Etsy is Easy!

             In case you have been wondering where I've been, aside from keeping faithful to my Tasty Tuesday posts, I've been creating in my craft room! Working every space moment to get my Etsy shop restocked and I'm happy to post that Susie Simple is open again and ready to supply you with simple gifts and needs. And who doesn't need a prim Halloween apron to pass candy out in or just bake in seasonal style, pumpkin muffins will never be forgotten dressed in this vintage style apron.
      I've also got many useful and handy items for this busy time of the year or charming little gifts to give or keep for yourself, so check my shop out by clicking on the moving ad in the right hand column and keep a eye on new items coming weekly, mainly many Christmas aprons with a retro look! Etsy is easy, safe and if you have a shop of your own, share your link with me, I shop too!

Tasty Tuesday

       Need a cake for a crowd or bake sale? Try this Tasty Tuesday special and you will see and taste why I'm in love with this cake that I found on The Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen site. Not all homemade cakes are easy or this moist but this one is and the icing is sinful!! This makes a cookie sheet pan full which makes it perfect for pot lucks, bake sales or parties............or if your like me, any excuse to bake and share this treat!

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. salt
2 sticks butter
1 c. water
1 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
Icing:
1 stick butter
1/2 c. peanut butter
6 T. milk
1 pound powered sugar
In large bowl mix together sugar, b. soda, flour and salt. Set aside. Combine butter, water and peanut butter in saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow to cool slightly then pour over flour mixture. Add milk, vanilla and eggs. Blend well by hand. Pour into large cookie sheet and bake for 20 min. at 400 degrees. While cooling prepare icing by bringing butter, peanut butter and milk to a low boil, add powdered sugar and stir well to blend. Pour over warm cake and allow to set.

     The hardest part about this recipe is allowing the whole, yummy cake to set and cool!!! Your house will smell like heaven in fall and your taste buds will dance with joy, I'm not kidding!!!

Fall Face Lift!

                 Aww, autumn arrives tomorrow but it's felt like fall here for the last few weeks, but I took today to give the house a fall face lift so now I can welcome the new season in style! It was almost like Christmas for me, unpacking all the fall decorations, remembering end of season sale items tucked in last minute that are new to my home this year. Awww, got to love this season the best!

       How is your fall apron swap coming along? I've gotten mine and couldn't be more pleased to add another festive apron to the bunch, I'll be decked out for Thanksgiving now! Don't forget, I have a Flickr page  set up for our swaps, so if you'd like to post yours there for all of us to see, that would be great, or share with us on your own blog, just be sure to leave a link here so we can take a peek! Looking forward to all the fall festivals, the pumpkin patch and our annual fall fun nite, and can't forget all the fall baking, which reminds me, I have a batch of pumpkin chip muffins in the oven! Happy Autumn!!!

Tasty Tuesday

       
                    I'm cheating today and repeating a annual post because it's that time, time to make your own vanilla extract for the upcoming baking seasons! So, if your one of my loyal followers, this is just a gentle reminder for you, and for the rest of you, welcome to the "make your own" club, I promise once you make your own vanilla and bake with it, you won't go back to the imitation or store bought stuff!

             This is super easy too, so don't stress but do have patience because the longer you allow this to steep, the richer your vanilla will be, that's why I like to start now or earlier so I have it ready, it's my secret ingredient in all my baked goods, but don't tell anyone, pinkie swear!

Homemade Vanilla Extract


There really are no recipes for this, ok, there are if you do a search but once you figure out your favorite ratio it's a piece of cake. The budget comes to mind here too, because your source for the vanilla beans might change your mind, but shop around. I get mine from a local health food store that sells them by the pound, but  since I only use 4, it only costs me $3.50. And I know, to some, that is alot for vanilla beans, but believe me when I tell you, it makes a HUGE difference in your baked goods. And if your like me who bakes for other's and gift giving, it all adds into it. And if you price the real vanilla, you will see this way is much cheaper and you'll have a big bottle that usually lasts me till the next fall, depending on how much I bake.

Ok, this part isn't my favorite so I usually have my hubby do it or I'll add to my groceries one week. You will need a big bottle of vodka (750 ml) or brandy, both work well, but I think the vodka is cheaper, here anyways. Now, just slice your beans down the middle length wise and you can either scrap out the seeds or leave them in. I leave them in adding to the flavor and if some gets included in a recipe, they will never know. Just place the split beans into the bottle of vodka or you can put both into a pretty decanter like I do.  Then, just shake it up daily for the next 2 months, keep in a dark place while the vanilla beans mix with the vodka to become vanilla extract.




