Fall/Halloween Pocket Letters

BOO!! I love this time of year, I love Autumn, I enjoy working with the Fall colors, especially the orange hues! So having said that here are a few Pocket Letters I made for friends. And also some Halloween cards, tags, and envelopes.

I made this Halloween PL for my dear friend Iley!

And this PL for my friend Roxy and owner of the crafting community called YourPaperPantry.

I made this Pocket Letter for the Sherri Baldy PL Design Team

I used the colored printable called "Garden Time" available HERE

I truly have been enjoying the Autumn theme going on here and the best part it's not even over yet!!

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Christina

Around the House

I have recently discovered PicMonkey! If you've never heard of PicMonkey before, its essentially an online tool that allows you to do basic photo editing without downloading any kind of software. I can't really offer any kind of review as the collage above is my first attempt using this free online photo editor. But in time I have a feeling I may become a huge fan!

The collage I created above are random photo's I snapped using my iphone during September and October. Hope you had a great October and looking forward to a busy, cold fun filled November!

Christina
xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

I have so many things (and people) to be thankful for, I don’t know where to begin. I love Thanksgiving this weekend, the leaves are still on most of the trees and the colours all in their glory, the reds, oranges and yellows against the backdrop of those evergreen trees is amazing.

Here in Blind Bay its a bit windy today, so one big gust of wind and that will be the end of that real quick, so we enjoy it before it blows away. So in keeping with my personal philosophy, dessert should come first!! My friend Jonathan asked me what I am thankful for.... Pumpkin Pie!!

We are coming together at my sister's home for our Turkey feast! I'm bringing the pumpkin pie and my sister is making an apple pie! Oh my, must wear my yoga pants! LOL

More pictures and recipe included below!

xo

Christina

The picture above is the unbaked pumpkin pie ready for baking. Look how lovely the little pumpkin cut outs are for the crust. I bought little halloween cutters at the dollars store.

 Hubby stole my iphone and snapped some random pictures!

My kitty Indy was looking for some treats!

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie

2 unbaked pie shells ( and extra dough for a fancy crust if you choose)
3 cans (398ml) of Pure Pumpkin
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Ginger
1 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Cloves
1 tsp Allspice
1 tsp salt
3 large eggs
4 tablespoons whiskey or brandy
5 ounces of evaporated milk
5 ounces of whipping cream

Heat oven to 425 F
Place rack in centre of oven.
In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, and spices.
In another bowl whisk together the eggs and whiskey.
Add the spice mixture mixture and the pumpkin pure to the egg mixture.
Add the evaporated milk and the whipping cream and whisk or beat until throughly combined.
Pour into pie shells and bake for 15 minutes at 425 F.
Reduce heat to 350 F and bake for another 45 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool.


Notes and Tips
How to tell the pie is done: Take the pie out of the oven when the majority of the pie looks shiny and set on top. It should jiggle a little like jello, but not much more. The middle will still look wet on top. This is okay, it will continue to cook as the pie cools on the counter. And, as a final test, grab a toothpick or thin knife then plunge it into the pie, about 2 inches from the edge. If it comes out clean, the pie can be taken out of the oven. From there, it is very important the pie sits until cooled to room temperature. During this time, it will continue to cook and set. We usually end up waiting 2 hours or put it in the fridge overnight. Or, cut the slice anyway and cover the end with whipped cream. It will still taste great.

Again here’s to a lovely Thanksgiving weekend!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

Fall is upon us here in Beautiful BC. As I sit here looking at out the window watching the sun shine it's way through the tree branches and noticing an occasional leaf float from a tree to the ground I'm feeling nostalgic. I can't help but think back to my youth, walking home from school and hearing the crunching of leaves beneath my shoes. I really do love this time of year.

Top ten why I love Autumn!

1. Seasonal Superfoods
2. Halloween
3.Thanksgiving
4. Bathingsuit season is over.
5. No Humidity
6. Warm fires
7. Hockey
8. New Styles
9. New Starbucks flavored coffee
10. My favorite shows are back on TV!!

How about you: Why is this your favorite time of year?

As always, thanks for visiting by blog ♥
Christina

Come, Little Leaves
by George Cooper

“Come, little leaves,”
Said the wind one day,
“Come over the meadows
With me, and play;
Put on your dresses
Of red and gold;
Summer is gone,
And the days grow cold.”

Soon as the leaves
Heard the wind’s loud call,
Down they came fluttering,
One and all;
Over the meadows
They danced and flew,
Singing the soft
Little songs they knew.

Dancing and flying
The little leaves went;
Winter had called them
And they were content-
Soon fast asleep
In their earthy beds,
The snow laid a soft mantle
Over their heads.

Fall Autumn Halloween Time!!

Falloween... I know it's not really a word, but I like it!

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. To me it is a time for renewal, and it is a time to reflect on what may lie ahead. I especially enjoy early autumn when it’s still warm out but you can feel a little chill in the air. I like being able to put on a light sweater, seeing the leaves change, and feeling cozy in my bed at night with a comforter on top of me and immersed in a good book or my iphone!

You know that excited feeling in the pit of your stomach that you get when you're a little kid and Christmas is just around the corner? Yeah, that's how I feel for the whole month of October which leads into Thanksgiving and then Christmas!! I love Halloween. I love the candy. I love the dressing up. (I don't like the frightening things about Halloween though). I get really, really into Halloween -- decorating, baking, making cards and tags -- so once fall comes around, it's a signal for the most wonderful time of the year to begin!




















Where I live, the summers are very hot and winter is way too cold for my taste. Fall, however, is perfect. Sometimes I will walk outside and think to myself, "This weather could not possibly be more perfect." the perfect mix of sun and clouds and slight chill to create the best weather ever. While I often miss the lazy days of summer spent at the lake, nothing can compare with the perfect temperatures and soft breeze of an autumn afternoon. I love the smell of fall and the bright orange and red color of the leaves as they fall to the ground from the trees or walking outside and hearing the crunching leaves underfoot. I love the taste and the smell of apples, including hot apple cider, apple pies, and caramel apples. I love the fall town fairs.
























Some of my favorite foods come out in full force this time of year. Apples are at their best when it's fall. They are delicious by themselves or in a pie. And, even more important than apples is candy corn. Love a bag of fresh Brach's candy corn! Since I don't eat these any other time of the year, they feel like an extra special fall treat!

photo courtesy of flicker

I know everyone might not share their affection for autumn, but no matter what the season, it's important to enjoy the moment. Whether it's fall or spring or winter or summer, remember to take time to enjoy! Seasons come and go -- they all come back around again -- but each and every one is worth paying attention to. Enjoy them while they last!


What is YOUR favorite season and how do you celebrate?
Feel free to share in the comments section!

Christina, xo

Halloween Mini

With Halloween around the corner, I couldn't resist making a mini. I challenged myself with this one. I wanted it finished in two days. I did it!! I was simple though. No flaps or tons of pockets. I hope you like it!

Front Cover

Back Cover

Thanks for stopping by!

Christina