{WOYWW} What's On Your Work desk Wednesday 11.6.13

 In my case it's 'what's on your work bed?'. My scrapping has taken over our spare room and I'm using the bed to hold some of my paper stash. It's just easier when it's spread out so I can see everything.

 Here's what the desk looks like. I've been trying to scrap an hour a day.  Some days I do, some I don't at all. I'm making progress though, I'm up to Thanksgiving 2011.

 I snapped a few quick layout pics from Halloween.

 I love this set of Halloween papers and stickers from Creative Memories.

 Here's another simple layout that I liked for Miss Middle School's new room (Oct. 2011).

And....here's what's left of my 2011 photos (I think). There could be few more stacks hidden under more paper and stickers.  

{All photos taken (quickly) with my Iphone}

Linking up with:

WOYWW

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{Recipe} Crock Pot Pumpkin Applesauce

I promised some new pumpkin recipes and here's a winner if you like apples and pumpkins.  

This one is totally guilt free too (no sugar added)!

 I've been making lots of applesauce lately and instead of my stovetop method, I've started using the crock pot.   It's so easy to let it the crock pot do the work and the house smells like you're baking apple pie all day.

I had some leftover canned pumpkin so I experimented and added it to the cooking apples.  The result was a darker, denser and delicious combo of two of my favorite fall flavors.

 Start by coring, peeling and quartering as many apples as you like. I try and fill the crock pot because they will cook down a lot.  I also use a variety of apples and I might throw in a pear or two if I have them.
*Sometimes I don't even peel the apples, the skin gets very soft and pretty much slips off of the apples as they cook and it doesn't really bother me.*

Add 1 cinnamon stick (or more if you like) and a good sprinkling of apple pie spice, a splash of pure vanilla extract, a dash of salt and about 1/4-1/3 cup of water (or apple cider).  I also like to add some dried or fresh orange peel (lemon works nicely too).  Add 1/2 can of pumpkin puree (optional).

Cover the crock pot and cook on low, stirring occasionally.  I usually let it cook all day and test out the apples to see if they are ready for mashing with a potato masher.  When they are soft enough, they will mash up very easily with the masher. Continue stirring and mashing until it's at your preferred consistency. You could use a stick blender to puree if you like it smoother (or wait until it cools and use a food processor).

Remove and discard the cinnamon stick before serving (or processing).

{This was a fresh cinnamon stick for picture taking purposes only.}

It's delicious served hot, cold or at room temperature. 

Linking up with:

Wow Me Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

The Weekly Creative

Favorite Friday

Sunday Showcase

Saturday Night Fever

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Insta-Love {October}

How is your November going so far? I'm glad to be done with Halloween and moving toward the other holidays.   The leaves were stunning this weekend and the temperatures dipped into the 40's and 50's (it's only 34 right now! brrrr!).  

Here are some of my Iphone photos from October.

 A pretty sunrise.

 Making my Hanging Porch Bats.

 A view of the manmade lake where we take our walk.

 Another gorgeous fall sky!

 My birthday lunch (Blue L T)..yum!

 I treated myself to a birthday blow out.

 This scarecrow lost his hat last year in Super Storm Sandy, I used the topper from my birthday carrot soup to give him a new one!  He's working it!

 The only photo from my birthday dinner...what was left of the tiramisu.

 What a day this was...getting this remote control shark filled with helium for Miss Middle School's birthday. She wanted one and it was fun making her wish come true! I'm just glad I had a partner that day to help me!

Celebrating her birthday at Cheesecake Factory with more gifts...

and a pic with Dad.

 Finding a huge leaf on a nature walk.

 Busy busy with party plans...

 Another birthday dinner..this was my entree...soooooo good!

 Channeling my inner Kitty for this party.

Party time with these girls!

Discovering this tree house on a walk...I'm obsessed!

 Beautiful old barn...

 The set up for her 'friend' party...post coming soon!

Making lots of applesauce!

 First fire of the season...

Freezing Chilling at the skating rink.

That was my month in Iphone photos.

 What did you do in October?

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Things Loved Lately - November 2013

Happy November!
Can you believe it's November 1st?
It's been awhile since I've done one of these and I keep adding things to my list!

Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Lentils

First up, are these lentils from TJ's, I always thought I didn't like lentils. I was wrong. These are the tiny French kind and they are already cooked for you--ready to be eaten! I love them in a pita with hummus and lots of veggies or I throw them into soup or salad. So versatile and delicious!

Tootsie Caramel Apple Pops

These lollies are my seasonal fave and hard to find!  They are made by Tootsie and are a sour apple lollipop covered in real caramel.  If I see them, I buy a few bags to keep us stocked through the year.

Only 2 WW PP+ per pop to boot!

Tootsie Caramel Apple Orchard Pops

Then I saw THESE on line!! Oh my goodness. I've never seen them in a store, which is probably a good thing...three different kind of apple flavored pops (Golden Delicious, Green Apple and Red Macintosh).  So technically I don't love these (yet) but I know I would!

Pumpkin

Anything PUMPKIN!! I can't get enough of it this fall!

Lately I've been adding it my oatmeal in the morning and trying to come up with some other healthy ways to enjoy it.

I have few pumpkin recipes coming up on the blog.

 Here's one to hold you over

60 Calorie Pumpkin Spiced Latte.

Bath & Body Leaves Candle

This is my all time favorite fall scent from Bath & Body Works but they don't carry it in store any longer. There are two newer Leaves scent that are nice too (in store) but I order this one on line.

Fall hand soaps

I really stocked up on these this year. 

 They are always nice to have on hand as a quick hostess gift.

Scandal

Another show that I am coming to later in the game. I caught up with Seasons 1 & 2 over the summer and I'm totally hooked.  Are you a Gladiator too?

Essie Miss Fancy Pants

"A refined, chic greige" is what they describe it as.  This photo doesn't look like the color to me. It's the perfect grey/beige for sure!

Essie Demure Vixen

"An iridescent cocoa mauve"

Again, this photo looks nothing like the actual color.  It's a neutral iridescent that I LOVE!

I could probably go on and on but that will have to wait for my next installment.

What are you crushing on lately?

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