Happy Halloween!

Dear Bloggy Buddies, taking a minute to wish all of you a safe and Happy Halloween!

~*~

Have a wonderful weekend and don't eat too much candy and oh, save a piece for me. Ha!!

~*~

~ Barb ~

A Hearty Fall Recipe

Pork Chop and Potato Casserole

This recipe is simple, easy and totally delicious. It is 'the perfect' comfort food for a crisp Autumn Day. I've served this many times and always received raves. I do hope you enjoy it!

4 pork chops

1 Tablespoon oil

10 3/4 oz can cream of celery soup

1/2 cup milk

6 potatoes, sliced

Brown pork chops in oil, remove to a plate. Add soup and milk to pork chop drippings, stirring well, bring to a simmer and cook until soup and milk are well blended. Place pork chops on the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch pan. Layer potatoes over the pork chops and pour the soup mixture on top. Pepper to taste and I also add a bit of parsley. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Serves 4.

~*~

Enjoy! ♥

~ Barb ~

Book Delight

Hi....just had to pop in and share my latest and greatest book finds with you. I found these at TJ Maxx for just a few dollars each. They are hardbound and full of great decorating tips....and things to daydream on for days!

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend. I am behind in getting around...can't wait to catch up with all of you!

~ Barb ~

Beautiful Saturday

Hi Bloggy friends, just popping in to say a quick hello. I am resting and trying to get over this cold. What a beautiful day it is here. Hope all of you are having lots of Fall Fun! I will be back in a couple of days.

~ Barb ~

Halloween

I love Halloween, do you? I think it is such a special time for children and costumes and candy....and that is exactly the way I view it.

You gotta love that face!!!!!!

I have chosen to post two Halloween recipes from the Gooseberry Halloween cookbook. Hope you enjoy them!

~*~

"Mauled" Apple Cider

A spicy hot beverage that mummies will love...daddies too!
~*~
2 qts apple cider or apple juice
1/4 cup sugar12 whole cloves
6 whole allspice
4 (4 inch) cinnamon sticks

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Over low heat, heat to boiling. Boil 3 to 5 minutes; remove and discard spices. Serve hot. Makes 16 servings.
~*~

Hungry Monster Sandwich

Feeds one monster....or 12 to 14 mere mortals
~*~

1 extra long or 2 regular loaves Italian bread
8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup green onion, chopped
1/4 cup mayo
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 lb deli ham
1 lb deli roast beef
1/2 cup sliced dill pickles

Cut bread in half lengthwise; hollow out. Set aside. Combine cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, onion, mayo and Worcestershire sauce; spread over both halves of bread. Layer ham, beef and pickles on bottom half of bread; press on top half. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into 1 1/2 inch slices. Makes 12 to 14 servings.

~*~
~ Barb ~

Halloween Tablescape

Goodness, did I have fun creating this table! I chuckled from beginning to end.


The black chargers are from Southern Hospitality. The dinner plate, salad plate and pumpkin plate are from Old Time Pottery.



I couldn't find the right napkin ring so I clipped pieces from a bittersweet garland and tied them around the napkins. The flatware is from Bed Bath and Beyond. The napkins are from Old Time Pottery as well as the placemats.

How about my little witch hat????? Too cute!

I painted branches from the back yard black and added them to my centerpiece. The crows and little black houses are from Southern Hospitality.

I really hope you enjoyed my Halloween Tablescape. Thanks so much for coming by. I am always happy to see YOU!
~*~

~ Barb ~

The Winner is!

Thank you all for such an amazing and wonderful turnout for this giveaway. Special thanks to all those displaying my giveaway button and posting about it. Many thanks for the lovely comments and I am thrilled to meet so many new bloggers. Please visit Bella Vista often....you are always welcome here!

Now, the winner is:

Stacey at Poofing the Pillows. Congratulations Stacey! I will leave a comment on your blog.

Thanks again.....I will have another giveaway around Christmastime.....see you then.

~ Hugs, Barb ~

On the Mend and A Reminder

Hi Friends, I have been MIA with a cold for the last few days so I haven't visited your wonderful blogs much.....I will be back in full force in a day or so.

I just put on a big pot of homemade veggie beef soup.....yummo. How delightful it makes the house smell!

