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15 Pumpkin Decor Ideas for Fall

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Pumpkin decor graphic
I LOVE decorating with pumpkins. It’s so easy! They’re all over in abundance in the fall, cheap (or easy to grow yourself!), and you can start decorating with them in late September and keep it going all the way to the end of November. Boom! Seasonal decorating–Done!

Well today I’ve got a great round-up of pumpkin decor ideas. Some use real pumpkins and some are inspired by them. 🙂

  1. Melted Crayon Pumpkin:  Got some old crayons you don’t want to waste but nobody wants to use?  This.
  2. Modge Podge Botanical Pumpkins:  So pretty!  These are my favorite.
  3. Glam Glitter Pumpkins:  Add a little bling to your pumpkin decor!
  4. Pumpkin Pillows:  Super cute tutorial.
  5. Monogrammed Pumpkins:  Monogram lovers, you know who you are.  This is for you.
  6. Lacy Pumpkins:  Use doilies to get this sweet look.
  7. Yarn Wrapped Pumpkin:  3 different styles will get your yearning for yarn all fired up.  (as if you needed encouragement!)
  8. Dollar store pumpkins turned door decor:  You can make these look great for just a couple bucks.
  9. Copper Herringbone Pumpkins:  Get out your paint pens and have this gorgeous look in minutes!
  10. Pumpkin Topiary with lights:  Perfect for your entry!
  11. Fabric covered plastic pumpkins:  Revamp old plastic pumpkins with fabric!
  12. Pom pom Pumpkins:  Super cute and easy enough to do with the kids.
  13. Twinkle-light pumpkins:  So pretty, and not too hard to do!
  14. No-Carve Black and White Pumpkins:  Great styling tips in addition to ideas for stylish pumpkin decor.
  15. Napkin Covered Pumpkins:  Great tutorial on using the humble paper napkin to make a great decoration!

Get 4 weeks of done-for-you meal plans and shopping lists here!

How to Choose a Pepper for Your Recipe

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Picking a pepper: How to choose the right pepper for your recipe

Cooking with peppers is a time honored tradition in every single culture.  That’s because peppers come in all varieties from sweet to earth shaking, blow your hair off, hotness (my husband’s favorite…. blech!).  Understanding the various types of peppers can go far in helping you choose what to put into your recipes based on your desired result and personal preferences.

First of all, did you realize that peppers are fruits, and not vegetables?  (yeah, me neither) They grow on a “tree”, just like a tomato which is also a fruit.  The most common peppers most people are familiar with are the bell pepper varieties.   Due to the proliferation of Mexican food, most of us are also familiar with  jalapenos.  But there are many more types of peppers.  Choosing from them needs to be done based on how you want your recipe to turn out.  (Using the wrong pepper can deem your recipe non-edible at times!)

Bell Peppers — Named due to their “bell” shape, these come in many colors – the most common being green, yellow, orange and red. They are not spicy at all, and are often referred to as “sweet” bell peppers due to this fact.  You can eat them in all kinds of dishes from sweet to savory, cooked or raw.  They’re really good stuffed with a savory rice mixture and baked.

Banana Peppers — Only slightly more spicy than a bell pepper they are also named due to their appearance and color.  They’re longer with a yellow hue, although there are also green and red banana peppers.  Banana peppers are great eaten raw or lightly cooked and have far more flavor than the sweet bell pepper.

Poblano Pepper — Very dark green and shaped kind of like the banana pepper these are much more spicy. Poblano peppers are only slightly less spicy than a jalapeno pepper.  When they are dried, the are called ancho peppers, and can be used in many recipes where some fire is desired.  They are also great to stuff and grill due to their thick walls.

Fresno Peppers — These are the kind of hot peppers used in salsas which provide a beautiful red color boost to recipes and are hotter than the jalapeno. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and are the same heat as the average jalapeno peppers which makes them good to combine with jalapenos to provide two pops of color.

