Grow Lettuce in Autumn

 Autumn is the season when most of your crops are being harvested, however, it is also the time when you grow lettuce.   Lettuce is a fast-growing vegetable that your family will enjoy during the Autumn season.  

Plant lettuce seeds in a sunny location and in soil that you have prepared by removing the weeds and turning the soil over with a shovel or tiller.   

Water the soil well and cover it with straw.  Wait a week before checking to see if the soil has cooled down.  If this method worked your soil should have cooled to the right temperature for planting lettuce.  

Sow the seeds in rows that are two feet apart.   The seeds should be planted into the soil that is a half inch deep. Water well then keep the lettuce bed watered so that the soil is moist but not wet. 

Water lettuce daily until the seeds germinate in about two weeks. Then water as needed, If days are hot then water daily, to prevent soil from drying out.  The lack of water on a hot day will cause leaves to wilt.  Otherwise, water lettuce weekly.  

Good to Know

Should there be an early frost take steps to protect your lettuce with row covers. 

Enjoy lettuce salads within a month of planting. 

How to Grow Fall Blooming Goldenrod

 Plant Goldenrod in the spring and enjoy flowers in the fall.  Goldenrod is a bright yellow wildflower that is one of the first flowers to bloom in the fall.  

This yellow flower grows on stems that are three to six feet tall and it will bloom at the end of summer through fall until the weather turns cold.   I did not plant it in my yard, the previous homeowners grew it in masses and it now grows amongst my white asters and purple coneflowers in my back garden.

Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the goldenrod flower as it is rich in nectar. Along with being a good source of food it also provides shelter for wildlife.  Many people think of goldenrod as an invasive weed.  I value this flower because of the nectar it provides to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

You can grow goldenrod from seed or you can buy a nursery-grown plant and transplant it to your garden after spring frost has passed.  Goldenrod is easy to grow from seed but you do have to keep the seeds in cold storage (refrigerator) for 60 days before planting.  Or you can sow the seeds in early spring or fall so that the seeds will be exposed to the cold.

Plant the seeds outdoors in an area where the flowers will get sun.  This plant is not fussy about the soil as it will grow in poor to average soil.  My soil is rocky and the goldenrod is a healthy plant.

Plant the seeds outdoors in an area where the flowers will get sun.  This plant is not fussy about the soil as it will grow in poor to average soil. Seedlings should emerge in two weeks as long as the temperature is a warm 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep the garden bed where the goldenrod is planted watered so that the soil is moist but not wet until the plant is established. 

Images on this post are by pixabay.com

Seasonal Train Tours Branson

 For a day of family fun reserve a seat on the Branson Scenic Railway.  This seasonal train is a great way to view the Ozark Mountains fall foliage and scenic landscapes.

Teach your children about the types of trees that produce beautiful colors and take keepsake photographs for memories of your day on the train.

 Reserve comfortable seating with skylights or if you prefer reserve the fine dining train that features a 3-course dinner.  Not only is this dinner train romantic but it is also a great way to “get away” and enjoy the scenery at dusk.  The colorful autumn trees look beautiful when the sun's rays shine on the leaves.

So if you are planning to visit Branson during the fall season be sure to check out the Branson Scenic Railway.

Cute and Comfortable Halloween Outfit Idea

  

When it comes to dressing for Halloween I would prefer to not wear a costume.  I like to wear a cute, casual, and comfortable outfit to parties, and for taking the kids out for Trick or Treat.  Here is a cute, comfortable Halloween outfit.

 

When you dress in a Halloween-created t-shirt and leggings then all you need to add is your shoes, accessories, theatrical makeup, and maybe spooky hair with plastic spiders and cobwebs?

 

I created at my Zazzle store a darling Halloween T-shirt that could be worn with matching compression leggings.  

 

I like the cut of the tee because it is not form-fitting and the fabric feels like silk.  The design was created from illustrations that I had cut out before I did a handset to create the classic Halloween ghost design.

