Celebrating Autumn with Simple Decor and Applesauce Spice Cake

Hello, Dear Friends, in this most beautiful of seasons, 

I find joy by bringing the outside in. 

Simple joys are the best things in life, 

don't you think? 

Please come inside and share my joy

with a cup of tea and some delicious 

applesauce spice cake that I baked

just for you. 

While the cake is cooling, let me show you

how I've added some lovely fall color 

to the inside of my little hand-built cottage, 

here in the foothills of the Cascade mountains. 

The sun is streaming in on this beautiful day, 

casting golden light and shadows here and there.

I've replaced the white lace curtains of summer 

with velvet flocked sheers, added golden pillows, 

and art with autumn scenes. 

Kai enjoys the sunshine today! 

Flea market art :)

The top one, an original amateur painting. 

A print of Monet's sunflowers to the left. 

I painted the dark wood frame a soft green. 

More autumn art hangs by my hand-crafted hutch.

( built by someone named 'Bruce' in the 60's)

'Iris' by John Atkinson Grimshaw.

You can buy one for yourself,  Here.

I do love fairy art.
Do you believe in fairies?

Like Angels to mankind,
fairies, gnomes, and elves are to nature.

Pen and ink watercolors from the 1950's in their
original frames.

I love to collect art for each season.

I added sweet white pumpkins to my green glassware.

I just found these vintage etched wine glasses :)
I have a small collection of clear glass etched wine glasses
to mix and match.

A vintage bird print with autumn tones.

Sunshine streams in to our passive solar designed cottage.
On sunny days, we don't need supplemental heat.

My dear Father cast the flying ducks on the beam
when he was a young man.
He was a tool and dye maker all his life,
eventually becoming the president
 of his local steel-worker's union.

He also made the 'crow' whirly-gig on the top of my cabinet.
He and my Mother were very creative
and sold their wares in gift shops during retirement.
The beautiful basket was my Mom's.
The clay jug is a vintage thermos.

The 'Bittersweet' sign was from my
dear sister-in-law, Terry's gift shop.

I love this sign -
sometimes life can be very bittersweet, indeed!

The mantel showcases fall's bounty.

My funky hand-blown vase holds pods and rose-hips.

I love walking through fallen leaves.

When Ramblin' Man and I were high-school
sweethearts, we used to steal away to a beautiful
park called World's End where ancient trees
would drop their leaves in fall.
I remember running through the leaves,
hand in hand, laughing and kicking them high,
in those glorious days of youth.

Some fall gatherings light up the corner.

The settee' gets a new pillow fashioned
 from vintage floral fabric in soft, autumnal tones.

I painted and decoupaged the wooden tray
with pretty fall napkins a few years ago.

Maggie enjoys a sweet nap.

The owl candle-holder was my Mother's since I was a child.
The vintage hand-painted tray was a gift from my dear Sis-in-law,
Donna.

It's these sentimental things that I love so much.

My little playhouse painting finds a home
on my entry table.

I gathered these wildflower seed stalks from
my garden.
They have tiny yellow flowers when in bloom.
The tall clay urn was a gift from Ramblin' Man
for my birthday one year.
I was born in this beautiful month of October.
The macrame' belt tied around the rim was my daughter's.

You can see the urn, and the window over the buffet,
in the mirror.

I hand-stitched the felt wall-hanging when my children
were young.
The wood box is filled and ready
 to go for the cold nights ahead.

We are grateful for this warm and cozy home
that we are so blessed to have.

The cake is cool and ready to serve!

Here's the recipe:

Applesauce Spice Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9 inch square baking pan.

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Mix all ingredients except walnuts and raisins
in a large bowl until well-blended.

Stir in walnuts and raisins.

Pour into prepared pan and bake 30 minutes
or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Thank you for visiting, Dear Friends!
I always love when you stop by!

xoxo

We are expecting our first storm of the season
 tonight with high winds and heavy rainfall
that will last through the weekend, possibly knocking
out our power. Hopefully we will be spared, as I am
here alone while Ramblin' Man visits his family 'back East'.

Wish me well!
xoxo

Today I am linking with:

Cooking and Crafting with J&J