Pumpkin Centerpiece

Here's an elegant and simple way to dress up your table for any fall gathering.

You need

Leaves/pumpkin/pumpkin saw/ribbon and raffia

How to

Simply trace a leaf(you can use a real one or a leaf shaped cookie cutter) onto the shell of a hollowed out pumpkin to create a few leaf silhouettes.

Then use you pumpkin knife to saw out the shapes.

Adorn the pumpkin with a ribbon or raffia bow and a scattering of colorful autumn leaves

No Sew Liner

Dress up storage baskets-and make them easier to clean with lining cut from oilcloth, a durable and moisture resistant fabric that requires no hemming. Simply overlap two pieces crosswise in the basket,leaving several inches of overhang on each end before cutting. Hole punch the corners, and tie in place with ribbon

Decor Ideas for Fall

Ornamental grasses dress up a plain staircase for fall-the dried variety is available at crafts stores and fresh grasses can be purchased at some floral shops. Simply bundle bunches of the grasses together,secure with a rubber band and tie to every other baluster on your staircase with raffia.

Harvest Corn- Tie a grouping of Indian corn ears together and hang from a cabinet door. Display jars filled with dried corn and seeds behind glass front doors. Note-- I think this would be great on a front door also.

Homemade Shake and Bake Recipe

Sorry, I don't have a picture of this but I think we all know what Shake and Bake looks like. I use it alot for chicken and pork. It seems to make it more tender and tasty. Hope this helps you the next time you reach into your pantry and realize you are out of the store bought.

2 cups flour
2 cups ground crackers)unsalted, or use salted crackers and skip the salt below)
2 tbs salt
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs garlic powder
4 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp pepper

For chicken add
1 tbs sage
1 tbs thyme

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Brush meat lightly with vegetable oil before covering with Shake and Bake

Easy Thanksgiving Craft to Decorate your table

Pretty Pumpkin- turn a Thanksgiving dinner table into something special with these ideas that take only a few minutes to make.

Hot glue cloves, star anise, and leaves to a small pumpkin or gourd to make a fragrant place card.

Fill a white container with white and yellow mini pumpkins resting on a bed of colorful fall leaves. Top a pale green pumpkin with a bright gingham bow. Beneath the bow, crisscross thin ribbon in colorful rows down the pumpkin

Pumpkin Bird Feeder

For a seasonal supplement to your regular bird feeder, cut a 3-5 pound pumpkin in half;scoop pit, leaving a 1/2 inch thick wall. Cut a 1/2 inch deep groove in the rim for pumpkin seeds. For perches, poke holes and insert twigs. To hang, knot two lengths of twine together in center;tack knot to feeder bottom, Fill with birdseed

French Chicken Stew

This is a great fall and winter stew that will please your whole family.

You need

4 cups sliced mushrooms of choice
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red potato, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup fresh green beans
1/2 cup pitted ripe olives, halved
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp quick cooking tapioca
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning crushed
3/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1 jar tomato pasta sauce or one jar of Alfredo pasta sauce
French bread optional

In a slow cooker combine mushrooms,undrained tomatoes,carrots,onion, potato,green beans,olives, broth,wine,tapioca,seasonings. Place chicken on top;sprinkle with seasoned salt. Cover and cook on how for 6-7 hours.

Stir in pasta sauce.