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Happy October...we're welcoming this month's festivities with another edition of Feather Your Nest! Our skies are still blue but the leaves are getting crunchier by the day and we love to get outside to soak up the season. From tailgating celebrations and bobbing for apples to hayrides, corn mazes and bonfires, we try to enjoy every moment.
As a special thank-you to our VIP email subscribers (that's you!), we're bringing you even more seasonal Gooseberry Patch acrylic stamps. Made by Cookbookin'TM, they're available now but don't delay...when they're gone, they're gone! |
Something else you won't want to miss...a sneak peek inside our new book, Recipes for Kindness is below. There's a quick & easy neck cozy that's so easy to stitch up, you might want to make 'em for some special folks on your list this year. We've also handpicked two of our very favorite harvest recipes for you to enjoy. Old-Timey Drop Doughnuts are for way more than breakfast...enjoy their golden goodness anytime! There's also a super-simple idea for making Spooky Spiders with the kids. They'll love snacking on these creepy creatures before heading out for trick-or-treat!
P.S. If you haven't gotten in on the fun yet, join us on our blog, check out our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Just click those links, or the buttons on the side of your screen below, and you'll be on your way to lots more recipes, photos, stories and inspiration from us. See you there!
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You asked and we listened! Here's a whole new batch of acrylic stamps featuring original Gooseberry Patch art, made by the good folks at Cookbookin'TM. They're made especially for sharing your recipes and making keepsake cookbooks. Whether you're whipping up harvest invitations to the big feast or making some placecards, these stamps will add festive flair.
Here are some goodies we made while giving them a test-drive here at the office...
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Ready to get stampin'?
Click here to get your set but don't wait too long...they're only available for a short time and in limited quantities so get yours while they last! |
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The first in a new series of books dedicated to Gooseberry giving back, Recipes for Kindness, Book 1 is full of heartfelt stories, easy recipes made for sharing, simple gifts for giving & so much more. Best of all, we've teamed up with Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief charity, and we're donating $1 from every copy sold!
A must-have for celebrating the holidays with heart, it's perfect for anyone on your list...a good deed wrapped up in a sweet little book!
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Easy Neck Cozy
Ever tossed a wool sweater in the wash by
mistake? Turn a felted sweater into two or three thoughtful gifts!
Don't have a felted sweater hanging around? Shop thrift or second-hand stores for brightly colored wool sweaters, toss in a hot water wash & dry on high...it couldn't be easier!
felted sweater
scissors
vintage buttons
thread
If sweater is not a solid color, consider the pattern of the sweater and decide how it can best be used for this project. Once you have a suitable area identified, you're ready to cut your base. For kids, cut a rectangle measuring 4" tall and 18" to 20" long or, for adults, cut out a piece 6" tall and 30" to 32" long. Sew buttons onto one end and using the illustration as a guide, cut button holes to match up ends.
Here's a bonus tip! Since you'll have the sleeves leftover, try making a fun monogram to add some personal flair to this neck cozy. Draw a letter on with chalk and cut it out. Stitch onto the cozy with embroidery floss and it's done!
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Old-Timey Drop Doughnuts
Shared by Sharon Crider of Junction City, Kansas, this recipe can be found in our book, Autumn in the Country. Sharon says that these are so much better than store-bought doughnuts...we couldn't agree more!
2 eggs
1 c. sugar, divided
1 T. shortening, melted
1 c. milk
1 t. vanilla extract
3-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking powder
1/8 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
oil for deep frying
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until light; blend in 1/2 cup sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla. Set aside. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in another mixing bowl; stir into egg mixture to make a soft dough. Mix together cinnamon and remaining sugar; set aside. Heat several inches oil to 365 degrees in a deep saucepan. Drop dough into hot oil by teaspoonfuls, a few at a time. Fry until doughnuts turn themselves over and are golden on all sides. Drain on paper towels; roll in cinnamon mixture while still warm. Makes 3 dozen.
Click here for a printable version of this recipe.
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Spooky Spiders
So easy, the kids can help make these...whip up a whole batch from this recipe that appears in Kids in the Kitchen, Year 'Round Fun.
creamy peanut butter
buttery round crackers
mini pretzel sticks
raisins, red cinnamon candies or mini candy-coated chocolates
candy sprinkles
Spread a little peanut butter on a cracker. Place 4 pretzel sticks on each side for "legs." Top a second cracker with a little peanut butter and press gently onto first cracker. Add raisin or candy "eyes" and decorate as you like, using a bit more peanut butter to hold them in place. Arrange your creepy creations on a platter or eat them up immediately!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe.
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