 

The black leggings are so comfortable, you will never feel restricted in them, as movement is easy and they do not bag out at the knees like other leggings.   I have several pairs and love them. They are so comfortable that you can sleep in them.

 

If you are a Halloween lover then buy this darling outfit and wear it throughout the season and you will look fabulous.

Fall Season Home Decor

Even though the fall season doesn’t begin until the end of September I am waving goodbye to summer and looking forward to fall outdoor projects and indoor fall season home decorating.

 

The summer was extremely hot and it prevented us from spending any time outdoors.  And now the days are still hot but the nights are so cool that I had to add a fleece blanket to the bed.  Then today I saw that the leaves from the oak and maple trees are falling  and this is a sign that summer is over and that fall season is coming soon.

 

I normally decorate my home with pumpkin and colorful fall season maple leaves and will shop for new product designs that will compliment my décor scheme.  In the past I bought a pumpkin and sunflower table runner from Zazzle and some sunflower coffee mugs.  I like to add sunflowers to my fall decorations since they do  add  cheerful color and look nice with the colors orange and brown.

 

Here is a photo that I took of my table runner.  I set it on top of my buffet this year and thought it was complimentary.  It added the right enough of seasonal color to my dining area.

 

If you are shopping for traditional fall season home decorations then view my everything fall for your home collection here 

Best Baked Chicken Ever

  

My mother taught me to bake chicken for an hour in an oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and my chicken never came out right, it was always dry.  I tried many recipes to get it right but ended up serving it with gravy. My husband would say “the chicken is alright”

 

Normally I never ask my husband questions about cooking because he is not one to share his “cooking secrets”  But finally asked him if there was a better way to bake chicken and he replied try dredging it in seasoned flour and baking at a high heat of 450 F for 15 to 20 minutes.

 

I followed his cooking tips and the baked chicken was the best ever.

 

Know that chicken is a staple in our home and I tend to make it more during the autumn and winter season.  My chicken meals are heavier when it is cool or cold outdoors.   

I will cook a lot of chicken on Sunday and then use it in casseroles, soups, and sandwiches throughout the week. 

Yummy Baked French Toast Recipe

Last week when I was talking to friends about what to make for a holiday brunch everyone told me to make baked French toast. The way it was explained was very agreeable as liked doing the prep work the night before and baking in the morning. I thought with family visiting that the baked French toast would be perfect for a late breakfast/brunch entree.

Baked French toast served with fresh fruit and garnished
with powder sugar...delicious!

Baked French toast served with crisp bacon

Bread in casserole soaking up the egg mixture

Since I made French toast for my family in the past on top of the stove I thought I would just alter the recipe for the overnight recipe that would be baked in the morning.

Know that by getting the French Toast ready the night before that it saved time in the morning and I will probably make this recipe again for a holiday brunch.

For this recipe, you will need

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/2 cup of half and half cream

4 slices of French Brioche bread

Powder sugar garnish

Butter to grease the bakeware

Use a wire whisk to beat the eggs, then add the cream, cinnamon, and vanilla and beat until all ingredients are blended.

Use the butter to grease the casserole or the bakeware used to bake the French Toast.

Add the 4 slices of bread to the casserole then pour the egg mixture over the bread

Cover so that it's airtight and refrigerate. In the morning you will heat your over to 350. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 10 minutes. No need to turn the french toast.

While the French toast was cooking I made bacon to be used as a side dish. The toast is also delicious with a side of fresh fruit.

Check to make sure the toast is fully cooked by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bread slice and if it comes out clean then it's cooked.

Before serving garnish the French toast with a dusting of powder sugar.

Cabbage Potato Onion and Bacon Side Dish

A friend of mine shared a cabbage and bacon side dish photo on her Facebook page and I thought it looked delicious. My husband likes cabbage and loves bacon and I thought he would really enjoy the side dish.  

