Autumn's Bounty

Like so many people, I love Autumn.  It's my favorite time of year.  The other day I hung a small quilt that my good friend, Mary B. gave me.  I display it on a small rack opposite the stairs to our bedroom and my sewing room and enjoy the quilts many (some times many many) times a day. 

 

This is a wonderful and simple quilt made with hand dyed fabrics.

Here is the hand quilting-

Good backing!

I can't remember if I've talked about labeling small quilts.  Mary B. and I started doing it this way years ago.  Just a simple hand top stiched postage stamp style label.  They are easy and quick!

Thanks Mary for this wonderful gift - I enjoy it so much this time of year!!

A few of my other favorite things about autumn -

Carmel apples, love them.  I consider this my fall "fruit" is that wrong?   I save on dental bills by cutting them into wedges ;0

Here is the recipe for the Pumpkin Cake, which I clipped in the 1980s and still love.  It's a Susan Branch recipe from Country Living.

Pumpkin Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 10" bundt pan.
In a large bowl combine:

3 c unsifted flour
2 c sugar
4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt

In a smaller bowl beat:

1 16 oz. can of pumpkin
3/4 c veg oil (I substitute with applesauce to save calories)

1/3 c apple or orange juice
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract

Stir mumpkin mixture into flour mixture until well combined.  Fold in 1/2 cup nuts and  1/2 cup dark raisins (if you like them, which I don't).
Turn into prepared pan and bake 55 - 60 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.  I loosen the sides with a knife before turning it onto a cooling rack.

Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and enjoy!  It's good with apple cider, milk, tea, coffee and, oh yea, wine.

Enjoy the beautiful season~