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holiday

4 Ways to Set the Mood for Fall

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If there are sure-fire things that remind me of fall, I’d have to say they are: autumnal home decor, pumpkin anything, spiked apple-flavored cocktails, and yummy game day foods! How about you? What says “fall” to you?

Depending on where you live, the weather may not feel like fall even if it is mid-September. Sometimes it’s still hot (upper 90s here in Kansas) in September! After using my list of 4 Ways to Set The Mood for Fall, you’re sure to come around to my way of thinking.

It’s Fall Y’all: Decorate Your Home DIY Style

Look around your home. Pull out all of your gold, yellow, reds, and white dishes and decorative items. Then, combine them with a few purchased store-bought decorative items and let your creativity run wild! Don’t forget to check your pantry for dried beans, grains or whole fruits in the same color palette! Even a pile of oranges in a bowl or towers of yellow or brown dried pasta in clear jars can say “fall” to when added to your seasonal kitchen decor.

Want to see how I decorated using a items I already had plus purchased ones? Get inspired (and learn how to paint plastic pumpkins!) >> Click here.

See that cute white pumpkin? I bought super cheap at a craft store and simply painted it white!

Crisp Fall Day Cocktail

Why not keep with the autumnal-theme party going by making my Crisp Fall Day Cocktail that is BIG on apple flavor?! Thanks to the cider and flavored liqueur – it’s applicioius! Partial to Louisburg Apple Cider since it’s located in my beautiful home state of Kansas, you can use any brand. This cocktail is super simple to make and doesn’t require fancy bartender tools either.

Tip: This cocktail can also be made into a  large batch if you need to serve a crowd at Thanksgiving (just multiply its ingredients). Don’t forget to add a pretty straw to each glass before serving!

If serving cocktails at a fall party, remember to add decorative items to your drink station.

Smoked Jalapeno Poppers with Gorgonzola and Buffalo Sauce 

If the weekend’s ball game is on, I’m eating tailgating (totally NOT heathy) appetizers like these spicy, bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers. We like to smoke our poppers on our Traeger using hickory or apple wood pellets, but you can easily grill these off until soft on a propane grill or even using a grill pan on the stove top. This recipe is over the top rich in flavor because of the cream cheese, bacon, and added buffalo sauce, so you’re going to want a ice cold beer or mocktail to wash it down.

If you want to really crisp up the bacon, smoke the poppers on the grill and finish them in the oven on broil for a couple of minutes.

Decadent Poached Pears Made with Cabernet and Apple Cider

Some people may not be ready to let summer go just yet, so this recipe pleases everyone because it includes cold ice cream AND fall flavors like cinnamon, pear, and apple cider. Dinner guests are always impressed by this dessert since it looks like something you would find on a restaurant menu, and you’ll love it because it’s super simple. Preparing it is as easy as peeling the pears, simmering the liquid ingredients with the spices, and poaching the pears. Everyone loves this dessert!

When serving, pour a bit of the wine/apple cider reduction into a bowl, add a poached pear, two scoops of double vanilla ice cream, and a cinnamon stick to make it pretty.

Do I have you crushin’ on fall yet? :: wink :: I hope these posts help you to set the mood for fall in your home and give you fun recipe ideas to celebrate with friends whether you’re watching sports on TV or relaxing with a cocktail in front of the chiminea. I hope you have a fantastic fall! For a BONUS fall-themed post, check out my Salted Caramel Apple Martini recipe.

Galvanized Metal Planter with American Flags

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What’s not to love about celebrating July 4th with family and friends? The yummy grilled food, the fireworks filling the night sky, and the memories made while lighting your own fireworks in the driveway make the day a true American celebration!

Do you decorate your home for the holiday? As compared to other holidays, my inventory of July 4th decorations is pretty slim. So, I decided to put my DIY skills to the test by crafting a patriotic wall hanger to display on our front porch. I wish I could claim this idea as my own, but I remember seeing something similar to it on Pinterest years ago. Let me tell you…I’ve never completed a DIY project in less time and I’m super satisfied with the results! You’re going to love how simple it is to make a Galvanized Metal Planter with American Flags, too.

Supplies: I purchased a galvanized metal planter from Kirklands on clearance (only $7) and rectangular blocks of flower foam (only $3 from at Walmart for a set of three block). Also, I bought four packages of small American flags (4 flags per bag) from Walmart.

