Chocolate Peanut Butter Halloween Tarts

I have always loved to bake,

but some days you just don't have the time

to make a complicated dessert.

Enter Chocolate Peanut Butter

Halloween Tarts....

These little pies really took no time at all to put together.

Here's the recipe from Taste of Home:

1 cup peanut butter chips

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix

1 ¾ cups cold milk

1 package (6 count) individual graham cracker tart shells

Whipped topping

Optional:  Halloween candy, sprinkles, etc.

In the top of a double boiler over simmering water,

melt chips with oil, stirring until smooth.

(I used a Pyrex bowl on top of a pot of simmer water for my double boiler)

Remove top pan from water and cool for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk pudding and milk until thick.

Fold in peanut butter mixture.  Spoon into tart shells.

Chill for 15 minutes.

Top with dollop of whipped cream and decorate

as desired.

See now?

That was nice & simple...

and my husband & kids loved them!

Happy Halloween, friends!

Halloween Home

I've never been a huge Halloween decorator, 

but I am happy to add a little touch here & there.

So let's see what I've done this year.

Dining Room:

I have used these vintage looking pumpkin heads for many years now.

You may be sick of seeing them every year, 

but I love them, so they make a yearly appearance. 

The 3 tiered tray in the kitchen got some Halloween love, too!

Do you go all out for Halloween or

are you just a little here & there decorator like me?

When Home Goods Comes to Town

I have been waiting for years for a Home Goods to call my own.

On October 22, the wait will be over!

I will no longer have to travel 50 miles one way to get to a Home Goods.

We will finally have one locally.

I cannot tell you how happy this makes me!

In all honesty, the fact that we did not have a Home Goods store
locally has not made me a stranger to the store.

I would seek out  Home Goods on all my travels and vacations
hoping to find that one treasure (or 25) to bring home with me. 

My family knows the routine well.  It goes something like this:  

When my son has a baseball game 3 hours away...

 Me:   Do they have a Home Goods there?

When 11 family members go on a big vacation...

 Me:   Do they have a Home Goods there?

When my son wants to take a college tour... 

 Me:    Do they have a Home Goods there?

When my daughter wants to see a concert a few hours away...

 Me:  Do they have a Home Goods there?

So you get the idea.

My husband cannot fathom for the life of him,
why Home Goods has not asked me to cut the ribbon at the grand opening! 
(That one's a comedian, I tell ya)

He has lived in fear ever since the announcement was made
that we would be getting a store. 
Now neither rain, nor snow, nor heat, nor gloom of night 
shall deter me from going.
In other words, having one so close by could spell trouble.

So if all this causes us is a one way trip to the poor house,
I want to know...
Do they have a Home Goods there?

Have a super week, friends!

Pumpkins, Gourds & Leaves Tablescape

As so the calendar has turned over to October...

October is such a busy month for me.  

Lots of birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

I pretty much eat a whole lot of cake in October.  

My pants are not going to like it one bit!

I put together a simple fall tablescape.

I have to admit, I haven't tablescaped in quite some time,

so I'm a little rusty.

Everything here I've had for quite a few years.

I'm not sure I can even remember from where everything came.

Let's see....

The wicker place mats are from Pier 1

Silverware--??

Dinner plates, napkins & pumpkin cookie jar are all Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart)

The salad plates came from a pottery store in the Cleveland, OH area.

We were on vacation there;  I'll never remember the name of that store!

Something makes me think those little amber colors candle holders also

came from that same store.

The amber Park Lane glasses are from a local antique store.

I no sooner start enjoying my Fall decor

and what do I just realize?

It's October & time to start thinking

about decorating for Halloween!!

Are you getting ready for Halloween?