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Autumn Leaf Cookies

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Fall is my favorite time of the year – every day of it, especially the late days harvesting and the crisp cold days before Thanksgiving. I love starting my holiday baking early and these beautiful cutout cookies are perfect for the autumn season. They always make unexpectedly delightful gifts before the big holiday rush. They ground me in this season that I love. Maple Sugar Cookies From Christmas Cookies 1997 special edition of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. • ½ cup unsalted … [Read more...]

Cinnamon Pear Jam

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Pears aren't a fruit I normally come by during the canning season, which is why I was so excited when my husband's aunt let us have access to her pear tree this year. I immediately knew what I wanted to make with her pears: pear-cinnamon jam from Food in Jars blog. I've had my eye on this recipe for a long time, and can safely say that it exceeds expectations. So this year, for our annual Thanksgiving gathering, I thought I'd bring a gift basket with two or three jars of the pear-cinnamon … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Pie Spice

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A bottle of pumpkin pie spice can be a really handy thing to have around the house, especially during the fall season when pumpkin and apple flavored baked goods are in full swing. Unfortunately, most store-bought versions are stale and exorbitantly priced, so I like to make myself a big homemade batch from whole spices to use throughout the season. This year, because our pumpkin harvest was so bountiful, I've decided to give a few of our smaller sugar pumpkins away to friends of ours who … [Read more...]

Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

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When the holidays come around I think of large stuffed turkeys with all the fixin's, the aroma of fresh herbs like rosemary and sage, and a tart but fresh tasting cranberry sauce. With all the fresh cranberries available around here the sweet cranberry jelly log that comes in the can just won't be found on my table. I am so lucky to live where the cranberries grow, at least where 17 million kilograms of cranberries are grown in bogs each year. A crisp fall day walking through the cranberry … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Butter

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We've got an abundance of pumpkins in our family garden this year, so I thought it'd be fun to roast a few of our extras for pumpkin puree and pumpkin butter. I'm especially excited about the pumpkin butter because there's so much you can do with it. You can go simple and spread it over toast like you would with jelly, or you can add a teaspoon or two into your morning yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothie. I've also heard it works great as a replacement for pumpkin puree in soup, and homemade pumpkin … [Read more...]

Hoot Nibbles: Cardamom Shortbread Cookies

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In keeping with the quick satiation of my sweet tooth, I’ve become a collector of cookie recipes. I find that making cookies is a quick and cathartic process that you can spend a weeknight doing, and enjoy for a few weeks (or less, in my house). I found the idea for the owl-shaped shortbread cookies from this photo. However, there was no recipe to accompany it. The construction seemed simple: whole-almond beak and chocolate-chip eyes, on shortbread cookies. Always on the hunt for stretching … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

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Thanksgiving, for me, is the true beginning of the holiday season. It's a day to relax and spend time with my family while enjoying a delicious turkey feast! This year I wanted to add something special to the usual festivities my family shares, so I came up with this simple centerpiece idea. First, I gathered some pretty branches from my backyard to create a winter bouquet for our thanksgiving table. Next, I ordered some personalized hang tags with the quote, "Gratitude is the sign of … [Read more...]

Quince Paste

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It’s magical here in the middle of Portland, Oregon. I am amazingly fortunate to live in the city while at the same time have a beautiful backyard to escape to. Every year I look forward to the ripening of the two quince trees that grow in my backyard. I, like others who are fortunate to possess this fruit tree, admire its flowers, pray for healthy fruit and feel guilty if we don’t harvest every last aromatic quince. Only a few make it to full ripening without blemish. Those I use for … [Read more...]

Mini Pumpkin Pies

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After having so much fun making miniature cherry pies over the summer, I knew I wanted to try making mini pumpkin pies for fall treats. I came across a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Bites on Bakerella and fell in love with her idea of turning the mini pies into mini jack-o-lanterns! These little pies will be perfect to serve at my annual Halloween party this year. I packaged up my first test batch into cute little boxes and gave them to coworkers and friends. They loved them! Ingredients and … [Read more...]

Acorn Cakelets

By Guest Blogger, Barbara Hayes

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Welcome our newest guest blogger, Barbara Hayes! Barbara works as a bookkeeper in Portland, Oregon. When she's not calculating tax returns, she can usually be found tending to her garden, scouring antique stores for vintage treasures, and of course, cooking something amazing! I love acorns. I collect all things “acorn.” I pick them up off the ground as I walk through our neighborhood, bring home wooden carvings, cookie cutters, and candles all in shapes of acorns. I also love … [Read more...]