Pumpkin Carvings...

I'm searching for a couple of pumpkin templates and came across Martha Stewart's pumpkin carving templates. I think there are SO many great ideas that I'm going to share it with you. I hope she doesn't mind!

For the How-To's click here:

Martha Stewart Halloween-pumpkin-carving-patterns  


Martha Stewart Pumpkin wkbk.pdf 


Martha Stewart Scary Pumpkins 

Halloween is coming!

Since Halloween is nearing, I thought it was time to find the old Monster Mash song.. an oldie but goodie! I remember when I was a kid and my folks had this song on a LP and we would listen to it every Halloween, so in keeping with tradition here it is... in a youtube form (the video is not the best quality but it's a classic as well).

Enjoy everyone :)

My little Craft Corner

We don't have the extra room in our house at the moment for me to set up my own craft/sewing room but I was able to set up a little craft corner in our kitchen. I thought I'd share it with you all :) Hollie xo

Craft Room Ideas

Here's an inspiration post for my mum.. Enjoy :)

 This is my favourite one

Until next time! Hollie xo

Mother & Daughter Project #1 ~ Autumn Table Centrepiece

During my usual weekly chat with my mum  via Skype, we decided to get crafty together.. we don't exactly live near each other any more. I live in England and she lives in my home town near Vancouver, BC, Canada but we wanted to get involved in something that we can share with each other and feel like we are still together.. and since we both enjoy sewing & quilting (my new found hobbies) we thought this project would be just the thing!


We found this super cute spring/summer table centrepiece idea on flickr, below, and we'll customise it to suit our autumnal theme, like different fabric and we'll put a maple leaf in the centre. I think it will bring a bit of Autum into both our kitchens. I really like this idea as it is a great way for us to share our hobby and still be involved with each other! So, first step will be to pick out the fabric.. the exciting part! Stayed tuned for our pictures!


Here's what I've done so far still need to do the binding and backing. The pics were taken with my mobile so it's not the best quality:

Our Inspiration: Found on Flickr: QuiltsByEmily


*Originally posted in August, 2011

I fancied a change!

As you probably have have noticed, my blog had a makeover today. I liked the last design but found it a bit too busy, hard on the eyes. This new design is still a bit busy but I like more because it's a bit fresh, artistic and fun.. like me! HA! But if you guys think this one isn't as good as my last design please let me know.. I'm interested to know what you like best, who knows perhaps I'll go back to my last one.  Hope you're all having a great week.. Happy hump day! Wednesday I mean! :)

Stuffed Pork Chops baked in Cider

Tonight my lovely hubby made dinner and it was so yummy that I had to type this out and share with you guys :) He said it was pretty easy to make, so I think you gotta give it a go. I have to add that this is definitely a lovely warming autumnal / winter dish.

This recipe was taken from a little English cookbook of mine called Favourite Recipes with Beer & Cider... yum!

Stuffed Pork Chops baked in Cider

A traditional West Country Dish

4x8 oz pork chops

1/2 - 1/4 pint dry cider (or any kind of cider will do)

1 oz butter for browning the chops

Stuffing:

1 oz butter

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1 medium cooking apple, peeled, cored and grated

6 prunes, stoned and chopped (yes prunes, it just adds a bit of sweetness I think)

1 oz walnuts, finely chopped

1 small egg, beaten

4 tablespoons fresh white breadcrumbs

salt & pepper

Set oven to 425 deg Fahrenheit or 220 deg Celsius. For the stuffing, melt 1 oz butter and cook the onion gently until soft. Remove from the heat and add all the remaining stuffing ingredients. Slit the outside edges of the chops to make pockets and push the stuffing inside them (or in our case he just added it on top). Melt the remaining 1 oz butter in a frying pan and quickly brown each chop. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and pour over about 1/2 pint of cider; enough to cover the bottom of the dish. Bake for approx 30-40 minutes until meat is tender. During cooking, baste the chops from time to time and add more cider if needed. The chops should be served hot with the reduced, syrupy cider liquid poured over them.

This is my little cookbook

Pumpkin Pie.... from scratch!!

Yield: One 9-inch deep dish pie or two 8-inch shallow pies

Step 1 - Get your pie pumpkin or culinary pumpkin

"Pie pumpkins or culinary pumpkins" are smaller, sweeter, less grainy textured pumpkins than the usual jack-o-lantern types.  Grocery stores usually carry them in late September through to November/December. There are many varieties of pumpkin and some make better pies that other (due to sugar content, flavor, texture and water content.  Drier, sweeter, fine-grained pies; the small (8" across) ones called "pie pumpkins" are best. 

If you using a regular Jack O' Lantern type pumpkin, you may need to add about 25% more sugar and run the cooked pumpkin through a blender or food processor to help smooth it out.

TIP: If you're in a pinch and can't find a pie pumpkin, here's a tip: butternut squash taste almost the same!  Commercial canned pumpkin is from a variety of butternut, not true pumpkins!

One 6" pie pumpkin usually makes one 10 inch deep dish pie and a bit extra; or two 9 inch shallow pies! If you have extra goop, you can always pour it into greased baking pans and make a crustless mini pie with the excess (and the cooked pies do freeze well!)

Step 2 - Prepare the pumpkin for cooking

Wash the exterior of the pumpkin in cool or warm water, no soap.

Cut the pumpkin in half.  A serrated knife and a sawing motion works best - a smooth knife is more likely to slip and hurt you! Or you can even try a hand saw.

Step 3 - Scoop out the seeds...

And scrape the insides.  You want to get out that stringy, dangly stuff that coats the inside surface.  
Note: SAVE THE SEEDS: The seeds can be used either to plant pumpkins next year, or roasted to eat this year! Just give them a wash and spread them out on a clean towel or paper towel to dry and they're ready to save for next year's planting or roasting.  

