I found these Maple Chips at Target and thought it would be cool to try the recipe on the back of the package. These cookies feel very autumn like.
Adding in Apple Sauce and Maple Syrup has made it extra sweet. The dough tasted great. LOL. Guilty, I ate some raw dough and live to tell about it. I kinda left the cookies a little bit undercooked as I like a softer cookie, but it was a little too soft. They fell apart very easily so if I make this next time I will cook them longer.
Homemade cookies are a comfort food. Reminds me of good times, love and family. My Mom would always make cookies during the holidays. My sister and I continued the tradition which will always be a good memory for me.
Below is the recipe if you want yo make the cookies. I am sure you can use any chips if you cannot find the maple chips.
Every year I like to read some of the Amazon Original Stories that has a spooky theme. In case you did not know, Amazon has a collection of these themed short stories written by well known authors that are free for Prime Members. One of the many perks of being a Prime member. If you have an Audible account, it also loads the audio book into your account. So if you like to listen instead of reading, this is a great service. Although free, you are only borrowing the book and it will be returned when you select another free read. I believe the cap is 5 books you can have in your borrowing account.
This year’s collection is called THE SHIVERS.
Synopsis: Ruined by scandal, Dennis Lange is hoping for a comeback. Selling the story of a cursed tree could make his future—if it doesn’t kill him—in this monstrous short story from New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill.
Dennis awakens something evil when he removes a decades-old jackknife from the trunk of a gnarled old sycamore. Once pinned in place—now thoughtlessly freed—the tree returns to its roots. An act of vigilante justice took place under its boughs long ago. But its taste for blood has only grown stronger…
My Opinion: I enjoyed this book, the way this man destroyed his life and was consumed by the tree was intriguing. I wasn’t sure if the tree was really moving or if the man was losing it. You will have to read it to get the answer.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Synopsis: A helping hand, a fateful cost. In this ominous short story from New York Times bestselling author Owen King, the cost of living keeps rising—and it collects payment from the soul.
Sensing his mother’s failing health, a struggling teenager pours out his worries in a letter and drops it through the mail slot of an abandoned show house. He’s surprised when a response arrives, promising good fortune for the price of just one name: someone he hates. He’d give anything for his mother. But the true cost may be more than he’s willing to pay.
My Opinion: The Slot was not exactly I thought it would be. Oh that Slot. It has a dark side.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Synopsis: Don’t lose your head over office politics…The horrors of the modern workplace meet actual horror in a fiendishly entertaining short story from New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones.
When the lights go out and the slideshow begins, middle manager Jennifer has a disturbing vision: a headless colleague right across the boardroom table. Is it a trick of the light, or a vision of the future? She tries to brush it off and salvage the afternoon—but when her ex unexpectedly drops off her son at the office after school, suddenly her whole world takes an alarming turn.
My Opinion: I have to admit I was a bit lost in this book. Not sure what really happened but it was a bit intense and a bit grotesque.
My Rating: 2 out of 5
Synopsis: Residents have an unspoken pact with the island’s unnatural inhabitants: ignore them, live happily. But in New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix’s thrilling short story, one boy can’t look away—and pays the price.
Jeckle Island offers Rachel’s children the chance to spend summers roaming wild and free, as long as they follow the rules. But when her son comes face to face with a terror they dare not speak of, she must prepare for their perfect world to change. Forever.
My Opinion: I am a fan of Grady Hendrix and enjoy his writing. This had a bit of suspense and a bit of shock. Everyone was so traumatized in this book and so was I.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Synopsis: In the gloom of her hotel, a mother readies to rejoin her past. Feverish nightmares meet the chilling light of day in this haunting short story from USA Today bestselling author Catriona Ward.
Room 17 was the last stop on her husband and son’s journey. Eight years after their deaths, Stella books the same room, hoping to commune with their memories. But as she tries to sleep, disturbing and urgent visions blur the lines between reality and the supernatural, and the other side sends a terrifying message.
My Opinion: To be honest I cannot remember what happens at the end of this book. Maybe the ghosts wiped it from my memory. LOL
My Rating: 2 out of 5
I also read another short story that was a freebie from the Amazon First Reads selection. First Reads is a free book each month for Amazon Prime members. Sometimes you can get 2 books or a free short story.
Synopsis: Erin tends bar at the last dive left in gentrified Red Hook, Brooklyn, where old-timers spin tales of the bar’s legacy and the waterfront’s crime-ridden past. Her boss, Jimmy, a real estate magnate responsible for much of the neighborhood’s shiny transformation, also has a story to share. Back when he was a struggling beat cop, two neglected boys introduced him to an ancient creature that made Jimmy’s dreams come true. Nightmares too. Erin doesn’t believe a word. The bar is her life. But this bar at the end of the world is also home to a deadly stowaway. And it’s looking for a new host.
My Opinion: This was a good read and I was not sure what was causing the events until almost the end of the book. It was suspenseful and the story kept me reading.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
I highly recommend that everyone check out these stories. There are many collections to choose with different genres. Something for everyone.
Every year I compile a list of movies that I will watch to get into the Halloween mood. Some movies I watch every year like Practical Magic, others I watch every few years like The Shining. I always try to introduce new films into the list. I love the old black and white 1950 films and search for oldies I might enjoy. Normally in making my list, I am choosing either cheesy monster movies from my youth, or suspenseful films of intrigue. But this year I am doing something slightly new. I decided to add more movies I have never seen. They either have been on my watchlist for a few years and never got around to watching or films I never heard of. Of course some old favorites are on the list, but most are new to me.
