Hello!! Happy First Day of Fall! I was so ready to get Halloween out this year - maybe because of the heat we had at the beginning of September I was just over it and ready to move straight to fall. I shared the time-lapse video of taking down the summer porch and putting up Halloween here on Instagram. And then a more detailed video of the Halloween porch is here on Instagram. I'll share the links to the items I have - some are referral links (meaning I'll get a small amount if you happen to purchase something and some are not.
| Okay, these are the cutest pumpkins at Walmart this year -- I should have looked for more. They are only in-store and mine were in the fall decor section and around $5. | 
| This fall wreath I have had for a long time from a local store in Utah called Rod Works. | 
| * the plaid Studio McGee rug is still a favorite layer rug if you can find one | 
| Still a favorite! The Halloween radio that Target carried years ago. I love this one because it's just fun and not gory or scary. I made a little youtube video here to show what it does. You can still find one on Ebay if you search "ghoul radio" | 
| * the spider pillow was a favorite find this year!! I love the stitching on this one. Well worth the $20 | 
| The Wheel of Fate has become a tradition now! I honestly can't believe it's still $19.99, even with inflation! We have an orange bucket and black bucket full of goodies so when trick or treaters come we have them spin the wheel and they get to choose a treat out of the color they spin. It's been so much fun and great to bring to a trunk or treat too. | 
| I adore these metal Halloween houses at Target this year found here, and the haunted mansion here, and then the metal townhouse is here. | 
| * the $3.99 bats from last weeks CME + Deals were perfect! | 
| * the vintage Halloween phone is a favorite of the kids to pick up and see if they can handle the spooky voices that it rotates through. | 
| * these water globe candle holders from Bath and Body works are a favorite find with my Mom. They light up like a crystal ball and the bats are flying around inside. So, so cool but are now going for well over $100 on Ebay. | 
Hello! Can you believe we are at lucky Day 13 of Every Day September?? Here is some autumn and decor around our house and some Halloween spookiness on the front porch.
My mom and I found these berries and the stoneware container (actually the pumpkins too from years ago!) at a favorite local store called Sun River Gardens.
Hello! I wanted to show you a cool tool that can save you a lot of money but can also save you from driving around from store to store. It's called Brickseek (no affiliation with them I just love looking things up!) -- it's basically a free inventory checker. September is a perfect time to find outdoor furniture and patio sets on clearance. I have loved Better Homes and Gardens sets at Walmart. I had my eye on the River Oaks so I kept checking Brickseek to see when it started going on clearance.
I do need to point out that EVERY STORE is different and prices will usually vary from store to store.
Just search Brickseek Walmart and then click on the SKU finder and then I typed in River Oaks and click on the set when it comes up. Then it will automatically fill in the SKU for you and you put in the zip code and choose whether price or distance is more important to you. I usually just choose "recommended."
It is out of stock now but this is how it comes up -- look at the difference at the prices in the stores.

Cut up a pear and I dip the slices in Fresca to keep them from turning brown because it's my favorite soda and I usually always have it on hand. Any soda with citric acid in it works or dip it in a mixture of half lemon juice, half water.
Here is the recipe -- click here for the printable version.
Pear Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette and BACON
It's probably better to assemble on separate small plates but you can layer everything in a salad bowl too.
- Arugula ( my favorite place to buy this is Trader Joe's but you can find it at grocery stores too -- usually in a arugula/spinach combo)
- Craisins
- Cooked and cooled bacon cut into bite size pieces, reserve drippings for vinaigrette (optional but soooo good)
- Crumbled cheese (English cheddar, feta, or bleu cheese)
- Sliced pears dipped in lemon lime soda or lemon juice/water to keep from browning
- Toasted walnuts candied in brown sugar (see above for directions)
Maple Vinaigrette
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (I do half bacon drippings half olive oil)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
Blend all ingredients together or use a mason jar with a lid and shake it until well mixed. Keep at room temperature and serve with the salad. ENJOY!
Thanks for coming by -- click here for the printable version.
The original recipe Kristine gave me:
1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese softened to room temp (or I stick mine in the microwave for 30 seconds in a glass bowl)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix together with a wire whisk until smooth. Chill and serve with apples. If you want to add some crunch mix in 1/2 cup of Skor bits. Yum! To keep my apples from browning I soak them in lemon juice, Sprite, or Fresca.
If you don't have all that on hand -- I just use the cream cheese, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and a splash of vanilla and it's still divine.
I hope you love it as much as we have!
So here is a tip: when you choose out real pumpkins, get the ones with really good stems. Then, you can pull the stems off of the pumpkins at the end of the season and let them dry out until next fall. (I just threw mine in the fall bin with the rest of the decor) Then you can twist the plastic looking stems off of your fake pumpkins and hot glue the dried out real stem to the top! Here are some that I have done it with:
 
 
 
   






 
 
   
   









 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 




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