Don't Forget:

This is the last day you can enter my Ho, Ho, Ho, Giveaway. Please be sure you post under the giveaway post if you are entering to win. The turnout and response to this giveaway has been awesome! Thank you so much. I will announce the winner on Wednesday.

Hope your Tuesday is extra special. ♥

~ Barb ~

Ho-Ho-Ho Giveaway!

Ho...Ho...Ho!!!! A little early! I mentioned about a week ago I was having another little giveaway and today is the day.

~*~

What you will win: Gooseberry Patch Christmas with Family and Friends Cookbook....it is just brimming with great recipes and holiday cheer AND this adorable, handcrafted snowman. It was made by a sweet crafting friend of mine....isn't it just the cutest?!

~*~

Rules:

*Leave a comment under this post for.....one chance to win

*All followers of Bella Vista receive....one chance to win

*Post about my giveaway on your blog....and receive another chance to win! (Please let me know if you do this.)

~*~

I will announce the winner on Wednesday, October 21st. Good luck to everyone!

~*~

~ Barb ~

Autumn Leaves Tablescape

Autumn Leaves Tablescape

Click on pictures to enlarge them, if you wish.

I am having such a wonderful time creating the Autumn Tablescapes...they are my absolute favorites for the entire year!

The chargers are from Home Goods. The white dinner and white salad plates are part of the Gibson set. The leaf plates are from Home Goods and each place setting has a different color.



The golden flatware is Reed and Barton.

I tied the napkins with ribbon and attached a silk leaf.

I fell in love with the leaf placemats from Home Goods.

I put the centerpiece together from things I found around the house. I also have included lots of acorns. I have a passion for acorns....don't know why??

Also, welcome to Doors of Welcome hosted by Karen at Some Days are Diamonds. Please visit her blog for a list of participants.

The colorful and large wreath on my front door.

Mums on the front porch....I adore the color!

~*~

Thank you so much for visiting me today. Your comments are always so much appreciated by me. Please come again soon!

~*~

~ Barb ~

This and That

I saw this gorgeous Fall arrangement this past weekend and had to have it! My husband just shook his head....he knows he is married to an Autumn nut! Ha.

Country Living is my all time favorite magazine and when I saw this cake....wow, I have to try this. Think I can do it? I have to laugh because I hate spiders....real ones that is!

~*~

Also, getting ready for the Doors of Welcome on Thursday hosted by

Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds. Be sure to click the button on my sidebar for information. It will be fun!

~*~

Have a wonderful and blessed Tuesday. ♥

~*~

~ Barb ~

Pumpkin Love

My name is Barb and I am a pumpkin-a-holic.....now, you know.! Please don't tell anyone! Ha.

~*~

What a wonderful weekend we have had...visiting pumpkin patches and walking through seemingly, miles of the glorious orange balls. :-)

~*~

From now until the end of the year, my head will be in the clouds....just letting you know beforehand. I love, love, love the holidays and I simply cannot help myself.

~*~

The little tricks or treats sign above is from my favorite garden shop...isn't it cute? I found some great things for the house also.

~*~

Hope your weekend is turning out great! ♥

~*~

~ Barb ~

Friday Ramblings and Happy Holiday Weekend

Hi friends, just popping in to wish you a happy holiday weekend. Do something fun and take good care of yourself.

I am still moving things around and drinking lots of iced tea....our temps here are entirely too warm! **gripe, gripe, ha**

Stay tuned for a fun giveaway coming up soon.....I think it has something to do with Gooseberry Patch. **wink, wink**

~*~*~

Please visit my sweet friend, Cathy, who is having a fabulous giveaway at Mille Fleur!

~ Barb ~

Harvest Tablescape

Harvest Tablescape

This tablescape was a joy to create since Autumn is my favorite season of the year!

The plates and bowls are from Home Goods.

The chargers are from Old Time Pottery. I found them back in July for $2.00 each!! I just about had a fit....they are very heavy and I love the checked border.

The napkins are from Home Goods and the napkin rings are from Southern Hospitality. The flatware is Reed and Barton. The placemats are from Home Goods.

I placed small redbirds in my centerpiece trees. I always enjoy a touch of whimsy at my tables. The willow tree and autumn tree used in the centerpiece are from Southern Hospitality.

The centerpiece is made up of many elements. The large pear and acorn are from Slatkin and Co.

The glasses are from Old Time Pottery.

Thanks for stopping by to visit me.....I always appreciate your comments!

~*~

~ Barb ~