Step 4 - Cooking the pumpkin

There are several ways to cook the pumpkin;  just choose use your preferred method.  Most people have microwaves and a stove, so I'll describe both of those methods here. But others make good arguments in favor of using a pressure cooker or baking in the oven. At the end of this document, I’ve included alternative instructions to replace step 4, if you’d rather use a different method.

Method 1 - Put it in a microwaveable bowl

Remove the stem, and put the pumpkin into a microwaveable. You may need to cut the pumpkin further to make it fit.  The fewer the number of pieces, the easier it will to scoop out the cooked pumpkin afterwards.

Put a couple of inches of water in the bowl, cover it, and put in the microwave. Cook for 15 minutes on high, check to see if it is soft, then repeat in smaller increments of time until it is soft enough to scoop the innards out.  Normally it takes 20 or 30 minutes in total.

Method 2 - Steam on the stovetop

You can also cook it on the stovetop; it takes about the same length of time in a steamer (20 to 30 minutes).  A double pot steamer works, but you could use an ordinary large pot with a steamer basket inside it!

Method 3 - Bake in the oven

You can also bake the prepared pumpkin in the oven, just like a butternut squash.  This method takes the longest. Basically, you cut and scoop out the pumpkin as for the other methods, place it cut side down into a covered oven container. Cover the ovenproof container (with a lid), and pop it in an 350 F (165 C) oven. It normally takes about 45 minutes to 90 minutes (it can vary a lot!); just test it periodically by sticking it with a fork to see if it is soft!

Step 5 - Cook the pumpkin until soft 

Step 6 - Scoop out the cooked pumpkin

Watery pumpkin?

If your pumpkin puree has standing, free water, you may want to let it sit for 30 minutes and then pour off any free water.  That will help prevent you pie from being too watery! Beyond, that, I have not found that the water makes a difference - I wouldn't be TOO concerned about it!

Again, don't go to great lengths to remove water; the recipe accounts for the fact that fresh pumpkin is more watery than canned!

Step 7 - Puree the pumpkin

To get a nice, smooth consistency, use a hand blender but a hand mixer or regular blender will work too.  By blending it, you give the pie a smooth, satiny texture; rather than the rough graininess that is typical of cooked squashes.

Note: You may freeze the puree or pie filling to use it later! Just use a freezer bag or other container to exclude as much air as possible.  It should last a year or more in a deep freezer On the other hand, you may NOT "can" it: 

Step 8 - Make the pie crust

You can use ready-made pie crusts or you can make your own flaky crust.

Step 9 - Mix the pie contents & preheat oven

Preheat oven to 425 F or 210 C

·     1 cup sugar - or 1 cup Splenda, or 3/4 cup honey (honey may make a heavier pie, though)

·     1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·     1 teaspoon ground cloves

·     1 teaspoon ground allspice

·     one half teaspoon ground ginger 
*I used 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon & 2 teaspoons mixed spice instead of ground cloves, allspice and ginger

·     one half teaspoon salt (optional, I don't use any)

·     4 large eggs

·     3 cups pumpkin glop (ok... "sieved, cooked pumpkin")

·     1.5 cans (12oz each) of evaporated milk (I use the nonfat version)

·     1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional) (metric: 20 grams)

Mix well using a hand blender or mixer.

Note: You may substitute 4 teaspoons of "pumpkin pie spice" instead of the cinnamon, cloves, allspice and ginger.  And if you want a heavy, more dense pie, use 3 eggs instead of 4 and 1 can of evaporated milk instead of 1.5)

Step 10 - Pour into the pie crust

Don't be surprised if the mixture is very runny!  It may start as a soupy liquid, but it will firm up nicely in the oven!

TIP: If you put the empty pie crust on your oven rack, with the rack slid partially out, you can fill it there and avoid making a mess while carrying the pie to the oven!

You can also use it in making pumpkin muffins or pumpkin bread!

Step 11 - Bake the pie

Bake at 425 F (210 C ) for the first 15 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 350 F  ( 175 C ) and bake another 45 to 60 minutes, until a clean knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 12 - Cool the pie

I like to set mine in the fridge for a few hours so that it’s cold but some enjoy it warm.. you can serve it, with whipped cream , ice cream or nothing at all - it's great!

You can even freeze the pie after cooking it.  If you do, take the frozen pie out of the freezer, put it in the fridge for about 24 hours, and then if you wish to warm it up, heat it in the oven (350 F for about 15 minutes; just to warm it up) or in the microwave for a few minutes.


(based on the recipe from http://www.pickyourown.org/pumpkinpie.php)

Haunting Halloween & Autumn Decorations

Here's some beautiful ideas for Halloween & Autumn!!

(images found on goodhousekeeping)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Today we are having the in-laws over for their first Thanksgiving dinner. I'm so excited! I'll be continuing the Canadian traditions of a Thanksgiving dinner but unfortunately we aren't having the traditional turkey, we'll be having a lovely roasted chicken instead (sorry chicken) and we're making pumpkin pie from scratch.. Yum.. Can't wait!!!

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you feel Autumn in the air...

“Come said the wind to

The leaves one day,

Come o’re the meadows

And we will play.

Put on your dresses

Scarlet and gold,

For summer is gone

And the days grow cold

--A children’s song of the 1880’s

2 years ago today I married my soulmate!

Just a quick note to wish my lovely hubby a Happy Anniversary! I can't believe how fast 2 years has gone by. Here's to MANY more to come :)  And In honour of our special day, I thought I'd share with you a few of our wedding pics...

My latest crush....

These Cath Kidston bags are SO gorgeous I think I'll have to add one (or all of them) to my Christmas list.. :)