pumpkin 101

   
Pumpkins . . . the ultimate symbol of fall. Their pleasing shapes and warm colors remind us of the smoky sweet glow of jack-o’-lanterns at Halloween and the taste of pumpkin pie by Thanksgiving. But when it comes to culinary charisma or decorative charm, not all pumpkins are created equal.   
   
Pumpkin 101 was inspired by a recent visit with my best friend, Alex. She stopped by over the weekend with cake pops and cupcakes from Sweet & Saucy (YUM!), and we spent a considerable amount of time planning the Fall decor and menu for her upcoming housewarming gathering. While discussing ideas for Fall-inspired vignettes, I referred to various pumpkins that I plan to use in the decor . . . and she commented that she didn't realize they all have different, unique names, "Aren't they all the same?" she asked.

Now I don't claim to know a whole lot about pumpkins, but I know a fair amount about the most popular ones. So I thought it would be fun to share a little of what I know with you . . .  (Alex, please read carefully, as there will be a short quiz for you in a follow-up email.)
     
I'll start with the traditional orange pumpkin. We're all familiar with this one . . . It's the one that we carve into jack-0'-lanterns.

Cinderella and Fairy-tale Pumpkins . . .  two of my favorites! They are similar in their flattened, exaggerated furrows and curves, but differ in their color. The Cinderella pumpkin is a muted orange, and the Fairy-tale is a beautiful white.  The source of their nickname it that they resemble the pumpkin that Cinderella's fairy godmother transformed into a carriage. The fairy-tale pumpkin is recorded as having been the variety cultivated by the Pilgrims and served at the second Thanksgiving dinner. There is something magical about them. Cinderellas make a delightful decorative accent for the fall season, but additionally their flavor is good for any pie or winter squash recipe.  

 

Jack-be-Littles . . . These little guys are the perfect toddler's pumpkin. They are tiny and fit in the palm of your hand. Jack-be-Littles can be orange, white, striped, and multi-colored. When kept out of the direct sun they will last for months. They are pefect displayed on a desk or in a shaded windowsill. They are even edible and have a nice flavor.

The smaller sugar pumpkins, or pie pumpkins, will give you more meat for cooking purposes and often a better flavor and texture. Sugar pumpkins make an especially delicious pumpkin soup. Buy an extra one, clean out the cavity, and use it as a striking tureen.

The unique pumpkins featured below have long, unique names; and since you'll find them in specialty stores and farmer's markets under a sign that reads Heirloom Pumpkins . . .  we'll just call them that. They come in vibrant and muted colors. They also come in a variety of smooth and rough textures; and some are even odd shaped.  Heirloom pumpkins are becoming quite  popular in home design and decor. They are stunning when showcased in clusters and stacked. My interest in them is growing as well. I'm planning to collect several and display them on top of my dining room armoire, along with tall, impressive bundles of wheat for Thanksgiving. 

 

 

. . . And this concludes my quick lesson. 

Pleasingly round, with long furrows and unyielding stems, pumpkins have an understated grandeur that's almost impossible to ignore — especially when you get to know them better. 

My hope is that you'll notice pumpkins you hadn't noticed before, and feel inspired to purchase a new variety to add to your front porch, walkway, and home decor; and if you do, 

Send me photos! I would love to see them!

spiced acorn s'mores

 

Premium ingredients and warm spices put a gourmet twist on the classic s’more.   

Made by Two Hearts Bakery, the whimsical take on the classic treat wraps Guittard milk and dark couverture chocolate around fresh-baked cinnamon-spiced honey graham crackers; and then paired with hand-cut marshmallows made with Saigon cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg . . . provide the perfect match.   

These acorn shaped treats are made and decorated by hand, and then packaged in a ribbon-tied gift box. You can find this perfect Fall hostess gift at Williams~Sonoma.   

Today's charming find!

 

 

 

Martha's Entertaining ~ A Year of Celebrations

So have you heard the news? Martha Stewart, with the assistance of 3 talented colleagues, unveiled her newest book on entertaining today . . .

   

To be released on November 1st, Martha's Entertaining ~ A Year of Celebrations ~ took 4 years to photograph and weighs a whopping 6 pounds, 1 ounce.  It includes 432 pages of menus, recipes, photographs, and many inspirations for parties, entertaining, holidays, and various celebrations. Martha's Entertaining is divided into 3 sections: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening; and features the photographs and details of real parties she hosted with colleagues, friends, and family. 

