Monday, October 3, 2016

Fall Decorating and Pumpkin Spice Cake


Hello, Dear Friends, can you believe it is 
already October? It is really starting to feel
like fall here, with cooler days and nights, 
the smell of wood-smoke in the air, 
and falling leaves everywhere. 

We even have a resident owl. 
Hoot, hoo, who?


I've been busy with a bit of decorating
to put me in the autumnal mood......

A wreath I made a few years ago.

Can you see the moth?


Isn't he pretty?


An arrangement in my rusty basket :)


I've been playing with my mantel....
I'm sure it will change, but for now
I've added a few fall touches. 


Some fall flowers from the market. 


Such pretty colors :)


I am loving my galvanized flower buckets
that I found over the summer. 

You can see my kitchen table in the mirror :)


This little painting was a gift from my son, Gabe,
a few years ago. 


Signed by the artist. 

He bought it because it reminded him of 
a special place.......


This little house used to be my children's 
playhouse. Many wonderful memories here.....


I can see it from my kitchen window :) 

Art imitates life. 



Since the children have grown, it has been re-purposed 
into a dog's house.  It is only used occasionally
for Whitey Bear and Kai when 
 I need a safe place to secure them
when we have guests.
(They are protection dogs and don't take kindly to 'intruders')
I am alone here often while Ramblin' Man is
doing his thing. 

There is a 5 ft. high fence surrounding it with two
other doghouses used as a kennel compound. 

It has a heat lamp inside and all the houses
have heated beds :)


Speaking of my Ramblin' Man, 
he brought home these gorgeous 
roses for our recent anniversary. 


I put them in my vintage milk-glass vase. 
More galvanized goodness hold mini-pumpkins. 


He always buys me roses........



I baked him a delicious pumpkin spice cake. 

Here's the recipe :

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup sugar
1+1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1+1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
3/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs
2 tablespoons molasses
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)
1/2 cup chocolate and vanilla chips combined

Preheat oven  to 350 degrees. 
Grease a 13x9 baking dish

Combine all dry ingredients in medium mixing bowl. 


Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs and molasses in large bowl. 


Add flour mixture and stir until blended. 


Batter will be very thick. 


Spread batter in prepared pan. 


Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Cool completely on wire rack. 



Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting :

Combine 4 ounces softened cream cheese
 and 1/2 cup softened butter, beating until creamy. 
Add 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk. 
Beat together until light and fluffy. 

Frost cooled cake and top with sprinkles. 



Enjoy!

xoxo

Happy October! 

Today I am linking with : 


xoxo

44 comments:

  1. Oh I just love that your children had a neat playhouse growing up! I *always* wanted one, but it never happened. My neighbor friend (only child whose father owned a very large successful construction company) had one to DIE for - all girlie, two beds, a table, REAL electricity and curtains and dolls and doll houses and heat and chandeliers - oh it was heavenly!

    Your roses are beautiful, and the cake your made your Rambler looks delish!

    Hugs.

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  2. Your door looks so welcoming, and I like the way you've decorated your mantel too.

    I have to agree those fall flowers have such a lovely colouring ... but then your roses are gorgeous too.

    This time of year is perfect for everything Pumpkin, and your cake looks delicious.

    Enjoy the week

    All the best Jan

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  3. Happy belated anniversary, the roses are gorgeous. Your autumn decor is beautiful, very cozy. The painting is amazing, I can't believe the similarities. Enjoy your week!

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  4. I love seeing your lovely home dressed for fall, Karen! I loved seeing the playhouse...and the cake looks delicious! I always feel like I just paid you a little visit, when I finish reading your posts! xo

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  5. Your front door is so welcoming. You just know you are going to love the inside of the home. Fall is such a nice time to decorate and it is full of all my favorite colours. Love your cut flowers. So pretty in the galvanized bucket.It's nice that you have kept the playhouse. It must fill your mind with memorie when you look out the window. I think it would be nice to have one built here for the grands. On the to-do list.:) "Happy Anniversary" and thanks for the recipe. Deb

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  6. Your front porch and door are looking so pretty. Very cozy. Lots of memories in the playhouse. Love the little painting that looks just like the playhouse.

