Tiny Tips for the Kitchen

In our house, my favorite room is, of course, the kitchen. I love cooking, baking and just visiting with family and friends in the kitchen. And I always love helpful hints for the kitchen.

Gooseberry Patch has a book that is perfect for me, it's called Tiny Tips for the Kitchen. I've enjoyed getting new ideas from this book. I even picked out a few to share...

~Create a pretty marbleized effect when baking a white cake mix. Simply sprinkle batter in its pan with a few drops of food coloring, then swirl the color around with a knife tip.

      I love doing this! It's fun for birthdays and makes a pretty cake, that is easy!

~A mini photo album is just right for keeping tried & true recipes handy on the kitchen counter. Slide in a few snapshots of happy family mealtimes, too!

     This is a fun idea for making a recipe book for a gift, also.

~Chopped or crushed candy bars make a fast & easy topping for frosted cakes. Try using toffee, caramel or nougat bars...mmmm...!

      This is super yummy! Again, a perfect topping for that swirled birthday cake! ;-)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Tiny Tips for a Cozy Home

I've been looking through the newest books from Gooseberry Patch.
Tiny Tips for a Cozy Home has so many wonderful ideas for around the home.

I've chosen a few to share with you.

~"This super-simple table runner adds a cheerful look to any tabletop. Simply line up enough bandannas to fit the length of a table, then stitch them together. Oh-so easy and colorful!"

This is one that I love, and it brightens up any table!

~"Hang up an old fashioned mini washboard where family messages, calendars and to-do lists can easily be found. Button magnets and clothespin clips will hold everything in place and add a dash of whimsy."

In our busy household, this is a must!

~"Who says teacups need to be tucked away on a shelf? Insert cup hooks along the top of a window and hang teacups up side-by-side. What a sweet "valance" for a cozy kitchen.

I love to find teacups at flea markets and thrift shops. And it doesn't matter if they don't match, they are all pretty!

I feel that fall is the perfect time of year to make our homes cozy!

It's September! That means Fall!

I am so excited that September is here! I'm looking forward to fall! The cooler weather, leaves changing, and fall cooking. I seem to cook and bake more in the fall than any other time of year. I just love the flavors of fall like pumpkin, apple, cinnamon...yum!

I made some Pumpkin Pancakes yesterday morning and they were a hit.  Emily loved them plain, without syrup. The recipe comes from the Gooseberry Patch Autumn in the Country cookbook. 

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 c. all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. brown sugar, packed

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/2 c. canned pumpkin

1-1/2 c. milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp. oil

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and spices in a large bowl; set aside. Combine remaining ingredients in a seperate bowl; mix well. Stir pumpkin mixture into flour mixture just until moistened. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface; turn and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, until golden. Makes 16 pancakes.

With the end of summer, and the beginning of fall, we've noticed that the butterflies have been extra busy before leaving for the coming winter.  Emily and I took a "butterfly walk", and took some pictures of our colorful friends.

 Emily started 1st grade two weeks ago. She was worried that they would have a test on the first day! She's loved 1st grade so far, and really likes her teacher, and she even lost her first tooth this past week. So far the school year is getting off to a good start!

Have a great week!