I Like Thursday # 30 ~ Sewing Machine Spa Day

Happy Thursday!

My garden is decked out in the colors of fall.

It is getting very cool to sit outside and stitch so I bring a hot cuppa.
and wear my warmest hooded sweatshirt.

I am making progress with my embroidered leaves quilt
although I have many many more to stitch.
I was looking at this and I realized that the first leaves,
which are the three on the bottom right.
were stitched just before I had my first eye surgery.
My stitching has much improved with my better vision.



It is pumpkin time here in my quilty corner.

So I made Pumpkin Spice Crumb Cake to enjoy with coffee or tea.

Pumpkin Spice Crumb Cake

Cake:

 2 ½ cups flour ( I use a mix of 1 ½ cups cake flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour)

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon allspice

½ teaspoon cloves

3 eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup oil or melted butter

½ cup milk

¼ cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping: 

½ cup softened butter

½ cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup cream cheese, warmed in microwave until easy to stir

½  teaspoon vanilla

2-3 tablespoons milk (enough to make a thin icing)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Grease a rectangular baking pan,  I use a 11” by 9” glass baking dish.

In small bowl, mix topping ingredients to make a fine crumb and set aside.

Sift together dry ingredients into large bowl.  Add wet ingredients and mix well with electric beater.  If batter is thin add a little more flour.  If the batter is too thin the crumbs will sink to the bottom.  Spread evenly in baking pan. Sprinkle evenly with crumb mixture.  

Bake 50-60 minutes or until center spring back when lightly touched.

Drizzle with glaze.  Serve warm or cold.  

If cold it is extra delicious topped with a little whipped cream.

 I am warming my home with my Fall and Halloween quilts.

I also added a fall sash and apron to my all season angel.
I have been enjoying the
#halloweenquilt parade on Instagram
and have been adding my quilt photos.
Lots of beautiful quilts to see!

I have been working on a new pumpkin quilt.
More Photos Posted Here

Maestro has been her usual helpful self.

Nutmeg and Katniss have been enjoying the fall quilts.
Awww ... kitty kisses!

Katinss is now a senior cat but she is still very playful.
Here is her favorite type of toy ...
foil wrappers from my Dove chocolates rolled into a tight ball.

I always read the inside first.

Mmmmm ... dark Dove chocolates are the best!

Today is a Sewing Machine Spa Day  ... In My Home! 



Last March I posted this in my  I Like Thursday Post #5 
I had found a quilt shop who had a sewing machine service come in once a month
and I brought my machine there.
It is time for my six month spa day for my Janome
and my Singer Featherweight that I bought used has never been serviced.
I found that he will also do in home service.
So my machines do not have to go anywhere ... I like!

I am linking up today with the

I Like Thursday Bloggers @ Not Afraid of Color

where every week we pause to think about all the good things in life,

big and small. 

Have a Happy Thursday!

I Like Thursday #30 ~ Apple Picking Time

Good Thursday Morning!  

I am linking up today with the

I Like Thursday Bloggers @ Not Afraid of Color

where every week we pause to think about all the good things in life,

big and small. 

I am ever thankful for the gifts of life and love.

Wherever the road leads me in life, I am happy because I travel it with the people I love.

This week the road took us apple picking 

at our favorite hilltop orchard in Central Massachusetts,

Carlson Orchards

Cortlands are my favorite baking apples and they are always big and crisp here.

So I made my guy's favorite apple crisp! 

Here is my go-to recipe: 

Apple Crisp

6-10 apples, depending on size, I like large Cortlands

Half of a Lemon, juiced

1-2 teaspoons cinnamon (to taste)

1- 2 cups sugar (to taste)

¼ cup flour

Topping:

½ cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup flour

¾ cup brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Set oven to 350 degrees  F

Mix topping ingredients to fine soft crumb and set aside.

Juice half a lemon into large bowl.

Peel and slice apples into bowl and toss with lemon juice.

Add sugar and cinnamon to taste and mix well.

Mix in flour.

Pour apples into shallow backing dish and pack down.

Sprinkle half of the topping onto apples and pack down. Add more if needed to completely cover apples.Sprinkle remaining loose topping onto crisp.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until apples a soft when pierced with a small knife and topping is golden brown.  Cover topping loosely with foil is starts to brown too quickly to finish baking.  Crisp is usually done when the juices start to bubble up on the sides.  I set my baking dish on a sheet of foil when I place it in the oven to prevent any drips from falling and burning in my oven.

Serve hot with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream or curls of cheddar cheese. 

I have taken out some of my Halloween quilts and made our home look fall festive.

Stop by for a cuppa and some crisp.

Happy Thankful Thursday !