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  7. Karen, the Fall decorations look lovely around your home. I love your front door wreath. The galvanized bucket with the flowers is so charming, and what a special gift this is from your son. The painting is sweet, and it really DOES look like the playhouse. How special that your kids have fond memories of it, and that you can see it through the kitchen window. The red roses look beautiful sitting in your white milk glass vase. And that pumpkin spice cake looks amazing, so moist and Yummy.

    You are really getting into the Autumn spirit, my friend. Good for you, and I am loving all that you have shared this season. :)

    ~Sheri

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  8. Your front porch looks so inviting with the fall touches! I think fall is such a fun season to decorate for. None of the expectations and stress I still feel getting ready for Christmas:)The roses are beautiful! Happy anniversary to you guys! Have a great week too!

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  9. Wow! Isn't that painting something special? Love your decorations and that cake sounds quite yum :)

    Diana

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  10. You and your husband gave each other lovely gifts to celebrate your anniversary, Karen, and your son's gift to you is truly amazing! Isn't it fun to decorate for Fall? In your comment on my last post it is so neat to know that you lived in Brockton as a child! I lived in Andover, MA, from 1951-1955. Wishing you a Happy Autumn :) xx

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  11. Dear KAren,
    wonderful decorations in your sweet home! You got all the warm and wonderful autumn colours!
    The cake looks yummi, thank you for the recipe!
    Happy week to you,
    love and hugs and blessings to you, my dear friend,
    Claudia xo

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  12. That pumpkin cake sounds delicious. I love all the autumn colours and decorations in and around your home. Here we get slowly cooler days too, especially in the evenings it's chilly, I shall start changing my home in autumn atmosphere too coming weeks. So nice that painting of the children's playing house, a nice memory to their youth and still useful as a doghouse now.
    Greetings from Holland,
    Janneke

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  13. You'll have to refit the little houseagain for your grandchildren! Lovely Autumn post. x

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  14. Love your traditions!!!

    Marina from Spain,

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  15. Your Autumn décor looks amazing, all the galvanized pails look beautiful. My girls had a house when growing up, they too have some very fond memories of it.

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  16. That looks so yummy, may have to try it this weekend, I love Autumn and your decorations are so fabx

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  17. Hello Happy Anniversary. your roses are lovely. Your place is beautiful with all the Autumn decorations. I like the cute painting. The pumpkin cake sounds delicious, I will save this recipe. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  18. Hi Karen, I love your pretty fall decorating and the cake looks so good!!
    Thanks for sharing at Cooking and Crafting with J&J.
    Enjoy the week.
    Julie xo

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  19. Your porch is so welcoming, Karen. I have that same rusty basket, but mine has an asparagus fern in it right now. Your kids' playhouse is wonderful, and does look like the painting! Now, I wish I could have a big slice of your cake for my dessert...if only we were neighbors!

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  20. Happy Anniversary I so love the cake and the decor. The turquoise accents make me want to jump up and down.

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  21. That spice cake looks so very scrumptious! Your fall decor is awesome. And I think my favorite fragrance for this time of year is ANYTHING cinnamon! Reminds me of home.

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  22. Oh, that cute little house is just about perfect! I wish I had one growing up, but never did. :(. Your pups sure are spoiled ;) The pic your son found is perfect too! Love how the sun flowers are repeated in front of your little house too.

    You're getting into the spirit of Autumn Karen! I may just have to get my butt in gear ;).

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  23. Oh that cake!!! I can smell the spices!!
    Happy Anniversary...44 yrs last month for me and my boyfriend...:o)
    Love your decorating...and the playhouse...perhaps it will be used by your grands one day!
    enjoy this glorious weather...
    Our Thanksgiving this weekend...I need to get busy! hahaha!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  24. I love all the homey fall touches in your house and on the porch. I've managed to get started but still have a bit to do. The pumpkin cake, O M G, I can almost smell it. YUM!

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  25. Well that pumpkin cake made me forget everything else!! I love it, and it must have cream cheese frosting. I chuckled at the heated beds in the dog houses. Did i read that right? We do love our animals, don't we. I would do the same. I firmly believe that we were meant to be good stewards of creation, loving and caring for the animals. My GSD was definitely a protection dog. I loved that about him. Always lying between a guest and me, unless he knew them very well. Your fall touches are lovely. I'm hoping to become inspired soon.

