recommendation: fun halloween decor

Happy Halloween!

I had so much fun with my Halloween decorations last year (here and here), I wanted to do something again this year. I decided to try two projects - a glitter pumpkin and some fun letters for my plants.

I earned the nickname Miss Sparkle at my summer job in college at Urban Outfitters, but don't be fooled... I am not a fan of glitter. I do love all thinks sparkly, I just don't want to touch them. Don't you hate when you touch something glittery and hours later, look in the mirror and realize you have little sparkles all over your face?! That said, I am not completely opposed to it. I was in the clearance aisle at Michaels and found a GIANT bottle of orange glitter for .75 cents... I cannot pass up a bargain, so decided to try my hand at a glitter pumpkin.

I think glitter spray paint would have worked much better but I had glitter, so I started by using mod podge on the pumpkin. I'm sure spray glue would have worked just as well. I did it in sections and sprinkled the glitter on. Waited about 20 minutes for it to try and then sprayed the whole thing with a spray paint clear gloss, that sealed the glitter so I would not have to deal with it coming off!

I'm happy with the result, but not thrilled so decided to only glitter one pumpkin. The other, I just tied a bow on, and all seemed well until I found a giant chunk missing from the pumpkin... I blame Mr. Toffee.

P.S. Yes, that hay is from last year, it was $5 and kept fine in the garage for a full year!

My next project was to add something to my boxwood plants to make it a little more festive. I needed 2 short words, so decided on B-O-O and E-E-K. I got wooden letters from Michaels and spray painted them orange. I then glued together two wooden kabob skewers, spray painted them black, and hot glued them to the letters. It was an easy and inexpensive project and I'm super excited about how it turned out!

P.P.S. I do CUTE halloween - not sexy or scary! SO BOO! HAPPY 31ST!

recommendation: recipe repeat - must try tomato soup

I originally posted about this recipe a little over a year ago and I can't tell you how many times I've made it since. I'm posting again about it because its just such an awesome soup recipe. And soup is not always satisfying. But when you eat this along with a grilled cheese, its a good meal. Since you roast the tomatoes, its ok if they aren't completely ripe and perfect, especially since its a little after tomato season. Roasting them gives them great flavor. We like the soup spicy so I add double the amount of red pepper flakes but if you like mild spice or are making this for kids, just keep the amount as is (or leave it out).

Here are my tips:
- don't skip the garlic, it adds a lot of flavor
- don't blend the tomatoes too much. food processor or blender both work, but pulse so its a chunky puree
- the recipe calls for chicken stock, which I think is best (why? see here), but I used chicken broth the other night and it was just as good. Veggie stock can be substituted as well
- garnishes are nice - freshly torn basil, oyster crackers or shredded cheddar are all great!

Original Recipe from Bon Appetit
I found it at Smitten Kitchen
My Original Post

Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar

Serves 4 (though closer to 6 if served in mugs)
3 pounds plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise (apx 9-12 tomatoes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large or 4 small cloves garlic, unpeeled
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon (or more to taste) dried crushed red pepper (I use 1/2 tsp)
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock

Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap garlic cloves in a tight foil packet. Place tomatoes, cut side up, on large baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper (I used 1 full teaspoon of Kosher salt). Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil. Add foil packet of garlic to tray. Roast until tomatoes are brown and tender (garlic will be very tender), about 1 hour. Cool slightly.

Unwrap garlic packet and peel cloves. Transfer cloves, tomatoes and any accumulated juices to a blender or food processor and pulse machine on and off until tomatoes are a chunky puree.

Transfer tomatoes to medium pot and add thyme, crushed red pepper and stock and bring to a boil Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and adjust seasonings to taste.

Make ahead: Soup can be prepared one day ahead, and kept covered in the fridge. Rewarm before serving.

recommendation: easy and inexpensive fall decoration

I wanted to find some fall decorations for September and the beginning of October before I pulled out my Halloween decorations. I saw a version of this on Pinterest and thought it would be easy to make!

I had checked a few places for the dried beans and lentils... my local grocery store had some but they were more than I wanted to spend ($3 for a bag). The Dollar Store had some but the red ones were ashy and faded and they didn't have white, green, or popcorn. Then I checked Walmart and ta-da, they had exactly what I needed! I purchased their Great Value brand and each bag was just over $1 each and I purchased two bags of each. I got split peas, kidney beans, small white beans and popcorn kernels.

The best prices I found for a large vase with lid or large hurricane vase were:
- HomeGoods - they had large hurricanes for $12.99 each
- Walmart - they had medium hurricane for $14.99 - $17.99

I lucked out and my mom had a leftover one from our wedding 4 years ago in her basement so I stole it. But the price tag on the bottom said TJMaxx, $14.99 so I think places like that are your best bet to find a nice sized vase. Or Thift stores of course!

From there I just chose an order, started pouring beans in, layering 2 colors then putting the candle in, and finishing the layering. I also added a twine ribbon around the outside.

I'm pretty happy with the outcome, its an easy and inexpensive project!

Speaking of fall, these Caramel Apple Cider Cookies are on the agenda for today. I made them last year, they are awesome...but NOTE: either eat them all out of the oven (ha! don't really! share them!)...or heat each cookie in the microwave for 5 seconds before eating. The caramel in the middle hardens up when the cookies are cooled and they are meant to be soft and gooey. Enjoy!

Original Pin:

Source: plumadorable.com via Stephanie on Pinterest