Quick and Easy Fall Treats

Fall brings the holiday season, full of celebrations, potlucks and family gatherings.  Some times we have time for planning, and fixing our best dishes, but other times life interferes or dates get confused and time runs out. I have several fun treats that can be used for just about any fall occasion when you need something quick and easy.  The recipes are here:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/Fall-Treats.html

I also wanted to share this picture of my grandson admiring his first pumpkin:)

~Enjoy, Brenda

Freezing Herbs for Winter Meals

I've been growing herbs for about twenty years now, and I've experimented with most of the preservation methods along the way.   By far, freezing culinary herbs to using during the winter has been the most successful.  Friday, I wrote an article going over the different freezing methods, which herbs freeze best, and I share recipes for herb blends.  The article is here:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/Freezing-Herbs.html

~Enjoy, Brenda

Late Fall Garden Tidbits

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools. ~Henry Beston

Now is the time for those late fall garden and yard chores before the snow flies in Northern Climates.  Whether it's preparing the vegetable garden for spring, pulling bulbs, planting, mulching or watering, this is the time to do it all while the days are crisp, cool and sunny.   I never get done quite what I want to, but I make a priority list and go from there.  I wrote an article with tips here http://oldfashionedliving.com/Fall-Garden-Chores.html  that should give you ideas for your own priority list.

~Enjoy, Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Sweet Potatoes

Let's try this post again...it disappeared into cyberspace last night:(  Our next featured fall vegetable is the sweet potato.  I did a little research on the yam vs. the sweet potato plus I share tips on how to use this sweet vegetable in place of other fall vegetables.  The sweet potato is available year round, but without a doubt it's a favorite during the fall.  Each family seems to have a sweet potato dish they serve at Thanksgiving. Some cooks serve it with a savory twist; others like enhancing the sweet flavor.  I share a recipe that has four variations of baked stuffed sweet potatoes.  You can serve one variation or all four!
The article is here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Taste-of-Fall-Sweet-Potatoes.html

~Enjoy, Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Fruit Muffins

This weekend was rainy at times, but otherwise is was perfect fall weather. It was a bit windy, but mostly sunny and the temperatures were in the 60's, which is perfect for yard work.  I love fall, and Michigan is beautiful this time of year with the crisp scents of fall, and the trees turning color. It actually makes fall chores enjoyable because to be outside is to enjoy the colors and the smells of autumn. 

I did take time out last week to have a muffin baking day.  Everyone in our family loves muffins, so I can't just make one dozen.  I figured out a way to make three types of muffins using the same topping, and they bake in about 15 minutes for each batch, so it's not an all day affair.  I jotted down the recipes for the muffins and the topping to share here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Taste-of-Fall--h--Muffins.html .

These are perfect for breakfast, or to send to work and school.   

~Enjoy,  Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Baking With Pumpkin

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.
~Emily Dickinson

Though we are entering October the days are still warm, and the weather is beautiful.  We have several festivals going on near us-- one an art festival, and the other a celebration of the rural town we live in complete with a parade, crafts, a tractor pull and much more. I love both events, though they couldn't be more different.  One is considered "sophisticated" and visited by people from around the country.  The other is the local folk dressed in red, cheering on the marching band, the Red Hat ladies, our firemen, our veterans and the police department.  I love both for different reasons, but this year I can't wait to see my daughter in her first parade with the marching band. 

Even with the hustle and bustle of festivals this fall, I wrote a new article with tips and recipes on using fresh pumpkin in your baking.  There is plenty of time to grab a few pie pumpkins to make your own puree, which is really easy.  You'll find the article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Baking-with-Pumpkins.html

I hope you all are enjoying the fall days and have your own festivals to attend:)

~Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Baking With Apples

Picking apples in the fall is a family activity that even teenagers can get behind. Who can resist a fresh, crisp apple just picked off the tree?  Every fall I bring out my favorite baking recipes and heat up the oven. This year I needed a recipe for a potluck and came up with a new one by piecing together several recipes. It turned out to be a keeper, and a huge hit. I've included this recipe (Caramel Apple Oatmeal Bars) and several more plus tips on which apples work best for baking in a new article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Baking-with-Apples.html

I hope you and your family are enjoying the cool fall days!

~Brenda