Instructions: Insert one flower foam rectangular block into the metal planter. Then, insert 12-15 small flags inside the foam at varying angles.

Optional: I reused a burplap bow, once used on an old wreath, and hot glued it to the front of the galvanized planter. It was that simple! This four-step DIY project couldn’t be simpler!

I love how eye-catching the American flags are from the street! Where would you hang it? The galvanized planter could be displayed on your home’s front door or from a garage outdoor sconce.

How can you reuse the metal planter once July 4th is over? You could easily swap out the American flags for artificial flowers or twigs depending on the holiday season.

 

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

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Have any Bah Humbugs in your house this holiday? Baked Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are the cure!

Not only does the house fill with the smell of warm cinnamon (better than any candle – thank you), but I dare any bah humbugs to try and remain a Scrooge after sampling warm pecans from the oven! The spirit of Christmas is the secret ingredient in this recipe.

Tis the season to abandon your diet and go for the YUM!

The beauty of making this candy substitute is that the recipe is incredibly simple to make and one even the kiddos can help you with. So, throw on an apron and invite the kids into the kitchen!

Pecans or walnuts are good choices for this recipe so the sugary mixture bakes inside all of the nuts’ nooks and crannies. My walnuts were frozen in the freezer, so I used only pecans.

To make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Pecans preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Next, simply whisk one egg white with water and pour it over a bowl containing three cups of raw, unsalted pecans. Add the remaining ingredients, stir, and ta-da! Transfer the wet, coated pecans to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 25-28 minutes. That’s it!

After removing the pecans from the oven, let them cool before moving them from the baking sheet. The toughest part of making the pecans is not eating them while they’re warm! The pecans will be naturally clumped together because of the melted sugar coating, but that’s okay.

This is what the pecans look like as soon after they are removed from the oven and before they cool.

Once the pecans have cooled, break them up with your hands and transfer them to glass jars or Ziplock bags for simple storage. You could easily gift this dainty holiday snack by tying a ribbon around a pecan-filled mason jar and adding a gift tag! If you’re going to make a DIY foodie gift, make this one! It’s a guaranteed win and you’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

Send holiday dinner party guests home with a gift – jarred cinnamon sugar pecans. They’ll love you for it!

Candied pecans also make a delicious addition to any salad or as a yogurt mix-in. I served Baked Cinnamon Sugar Pecans to guests in place of a heavy dessert. Rather than eating a rich dessert after our steak dinner, we enjoyed hot coffee and handfuls of sweet pecans!

3 cups

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

As a snack, dessert replacement or on a salad, Baked Cinnamon Sugar Pecans are delectable!

10 minPrep Time

40 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups raw, unsalted pecans
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 T. water
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar (packed)
  • large pinch Kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat over to 300 degrees.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Whisk egg white with the water in a small bowl until foamy.
  4. Pour egg white mixture on pecans in a large bowl and stir until pecans are well coated.
  5. Combine remaining ingredients in separate large bowl. Then, add sugar mixture to pecans.
  6. Stir pecans until the sugar mixture evenly coats the nuts.
  7. Transfer pecans to the baking sheet and spread them until almost flat.
  8. Bake at 300 degrees for 25-28 minutes. (Check them at 25 minutes.)
  9. Remove from oven and allow pecans to cool completely before transferring to storage containers.

Notes

I did not stir the pecans half-way through baking, but you can.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/baked-cinnamon-sugar-pecans/

 

Pomegranate Martini

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Today, I’m celebrating. Time to raise a glass and say “cheers!” I got the job!

It seems appropriate to honor this news with a freshly made Pomegranate Martini, a simple recipe that is ideal for serving during the your guests during the holidays. If you set out all of your ingredients in advance, this martini can be made in five minutes!

Grab a martini shaker and the following ingredients to prepare your bartending kitchen station:

  • Pomegranate juice (I used Bai Antioxidant Infusion Ipanema Pomegranate because I didn’t have pure pomegranate juice on-hand.)
  • Orange Juice (used pulp-free)
  • Vodka
  • Apple Juice
  • Simple Syrup (heat 1/2 c. water, 1/2 sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves, then cool.)
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1-3 Lime rind curls for garnish in the bottom of the glass or hang over the rim

How do you celebrate the best moments of your life? With a dinner out on the town? A champagne toast with your favorite peeps? Here’s wishing you a happy upcoming holiday season full of only good news to take you into the new year!