A recipe wasn’t shared so I thought I would throw it together and serve the side dish with pork chops for a weeknight dinner.

To make this dish you will need the following

Fresh cabbage chopped. I used half of a cabbage and it was enough for 4 servings.

A pound of diced bacon (I used farmland Hickory Smoked)

Dice 2 medium-sized white potatoes

Dice a half of a white onion

black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons of bacon drippings (from the frying pan)

2 cup water

Recipe directions:

Cook the bacon in a large-size saute pan, drain off all of the drippings except for the 2 tablespoons. Add the diced onions and saute with the bacon, turn often to make sure the onion is cooked on all sides, then add the 1/2 cup of water, followed by the cabbage and the potatoes saute on medium heat, turning the ingredients often so that it cooks thoroughly and doesn’t burn. Turn the heat down to simmer and cover the saute pan with a lid, cook for another 5 minutes. Before serving season with black pepper to taste.

This side dish was enjoyed by my family. It really tastes good and was comforting on a chilly fall day.

Here are some photos.

Made From Scratch Dumpling Recipe

 

During the fall and winter season I enjoy making soup in my pressure cooker. I normally make a large pot of soup on Sunday and that soup will be served throughout the week. I make all kinds of soup but my family’s favorite is Chicken vegetables with dumplings.

Here is a photo I took of the dumblings that I made in my pressure cooker. 

Let me tell you there is nothing better than dumplings that are made from scratch in your chicken or beef vegetable stew. Once you have eaten a dumpling that is coated with the delicious soup you won’t want to eat plain soup again.

For dumplings you will need the following ingredients.

2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

¾ cup of milk

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

2 eggs

Add all of the dry ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir the dry ingredients until they are mixed. Then cut in the butter until crumbly. Add the milk and eggs (I like to beat the eggs before I add them to the dry ingredients)  stir milk and eggs to make the dough soft. Use a teaspoon to drop the batter into the boiling soup. Cover the soup with a lid and turn the heat down to simmer. Cook the dumplings for 13 minutes. 

 Test the dumplings to see if they are cooked by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean with no dough on it then the dumplings are done.

Thanksgiving Dinner Invitations

 

Today I was contacted on Facebook and asked if I would create a few Thanksgiving invitations and fall season home decorations. I thought it was off-season considering it was the month of May. I told the customer that I would be happy to design a few dinner invitations for them.

Through the conversation, I learned that the family was planning a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings for August. The reason for the early in season dinner was because last year they could not be with each other due to the COVID19 lockdowns and now they can be with family. They said we have a lot to be thankful for so we are going to have a family thanksgiving dinner in August.

Knowing the reason for her invitation request made perfect sense to me so I got busy and created Thanksgiving dinner invitations for them. 

Thanksgiving is a November holiday, its the end of the growing season and is a time when we are thankful for a bountiful fall season harvest, our good health our family, friends, and for our God for blessing us. But after the pandemic of 2020, we do have a lot to be thankful for so Thanksgiving celebrated in August makes total sense to me.

Eat Drink and Be Thankful Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation

This Thanksgiving dinner invitation features an elegant photograph design of an elegant table setting. Use this template invitation for your holiday needs. Shown in a glossy finish with rounded corners.

Personalize this Thanksgiving holiday dinner invitation with your own words. This collage art invitation was created from a vintage watercolor turkey and two pumpkins and acorn designs.

Chicken with Arugula and Portabello Mushroom Recipe

 

When I cook I tend to not use recipes except when I am baking. Then last night I made chicken with arugula, baby spinach, Amish noodles, and portabello mushrooms and this one-pot dinner entree was so delicious and the recipe was certainly a keeper. My husband took a third helping of this chicken entree and he never does that. In fact, he usually does all of the cooking and I never attempt to cook for a chef.  

This is a rich entree that is prepared in one pan. I served with croissants that I picked up at the bakery and a glass of white wind. Best to make this dish during the cold season; autumn through winter as it might be too rich for the warm season.

