Saturday, October 29, 2011

Divine

This week on one of my nightly walks, my walking buddy told me of a new recipe that she tried.  While writing this post I realized that we often talk about food on our fast pace walk, which I think is interesting...but, I have also been known to make cookies while watching Biggest Loser.   Anyway, I thought I would share this fun fall breakfast treat...or at our house it could be dinner.   I tried out the recipe today and they are yummy!  


Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes



The trick to these is the cinnamon filling that is drizzled on while cooking.  More details below.

My tips:
1.  Don't try to hurry the cooking time, they need to cook thoroughly.
2.  I like the icing a little thinner than the recipe called for, so it is more of a glaze.


pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes


Yield: 8 pancakes

Ingredients:



CINNAMON FILLING:
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
CREAM CHEESE ICING:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
PANCAKES:
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup pure unsweetened pumpkin puree
2 large eggs
2 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

Directions:

1. Prepare the cinnamon filling: In a small, microwave-safe bowl- heat butter, brown sugar and cinnamon for 40 to 60 seconds, just until butter is melted. Whisk the filling ingredients together and then pour it into a sandwich-sized zip baggie. Zip up the baggie and lay it on the counter while you prepare the pancake batter.
2. Prepare the Icing: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and cream cheese 30 to 60 seconds, just until butter has melted and cream cheese has softened. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla and combine until smooth. Set the icing aside.
3. Prepare the pancake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, eggs, oil, and vinegar. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, salt and brown sugar. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir just until all is moistened.
4. Check on your cinnamon filling: Open up the baggie again and give it a good stir to re-incorporate any butter that may have separated. You want the mixture to thicken a bit- it's best when it's similar to the squeezing texture of toothpaste (which will eventually happen if you leave it on the counter long enough, but refrigerate for a few minutes if you need to). Don't try to use the filling for the pancake swirl unless it has thickened as it will be too runny! Snip off a small piece of the corner of the baggie.
5. Cook the pancakes: Preheat a large skillet or griddle to medium. Use an ice cream scoop (or ladle) to add the batter to the pan. Use the bottom of the scoop or ladle to spread out the batter into a nice, even circle. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pick up your cinnamon filling baggie and squeeze the filling into the corner. Starting at the center of the pancake squeeze the cinnamon filling on top of the pancake batter in a swirl (just as you see in a cinnamon roll). Cook the pancakes 3 to 4 minutes, or until bubbles begin popping on top of the pancake and it is golden brown on the bottom. Slide a thin spatula underneath the pancake and gently but quickly flip it over. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is golden as well. When you flip the pancake onto a plate, you will see that the cinnamon filling has created a crater-swirl of cinnamon. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, and repeat with the remaining pancake batter and cinnamon filling. Serve pancakes topped with a drizzle of cream cheese icing.



Enjoy!

deb

Friday, October 28, 2011

"Just a Little"

So I woke up this morning, walked into the kitchen, looked out the window to this...

apparently the neighbor decided to trim back the beautiful orange trumpet vine that we have been growing along the brick wall for about 7 years.  He told my husband he was going to trim his side back "just a little".  Yikes!  Not sure what to do with it now...I don't think a hot glue gun (which seems to save many a project) will work in this situation.  The ironic thing is, the night before I was saying to my husband how much I loved the vine covering up the brick wall.
Good thing I have a nice gray bench on the front porch so I can sit and not look at this.  I guess we'll be going to the dump this weekend.  

Oh, and you will notice that my finger is in the picture, yet again.
Lets hope for a good weekend to come!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Gray is the new black

It's official, I love fall.
I love everything about it (probably because it does not snow where I live).
I love the colors of the leaves on the ground, the orange mums and pumpkins.
I even love pumpkin ice cream.

source: paula cheney
The thing I have noticed this year is that gray is everywhere.  It made it's way into the market place more than a year ago and it's still going strong and has permeated everything design related.  Since that's part of my job...to notice trends in the industry, I think I have been taken in hook, line and sinker.  Throw the anchor overboard!  I'm staying here with gray for a while!

Now you might be thinking...what in the heck does gray have to do with fall?  other than maybe the color of the sky.  But I think it has a lot to do with it because it is the perfect neutral for the color orange, my favorite fall color.
I decided to do my own little research to see what I could find in the perfect combination for fall.