Pomegranate Martini

This fruity cocktail brings a tart, berry flavor and is a crowd pleaser for any party.

5 minPrep Time

5 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. orange juice
  • 1 oz. vodka
  • 3/4 oz. apple juice
  • 1/2 oz. simple syrup
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • lime rind curls to garnish
  • ice

Instructions

  1. Fill a martini shaker with 3/4 full of cubed ice.
  2. Add all liquid ingredients.
  3. Add lid to martini and shake vigorously for a few minutes.
  4. Strain martini shaker into a martini glass.
  5. Garnish with lime rind curls.

Notes

You can also use a citrus infused vodka, if you prefer.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/pomegranate-martini/

Nutrition

Calories

169 cal

Carbs

25 g

Protein

1 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

Need another cocktail recipe for your guests? Try my yummy recipe It’s Cold Outside, Time to Layer on the Flannel Pajamas!

Insanely Easy Hasselback Potatoes

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Hasselback potatoes look fancy, but they are super simple to make. As long as you can slice a potato, you can make my Insanely Easy Hasselback Potatoes. Think of them as baked potatoes with class.

Let’s get started!

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Wash several Yukon Gold potatoes.
  3. Use a sharp paring knife to slice the base of the potato off (horizontally from end to end) so it rests level on cutting board.
  4. Slice multiple deep cuts into the potato perpendicular to its length and about 3/4 of the way through each potato. Don’t slice the potato clear through.
  5. Brush each potato with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt (I used truffle salt from World Market) and cracked black pepper.
  6. Place potatoes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Bake potatoes for 30 minutes at 450 degrees.

    This photo shows what your potatoes will look like once removed from the oven.

  8. Remove potatoes from oven and brush with butter (the real stuff). Then return the potatoes to the oven to bake for an additional 30 minutes. (Ovens vary so check at 20 minutes to see if they are done.)
  9. Remove potatoes from the oven and serve hot topped with your favorite ingredients. (I topped my batch of potatoes with homemade pesto.) 
  10. Enjoy!

Bake these potatoes for house guests or for the next family holiday dinner. Guests will say the potatoes are fancy, but you’ll know they are incredibly easy to prepare.

What’s your go-to holiday dinner side dish? Leave it in the comments below and I’ll try to make my version of it for the blog.

Berry Rum Smash with Lime Cocktail

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Determined to create a cocktail that I could use to raise a glass in honor of those who served during Memorial Day, I created Berry Rum Smash with Lime Cocktail, a blender drink topped with carbonated soda. It’s a refreshing drink that could be made any time of the year or again on Fourth of July thanks to its blue color and fun garnishment of more berries, festive straws, and a sprig of mint.

A liter of Cruzan Aged Rum cost me $14.99. Now that’s a value!

I love a cocktail that stretches my creativity. This recipe requires you to use a blender to make a smooth juice from fresh blueberries, pitted sweet cherries, lime juice, aged rum (you can use silver rum), the juice of half of a lime, and Stevia for sweetness. After blending the above ingredients on high until the pulp of the fruit is minimal, pour it into a glass filled with crushed ice.

You can find these festive straws and garnish picks for $1 at Target. (not an affiliate)

After pouring the berry mixture into the glass of crushed ice, top the glass with lemon-lime soda water until filled. That’s it! It’s a fruity, cool drink to serve to guests at your next outdoor deck party or just because you want to delight in a new cocktail made from your home bar.

Cheers my dears!

2 glasses

Berry Rum Smash with Lime Cocktail

Patriotic in color, the is refreshing berry cocktail keeps you cool on Memorial Day or Fourth of July.

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. aged rum (I used Cruzan)
  • 2 tsp Stevia
  • 1/2 c. pitted sweet cherries
  • 1 c. fresh blueberries (reserve a few for garnish)
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • crushed ice
  • 1 can lemon lime sode

Instructions

  1. Blend all of the ingredients except the ice in a blender on high until very smooth.
  2. Fill a glass with crushed ice.
  3. Pour berry mixture into glass.
  4. Top with lemon lime soda until full
  5. Garnish with blueberries and a lime wedge.

Notes

You can use frozen fruit for this blended cocktail. Add 1 tsp of honey for added sweetness.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/berry-rum-smash-with-lime-cocktail/

Nutrition

Calories

47 cal

Carbs

12 g

Protein

1 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info