I've seen a few photos from her new book, and love the inspirations that I found in just one photo; which excites me to think of how many more ideas the book beholds!  If you love to entertain ~ which I do!! ~ then this book is like a little piece of heaven. I think I'll be visiting AmazonBooks this morning!

hot pumpkin white chocolate

   
Mmmmm . . . This warm delight reminds me of the rich, creamy flavors of pumpkin ice cream . . . served warm. Yum!  

The fresh whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice sprinkled on top make this a heavenly treat on a chilly fall or winter's evening.  
  
And it's so easy to prepare that if you're having guests, you'll even have time to bake moist, chewy ginger cookies to accompany this autumn drink.  
   

Hot pumpkin white chocolate and moist, chewy ginger cookies . . 

a  dessert that will surely impress your guests!

4 cups whole milk

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

8 ounces finely chopped white chocolate

Garnish with whipped cream & pumpkin pie spice  

In a large saucepan, combine milk, pumpkin, condensed milk, and pumpkin pie spice, whisking well. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate, whisking to dissolve. Ladle into mugs. Garnish with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, if desired. Serve immediately.  

Bon Appetit!

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ghoulada punch

  
Surprise your guests with this ghoulish delight!
  
If you’d like too make this drink extra spooktacular, add dry ice, and serve in bubble glass goblets, or even black goblets.  Your guests will surely feel frightfully special!

Ingredients

1 (46-ounces) pineapple juice, chilled

2 cans cream of coconut, (12 ounces each)

8 cups ice

Dry ice (optional)

8 cups Fresca, or other citrus-flavored soda, chilled   

Directions

Working in batches in a blender, puree pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and ice. Pour into a punch bowl. Add Fresca and stir to combine. Serve chilled.

Makes 5 1/2 quarts

Bon Appetit!

Simply Suzannes Halloween

   

My Halloween decor changes every year, depending on my inspirations. 

This year I felt inspired to follow a more mono-chromatic design ~ and I used the classic black & white for my foundation; and for splashes of color . . . I turned to orange, purple, and mercury silver.

My favorites this Halloween season . . .  

black & white baroque

fairy-tale pumpkins

white & creme gourds

glitter! glitter! glitter!

bright-colored candies

  white porcelain 

and always . . .  mercury glass pumpkins

Here are just a few Halloween ideas from my home to yours. . . .

~ my dining table centerpiece~
glitter skulls and foiled pumpkins 
in a white porcelain bowl

white charger and dinner plates

~ black and white baroque tablecloth ~

bright candies for my Halloween themed

candy bar

One of my favorite's this season . . .

sits perched atop my kitchen island

white fairy-tale pumpkins & gourds 

in a white porcelain bowl

~ on-looking black crow ~

Pieces from my Halloween folk art collection always 

find a special place in my decor

This charming cupcake is nestled among 

the treats on my Halloween candy bar

~ orange chenille pumpkin on white pedestal

adorned with houndstooth ribbon ~

mercury glass pumpkins perched atop silver candle holders, 

paired with fairy-tale pumpkins & white gourds

Happy Halloween . . . 

from my home to yours!

crow tea-light holders

   
Looking to add a little charm to your table-setting this Halloween?    
  
Let these crow tea-lights from Stonewall Kitchen add a haunting dimension to your Halloween entertaining . . . 

Today's charming find!

Upscale Country

    
While visiting family in Southeast Kansas last week, I happened across a charming shop called Upscale Country Fine Home Furnishings & Gifts.  Its white siding and grand porch drew me into its beautifully decorated entry.    
   
The entrance was draped with lush Fall garland; and on both sides of the door sat a black urns decorated with the colors of Fall. Each supported large black lanterns filled with harvest vegetables and more Fall-inspired flowers.  I couldn't resist its charm and welcoming invitation . . . . so I stopped in and was even more impressed with the treasures I found inside.

 Upscale Country

~ TAG Sonoma stoneware ~

   

Upscale Country

~Tyler Candles ~

Upscale Country    

Upscale Country's interior is stunning! From the warm-colored walls, right down to the hardwood floors . . . this charming shop hosts the most inspiring vignettes. 