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  26. Well that pumpkin cake made me forget everything else!! I love it, and it must have cream cheese frosting. I chuckled at the heated beds in the dog houses. Did i read that right? We do love our animals, don't we. I would do the same. I firmly believe that we were meant to be good stewards of creation, loving and caring for the animals. My GSD was definitely a protection dog. I loved that about him. Always lying between a guest and me, unless he knew them very well. Your fall touches are lovely. I'm hoping to become inspired soon.

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  27. I knew that you would be just the spot to go to get in the Fall Mood Karen. ! Your decorating and knack of making your home look so cozy and inviting is amazing. Hope you have some lovely fall weather and love all of your photos!

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  28. Dear Karen I've enjoyed your post today. Your photos are so creative and evocative of Autumn. I love the photo where you've caught the reflection of your table with those beautiful roses in a vase set upon it and all the other glimpses into your lovely home. The wreath, the display in a rustic basket, the arrangement of dahlias and chrysanthemums in a little flower bucket - so many pretty touches in celebration of the season. Belated best wishes for your anniversary and wishing you a wonderful day and a happy October, love from Linda.

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  29. Your decorations look so lovely! That playhouse/doghouse is just wonderful, love the picture too! I enjoy making a pumpkin spice cake for my family and friends too, never tried the toppings though may have to do that ;-) Have a wonderful day.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  30. I think "pumpkin" baking provides the best baking smell of anything else we bake. I'll bet the house smelled amazing!! I have decorated the front doorway for fall, but I have done nothing else. I am lacking fall holiday enthusiasm!!

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  31. The beauty and glory of autumn has certainly arrived in your home, my friend. Everything is lovely and oh-so-perfect.

    And oh my, your cake looks and sounds wonderful! I love pumpkin spice cake and the addition of chocolate chips has my mouth watering. Thanks for sharing the tasty recipe.

    Hugs to you!

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  32. Oh how comfy and warm your home looks. There is something about decorating for fall that makes our homes feel welcoming and cozy and your speaks home to me.

    The childrens' play house is adorable and the cake looks delicious. What a great recipe to share. I can go for a piece right now.

    Than you for visiting me.

    Janet
    rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com

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  33. Hi Karen, Your home is certainly cozy and inviting for the autumn days ahead. Love your pretty wreath on the door and all your decorations. What a special painting from your son. What a treasure to own and bring back so many wonderful memories of the play house that now lives on as a doggie home. It is adorable.
    Oh the cake looks delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Love the roses for your anniversary. Always enjoy my visit sweet friend.
    Thanks for stopping by my Texas tour day. Happy October!! xo

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  34. Lovely accents of fall! That rusty basket looks wonderful. You have a great decorator's touch :) The pumpkin spice cake looks and sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe, and Happy Anniversary!
    Wendy

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  35. Your entrance way is just lovely, I do like the look of leaves bordering a door! How neat that he was able to find that painting, that reminded him of fun times, you know it won't be long and those grandchildren are going to want to play out there :) The cake sounds so delicious! Looks like you two enjoyed a nice anniversary celebration!

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  36. Lovely decorations and roses and what a gorgeous cake, Karen! The pumpkin spice cake recipe sounds very good because those spices make me think of Christmas. :)
    Autumn certainly looks wonderful there. Enjoy! ♥

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  37. I love that little play house and if I didn't know better, is think that is what the artist of the painting intended! Beautiful images from Fall in your area!

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  38. Your mantle is simply gorgeous. And the cake and flowers look very nice♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  39. Hi there my sweet Karen! I'm slowly recovering from one of the worst viruses I've had in years. Ugh.
    But I feel so good when I catch up with wonderful friends like you. I love seeing your cozy home and your decorations. Your roses are so lovely - and my hubby does that for me too. Still my favorites after all these years. ;)

    And that cake looks like perfection for this time of year! Yum!! Thanks for sharing Hon. Love the fall & cozy & hope you continue to enjoy. Xoxo

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  40. Everything looks too cute! Also pinned the recipe! YUM!

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  41. Everything looks too cute! Also pinned the recipe! YUM!

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  42. You have just lovely autumn decorations. The rusty basket arrangement is really gorgeous!
    Btw
    Now I finally found the follow gadget and joined as your reader. I find Bloglovin not so convenient and so I have missed your posts. Better late than never :)

    Have a great week!

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  43. Such pretty Fall-ness throughout your home. Lovely! I just love the painting that looks like the child playhouse....so charming with the sunflowers.

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  44. Your house looks absolutely lovely with all its fall decorations!

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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