This is fall

  

Mums. I don't know why I didn't like them when I was younger. Now, well, I LOVE them. Especially in the rust coloration.

 

Glimpses of rust amidst the still green oak leaves.

 

Don't pansies just make you smile? I have always loved them. Their happy faces certainly herald fall with their bright smiles.

And then there are the leaves. Everywhere. Deciduous trees. Perfect for summer shade. Beautiful leaves to keep the rain and hail off the patio. Dreadful in the fall. 

 

See our visitor? Guess what he's munching on? Aah come on.. I know you can do it!

 

When they aren't chasing each other around the trees... oh cats, were are  you now?

They are stealing pecans. And being the smart rodents that they are, they empty the trees with the easy to shell pecans first. Leaving me the ones that take a sledge hammer to shell!!! Anyone want some pecans?? Better get here soon.

So from my metal scarecrow and all of us here on our patch of West Texas, we wish you warm days, cool  nights, a few pecans for yourself and moments of sheer happy!

Oh scored the big one at an estate sale today: 2 wonderful tablecloths, 8 Rosenthal dishes, crystal wine glasses and a silver tray! And husband was there and said, well if you think you need it.. so that was the sound of the vault opening!!

And I'm linking to the Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays.. drop in a enjoy some fabulous posts all to do with the season!

Chicken Spaghetti Southwestern Style

Welcome to our humble abode.. Be sure to knock, the last guy who didn't, well it just didn't go so welll for him! I've fixed a perfect little dish just for you. I just knew you'd stop by! Click HERE to see more of my decorating style.

Chicken Spaghetti Southwestern Style

Ingredients:
spaghetti noodles
2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 onion, chopped
1 can Hatch green chiles, chopped
BBQ shrimp seasoning; 1-2 teaspoons to taste
2 1/2 Tbs butter
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 1/2 Tbs flour
cumin to taste
3 Tbs dried parsley
milk as needed - approximately 1 1/2 cups

This recipe serves 4, so cook enough spaghetti noodles to serve four until firm; in a separate pot of water. Drain.
Melt 1 1/2 Tbs butter in skillet. cook chicken strips until done. Add onion and both cloves of garlic.
Add Hatch green chiles, BBQ seasoning to taste, and dust with cumin. Remove to a bowl. Place remaining tablespoon of butter in skillet. Add flour and stir until well combined. This will become quite thick. Do not let it burn. Your roux should be light in color.
Add milk a bit at a time, combining mixture with a wire whisk until smooth and creamy. Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to thicken the mixture. Add more milk if the mixtures gets thick, you want a smooth, cream-like consistency.
Add parsley as desired. If you like a lot of flavor - use fresh Italian parsley.
Add chicken mixture to sauce.
Place drained noodles into a small casserole dish. Pour chicken mixture over the top. Top with Mozarrella cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees (if in a hurry - broil) until cheese is melted and golden.

Substitutions: if you don't like green chiles - use a bell pepper. If you don't have BBQ seasoning - sparingly add some cayenne.

Enjoy! Bon Appetit!


I'm linking to Foodie Friday (where there is a KitchenAid giveaway) and Artie's Vignette Friday!

 

Welcome to my web

 

Welcome to my web, but do not be scared. 

It's a friendly place to be,

at this table set for you and me.

The dishes are just like celebs

on this tablecloth made of webs.

 

I invited my best friends you see, 

with their beaded legs, don't flee!

This charming find is holding high

a Mikasa votive won as a prize.

Black pebbles make a great base

for the votive to keep it safe.

Jill Gurule sent Senor Huesos

who is lost without his missus!
We left her in Santa Fe,
So we'll have to go back another day.

A gnarly tree is center stage

with die cuts that are all the rage.

Mr. Spook came from far away

so that he too could come and play.
 

Darling plates await the salad

Each one sings a different ballad.

Beneath the tree a tray peaks out

another spider here to give a shout.

Skull chargers stacked with dishes,
Wedgwood, Pfaltzgraff to fill your wishes.

Oneida came to save the day...

While pumpkins and crystal dare not play

Votives are a perfect place; 
for spiders to highlight their space.

Come on in and find your space, 
check the markers for your face.

As dusk casts it's luminous glow

I hope you won't just go!!

Glad you came to enjoy the sight,

and hope you leave without a bite!!!

Cast:

The friendly spider host - The Dollar Tree

Tablecloth - TJMaxx

Napkins - World Market

Pumpkin wine glasses, skull chargers, tombstones - The Dollar Tree

White dishes - Wedgwood Windsor

Halloween plates - Pfaltzgraff Halloween 2009 & 2010

Web votives; ghost pillar - HomeGoods

Crystal votives - Mikasa Cheers in swirl pattern (thanks Mikasa!!)

Black Candlestick - Big Lots

Crystal goblets - Mikasa Park Lane

Oneida Stainless

Gnarly tree - Michael's

Die Cuts - QuicKutz

Bead spiders - United Market Street

Boo tray - TJMaxx
Link to the Halloween tree, click here!

I'll be linking to Table Scape Thursday's at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch! Be sure to run by and look at all the other treats in store for you this week.

At home with pumpkins...

 

 I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

Henry David Thoreau

Another silken pumpkin; this time olive, previous photo rust; nestles in a silver bowl in front of an antique Mexican platter.

A collection of assorted pumpkins flank the fireplace. A little bit of Spanish moss on top of the clear pedestal elevate the magical white pumpkin to it's proper height.

A wire cloche keeps the crows away from the pumpkin on the opposite side of the fireplace.

A collection of gourds, fall vegetables and the gnarly pumpkin live on the dining room table.

Pumpkins greet visitors to our home, along with the fern that really needs to come inside, SOON!!

An antique bread board, moss covered spheres, antlers, books and miniaturepumpkins sit on a shelf in the entry.

 

Even the kitchen table has a pumpkin on a silver platter. 

Do you decorate with pumpkins this time of year? How long do you keep yours? What do you do with them when the season has passed? Happy Monday!

ps. it really is a fruit ;-)