From The Patch

Pumpkin Cookies to DIE for!

From the kitchen of Esther Cunningham, these Pumpkin Spice cookies are simply to die for.  Good thing it’s Halloween Season!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 tsp vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy.  Mix in dry ingredients.  Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls, flatten slightly.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes in preheated 350F oven.  Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.

Glaze: Combine confectioners’ sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla.  Add milk as needed to achieve drizzling consistency.

PLEASE NOTE:  These ARE the cookies that we had at the Harvest Festival this last year - the ones that we went through 300+ in a day and a half (and that's only 'cause we brought the second batch in the next day.... Enjoy!

Autumn Splendor

The prospect of raking it isn't so bad when you see how pretty it all really is...

Loving the October days....

Rachel Badeau Christmas Ornaments

Jack in the Box Ornament

Christmas is starting to arrive at The Patch!  I have been rather slow going about getting it online, as we've been busy trying to get it all open and out in the store!  We're working on it pretty steadily now, and I'll try to keep you all updated with some of the collections arriving, a bit more regularly.

A new item for us this year are some Christmas tree ornaments by artist Rachel Badeau.

Monkey Drumming Snowman

Some info about the artist:

Rachel lives in Rhode Island where she creates hand colored, embossed and engraved intricate works of art inspired by her love of nature and animals. The detail in her work captures the deep feelings she has for wildlife, and the whimsy in her pieces reflects her humor and wit. Rachel’s signature style resembles precious scrimshaw and can be found in galleries across the country.

Here are some of my favorites:

Rocking Horse Ornament

Train Ornament (I'm getting this one for Ben!)

Teddy Bear Ornament

Squirrel Building A Snowman

Enjoy! :)

Perfect Pumpkin Bars

When I was growing up, one of my favorite fall treats was Grandma's Pumpkin Bars. Interestingly enough, it was pretty much the only pumpkin I liked growing up... of course, that's changed now - Janene cooks some of the most delicious roasted pumpkins EVER. But for THIS post, here's the recipe that for me brings back memories and comfort of Fall seasons past, present, and future....

Ingredients:

Bars	Icing
2 cups flour	3 oz pkg cream cheese
2 tsp baking powder	1/4 cup butter
2 tsp cinnamon	1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice	2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/3 cup sugar	2 tbs hot water
2 cups pumpkin
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup salad oil
4 eggs

Directions:

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a bowl and set it aside. Cream oil and sugar, then stir in pumpkin. Beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in preheated 350F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out dry.

Frosting:
Mix room temperature cream cheese until it's smooth. Add warm butter and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar and hot water, and beat until consistency is a spreadable icing. Once cake is cooled, spread frosting on top, and enjoy!

Pea Patch

We've been enjoying our neighborhood pea patch at Country Village.  These folks have done an amazing job planting such sweet goodies for us to gaze at.  We've watched them grow and grow these last couple months, a little of everything, veggies, fruits, herbs, in all colors shapes and sizes. 

Chard?

A dewy 'kin

Hot days mean more of these babies!

I like the tops...

Corn, Mmmm.....

More goodies growing!

Perfect.

Fall harvest really is something to celebrate, isn't it??

We're on Facebook!

Hello, everyone!  For those of our customers who follow Facebook, we'd love to have you become fans of The Weed Patch!  By far the easiest way to join us is to simply click on the Facebook badge in our left column here on our blog.  Be sure to check us out, for updates on life, on the store, on our website... for sales info, specials, and so much more!

Curried Chicken Salad Pita

Curried Chicken Salad Pita

 

This is a fast, easy, and filling salad that uses up leftover rotisserie chicken, and can be eaten on a bed of lettuce or stuffed into pita pockets.  The cool grapes make it a perfect light meal for late summer, with the curry powder adding a unique and warm flavor.  I really eyeball this salad as I’m making it, so follow the directions loosely – if you want more grapes, add them!  Less dressing, more nuts, etc etc.  Enjoy!

 

¼ cup Low-Fat Mayo (regular is fine too)

1 tsp Curry Powder

2 tsp Water

1 cup Chopped Cooked Chicken

¾ cup Chopped Braeburn Apple (or any other tart-ish apple)

1/3 cup Celery, diced small

1 cup Red Grapes, halved

¼ cup Slivered Almonds, toasted

Salt, to taste

 

For serving:

Green Leaf Lettuce

Whole Wheat Pita Pockets

1.      Whisk together the first three ingredients to make the dressing.

2.      Toss together remaining ingredients, then stir in the dressing.  If not serving right away, wait to add the almonds so they don’t get soggy.

3.      To serve, line a pita pocket half with a large leaf of lettuce, and stuff with a half cup or so of chicken salad.  Eat and enjoy!

We've been nominated!

We're SO EXCITED! We've been nominated for KING 5's Best of the Northwest contest! Please follow the link by clicking our banner and vote for us! Please? Pretty PLEASE? :)

Lori Mitchell Fall and Halloween!

Just to give an update, our ESC Trading Company fall order is arrived an out on the floor at The Weed Patch, including the infinitely popular Lori Mitchell figurines!  We're got some great new ones this year, as well as some previously retired figures that have been briefly re-released.

Old Crow

Becca's Broom Ride

Tom Gobbler and Goodie Gobbler

Jack Dandy and Jill Dandy

Lil Pumpkin

Little Alien

Trick or Treat Clown

Robby Robot

Little Frankie Stein

Gerry Up Lil Cowboy

Trixie

Halloween Heights

Pumpkin Gent

Pumpkin Lad & Pumpkin Lass

Indian Princess

They are all going fast, so get them while you can!  View all Lori Mitchell here.

Halloween by ESC Trading Company!

Our Fall & Halloween order has arrived from ESC Trading Company!  We opening boxes as fast as we can, which honestly has been so fun because the characters are just so jolly, silly, and adorable.  I only got through two boxes before I went home sick, so I only have a few pictures to share so far.  Here are a few:

Pumpkin Gent, by Lori Mitchell

Mr. Bo Jangles, by Lori Mitchell

Indian Guide, by Lori Mitchell

Indian Princess, by Lori Mitchell

Pumpkin Lad & Lass by Lori Mitchell

All About the Candy

Lil Halloween Boos

Check out our complete Halloween line here, and all Lori Mitchell here!  More to come!!