Can you smell it?  The pungent smell of firewood burning with marshmallows toasting.  The spicy aroma of cinnamon.  The sweet yet tart fragrance of apples.  The sweet creamy buttery scent of caramel.  And of course, everything pumpkin!   Are you as excited as I am that we are entering the beautiful season of fall?

We were blessed with a volunteer pumpkin harvest of mini pumpkins this year.  The result of leaving our pumpkins around a little too long last year.  So while I hate to admit I was negligent in cleaning up my fall decor in a decent amount of time, I am now excited that I did so.  However, I now am nervous that our little beauties will rot before the end of this season.  Interestingly enough, I mistakenly came upon an article regarding preserving pumpkins and gourds.

Preserving Pumpkins & Gourds:

You will need only 3 ingredients:

  • 1 Gallon Water
  • 2 Tablespoons Bleach
  • 1 Squirt of Dish soap

Mix these together in a wash tub or small bucket.  Rinse the pumpkins and/or gourds in it for at least 15 minutes.  Take out and dry completely.

If you would like to give them a shiny coat you can then rub a light coat of Vaseline or if you prefer more of a matte finish, spray with Mod Podge.

Pumpkin Recipes:

I’m also getting my fall recipes ready.  Of course, we all have our tried and true favorites, but I also LOVE finding new festive recipes.  I’m wanting to do a Apple fondue type of afternoon for the kids.  We, of course, are huge fans of caramel dip.  However, I started looking for something a little different just for fun.  I chanced upon this recipe by Mom On Tme Out that will definitely be added to my recipe box.  Save this Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip for your Fall entertaining!

  Seriously, doesn’t this look amazing?  I can’t wait to make a fun fall spread with sliced apples, caramel dip, caramel pumpkin cheesecake dip, festive fall sprinkles and mini chocolate chips.  Voila, you have a fun snack that any child or adult will enjoy!

Decorating With Pumpkins!

I always enjoy finding new ideas for decorating with pumpkins inside and out!  After all, we want everything pumpkin when this time of year rolls around.  Of course, the no carve options are great for indoors.  Look at some of these cute ideas:

   

These, as well as numerous other clever ideas by Create, Craft, Love can be found here: No Carve Pumpkin Ideas – A Gallery of Festive Ideas!  We actually tried the crayon melting method that is shown in her pin a couple of years ago, and it was an epic fail for us.  It was fun trying, but we just couldn’t quite conquer that one.  If any of you try it, please comment back on this post with pics and any special tips you may have learned.  I would love to try it again!  There is also a fun idea with glow in the dark paint.

I will definitely try the black chalk paint on one for my kitchen this year….how fun!!!  Here are some fun sayings for Pumpkin Decorating:

  • You Are The Pumpkin Spice To My Fall
  • Thankful, Grateful, Blessed
  • One Final Thing And All Is Done, Add A Piece Of Thine Own Tongue (life potion from Hocus Pocus)
  • When Black Cats Prowl And Pumpkins Gleam, May Luck Be Yours On Halloween
  • It’s The Witching Hour Somewhere
  • Welcome To Halloweentown!
  • It’s All Just A Bunch Of Hocus Pocus!
  • Witch Please!
  • Oh My Gourd!
  • I Put A Spell On You!
  • Eat, Drink, And Be Scary
  • I Smell Children!
  • Ghosts & Goblins, Spooks Galore, Scary Witches At Your Door, Jack-O-Lanterns Smiling Bright, Wishing You A Haunting Night!
  • There Is Magic In The Night When Pumpkins Glow By Moonlight!
  • Time For Shivers, Scares, And Thrills, For Pumpkin Grins In Windowsills, For Black Cats In The Full Moon’s Glow, And A Happy Halloween Hello!
  • Let’s Get Smashed!

The chillier days of fall are just around the corner, so get those cozy sweaters and denim jackets out and start making your life Everything Pumpkin!

 

  

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