Upscale Country

Given the time of year . . . my favorites were the Halloween and Fall-inspired settings. Each displayed charming items and hosted creative presentations that left my mind and eyes whirling with delight. 

I wish I had my camera at the time so that I could share photographs with you. While admiring all the shop's details, I recall wondering if my camera could truly capture the colors, design, and artistic feel of the items and furniture that so pleased my eyes. I can honestly say that I doubt it; which is even more reason to visit this charming shop.
   
I met two friendly and informative ladies, who both share a role in this shop's success.  Their pleasant natures left me feeling like family! Something this city girl adores!

Although Upscale Country has a website that features so many of the items it sells . . . It truly doesn't give the viewer or customer a true picture of the shops artistic design and flair. I wish their website had a photo stream of their ever-changing and seasonal vignettes, because then you would understand why this shop stole my heart.   
   
I fell in love with so many pieces. A few, in particular, captivated me . . . . 

I would love this piece for my bedroom!

~ film goddess chair ~

damask patterned velvet cut outs on a 

flat background, finished with polished nickel nail heads

~ bistro fluted footed bowl ~

I purchased this gorgeous tablecloth while shopping there, 
and plan to dress my Thanksgiving table with its charming pattern 
and warm plum and olive colors.
~  Fall Flora Jacquard tablecloth ~

I couldn't resist these charming dishtowels either,  

and bought a set that features pumpkins for my kitchen.

~ Fall-inspired dishtowels by TAG ~

Upscale Country is a treasure 

located right in the heart of a small mid-western 

town that I truly adore!


1628 Broadway
Parsons, Kansas 67357

wreath of pumpkins

Here's a great use for those miniature pumpkins that you see in grocery stores and at produce stands this time of year.  For a Halloween decoration that will bring seasonal color to your front door, attach some miniature pumpkins to a plastic foam wreath. 

It's easy to do . . . Just wire the tiny pumpkins to the wreath form, and use sheet moss to fill in the spaces between them. Then cap the wreath with a big black bow, and hang it on the front door. 

Here's how . . .   

MATERIALS

heavy-gauge florist wire

nail or ice pick (optional)

miniature pumpkins

plastic foam wreath form

sheet moss

florist pins

wide black ribbon   

Step 1

Use the end of heavy-gauge florist wire to make a hole near the bottom of a miniature pumpkin. Run wire through pumpkin and out the opposite side. You could also use a nail or ice pick to make a hole on either side of the pumpkin, and then insert florist wire.

Step 2

Place the miniature pumpkin on the form; on underside of wreath, twist wire ends together to hold the pumpkin in place. Continue threading and attaching pumpkins with wire until wreath form is completely covered.

Step 3 

Cover exposed areas of wreath form with pieces of sheet moss, securing with florist pins.  

Step 4

Twist a piece of florist wire around the top of the wreath to make a loop for hanging. Make a large bow from wide black ribbon, and attach it near the wire loop. Hang the wreath by the wire loop from a nail or hook inserted in the front door.  

. . . and voilà ~ a gorgeous wreath 

you can enjoy through the Fall season.

skeleton hand condiment set

   

Will you be entertaining this Hallow's Eve?  

This skeleton hand condiment set from Pottery Barn is charming whether you're serving condiments or displaying festive, vintage candies on your Halloween dessert table . . . 

Simply . . . charming

mercury glass pumpkins

   
Fall has arrived . . .   

. . . and with that begins the transformation of my home from bright summer colors to rich colors like burnt oranges, mocha & chocolate browns, beige linens, black accents, and ivory pottery. I love incorporating patterns with faint stripes and houndstooth to add character to my Fall color palette and decor.  

Speaking of decor, I want to share a favorite of mine with you. While unpacking my Halloween & Fall decorations over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice that I have quite a large collection of mercury glass pumpkins, of all shapes and sizes. I've always been a big fan of mercury glass . . . . and display pieces with every season and holiday.     
     
Here are a few ideas of how I've used them in my decor . . .    
   

 perched atop candle holders

 on my mantle amidst lush Fall florals and twinkling lights

atop cake pedestals

displayed in a cluster on my dining room table 

carefully positioned on small tables around my home amidst 

Fall nuts & berries 

 . . . and the list goes on 

They are truly a stunning compliment 

to Halloween and Fall decor.   

  pottery barn

These silver pumpkins echo the look of 1930s hobnail glass.

Beautiful.