Mini Pecan Pie Tarts

Confession time: I have never eaten Pecan Pie.

I'm sure I'm not the only one. The only real problem with that statement is that Joe and I were assigned to bring croissants and pecan pie to our fifth annual Friendsgiving dinner. Let's be real for a moment, Joe does not cook so in all reality, I was assigned to bring croissants and pecan pie. Since I didn't have a fool-proof recipe to fall back on, I turned to the interwebs. I ended up finding a pin for this recipe from Bits and Bytes. 

Turns out, it's a winner! 

These little bites got so many compliments throughout the evening. That was quite the feat considering that most of us gorged during the meal and could barely taste dessert by the end haha. The raves seemed to concentrate on the fact that these were just sweet enough.. nowhere near the heavy sugariness of a true pecan pie.

Fall Fun List - A Bucket List for the Whole Family!

Today is the PERFECT fall day. I went outside to find frost on the car, the sun shining bright, and not a cloud in the sky. It's too bad that it's Monday haha. If you didn't have a chance to stop by Sumo's Sweet Stuff last month to grab the printable I shared, no worries, because I have you covered! If you love the crisp air and smell of fallen leaves as much as I do, this Fall Fun List printable will be right up your alley!

Autumn is my absolute favorite season of all. I know that I'm not the only one. I cannot wait until the Mr. and I have a family to share the this time of year with. There are just so many wonderful things to enjoy indoors and out it's hard to fit it all in. Pumpkin patches. Apple cider. Haunted houses. Seasonal baking. Nature walks. Corn mazes. Hayrides. I feel like I spend the entire year counting down to October... and somehow it's already NOVEMBER. How the heck did that happen? 

How about using this little bucket list to keep your season on track?

Fall-o-ween Front Porch Reveal

Yay! We're no longer the eyesore on the block! Our house is officially ready for trick-or-treaters. We decided to take a bit more of an autumnal approach to Halloween decorating this year. I'm calling it Fall-o-ween! A whole lot of FALL with some HALLOWEEN on the side. 

Come take a peek!

How To: Enjoy a Pomegranate in Five Minutes or Less

!!WARNING: POMEGRANATES WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS TUTORIAL!!

Pomegranate season is upon us! If you have never enjoyed one of these babies, buy one! Right now. Seriously, get on that.

Once Autumn has arrived, I patrol the produce stands for those yummy jewels. The only pain in the tush is actually popping out the little arils (the edible portion of the fruit) in what I would consider a "timely manner." I used to individually pick out each and every seed (for what took like an hour) until I found this ridiculously easy trick.

Check it out!

Team Colors Football Wreath

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!

We are definitely one of *those* football households. Beginning in September, there is never any question of "what are we doing on Sunday?" We already know. We run out for special hot wings early in the afternoon. Cheese and crackers have a special place on the coffee table. Only during commercials do we dare have a conversation. With a beer in hand, we cheer way too loud. We rep our teams colors with pride... even though we are having a pretty crappy season so far. 

A couple of weeks ago, I thought that a wreath would be the perfect way to dress up our Hunter Green door with a bit of [Chip] Kelly Green. Fly, Eagles, fly!

It's nothing complicated... just a basic styrofoam wreath form, wrapped in white yarn, with touches of gray and green for our beloved Birds. 

Guest Post at Sumo's Sweet Stuff - October

As I write this, I find myself dying from seasonal allergies and PSL withdrawal. Nonetheless, this girl loves Autumn. After all, don't you remember this from last year? Today I'm over at Sumo's Sweet Stuff sharing a bucket list of sorts -- complete with fun & easy ideas for you and your family to celebrate the season. Come on over and take a look!

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Tatertots & Jello | S3 | Classy Clutter | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

Harvest Meatloaf with Apple Dijon Gravy

Did you read that title? Harvest Meatloaf with Apple Dijon Gravy. The meatloaf is hearty, healthy and tastes like Fall. The gravy is tangy and sweet with a fabulous mustard undertone. It's all so very incredible if I do say so myself. If that didn't make you salivate, I don't know what will. 

Oh wait, maybe a picture... YUM!

Football Friday - Fudgy Football Brownie Pops

Football season is the best season of all. Over the years, the Mr. has had quite the influence on this girl. We met in November while football was in full swing so I learned early on that our Sundays would be devoted to the pigskin. I wouldn't change a thing about it :) Monday Night Football was our first Eagles' game of the season so I made an extra special treat -- Fudgy Football Brownie Pops. 

You don't need any special tools or cake molds for these guys, just some patience and a steady hand.

DIY Pet Rocks - Chalkboard Style!

How flippin fun are those little guys? Ahhh. I sorta loved pet rocks as a kid... googly eyes and all. These are bit more grown up and oh so modern with their chalk art styling. You already know that I heart woodland creatures so I made little cartoony owls on this set but you could do whatever you like. Oh and did I mention these are super easy and virtually mess free??