Here’s how I made chicken with arugula and portabello mushroom entree

You will need the following

Chicken strips or boneless breast enough to serve 4

Chicken stock

Cream of Mushroom soup 10 ½ ounces

Black pepper

1 large Fresh portabello mushroom separate the mushroom stem from the cap and discard the stems. Slice the caps 1/4-inch thick.

3 sprigs of fresh rosemary herb (remove the leaves from the stem)

Juice of one medium fresh lemon

Garlic minced 2 cloves

Extra virgin olive oil

Fresh Organic girl baby spinach & arugula

Essenhaus Amish egg noodles wide (used ½ of 1 pound bag)

¼ cup grated parmesan and Romano cheese

Large non-stick saute pan with glass lid

Heat a saute pan at medium add 3 tablespoons of olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan add sliced portabello mushrooms and cook until they are soft, then add baby spinach and arugula, saute in the olive oil with the greens, garlic, black pepper, and salt to taste. When spinach and arugula are cooked turn off the heat and remove greens and mushrooms from the pan. In the same pan add more olive oil to saute your chicken. Cook chicken with the juice of 1 lemon and season with black pepper.

When chicken is cooked add to the greens and mushrooms to the saute  pan also add rosemary herb season, and to your taste black pepper and salt (optional)

Add 2 1/4 cup chicken stock mixed with cream of mushroom soup to saute pan

Bring to a boil then add your egg noodles.

Turn the heat down to simmer

Cover the saute pan and cook until noodles are done. (stir to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan)

Serve topped with the grated parmesan and Romano cheese.

Pressure Cooker Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe

In the autumn months, I tend to make soups weekly because my family spends so much time outdoors. A savory beef vegetable soup tastes good and is nutritious. When the family comes in from being outdoors on a cool autumn day a bowl of beef vegetable soup served with crusty bread will warm them up.

I always prepare homemade soup on Sundays in my Elite Bistro pressure cooker. It's a fast way to cook the soup and the warm setting is perfect for keeping the soup hot all day.

For this beef vegetable soup recipe you will need the following ingredients

Stew meat 1 pound

A medium-sized white onion diced

A medium red pepper diced

Minced garlic 1 teaspoon

1 cup celery diced

1 cup carrots sliced

8 an ounce of soup beans (soaked in water overnight)

2 / 32 ounces of beef broth

White flour used when browning the meat

Amish egg noodles 8 ounces (optional)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)

16 ounces of water

Seasoning

black pepper to taste

Salt to taste

I used fresh herbs but you can use dried 

Thyme and rosemary 1 teaspoon dried of each

In a skillet add the extra virgin olive oil enough to cover the pan so that meat does not stick, heat the pan to medium-high. Add the stew meat that is dipped in white seasoned flour (salt & black pepper). Use a tong when adding the meat as this will prevent being burned by the hot oil.

Brown the meat on one side then turn over and cook the other side. Remove the meat from the skillet. In the same skillet add your onions and peppers and you may need to add more olive oil to saute.

Add your meat, onions, and peppers to your pressure cooker, next add your broth, water followed by remaining vegetables, beans, and herbs. (optional additional salt and pepper to taste)

Everything should be in the pressure cooker except for the egg noodles. Lock the lid on the pressure cooker and allow the steam to escape. Set the pressure cooker for soup or stew and cook for 20 minutes.

Turn off the pressure cooker, allow it to rest before opening then add your egg noodles. Lock the lid onto the cooker, make sure the steam can escape, and set the cooker for soup or stew cook for 15 minutes.

Turn off, allow to rest before opening the lid. Check to see if vegetables and beans are cooked. If additional time is needed then cook more, otherwise set the pressure cooker for warm and cover with a glass lid.

At the end of the day if there are leftovers then remove the soup from the cooker and store any leftovers in a soup container in the refrigerator.

