Make Your Own Seasoning Blends - Pumpkin Pie Spice

Third up in my "Make Your Own Seasoning Blends" series - Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin pie with a slice being lifted out.  A pumpkin and fall leaves decorate the background.

 Another big fall treat that lasts all the way past Christmas is pumpkin pie.  Of course in order to make a pumpkin pie, or pumpkin rolls or any pumpkin bakery treat you can come up with, you'll need Pumpkin Pie Spice.  Don't bother grabbing the car keys and heading out to the store because all you need to make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice is:

1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Clove

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

That's all there is to it, so either grab a pumpkin & start carving or you can buy prepared pumpkin in a can, but definitely make a pumpkin treat for your family and/or friends.

Hope I'm helping make life a little easier on you.  Thanks!

Make Your Own Seasoning Blends - Apple Pie Spice

Second in my "Make Your Own Seasoning Blends" series - Apple Pie Spice

Homemade apple pie with lattice top crust and green apples in the background.

When autumn arrives so do the apples and when you have apples, you inevitably make apple pie.  It's the American thing to do!

Making apple pie spice is ubber easy and I'm nearly positive you have the 3 spices it takes already in your pantry.  Ready?

2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

3/4 Teaspoons Ground Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoons Ground Cloves

That's it!  So get those apples peeled, cored & sliced and if making the crust is too much of a hassle (I suck at crust making by the way) then by all means use a store bought crust.  I try to buy a few crusts when they're on sale and/or/if I have coupons and keep 'em in the freezer for those spontaneous pie making sessions.

For heaven's sake don't let my husband see this posting!  If he does, I'll be making pies at 3 in the morning.  ;-)

Hope I'm helping make life a little easier on you.  Thanks!

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My Son's New Room

My dear adult son has tried living on his own on & off for nearly five years, however due to his disabilities, he has come to the conclusion that it's better to come back home to live.  Not only is it better for him, it's better for me because I missed him intensely and worried constantly.  I am tickled pink to have my bestest buddy back!  With a little parental nudging & guidance, he's taking better care of himself and I've become more active in my own life and feeling better for it as well.  The only problem we had is the matter of space, or rather the lack there of, in this tiny farmhouse.

With money being short, we had to sell a few things to raise the cash to make some home renovations, but alas my boy has a room of his own.  No more sleeping on the sofa and a personal space he can call his own.  I took him shopping for a bed, bedding & accessories yesterday and he spent every cent he had...and mine too.  He's so tickled with his new room he took some pictures and asked me to post one for everyone to see.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you my son's room:

On the right side of the image, queen bed with vivid red Damask comforter and sheets.  A flat panel TV on a built-in dresser in the background.  To the left a built-in computer desk with PC and folding metal chair on velour red padded throw rug.  Left of the bed, a window with black curtains, a tall oak nightstand and white faux fur throw rug on a rustic wooden plank floor.  The walls are wood paneled.

He has big plans to "pimp" his room out in style (Lord help me) so he'll be saving his pennies in hopes of getting carpeting and a wall mount for his TV and most importantly, a disco ball.  It just wouldn't be complete without that disco ball.  ;-)

Make Your Own Seasoning Blends - Lawry's Seasoned Salt

Something new to try out on the ole blog!  This is the first in a series of "Make Your Own Seasoning Blends" which will keep more cash in your own pocket where it belongs.

Image of Lawry's Seasoned Salt

I use seasoned salt in nearly every savory dish I make and this stuff is expensive considering what it's made of.  Even if you buy a generic version, it's still more than I'd like to pay for something I've already got in my spice cabinet.  This is incredibly easy and speedy to make (the amount of time it takes to open 7 containers).  Here's what you need:

4 Tablespoons Salt (or low sodium substitute)

4 Tablespoons Sugar

1 Teaspoon Paprika

1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric

1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Cornstarch

You will note there is no meat tenderizer in this recipe.  "Meat tenderizer" is just an evasive way to sneak MSG (Monosodium glutamate) under our noses.  I'll pass on that thank you.

So the next time you find you've emptied your seasoned salt container, refill it with the ingredients listed above and feel good about being healthy, thrifty and recycling.

Hope I'm helping make life a little easier on you.  Thanks!

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