Pinecone Curtain Ties

Earlier this year I transformed our window treatments with huge poppy curtain ties. They made such a positive impact on the room but it was about time to switch things up a bit. My original inspiration came when I saw this wreath alternative here. I fell in lust but since I already made my Star of Bethlehem wreath, I scrapped that idea and went inside with the pinecones instead.  That's when I decided on number seventeen of The 25 Projects of Christmas: Pinecone Curtain Ties. These will surely delight throughout the rest of the season. 

While the Mr. is super nice about letting me have free reign when decorating the house, I try not to press my luck. "Pretty" things just aren't his style. While I'd say that these curtain ties are definitely on the pretty side, he doesn't seem to mind. Yay me! Read on for how to make your own!

Scarves: The Ultimate Fall Accessory

My favorite accessory, especially when the temperatures drop, is definitely a scarf. I wear one almost everyday, no lie! Maybe yesterday's infinity scarf tutorial hinted at that. Scarves can work with every outfit in your closet and you'll always look fabulous.

Those are just a few of my favorites that I've collected over the years. A girl can never have too many shoes, diamonds, or scarves. Just sayin'.

Tutorial: 30-Minute Infinity Scarf

It's official. I'm back on a crocheting kick. Despite having known how to crochet for nearly two decades, I still have no idea what the names are for most of the stitches so sharing my more "complex" projects would probably leave you more befuddled than anything. Here's a super simple infinity scarf that even the most beginner of beginners can whip up in less than one episode of your favorite tv show.

Pecan, Pumpkin and Ricotta Quick Bread

When it gets cooler, the first thing I like to do (besides pulling out my snuggie) is baking. Nothing marks the change of the seasons quite like filling the house with the aromas of warm baked goodies. Yesterday, I grabbed the last mix I had from our Williams-Sonoma shopping trip and threw together this delight: Pecan,  Pumpkin & Ricotta Swirled Quick Bread. Geez, that's definitely a mouthful (and a delicious one at that!).

Yep, this is a QUICK bread. No yeast, no waiting, no nothing. I highly suggest you make this in a jiffy. Yep, I said that.

Tutorial: Felted Acorn Garland

As you may have guessed, I'm spending the weekend on the couch while recuperating. It's a bit disappointing because I would have preferred to be at the pumpkin patch or a haunted house or two but you gotta do what you gotta do. At least I can share some Autumn goodness with you through this festive garland.

How darling are those little felted acorns?

Paint Chip Goodie Bags

Yesterday I mentioned that I had an Autumn goodie bag tutorial that was perfect for the cookies I made and today I live up to my word!

I'm all about being green (and cheap) whenever I can so it's nice when I find new ways to use old things.

Fabric Candy Corn Treat Bags

Ahhh, October! It's beginning to get cooler and the leaves are starting to change. It's time to deck the halls with cobwebs and skeletons and start singing Monster Mash! This weekend I got around to dressing up some fabric treat bags for our favorite kids. Not only are these adorable, they're also super easy and NO-SEW!  Sweet!

Want to find out how to make a set of your own? Read on!

Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Pumpkins

How much do you like short-cuts? A lot? Me too! Well, these little pumpkins are practically made of short-cuts.

Love Autumn {Printable}

While some people are Summer folks and others sincerely adore the Spring, I am definitely an Autumn girl at heart. I love spiced cider, pumpkin patches, pies, corn mazes, picking apples, football, the colors, and most of all the change in weather. Seriously, what's not to love? 

At work, I'm teased because "Who doesn't love..." is pretty much my catchphrase. It's been followed by "mummies," "Martha Stewart," "cheesecake," "the Spice Girls," "Honey Boo Boo Child," and other random thoughts. 

In the spirit of the season, who DOESN'T love Autumn?!

Feel free to download the image here. 

I'd be delighted if you'd consider following Spool and Spoon via email or through Google Friend Connect; there are plenty of other printables, mouth-watering recipes and incredibly simple projects for you to discover! Also, did you know Spool and Spoon has a Facebook? Hop on over so you don't miss any of the fun. 

I'm linking to:

DIY Showoff | S3 | Classy Clutter | A Little Tipsy | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | Somewhat Simple | My Simple Home Life | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

DIY Monochromatic Fabric Pumpkins

I feel like my sewing machine and I have an ":it's complicated" relationship. I go weeks without touching it and then out of nowhere I can't get my hands off of it for hours on end. Is anyone else like that? Well, I made a few things last night while I was feeling inspired and thought I'd share a tutorial for one today: Monochromatic Fabric Pumpkins. 

Materials:

• Fabric scraps
• Coordinating heavy duty thread (Coats Glace line is perfect for this)
• Poly fill
• Twine
• Ribbon
• Sewing machine & necessary tools