Paradise in the Fall in Iowa

Beautiful end of fall season shot taken at Paradise Valley Campground near Garnivillo, IA.

Old stone bride found on the site...love the intricate detail of the stone work with the beauty of fallen tree trunks and leaves surrounding it.

Little Jay playing in the stream...(my friend's son).  He is so precious!

Teddy Bear Snack Mix

I first made this recipe years ago for a supper swap group.  We we were making snacks.  I package this up in small snack size ziplock bags so it's a grab & go snack.  You will be making this time and time again, so I would double it the first time! 

Enjoy, 

 

Natalie

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups ramen noodles, crushed
• 5 cups Golden Grahams cereal
• 3 cups bear shaped graham crackers
• 1 cup peanuts or 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon orange juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Discard seasoning package from ramen noodles.
3. In a large bowl, mix together noodles, cereal, teddy bear cookies, nuts and raisins.
4. In a 4 cup glass measure, combine cinnamon, honey, butter and orange juice.
5. Heat in microwave until melted and well mixed.
6. Pour this mixture over the cereal mixture.
7. Toss to coat well.
8. Spread into a large rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, stirring once.
9. Remove from oven and cool.
10. Package in individual baggies, about 1/2 cup per baggie.

Who Are You?

www.nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com
 1. Do you like the season, Fall?
2. What is your favorite fall smell?
3, What is your favorite activity to do in the fall?
4. Do you dress in fall colors during the season?
5. Name 4 qualities about yourself that start with each letter in the word FALL!
(It's ok to brag yourself up) 

Here are my answers! 

1. Do you like the season, Fall?
My absolute favorite time of the year.  The sights, the smells and the sounds. 

2. What is your favorite fall smell?
cloves, cinnamon & pumpkin mixed together

3, What is your favorite activity to do in the fall?
Sitting by a bonfire towards dusk admiring God's beautiful show of colors.

www.nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com4. Do you dress in fall colors during the season?

I wear these colors year round with my skin tone..orange, red, green, chocolates

5. Name 4 qualities about yourself that start with each letter in the word FALL!

(It's ok to brag yourself up)

F~ un

A~uthentic

L~augable

L ~oveable

Now it is your turn to play along!!!!  Click on the owl and come play!

Fall Kitchen Island centerpiece in 5 minutes or less!

Not wanting to dig thru the attic this year dragging out all my fall decorating so I came up with this 5 minute idea.
Yes behind this grouping you get a sneak peek of my newly remodeled kitchen that I will post about soon!
First I placed a Pottery Barn rectangle cutting board.  Then I set one faux pumpkin and gourd.  Behind that I placed an antique amber glass and filled it with pheasant feathers the kids have collected along with my brother over the years…thanks guys!
To the left I placed my Taste of Home Entertaining Glass Hurricane and filled it with crushed up wine corks I bought at The Little Red School House in Independence, Iowa.  I nestled down inside the corks a Bath & Body Works fall spiced candle.

To finish it off I scattered faux leaves from Crate & Barrel and some more of my pheasant feathers.   That’s it…very easy and simple!

Hugs,
Natalie

You need to make this wreath....

The Magic of Ordinary Things made this fabulous wreath using fabric scraps....yes I said fabric scraps! You need to go check her blog out for the tutorial on how to make this MUST HAVE wreath for Fall.

Enjoy!

Natalie

Fall decorating inspiration

Want to see a bedroom turn into a mudroom? Stay tuned..you won’t believe your eyes!

Since I am bed-ridden right now with back problems, I thought I would show you how we took this ugly, bachelor pad  bedroom and turned it into a multi-functional mudroom for a family of 5.