A Decorated Halloween Mantel From Found Objects

I've decorated the first Halloween Mantel using all the things I have been picking up at the thrift shops. Click for a closer look.


Do you recognize any of the transformed objects?


These formidable mascaraders used to be...


Remember these masks?


And these two busts?


One of the gold candlesticks...


...became a pumpkin holder.


Remember this old "Americana" candlestick?


A bit of paint and it holds a white pumpkin too.


These old mirrors....


Are placed at the back of the arrangement on each side. The metal leaves I found a while back add a nice fall touch. One of the framed prints carries the Halloween theme. All so easy and CHEAP!!!

A pumpkin pie recipe will follow soon. I am off to the thrift stores and will post the pie recipe when I return!

Pumpkin Pie!!!!

My pumpkins inspired me to make a pumpkin pie! I usually only make pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. There is always so much other food that the pumpkin pie becomes a blur. We all love pumpkin pie so I decided to make one that we could really focus on and enjoy. Here is my recipe in case you are inspired. I think pumpkin pies are bland if they don't have enough spices. Try this recipe and see if you notice a difference.

Start by lining a pie plate with your dough of choice.


Put the contents of one can of pumpkin into the bowl of your mixer.

Add 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.


Add one teaspoon of ground ginger. Then 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves


And one can of evaporated milk.


Whisk 2 eggs and add to the pumpkin mixture. Blend it all together using the paddle for the mixer.


Grate in a bit of fresh nutmeg.


Add 3/4 cups of white sugar and 3/4 cups of light brown sugar. Mix until combined and smooth.




Pour it into the unbaked pie shell and place in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the oven down to 350 degrees and continue to bake for 50-60 minutes more. When you remove the pie from the oven the center should not be watery. It might jiggle a bit but will firm up as it cools.


Completed pumpkin pie! I use the extra dough to cut out shapes which I sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake. After the pie cools just sit them on top as decorations.