        This makes a lovely gift for those bakers on your Christmas list too, wrapped in a pretty bottle or jar with a vintage printed label, tied off in a festive ribbon or bow!  This is one of those finer things in life, so spoil your taste buds and make your own in time for the best baking season ever!!

Tasty Tuesday

               The sweet smells of September are some of my favorite things! Pumpkin pie, apple butter and mums! I drink coffee every morning regardless of the season, but it does taste so much better during the colder months, and fall is the kickoff for yummy coffee creamers in seasonal flavors! They can get pricey this time of the year, but if you make them at home, you save enough to stock up on more coffee! Today, I'm sharing my recipe for pumpkin pie creamer, this is also good in hot cocoa so don't think it's just for coffee and be nice and share, even with the kids! lol

Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer

4 t. cinnamon
2 t. ginger
2 t. nutmeg
1 t. cloves
1 t. allspice
1 c. non dairy creamer
Mix together well and store in air tight container, use as desired.

       This also makes a nice gift in a decorative jar or handmade fabric pouch. Perfect for teachers, Mom's, grandma's and all coffee drinkers! Treat yourself and someone else soon, sipping the season away in good taste! Happy Tuesday!!

Grandparents Day

             Today will always be remembered as 911 and with all that sadness and heartache, we pray for all those affected and for our country! Today we choose to stay home and make it a family day and find some good in the shadows, today is also Grandparents Day. We got to spend it with 3 of the grand kids, so after a home cooked meal of rigatoni and ravioli, we headed outside to soak up some sun and to swing! I hope each and everyone of you spent the day not only remembering, how can we ever forget,  but rejoicing too, for we live in the best country in the world!! We are stronger, more hopeful and always proud! God bless the USA!! Happy Grandparents Day to all you Grandparents!
           

Fall Apron Swap Update

                Just checking in to see if everyone has received their partners and how the sewing is coming along?  If you have not gotten the email from me with your swap partner let me know and I'll send it again. If you'd like a second partner, I do have a lady who asked to join in a tab late so I"m trying to include her, if not, no biggie. I'd take her but I'm swapping with my sister also who hasn't made a apron before and didn't want to swap with someone who might feel cheated.  I will be hosting my annual Christmas apron swap too so there will be plenty of swap happiness coming up! Please check in if you joined this swap so I can keep on top of it so everyone has a fun time and as always, happy sewing!!

Tasty Tuesday

                 Fall is in the air!! It got down to 48 last night and will only be in the 70's for the next week so I can't help but think that fall has arrived early this year, I'm excited!! One reason is all the tasty goodies to bake, make, can and prepare for the new season.  Apple and pumpkin butters are a staple in my house and as I type this, I have 8 pie pumpkins waiting to be cooked down to make some butter, thanks to a friend with a early crop!   Apples are a autumn harvest that can be used in many ways, and this week I'm giving you one more use, to make some apple peel jelly! So don't be quick to throw the peels in the compost pile yet, because they still contain alot of juice and flavor that just shouldn't go to waste!

Apple Peel Jelly

4 c. firmly packed apple peels

5 c. water

2  c. sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

In covered stainless steel saucepan, bring peels and water to boil. Reduce heat: uncover; simmer 20 minutes. Strain through jelly bag of cheesecloth.(Do not squeeze or you'll have cloudy jelly). Measure juice (you should have about 2 cups); return to same saucepan. Stir in sugar and lemon juice. Bring to boil over medium heat; cook rapidly, uncovered, stirring, remove saucepan from heat. Pour immediately into 2 sterilized 6 oz jelly jars. skim off foam; cover; cool;store in refrigerator. Makes 2 6 oz. jars.

       This isn't a red jelly but you can always add some red food coloring or better yet, a handful of cinnamon red hots, the candy. Not only will they brighten up the jelly but add a nice hint of cinnamon to the batch!  Being thrifty is sweet!! 

Sew On!!

            Awww, sweet September is finally here, and regardless of the mid 90's heat wave here, I'm thinking about all the fall/winter sewing projects ahead! It's no wonder September is National Sewing Month, I should of started months ago but with fall temps taking over all next week, I'm gearing up for some sewing time!

      You only have till midnight tonight to get signed up for my annual Fall Apron Swap, if your interested just scroll down to THAT post and leave a comment with your email addy. I'll be pairing us up tomorrow so for those who have signed up, get your groove on and begin creating those fall aprons!  Swap season has officially begun and I'm excited!! Sew what are your sewing plans this month? Sew on!!