From the front door,
tumbler
to the living room,
marthastewart.com

 


1 kind design
 to the kitchen,
gray and orange were everywhere!

Bedrooms (love it),
decorpad
to the nursery (love the big, bold stripe on the wall).
pinterest

I even found it in the office, making simple white shelves a knockout.
room lust
Grey is everywhere in the wedding scene...gray with orange, gray with bright pink, gray with bright yellow.  See for yourself.
Weddings
The Perfect Palette


How about in fashion?

Nike running shoes

source: Nike
Orla Kiely Tote bag
I love you so much orange leather tote bag, but why in heavens name do you have to cost $465?
source: Orla Kiely
Don't you think the Orla Kiely orange tote would look great with this gray outfit from Banana Republic?

It has even made it's way to my house by way of new coverlets in the guest room, a new bench outside and a new project that's currently on the work table (more on that later).

I have a very long porch and have always wanted a bench under the window but could never find one long enough (about 8 ft) so I made a little sketch and my husband built it from scratch.  Then came time for paint.  I looked at some different colors, black, red, creme, but then had an epiphany that I needed to paint it gray.  So we went to Home Depot for some gray exterior paint with primer and once again, he made it happen.
A couple week later, he sanded the bench to distress the edges and I glazed it with a some Ralph Lauren glaze that I had left over from another project.  I don't believe they make the glaze anymore so stain could easily substituted.  We finished it off with a spray varnish in matte. 
And now I have a bench on my porch in the fabulous shade of gray.  
Looks fabulous with the orange don't you think?
 Paint color: Behr Ultra in Antique Tin UL260-21

What can you paint gray to get ready for fall?
cheers!
paula


Friday, October 21, 2011

A liTtlE fAll GlaM

I came across a new place to take Paula when she's in town.

...(love the name!) They are located in Old Town Scottsdale (Arizona).
This fun fall idea was on their blog.   It is so simple, quick and easy....and guaranteed to add a lot of punch to your fall decor.

INSTRUCTIONS:
First, find yourself a pumpkin.  You will also need a foam brush, glue and glitter.  Martha Stewart glitter is recommended because of all the beautiful colors they offer.  Simply brush the glue onto the pumpkin several sections at a time, then glitter.  Work your way around the pumpkin until it is completed.


Check out the fun colors...great to leave out the entire fall season!


Word of warning:  Whenever we work with glitter at my house we end up not only wearing the shiny stuff for at least a week, but we find it in the strangest places!

enjoy,

deb

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Last Chance



If you missed out on the first round, this is your last chance to get the
JuNk DrAwer AdvEnT CaleNdar

This extensive kit includes items to make all 25 tags and numbered pins.  Kit includes vintage treasures and 2 clear stamp sets, patterns for cutouts, 4 colors of ribbon, downloadable instructions with up close photos of each tag. 
The kit will come beautifully packaged (we promise) in a sturdy, kraft storage box that will allow you to keep your tags preserved from year to year.  It's a family heirloom in the making.
 The cost of the kit is $159 + $12.95 domestic shipping
(please contact us for an international shipping rate if that applies to you)
 
Supplies NOT included: harlequin stamp, script stamp, paint, distress ink, ceiling tile and other basic crafting supplies. 

 If you need more information or are interested in purchasing the kit please email us at paula@2gypsygirls.com.




The winner is....

The winner of the fun tote bag and some other 7gypsies goodies is ...



Delete

Blogger Leslie said...
Love the tote! I carry one every single day instead of a briefcase, so it would get a lot of use if it came to live with me. Thanks for the chance!
October 14, 2011 1:13 PM

Thanks everyone for playing along...And Congratulations to Leslie on her LUCKY DAY win!  After reading all your comments I guess I'm not the only one whose addicted to tote bags!
 
My sister and I were shopping last week and ran across a fine specimen of a bag.  I do remember saying, "don't let me walk out of here with this darl-ing bag".  I left the store without it, but I have thought of it often this week!