Jalapeno Peppers — Crispy and spicy, without being unbearable these peppers are a common addition to many recipes calling for some mild heat.  Always discard the seeds, before chopping or eating regardless of adding to a recipe or eating raw.  As you begin working with hotter peppers, you may also want to consider wearing gloves.  At the very least, do not touch anywhere on your face before you thoroughly wash your hands.   Jalapeno’s are great baked, grilled, fried or pickled.

Habanero Peppers — Twenty or more times hotter than your average jalapeno, high in capsaicin (the chemical that causes the burning sensation skin), it’s important to be careful using these delightful fruits in dishes. They vary in color and can add a brightness and an extra punch of heat, with just a slight addition to any recipe. Try using in a homemade salsa recipe by substituting just one habanero for the other peppers called for in the dish.  A little bit goes a long way.

In addition to these peppers there are other varieties both fresh and dried such as Serrano, the popular dried and powdered Cayenne, the dangerous Ghost Chili (my husband’s favorite).  When choosing the right pepper consider its color, it’s flavor and its heat level to ensure that you add just the right touch to any recipe calling for peppers.  Also, read about it to ensure that you don’t overdo it.  Believe it or not, people have actually died eating peppers that were too hot in eating contests.

pickapepper-infographic-branded

 

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Our Favorite Recipes

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Spread the love         Have you ever wondered what kind of food is included in the menu plans? Today I listed off some of the recipes that are included in the November menu plans for you and explained more about our awesome Early Bird Black Friday Sale that’s going on NOW! Want to know EVERY recipe included […]

Valentines Day Desserts Round-Up

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Spread the love          It’s the sweetest time of year, and that means it’s time for awesome desserts!  You are sure to find some baking inspiration in this collection of gorgeous recipes. Surprise Inside Cake Red Velvet Nutella Cinnamon Roll Hearts Red Velvet Chocolate Drenched Heartcakes Raspberry Cheesecake Stuffed Brownie Hearts Red Wine Chocolate Truffles Red Velvet […]

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Spread the love    25     Chunky Homemade Guacamole Ingredients: 2 ripe Avocados 1 ripe fresh tomato, seeded and diced 1 large clove fresh garlic, finely minced 1 fresh lime, juiced 1 tablespoon (+ extra for garnish) fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed and finely chopped Salt and pepper, to taste Directions: Peel, core, and dice avocado. Place in […]

20 Sweet Valentine’s Day Treats for the Classroom

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Spread the love          It’s party time and your kids need treats for their Valentine’s Day celebration! We’ve got a great round-up of the cutest, yummiest creations you can whip up in your kitchen! Love Letter Cookies DIY Conversation Hearts Play Dough Cookie Pops Valentine’s Day Airplanes Heart Cookie Sandwiches White Chocolate Popcorn Chocolate Covered Pretzels […]

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Spread the love         Affiliate links are used in this post. Sweet potatoes are known for their gorgeous deep orange color that has become synonymous with their delicious flavor. But did you know that there are some varieties of sweet potatoes that have a pale yellow flesh, more like a Yukon Gold potato?  It’s true!  Some varieties, like the […]

Roasted Fresh Tomato Soup

Oven Roasted Tomato & Fennel Soup

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Spread the love    52    Inspired by my Italian Nonna, this oven roasted tomato and fennel soup is like a big old hug! This soup really hits the mark when you want something warm and delicious that won’t weigh you down. Like most tomato-based recipes, while this soup tastes great right away, the flavor is even better the […]

Apple & Herb Stuffed Pork Chops

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Spread the love    102    This easy apple stuffed pork chop recipe is a delicious and healthy meal your whole family will love! Each and every bite of these delicious apple stuffed pork chops is loaded with incredible flavor. The fresh rosemary and lemon zest lend a light citrus nuance, while the apple and cinnamon add a depth […]

20 scrumptious apple recipes

20 Scrumptious Apple Recipes

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Spread the love    96     I love fall, and I love all the apple and pumpkin recipes that are so popular at this time of year! Today I’ve got a great round-up for you of 20 yummy apple recipes! Check these out: 1. Healthy Spicy Pumpkin and Apple Crumble Squares:  Lots of yummy whole foods, and of […]

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