for cash from tovicorrie on etsy

Support Local Music: Northwest Ohio

Don't miss my brother's band, Endless Road, live on Sat. Oct. 16th at the Hidden Valley Campground in Archbold, Ohio

music luv

Buy it now! Luving the bluegrassy turn he has taken.
Dierks Bentley - Up on the Ridge

Fave tracks: Bad Angel, Fiddlin' Around

party dresses

Loving these ridiculously cute frocks from H&M - the best part - they are priced between $29.99 - $59.99!

Peanut Butter Fingers

A Northwest Ohio favorite:




INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour (add 2 1/2 T for high altitude)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, 1/3 cup peanut butter and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture. Finally, mix in the rolled oats. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are firm. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips in a single layer over the top. Let stand for 5 minutes, then spread to cover. Allow to cool. In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup peanut butter until smooth. Stir in milk one tablespoon at a time until a drizzling consistency is reached. Drizzle over bars when cool. Cut into bars.

Whole Foods Printable Coupons

Whole Foods has just released a slew of printable store coupons (& they don't expire until 12/31/10)! You can stack these w/ manufacturer's coupons to make some of their items semi-affordable! (i.e. You can use both the Whole Foods Coupon & the manufacturer's coupon and save the added amount of both)! Some brands that you should be able to find manufacturer coupons for: Thai Kitchen, Muir Glen, Alexia - Check it!

Da Coach

This made me laugh today & I need this shirt immediately! Ha! Go Bears!!


via

canning salsa

(makes 10 pints)
INGREDIENTS:
• 12 cups diced tomatoes (skinned* & seeded)
*to skin tomatoes: place in boiling water for 30-45 seconds, then immerse in a waiting ice bath. The skin should peel right off. (See this post for more info)
• 4 c peppers
• 3 c green peppers
• 1/2 c jalepeno
• 1/2 c banana pepper
• 2 c diced onions
• 2 t. red pepper seasoning
• 2 t. garlic powder
• 1 1/2 c white vinegar
• 6 t. salt
• 18 oz tomato paste
• 4 Tbs. Accent seasoning ( I left this out of my recipe)
• 2 t. cummin
• 3 t. black pepper
• 2 t. onion powder

DIRECTIONS: Bring mixture to a boil. Boil 5 minutes. Sanitize jars, lids, & rings w/ soap & water or run through the dishwasher on the sanitize cycle. Put jars, rings & lids in boiling water to further kill any bacteria, etc. (I dealt w/ the jars using a large tongs & a dry towel - be sure not to burn yourself!) Fill the hot jars w/ the hot salsa. Place the lids & rings on top, & screw them down tight. Then set the filled jars upside down for 30-45 min. Jars should now be sealed & the middle should no longer pop.

NOTES: In preparing the ingredients, I would suggest using a food chopper (like this one via Pampered Chef), as cutting & chopping everything by hand took forever! Thanks for the recipe Tara :)

rainbows

Definitely the inspiration for an upcoming get together.....


via paperyandcakery

rainbow cake tutorial via omnomicon

via oh happy day at The Ribbonerie San Fran

the real thing: Reno/Tahoe 8.7.10 - via Sharisse Coulter Photography

champage flutes

these are sooooo fab!

via oliveandcocoa