Looking to Independence Day fun

It's hot, hot, hot -- the perfect time to enjoy some cool inspiration on Pinterest! Here are some of the holiday-inspired pins I've been liking.

How about some salute-worthy bling from one of my favorite blogs, Plate and Pattern?

And you gotta love the patriotic subway art (free printable!).

Source: eyecandyeventdetails.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

And here's a great alternative to burgers and dogs:

Source: southernliving.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Loads of free printables for the Fourth...

Source: 247moms.com via Lynn on Pinterest

Don't forget to dress up your door!

Source: suzannejackson.store.willowhouse.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: imsimplyme.com via Debra on Pinterest

But my absolute favorite has to be Lisa's patriotic painted screens (including the Texas flag didn't hurt, either!).

Source: thepenningtonpoint.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

However you choose to celebrate, I hope you have a happy 4th of July!

Falling for fall... recipes, that is!

We've been feeling fall in the air all week, and each time we venture down the country road that leads us into town, my daughter giggles with delight as she noticed tinges of orange in the trees. When I came out in shorts yesterday, she rebuked me for attempting to drive the fall weather away by wearing summer clothes (in my defense, I did have on a sweater and closed-toe shoes!)

I'm hoping that I'll have opportunity to do a bit of fall treat-making soon... until then, I'll have to settle for drooling over recipes like these...

Pumpkin Cranberry Pecan Bread from My Blessed Life

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting from The Stir 

Pumpkin Muffins from Nourishment for Ladies (Lori didn't publish a photo of her muffins, so I thought I'd use a photo of a different kind of muffin she has in the oven right now!)

Candy Corn Krispy Treat Pretzel Pops from Love from the Oven

Cinnamon Caramel Apples from Bakingdom

Are you sufficiently inspired to make some fall treats? Let me know which of these you plan to try -- I'm betting you'll get to bake before I do! And I would love it if you would share some pictures over on my Willow House Facebook page, as well. Happy Fall, y'all!

The lead photo is my last year's fall centerpiece using one of my very favorite and most versatile Willow House products, the French Wire Tiered Stand. This stand can be completely disassembled for easy storage and can be configured for many different uses! See the French Wire Tiered Stand and other beautiful, versatile products at my Willow House store. And be sure to check out my September Sale -- lots of pretty products to help you organize!

Cookies that just say "Christmas"!

One of my mother's heirlooms that was passed to me was her Betty Crocker Cookbook. It was definitely her most used cookbook, and after 50 years of use, it was literally falling apart by the time I got it. I was so glad to find a brand new but unrevised version at Books-A-Million a couple of years ago that I can use without fear of further damage.

One of my favorite recipes in this cookbook is one my mother made every Christmas -- and lots of other times, too. Molasses Crinkles have always been a favorite; the fact that they are both simple to make and delicious to eat makes them a must over the holidays!

Here's the recipe:


Molasses Crinkles

Mix together thoroughly:
3/4 cup soft shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses

Sift together and stir in:
2-1/4 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger

Chill dough. Roll into balls the size of large walnuts. Dip tops in sugar. Place, sugared-side-up, 3" apart on greased baking sheet (I just use parchment paper). Sprinkle each cooky with 2-3 drops water to produce a crackled surface. Bake at 375 10-12 minutes, just until set but not hard (these should be soft when you eat them). Makes 2-1/2 to 3 dozen.

Pumpkin Crunch

This was served by Brooke at her recent Willow House party. We all enjoyed its sweetness and crunch as we sat around the fire and visited. This was a holiday favorite around Brooke's home as she grew up, and she kindly agreed to share the recipe with us. Thanks, Brooke!




Pumpkin Crunch

16-ounce canned pumpkin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 eggs

Mix all ingredients and pour into a 9"x13" pan sprayed with Pam

Sprinkle a yellow cake mix on top
Pour 1-1/2 sticks of butter over the cake mix
(Optional: add 1 cup nuts on top halfway thru baking time)

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serve with cool whip on top, if desired.

(Note: it was still warm when Brooke served it at her design workshop -- so yummy! Easier than pie, and just as good.)

Make a Gift Mix: Triple Chocolate Cake!

Triple Chocolate Cake Mix

(adapted from recipe for Triple Chocolate Cake found in “Cake Mix Miracles” from Oxmoor House)

Mix together the following dry ingredients:

1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix (we tested with Duncan Hines)

1 (3.9-ounce) package instant pudding mix

2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels

½ cup chopped pecans

Place dry ingredients in a festive container or holiday zippered bag. To make your gift extra special*, include a dessert server, mixing spoon, or holiday plates. Include the following instructions with your gift:

To make your Triple Chocolate Cake, spray 12-cup Bundt pan with baking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dump dry mix ingredients into large bowl. Add 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream, 4 large eggs, ½ cup water, and ½ cup vegetable oil. Mix together until ingredients are blended. Bake for one hour or until cake begins to pull away from sides of pan. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove cake from pan, and cool completely on wire rack. Sift a small amount of powdered sugar over top of cake, if desired. Enjoy!

 For extra special add-ons for this gift, visit my Willow House Store and e-outlet!

I linked to this on Eat at Home!