But I am not restricting myself to this list, if I find something worth while to watch I will go ahead and watch it. I did not add any Korean shows on the list, there may be a great one to watch, so who knows what I will end up watching. Because I will be retired I can watch more shows during the season.
So grab your popcorn and your milk duds and settle in for an exciting season of great films.
Normally the last thing I want in autumn (or in winter) is ice cream. But since we are having a heat wave I was thinking why not. Especially after I was doing a quick Target order I noticed they had two new flavors from Favorite Day ice cream (their brand). I want you to know I am a sucker for any limited edition or special release of practically anything.
So into to shopping cart this ice cream yumminess goes. The first flavor is Caramel Apple Pie that is apple ice cream with caramel swirls and pie crust pieces. Can you say yummy! The second flavor is Pumpkin Cheesecake which is pumpkin cheesecake flavor ice cream with graham cracker swirls. I have no idea which is more yummy but will enjoy trying them both out.
I am thinking of making an apple crumble and putting some ice cream on the side. Oh yum.
Every year I kick off the Autumn Bucket List by posting a poem that inspires me. I was having issues finding a poem that just felt right. Instead I found inspiration from wonderful quotes from famous writers. I felt that each quote captured my thoughts about autumn, from leaves to pumpkins, to the chill in the air. May pumpkin season begin.
Here I am kicking off my bucket list for Autumn during a hot summer day. I have noticed a lot of social media influencers are starting their Autumn posts because they are so over this hot summer. I am too! I am not a summer person, keep your hot sweaty days, your bugs, your expensive electricity bills. I prefer the cool breezes of Autumn, the leaves turning golden colors, the pumpkins lined up on the porch, being dressed in cuddly warm sweaters holding a cup of hot tea and having a bowl of homemade soup for dinner.
I am actually retiring this year at the end of September. I can hardly wait as I have worked a long time to get here. I will now have more time to do my crafts and try new things. As a result, my autumn bucket list has more crafts and cooking than previous years. I have the list broken out between cooking, crafts and other fun stuff. Some stuff is new, others are my tried and true annual “to do’s”. I reserve the right to add more as I come up with cool ideas.
I am not a summer girl. I derive no pleasure from the scorching sun, long days, endless heat and bugs. I seem to come alive when the sun sets, the wind blows and leaves on trees turn golden. So here we are in August and stores are starting to put out Halloween goodies. Thank you very much. I started my hunt to find those few precious Halloween items that will become part of my collection. World Market got the memo but most stores are lagging, but it will come.
I did find a few Lenox pieces. I have never really purchased Lenox Halloween as their collection was sparse, but I notice some of their stuff was marked way down in price (I am thinking it will be discontinued) so I snagged some mugs and dessert plates. I was surprised how big and roomy the mugs were. Lots of hot witches brew in those babies.
On the Lenox website there are now showing little Halloween homes. I wonder if they will come out with a village. If so, sign me up.
The house with the graveyard is new according to the Lenox website. The other house is being sold in a variety of places so I assume it was the first to come out. These houses are on the small size of about 6” so it won’t take up a lot of surface space. Very cute indeed.
This is the first post of my autumn babbling, so keep an eye out for future posts.
While looking at Amazon, I found these cute Lenox Christmas Cones with scenes in them. They are about 12” tall and light up. I am such a huge fan of Lenox because their items are very elegant.
They should be delivered this Sunday and looking forward to adding it on my bookshelf.
Every year I purchase the Lenox Holiday pieces to match my china set. I have a bunch of pieces and add a few new pieces each year. Lenox will release complimentary pieces to match the place settings. I usually buy around Black Friday as the new releases are out and with a good sale price.
I got a larger piece which is the Lenox Snowman Cookie Jar.
Then I got this cute peppermint swirl candy dish with two snowmen.
Of course I wanted the cute snowmen salt and pepper shakers. I have a few shakers so there will be plenty on the Christmas table.
Then of course I picked up my third year of the annual snowman.
He looks so cheerful and happy. He makes me happy.
I wanted the Christmas Cupcake but Macys did not sell him. But lo and behold I found him on sale on Amazon from the Lenox shop and it was on sale.
Although I have not used the full set in years. I am hoping once retired that I can host Christmas again and have a table setting like below.
I think I forgot to mention the other Halloween tea I bought for the season. I realize this will last until next Halloween. But I could not control myself.
I got tea from Snarky Tea and Plum Deluxe Tea. Both are specialty tea companies who make their tea to order.
Plum Deluxe came out with the Trick or Treat Box.
The Licorice Spice Herbal was very tasty. What made this box so much fun was the Trick or Treat feature, Some teas did not taste that great, hence the trick and others were treats. they give you a score card which I rated the teas. It was fun to play along.
Snarky Tea did a Witching Hour tea mix. They gave quite a mix but the samplers are smaller which would be perfect for the 32 ounce mason jar.
I really like Snarky Tea and have a subscription to make cold brew tea Their tea is so flavorful. Below is the November cold brew delivery.
Today I should be receiving December cold brew package.
Sparky Tea always does a blending guide in case you want to mix it up. So far I have not done a blend but will one day.
Here is January 2025 release
Looks like I will have some good choices in my future.
So I will have plenty of tea in my future. Pinky up!