Just for fun I thought I'd add a picture of my friend Stephanie Barnard.  If any of you read my post on the 7gypsies blog about a couple inspirational places I visited on my trip to Africa in September, you might remember this photo or part of it at least.  Our group was on a bus trip through Cape Town and then around the cape (seriously the most beautiful coastline I have ever seen).   We stopped in a little town for lunch and then had one hour to shop the little boutiques.  I didn't make it past the first three shops!  
Anyway, Stephanie and I wandered off down the street a bit and saw this.  If you look closely she holding up 7 fingers below the fabulous gypsy sign.  Wouldn't we want that in our booth at CHA!  


Friday, October 14, 2011

A Giveaway!


It's been awhile since we gave something away...
 ....how about a fun tote!  

(flip side)

This tote is covered with images from the 7gypsies Lille Collection and is from an Archivers promotion.  I talked them into giving us one to give away on our blog.  I will put a few goodies inside to sweeten the deal.  Leave a comment on the blog before Tuesday morning for a chance to win.

Good Luck!

deb

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Show Report: Remants of the Past

It was a great weekend here on the Central Coast.  After a few days of rain during the week the weekend turned out to be fabulous weather for attending the Remnants of the Past Show in San Luis Obispo.  It was very convenient having the two local shows on back to back weekends so my sister could stay for both.  Although it will soon be time for her to return to the heat of Texas...first time in months she has slept with a blanket!
About the Show
I mentioned before that the Remnants of the Past show recently moved from it's barn location to the Madonna Inn Events Center.   Even though we missed the beauty of the barn, the show vendors really outdid themselves making up for it.  Many, many new vendors at the show (about 115 total)...some I recognized from Farm Chicks back in June, like Ormalulu and Fun Junk. 
We got to the show about an hour early and while waiting in line we were surprised to see a giant crown being past down.  Apparently the crown was handmade for the show (I believe to be auctioned off) and the last person in line had to wear it.  Which was really just enough time to get your picture taken and pass it to the next person that had come up behind you.  The crown itself was actually quite heavy and even better looking than this picture.  The lady behind me kept saying, "I really want to buy this...do you know if it's for sale?"
 This show has both indoor and outdoor booths.  After buying our poetic pumpkins (if you want a pumpkin you have to get it in the 1st hour of the show) we hurried inside.
 
A Beautiful Mess was the first booth. 
The sad thing is that I look at this picture and think..what's that in the background?  Oh, and I missed seeing that too.  crud.
 Look at the faux ceiling they created inside the building.  And the chandelier that looks like an umbrella is really metal (my guess...upcycled farm equipment).
 Across from A Beautiful Mess, Queen of Tarte out of Oregon.  Lovely ephemera, bits and bobs.  The old radio case would have made a perfect place for an assemblage.  Not sure why I didn't get it.
 A show stopper booth, Ormalulu...seriously, an artistic installation rather than a booth.
 This huge silver punch bowl was beautiful.
 A little sailing ship made from vintage music.
 Glass Domes were everywhere...really in almost every booth.
 Up-cycled lighting was another theme of the show.  These are from Bothers of Industry.
 And this one from Rust to Rhinestones was a wonderful mix of metal and wood.  

Before we left the building I ran into friends Linda, Eloise and her daughter that I met (would you believe) in line at the Farm Chicks show in Spokane.  Small world!
me and linda

On to the outdoor inspiration! 
We walked by this booth and when we came back all the chairs at the table were sold.  So much to see here from baskets to metal urns.  So many booths were using tiny succulents for display.


Love this French metal sign

 The Waiting Room

  The ever lovely Amy Hanna had a booth at the show.  I just had to stop and visit for a few minutes with her and Pam Garrison who had come to help. 
The great part is, she is really as nice in person as she appears here.
My favorite display from the show was this one...vintage prize ribbons.  At $30 each it would have cost me $630 for the 21 ribbons seen here in the picture.  I did think it would make a fabulous fireplace garland for fall though, don't you think? I am seriously in love with the colors shown here, from grey to rich brown to orange.  I guess since I couldn't afford all the ribbons the picture will have to do.
lots of really great tote bags throughout the show.
 the velvet pumpkins...okay I could use 30 of those too.
 chalk letters...no words needed.
Well as you can see this is a show you might want to add to your calendar for 2012 (next show is June 2nd).  Hopefully you can make a weekend of it and stay a few days here on the Central Coast.  It's worth your time if you love junkin like I do.
cheers!
paula