Fall on the Porch and a Recipe

WARNING ..LONG AND PICTURE HEAVY

Hoping all of you have had a wonderful fall weekend.  The weather has been wonderful here in the south.  In fact it was quite chilly at the homeplace this morning.  Don't tell anyone, but I dug out my flannel robe. And it felt right comfy too.  So thanks to the cooler temps. I got busy yesterday and got my fall decorating DONE.  Well not quite that done, there is one more thing I want to tweak, but almost done.  Enough so I can sit back tonight and enjoy what I did get done. 

So, it's been quite a while since we met on the porch in a previous post.  In fact it was back in the Spring.  Unfortunately the summer was so hot and dry, we didn't get to meet out there too much.  But now that fall is here and the temps. are cooler we can enjoy coffee there in the early evenings.  So anytime you would like to stop by and visit your are so graciously welcome.

Of course it being fall, you will be welcomed with a hay bale , mums, pumpkins, and a few black crows.  I figure if they are going to be hanging around out back eating all my pecans, I might as well make them feel welcome.  They are surely in no hurry to leave.

While we were on vacation back in September , we saw these old shutters for sale at a prim shop. The prices on those babies was way out of my price range.  So what did I do?   Got Mr. P. to create me one when we got home.  You can do one so easily.

Just find you an old shutter.  Use  burlap or a old  feed sack.  I used an old burlap coffee bean sack.  Just cut off a piece bigger than the shutter and form a big deep pocket.  Turn under raw edges and staple to shutter.  Then get you a piece of chicken wire , bend over the sharp edges where you cut it and make a pocket over the burlap material.  This just helps to stabalize the burlap.  I filled my bag with straw and added the leaves and black crow.  You can fill with your choice of foliage.  Enjoy.  Thought my instructions and Mr. P's skills yielded one cute shutter, and we saved ooodles of dollars. 

Even the birdhouse decided it wanted to join in the spirit of the season.  A little pumpkin sits on its porch. And look at that spooky tree with those dreaded crows lurking on the branches.  That tree glows in the dark and makes the porch SPOOKY!!!!

You know I always complain that I can't find anything good at our GW?  Well, I found this quilt and it was NEW.  I was so excited.  Love the fall leaves on it.  Sure will feel good to snuggle up in it on the evenings when there is a chill.

This green plant will soon have to come inside as the temps. get cooler, but right now there is no danger of frost.  Until it does a little orange pumpkin will keep it company.

Can't forget my favorite spot on the porch.  It got a little sprucing up with new fall pillow shams for the pillows.  This swing was the first thing we bought when we built the house.  We were finishing up the outside and a pick up truck came by selling them.  We have been here for 35 years and other than swinging in it so much when Holly was small and we wore the chain into, it has held up so well. I use to hold her in my arms and swing and sing her to sleep.  Seems like yesterday. Darbee Rae loves the swing too, but unlike her Mommy  she doesn't sleep and she sings to me. (LOL)

This dresser that belonged to my grandmother spent the summer on the carport.  When you visited last in the spring this is where the old flour bin that belonged to Mr. P's grandparents sat.  Will show you where it is later.  Brought the dresser around to the porch where it will stay until next spring.  Makes for a cozy spot when the lamp is on.  I have it on a timer and its nice to come home with the lights on.

Well as you can see I have kept you out here and now the sun has gone down and night fall has silently approached.  A little too cool to keep you out here and offer you coffee.  But I'll tell you what I will do. If you promise to pass thru the great room and not look at my fall displays (they are for another post)  you are more than welcome to come in for a bowl of homemade beef strew and homemade bread.  So come along now and no peeking.

Hope you enjoy your supper. Sure does hit the spot on a cool evening such as this.  I know I have babbled on and it may too late for some of you to eat, so I will gladly share the Beef stew recipe with you before you leave.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I.  One of my favorite fall recipes. And while it's simmering in the crock pot your houses will smell so yummy.

Crock Pot Beef Stew

1 1/2 pounds stew beef

1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon sugar

2 beef bouillon cubes

3 tablespoons steak sauce ( your choice)

1/2 cup celery (sliced)

4 medium potates (cut in cubes or hunks) I usually add more veg. than it calls for

2 medium onions (quartered)

2 large carrots (sliced) I buy baby ones and cut in half

water

Cut your veggies and layer in crock pot first. Add your stew beef (no need to brown). Add enough water to make as soupy as you want.  Remember it will not cook down in the crock pot.  Once water is added, add remaining ingredients such as salt, sugar,bouillion cubes, steak sauce.  Stir to mix.  Cook on high 6-8 hours.

We enjoy this over white rice, but is good alone.  Enjoy!

Well, I know this has been a  long post, but I so enjoy company on a wonderful cool fall evening.  Just a perfect ending to a wonderful weekend.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Now don't peek going  back to the door.  Next time we'll meet in the great room.  Until then be safe on your way out......