{Baked Goodies}

It's pumpkin season so I decided to use this autumn item in some different recipes. This one for Spiced Pumpkin Bread turns out so so tasty. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you take this out of the oven. It's a dense, moist, flavorful bread that is slightly sweet with a hint of ginger, cinnamon and pumpkin. The glaze is optional (but my sweet tooth insisted on it). 

Pumpkin Bread

12 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

3 large eggs

Sugar Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons water

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter/flour two loaf pans, set aside. Whisk flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and salt. In separate bowl mix pumpkin, sugar, butter and eggs. Add flour mixture until just combined. Divide batter between pans. Bake for approx. 50 min or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before icing. 

{Skeleton Garland}

Oh, Halloween is fast approaching and I am well under way making things to spook stuff up a little. This skeleton garland is adapted from this invitation project and I must say I like it better this way. This small army of dancing bones hanging from a bookshelf or doorway will most certainly add charm to your days leading up to October 31st. 

The printout is glued to black card stock then cut out with detailed precision. Small brads affix the arms and legs to the body, but allow for movement of the skeletons. I finished by threading them through some brown and white spun bakers twine. You can make as many as you see fit for your garland. 

{October, October!}

Its October! Finally we are coming into my favorite time of the year, fall. And though it's still in the 90's here in California, I am hopeful that the cool weather, sweaters, and hot chocolate are soon on their way. 

I started decorating for the impending holiday, Halloween that is! Over the next few weeks I'll share the other crafts I've been working on. These may look familiar (they were a BIG DEAL last season) but I had to make a few to start the month off. 

Mini pumpkins, craft glue, glitter, and a little black paint for the stems. That's about all there is to this one. I'll let you guess how to put them together. 

Fall, {sigh...} my favorite time of the year.