Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Fall Potpourri

No, not the good smelling kind, just lots of different things going on Through My Back Door. It does smell good in here though, because the coffee is on and I am burning a wonderful orange spice candle from Libby.
The coffee is Kona, made in the Bunn. I will get the Keurig back out today. I have a Bunn story. You remember the Bunn was a Christmas present from Deb last year? I got it early however as mine went out and I was going to buy a new one, so she had to go ahead and give it to me, even though she wasn't happy about it.lol Well it never quite worked right. It would put grounds in the coffee, run over if you filled it to 10 cups, and the coffee was always weak. I didn't want to complain, so I just lived with it. This weekend when my company was here and it did what it did, she said something is wrong with this pot. Well, duh! I knew that. She looked it over and the button underneath the drip part was missing. I went to the barn and got the button from my old one, put it on,(after it was washed) and "voila". Perfect coffee. Is that not something? Heaven help me.Now we can have wonderful coffee in either pot.lol (You know how important my coffee is) We can have one of these with our coffee this morning.
Pumpkin squares are a fall-winter must have.We love them in my family. The recipe originally came from my late cousin Ila,(remember the coffee grinder story) My mother started making them the last of September or first of October every year. The caramel icing is my Mothers and it is the best. The recipes are at the end of this post.
I also have always loved homemade noodles, but never made them. I thought they would be soooooo hard to make. Ila always made a batch when she visited me and I would freeze them. I would make her a 5lb bag of flour into biscuits and she would freeze them. (I miss her so much). Well, my friend Nancy also makes wonderful noodles and always brings me some when they visit. I think every Ohio woman makes her own noodles. Well I learned to make noodles while Nancy was here. I was surprised it was a lot like making dumplings for chicken and dumplings.
I cannot wait to make Amanda and Clay beef and noodles!(We love them and share this meal sometimes) Not just any bought noodles, my homemade. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I will be making these often.
This was Sunday night supper. The menu was roast pork, green beans, new potatoes, cooked apples, and garlic bread. We all enjoyed it so much.
After my company left I rearranged furniture. Just a little. You know my fireplace is electric, but it has a heat element. I usually sit in the reading nook when I am reading or on the computer. I moved the chair and the ottoman over by the fireplace, where I could feel the heat. It also gives a little ambiance, which is important, right?
This chair doesn't pop against the corner cupboard like the red one, but I can prop my feet when sitting there now.(Don't laugh, that is important!lol) I also removed the bowl from the mantle and just put a pumpkin there.
I took the old quilt off the rope bed and put the coverlet on for the winter.(Hopefully I will sell and move before winter, but if not I will keep it on.)
The other chair in its new home. This has really been a post of many different goings on, a real Fall Potpourri Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: I have a real treat next post. We are going on a field trip. Yep, to Amanda's. She has decorated for Halloween and even though she is not prim, I KNOW you are going to love it!
PSS: I am in the process of getting ready to have a realtor take over the sale of the house. I am packing away a lot of things and storing some things. My pictures will be a LOT different. Please bear  with me, as I go through this process.
PSSS: I cannot close without asking you to continue to pray for our blogging friends. Almost everyday someone is e-mailing me, asking for prayers. We don't need names nor the problems, all we need to do is pray. You bloggers are a wonderful group, and I feel blessed to be a part of your community.

Pumpkin Square Recipe:
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups of sugar
1 cup of oil
2 cups of Self Rising flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup pumpkin
1 cup each, nuts and raisins (either walnuts or pecans)
1 teaspoon vanilla
bake on floured cakeroll pan for 25 minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven
 Let cool

Icing 
1 stick of butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk  (you can use cream. I use fat free milk)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1&1/2 cups powdered sugar.

combine brown sugar, butter, salt and milk in heavy sauce pan. Bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool until luke warm. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and beat to desired spreading consistency.
Enjoy









12 comments:

  1. hi, Betty~
    Well Sweetie you just made me hungry for some good old home cooking & baking~ yummy!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe & the warmth~
    smiles~ enjoy the fall day~
    Teresa

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  2. hello deary,
    yummy treat..my mouth is watering here..
    sending you warm hugs xxx

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  3. Oh my Betty, those pumpkin squares look wonderful. Since I am the only one here that likes pumpkin,,, I should just pass on this recipe. I definitely don't need to eat them all!! Wish I could just drop by and share one of yours and sit for a spell. That carmel icing is too die for. I have made it more times than I can count and it's always been a hit wherever I have taken it. Love your chair by the fireplace. The last few mornings here have been cool enough for a fire but we have held off thus far. Suppose to warm up for the weekend. Can't wait to visit with Amanda. Take Care
    Angela

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  4. I just love and enjoy your blog so much Ms. Betty! Your blog seems to take us right into your home sitting with you enjoying your cup of coffee. Your love and concern for people is so apparent. Blessings and praying that house sells soon.

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  5. Thank you for sharing the pumpkin squares recipe. I can't wait to try it. I have to wait until I have someone to share it with though, because could eat them all by myself. They look yummy.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  6. Hi Betty~

    It was nice to visit with you today. The pumpkin squares look delicious.

    Have a wonderful evening~Becky

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  7. Sounds like you had a nice weekend! The menu sounds wonderful and I know it was! I'm going to try your pumpkin square recipe. I'm not a big pumpkin pie fan, but love pumpkin bars. I like the new arrangement. You will enjoy the heat over there. Looking forward to the tour of Amanda's!

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    1. Hello Betty...I like the 'new arrangements' in your home- days are getting cooler up here in New England and just looking at your sitting area with the fireplace and cozy chairs is so inviting! I have a question on the size of the pan you use to make the pumpkin bars...is it a 9x13 or do you mean a jelly roll pan- bigger and shallower? I have all the ingredients at the ready..LOL!!! Lynne

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  8. Good Morning Betty Friend
    Oh your home is so cozy.
    I love your warm reading nook.
    Your pumpkin bars look heavenly. I can't wait to try your dear moms caramel frosting. YUM!
    Isn't it wonderful to have friends and family around your table? Just love those photos you share.
    Praying for so many. God is good and I so know he hears and answers our prayers.
    Happy Fall
    Hugs
    Trace


    www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

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  9. Such a nice visit today. You are making me hungry though. I will be over for some of those yummy pumpkin squares. Your home is always so warm andd inviting. It is such a blessing to be able to entertain family and freinds.Blessings~Sara

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  10. Hi Betty! Thanks for visiting my little blog. I feel so lucky that you found me today or I might have missed out on your pumpkin square recipe (and the yummy icing)!! I love family recipes. What is interesting is that I have a family recipe for homemade noodles on my blog. It's the old fashioned chicken pot pie recipe. Now I am going to have to try them with beef! I really enjoyed reading your post and your pictures. Thanks for finding me. I'm following your blog now too! Hugs ~ Jenn

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  11. Hi Betty-I know I haven't been around much lately, but my blogging friends are on my mind a lot..the show season is nearly done. Your home looks SO COZY!! I love reading by the fireplace! You know, I've always wanted to try to make noodles and I think you have inspired me-I LOVE to cook and bake. Your pumpkin squares look wonderful--I make soft pumpkin cookies that our older son, Craig, loves with a browned butter frosting...ohhhhh SO GOOD!! I'm so looking forward to puttering around the house and baking after the shows. Your house always looks so beautiful. Thank you for always continuing with your prayers for all that need them.---Jan

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Thanks for stopping by.I love to read your comments.