The inspiration behind an easy spooky spider cake creation!

Let me say this right up front….I don’t like spiders! I don’t really know many people who do. I’ve been known to suck them up in the vacuum cleaner only to set it outside until my husband gets home and can dispose of it! That being said, my attitude towards these creepy crawly eight-legged creatures has changed recently. Keep an open mind and read on….

Several years ago, I watched “Charlotte” for many weeks. Of course I’ve named her after E.B. White’s famous character from the all-time classic book Charlotte’s Web. Nothing more than a barnyard decoration, you say? Think again. My Charlotte spun her daily web to measure about two and a half feet long and a foot and a half wide. She did this every day and every day I tried to catch her creating this masterpiece to no avail. Light on? Light off? What did she prefer? She never spun while I was watching. When the wind blew several leaves into her sticky prison they left large gaping holes in the web but the next evening the entire thing was re-spun and I must say, quite beautiful. The innate ability to create something like this amazes me.

 

According to my research, this legged lady was an Orb Weaver of the family Araneidae. Her common name is Garden Spider, which makes total sense, as that was exactly where she was located. She was very docile, non-aggressive and quite beneficial! She masterfully caught and ate pest type insects. Unfortunately (I can’t really believe I’m saying this), she died at the first frost, but much like E.B. White’s famous friend, her eggs survived the winter and I had hundreds of her tiny children to carry on the legacy!

Charlotte has inspired a seasonal dessert that your family will adore. Now, if only she would write Bon Appetite in her web….

 

Make any cake of your choice.  I choose chocolate, simply because it's my favorite.  Frost using a white or other light color frosting.

 Beginning with a small circle in the center of the cake, use black icing to draw a circle.

 Keep drawing circles until you reach the outside of the circle. 

Simply draw a knife through the frosting at several different points.  The closer your circles are and the more times you draw your knife through, the more intricate your web will be.

 Dress the cake up as much or as little as you'd like! 

Creative pumpkins along Main Street in Damariscotta, Maine

Every October, Damariscotta, Maine draws thousands of people to the Damariscotta Pumpkin Fest.  There are all kinds of pumpkin related activities for kids and adults alike.  The Regatta is one of our favorite aspects of the festival....giant pumpkins are carved out and outboard motors are attached!  The first year this took place, we were able to easily grab a front row seat on the shore.  Now, it's one of the most popular events at the event and almost impossible to get close to!  The very colorful and artistic pumpkins shown here are along Main Street.  I urge as many of you as possible to go and view these beauties.  While you're there, grab lunch at one of the fabulous restaurants in the area.

 

 My absolute favorite!

Keep an eye on the website for information regarding the 2016 Pumpkin Fest!

Note - The new State of Maine champion pumpkin (and all time record holder for the state) weighs 1,727.5 pounds!

Apples, beets and cheddar; delicious!

There's nothing better than buying fresh produce at a farm stand.  The fruits and vegetables ultimately taste better and the farmer appreciates our support.  Such was the case on a recent drive through the Grand Isle area of Vermont.  We highly recommend visiting the most north western part of the state as it's beauty is incredible.  We picked up some pumpkins, gourds and fresh beets and would like to share our favorite beet recipe with you.  Serve it as an appetizer or have it for dinner!

 Wash and slice the beets; we prefer to remove the skin after boiling.

 Boil for about 25 minutes or until soft when poked with a fork.

 Use shredded or sliced cheddar cheese.

When serving for dinner, we use filo dough.  If preparing an appetizer, we use individual crackers such as Triscuits.  Lay the cut beets on the dough.

 Cover with a layer of sliced apples.

 Sprinkle with nutmeg.

 Add a layer of cheddar cheese.

 If using filo dough, brush the edges with milk.

Bake in a pre-heated oven for approximately 25 minutes or until the filo dough begins to turn light brown.

Slice and eat while hot; a fabulous fall treat!

Lingering color in the Fall garden.

At the end of last week, I grabbed the camera and took some late in the season garden photos.  The colors were still vibrant; lots of pinks and oranges displayed in the array of flowers.  Little did I know that while I was away over the weekend, everything would fall prey to a frost.  Not only a frost, but snow flurries!  So although it seems too early, my garden is now mostly green and brown. 

Here, for you to enjoy, are the last colorful moments of the fall season!

Although slightly wilted, the yellows shown here made the statement that fall is coming.

I love Cosmos and so do the bees.

Love this!

Such dynamic color!

This particular garden helped dress up the old barn.

Thankfully this geranium sits on the side of the house that didn't get the worst of the frost.  Typically, if you water your geraniums that have been hit by frost, they'll ultimately come back.  I bring mine in for the winter, then set them out again in the spring.

The mums are hardier; they still look nice after the frost.

I love the color of this pansy and it has been in the garden since April!

One of my favorites.

Impatiens are usually the first to go.  This one is now a shriveled up mess.  However, if you still have some in good condition, they'll bloom in a pretty bottle on your windowsill throughout the winter.  Just take a cutting and put it in water.

These dry out nicely if you cut some and bring them in.  Tie them with a ribbon and hang upside down for drying.

Thankfully the birdbath didn't freeze and crack!  It's in the barn now.

A late blooming clematis looks so pretty with the traditional fall colors.

Fall will be back at the end of the week!  We need to make sure we enjoy it because Winter is right around the corner!