You can reheat in soup mugs in the microwave. I recommend serving soup with a baguette or other crusty bread.

COVID19 Thanksgiving Party Ideas

 Many people will be celebrating Thanksgiving differently this year due to COVID19 and with a little planning you can host a holiday dinner for your family here are some ideas.

If you reside in an area that is cold but there is no snow on the ground consider an outdoor party where guests can keep warm with patio heaters or a bonfire. Gather outdoors where you can social distance and not worry about getting COVID19.

Plan for guest to spend time outdoors

Host your party outdoors, keep guest warm with a firepit 

When planning your Thanksgiving gathering set up seating that allows for the six feet distancing. Encourage guests to mingle outdoors as much as possible. Set up outdoor heaters and burn wood in a firepit.

If you must have your holiday party indoors, choose an area in the house that is large for your thanksgiving gathering. Open a window and a door for cross ventilation. Stay away from closed in rooms with poor air circulation.

Reduce your guest list as much as possible. If your family is large you may want to split up the holiday by doing 2 separate family gatherings. This way you can set your table so that it is 6 feet in-between guests as it is important to adhere to proper distancing.

Offer hand sanitizer and extra facemasks for your guests.

This facemask comes in adult or kid sizes and is perfect for Thanksgiving 

Make Thanksgiving fun by encouraging all to wear a holiday designed face mask. Give an award for the best holiday designed facemask. 

Note: If you are feeling ill be courteous to your guest and opt-out of the holiday party. If others in your household have been ill know that it is best to cancel and go to the family party as there is a possibility that you may spread the virus

Photo credits by Image by Julie Rothe from Pixabay / Thanksgiving face mask by Photo Gifts by SGolis 

How to Enjoy the Autumn Season During a Pandemic / COVID19

Autumn is my favorite time of the year and it is safe to say that that I love all things that occur during the fall season. Normally my husband and I make plans to go to outdoor city arts and crafts festivals, and to travel to a scenic park to view the colorful leaves on the trees but this year we will only attend the festival if they are no big crowds.  

We will be going to the state parks to hike on the trails and take photographs of the autumn foliage and we also hope to tour a corn maze in Arkansas. This year we will be staying close to home and will be avoiding crowded autumn events.

Autumn activities will be different this year but if you make plans for the day trips to parks and other outdoor activities that do not attract crowds then you will be able to enjoy the season without the worry of COVID19.

Look for outdoor events where you can social distance and avoid indoor events and large crowds. You can still go to an arts and crafts festival as long as you plan to wear a mask and stay away from large gatherings. Instead of going to a big city autumn festival where there will be crowds look for a small-town event.

Another fun activity is going to a u-pick-it farm,   In my area we enjoy picking late-season apples and pears.

Take a day trip to a park that features fishing, boat rentals, hiking trails or horseback riding. All fun family activities to enjoy during the autumn season.

Plan a trip to a pumpkin patch to pick vine-ripe pumpkins for your fall decorations.

Just because your area may have COVID19 does not mean that you need to pass up the fall season. But it does mean that you should stay away from large gatherings and it is best to partake in outdoor activities.

Plan fun family activities to do at home

• Roasting marshmallows in the outdoor fire 
• Painting your kids face and dress them up in fall season costumes
• Enjoy nature by playing in the fallen leaves.
• Play autumn season games like bobbing for apples.
• Put up your camping tent in the backyard or at the park and sleep outdoors, listen for a distant owl, and watch for a shooting stars
• Decorate your home for the fall season and carve pumpkins for Halloween.
• Plan a fall foliage drive to a state park
• Make hot apple cider to enjoy while sitting by a bonfire
• Bake pumpkin cookies
• Plan a family hayride
• Bake pumpkin seeds, cookies and see other pumpkin recipes here

Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy the autumn season with your family.
*Images used in this article from pixabay.com
*View All Seasons decorating ideas and gifts at Pinterest here