Fall time thoughts:Scenic Byways and salted Caramel

🍂 Scenic Drives, Salted Caramel, and All the Fall Feels 🍁

 

Fall is here, and I’m absolutely soaking it all in! Watching the leaves slowly shift into those golden yellows, fiery oranges, and deep reds is one of my favorite simple joys. I’ve always wanted to take the Talimena National Scenic Byway just to experience those breathtaking views in person. It’s about a 5-hour drive one way, so it would definitely be a “pack your bag and stay the night” kind of trip. I’m not about to be driving home in the dark super tired—better safe than sorry!

Truth is, I love everything about this season. Can you tell? 😂 The cooler weather, the cozy sweaters, and of course all the seasonal flavors (give me all things salted caramel, please and thank you). That first sip of a salted caramel latte just feels like fall in a cup.

I still haven’t decorated my house for fall, though! We did get the store decorated, which is more important right now, but by the time I get home I don’t have the energy to dig through the totes in the shop. Honestly, what I really need is my own personal decorator to sprinkle pumpkins, leaves, and cozy vibes all around my living room. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

One thing I do try to do, even if I don’t get the full décor out, is bring little touches of fall inside—like a salted caramel candle burning in the evening or a cozy throw blanket ready on the couch for when the evenings turn chilly. Even something small makes a big difference in creating that fall feeling at home.

So whether it’s a scenic road trip, sipping a fall drink, or simply slowing down to enjoy the crisp air, I’m here for it all this season. 🍂

 Fall is here! Am enjoying watching the leaves change colors.  I have always wanted to do the Talimena National Scenic Byway to check out the great views.  Wish Mr.C. was into road trips just to enjoy the scenic view.  Yes this is on my bucket list!! I know to get there it is like a 4 hour trip one way.  So really I think it would be best if you stayed the night somewhere.  I hate to drive home in the dark super tired.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Happy Halloween!

I can't believe it's already Halloween!  Have seen some really cool people dressed up for the occasion around Marlow Oklahoma this morning.  I am not one to dress up for Halloween but I sure enjoy the ones who do dress up for the holiday.



Anyone making any special treats for this special day?  I sure want to but am running out of time.  Am thinking about making some Pumpkin Loaf.



Elizabeth Chambers' Bird Bakery Pumpkin Pecan Breakfast Loaf
5 cups all-purpose flour
4 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons fine salt
3 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
6 large organic eggs
1 cup water
29 ounces organic pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups pecans, halved, plus extra chopped finely for garnish
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the oil and water. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the pumpkin, mixing well.
Pour the liquid mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Once combined, stir in the pecans.
Spray loaf tins with cooking spray and line with parchment, leaving about 2 inches of excess on either side. Pour the batter until the tin is 3/4 of the way full, smoothing the top. Bake for 1 hour, 15 minutes, adding chopped pecans to the top after 1 hour (cover with foil if over-browning). Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool completely. Slice in one-inch pieces and serve. Enjoy!






Pretzel rods
Halloween sprinkles
Ready-to-make bags of chocolate (Available at Michaels) or a bag of semi-sweet chocolates
A cooling rack (The perfect size to stand up the pretzels to cool)
Icing bags & nozzle
In a small bowl melt chocolate for 40 seconds in the microwave - no longer as if the chocolate gets too hot, it becomes unworkable.
Tilting the bowl towards you, dip the pretzel rod all the way into the bowl, very slowly twisting it on your way out. This will give the chocolate a smoother finish.
While chocolate is still wet, decorate with your sprinkles of choice. If drizzling, drizzle across the top of the sprinkles.
Place on rack to cool.



2 parts Sauza Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila
1/2 part DeKuyper Mixologist Collection Ginger
6 parts apple cider
1/2 part real pumpkin puree
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Small lemon sliced into wheels
Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Dash of fresh ground nutmeg
In a non-reactive sauce pan, combine all ingredients except the whipped cream and heat just until steam rises then lower heat to keep warm. To serve, ladle into coffee mugs, top with whipped cream, and dust with fresh ground nutmeg.

All these look so yummy!  I always enjoy a adult cocktail.  I collect a ton of recipes for beverages but tend not to make very many of them.

Everyone have a Happy and Safe Halloween! 

Pumpkin Patch

Went with Blake, Jessica and Logan and Jessica's mom to the Pumpkin Patch.  We really had a great time! I had been wanting to go to one for ever.  Having a small 3 year old in your world sure helps you to do things you have been putting off. Seeing the excitement in Logan's eyes is worth a million dollars. I wouldn't trade that boy for anything! 



We had a great day!  Am glad Blake and Jessica let me be part of there day.  Although I have forgotten how much energy a 3 year old boy has...Wow! I was ready for a nap by the time I got home..

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk (any % you choose)
• 4 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup strong coffee or espresso
• canned whipped cream

Instructions

1. Add the milk, pumpkin, sugar, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice to a small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring almost to a boil, stirring constantly - if you allow it to boil it will get thick (yuck). Whisk the mixture until it starts to froth, about 1 minute. Divide milk mixture between two mugs. Add the coffee slowly down the side so you don’t disturb the milk froth, add a squirt of whipped cream and a pinch more of the pumpkin pie spice and enjoy.

Notes

NOTE: Keep a spoon on hand, because of the thick nature of pumpkin puree, you will want to stir the latte occasionally to keep it from getting thick at the bottom of your mug.

Another Note: To get a good thick froth, you can add COLD pumpkin mixture to a large glass mason jar. Cap and shake vigorously. When you have a good froth, REMOVE CAP and microwave the milk mixture to desired temperature. Never leave the cap on and do not shake a capped jar with hot liquid or you will get injured.

Read more at http://www.farmgirlgourmet.com/2012/11/pumpkin-spiced-latte.html#rWYGQj1Rxm3lP1Az.99 

I love fall time and all the fall recipes! I could drink pumpkin spice latte every day.. Love farmgirlgourmet.com and this recipe seems like it would be so easy to make homemade!


 

Saying goodbye to Uncle Leon

I can't believe Uncle Leon has passed from this life.  The last 2 years for him has been a living hell for him. He just ran out of oxygen.. from smoking for many years.  Uncle Leon will be greatly missed.  He was my dad's younger brother.  He was always the life of the party.  I have many memories thru the years of him and Aunt Geneva. 
We are having the memorial Saturday at Red Bud Park at the nutrition center.  It is going to be a pot luck lunch.  Now I must figure out a couple of dishes to make for this occasion.  Everyone loves my pina colada cake I make.  Am thinking a meat dish as well.  I can remember back in the day when I hated to cook anything.  Sometimes being a adult is a good thing.




Doesn't this Pina Colada cake look awesome?