Halloween Stem-ware

It's just not fair.

The big, beautiful orange gourd of the pumpkin gets all the glory.

It is what you notice first, what gets carved and decorated.

But what about the stem?  It is the pumpkin's life line, does all the work helping it grow,

and gets NO respect...

until now!

Introducing Halloween a few taSTEMakers that will stand out at the pumpkin patch...

Give your pumpkin a greeting!

This long, lean, straight stem was begging for a flag to wave in the October air.

Make your pumpkin GOURD-ous!

This perfectly curved stem was crying out for chamomile.

I hot glued them on and she was ready for her close-up.

Happy Halloween

Pumpkin Spice Care Package

My daughter doesn't care for clichés.

Anything to is overexposed and trendy is not her cup of tea.

I love to tease her about it,

 so since we are in the heart of Pumpkin Spice Season,

 I thought this would be the perfect theme for her latest 

college care package...

I often call her pumpkin so this mug

was a fitting way for her to start the day...

She is a popcorn fanatic and I had to include

this new flavor of Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP

Space in her dorm room is tight and a teeny, tiny felted wool pumpkin is cute and cozy anywhere...

Adding to the spice in this package are her favorite Sriracha Almonds...

and who could resist dark chocolate?

Pumpkin Spice season also means a change in the weather.

A few essentials for dry hands and cold ears...

Although she may not love the overexposure of PSL season, 

I know she loves the smells of the holidays.

So let the scent fill the air!

I couldn't resist putting in a little Fall Fun Money...

after all, maybe she'll buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte??

Pumpkin Thyme Soup

It's that time of year when anything and everything is pumpkin.

I have to say they are hard to resist.

They are bright, happy and the perfect symbol of the season to come.

That is why these adorable Fall Zucchette Pumpkin shaped pasta shells,

 I saw at the store had to come home with me.

It is Pumpkin Soup Thyme!

A cheerful, simple bowl of fun...

and no carving involved!

"Pumpkin" Noodle Thyme Soup
serves 3-4

2 cups of Trader Joe's Fall Zucchette Pasta shells cooked al dente (about 6 minutes), then rinsed in cold water to stop cooking

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
1/2 cup white onion, finely chopped
2 large celery stalks, finely chopped
2 large carrots peeled and finely chopped
2 14.5 ounce cans chicken stock
1 Tablespoon Thyme leaves removed from stem

Heat olive oil and garlic in a sauce pan over medium heat for a minute, then add onion, celery and carrots.  Heat and stir until onions become translucent.  About 5 minutes.  Add chicken stock and simmer on low about 10 minutes.  Gently stir in Pumpkin pasta.  Remove from heat and serve with fresh thyme sprinkled on top.

Ice Cream Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie is one of the highlights of Fall, 

but for some reason I don't feel right about eating it before Thanksgiving.

The temperature in Northern California is supposed to hit 80 degrees 

later this week so I thought a new kind of pumpkin pie should be on the menu -

Ice Cream Pie...

I picked these chocolate pumpkins from Trader Joe's...

and gathered some of my favorite local ice creams 

and mini graham cracker pie shells...

and my pumpkin pies were ready!

(I put them back in freezer at least an hour before serving)

I'm so happy to just chill out...

and enjoy!

linkpartypalooza

5 fun no-carve pumpkins

Do you want to know the thing that scares me most at Halloween?

Carving pumpkins!

They never turn out how I envisioned,  it's messy, 

they rot and the squirrels treat them like a all day buffet when we put them on the porch.

I've got 5 fun ways to spice up your pumpkin patch finds 

and there will be no knives involved..

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building and joined the Halloween party.
Make a PumpKING.

Hot out of the oven, 

Pumpkin Pizzas

Have museum quality masterpieces in no time...

get artsy with
 Pollack Pumpkins

Who is that 

Masked Pumpkin?

Keep things simple and sweet with
Succulent pumpkins

I Scream for Jack o'lanterns

Here's the scoop, 

we've been making Ice Cream Jack o'lanterns for years.

So easy, so cute and such a treat since it is still 80 degrees in California!

It's amazing how a little black tubed icing 

 transform a scoop of pumpkin ice cream...

or even a few chocolate chips will do the trick (or treat)...

Happy Halloween!

Best Witches for a Happy Halloween

Have the Happiest Halloween,
I hope all your "witches" come true!