Countdown to Halloween: October 29th

Countdown to Halloween: October 28tb

Countdown to Halloween: October 27th

Here's my favorite Andy with some pumpkins from our garden.

Countdown to Halloween: October 25th

Halloween or Christmas? I don't know but she sure is cute!

Countdown to Halloween: October 24th

Andy calls this bunch (that we got all at the same time at an antique store) "The Headsters."

I'M PUBLISHED!!!

My friend texted me this picture tonight that she spied in her latest issue of The Baking Sheet!

Countdown to Halloween: October 21st

Countdown to Halloween: October 23rd

This backdrop to most of my Countdown pictures is actually a sleeping bag. It took me about two dozen pictures to catch on that their noses are ROUND! Different, eh?

Countdown to Halloween: October 22nd

Mug or Music Box? Yes to both - cool, huh?

Pizza for Breakfast? Yes!

Since we weren't planning to have Mark's super-yummy homemade ("Poppy John's") pizza last night, I decided to give King Arthur Flour's Breakfast Pizza a try. It was wonderfully different. Two cook's notes: I made it into six pizzas and it took only about 12 minutes on the top shelf. Also, you really do put the raw egg mixture on the partially cooked dough. It's a much thicker mixture than you would think.
Enjoy!
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/breakfast-sandwich-pizzas-recipe

Countdown to Halloween: October 20th

This Ann reminds me of the author of "Little Heathens," an autobiography of a gal growing up in the Depression.

Homemade Yogurt Flavored with Homemade Strawberry Jam!

Countdown to Halloween: October 18th

This Ann is a just so sweet looking to me!

Countdown to Halloween: October 19th

This "vintage" mobile was picked up this past August at a dear "odds and ends" shop on the shores of Lake Ontario. I doubt it would pass any current safety test but I think it's sweet. I can't draw so many an Art Class project in my childhood featured balloons and Raggedys.

Doughnut Muffins: So Easy, So Yummy!

Ever have one of those mornings when you're looking for something different for breakfast BUT you're short on time? Well, thanks to King Arthur Flour these tasty Doughnut Muffins were on my kitchen table in LESS THAN AN HOUR after I rolled out of bed! I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine did this morning!
Here's the link to the recipe: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/doughnut-muffins-recipe

P.S. I substituted Penzey's Baking Spice for the nutmeg.

Countdown to Halloween: October 15th

This rescued "homespun" raggedy has seen better days but we all love button-eyed ones around here.

Countdown to Halloween: October 14th

Blue eyes AND orange hair - what's not to love?!?!

Countdown to Halloween: October 12th

"Googs" is back! Read her whole story on my August post!

Countdown to Halloween: October 11th

This "homespun" always gives me a BIG BIG smile - I think it's her yellow ribbon.

Countdown to Halloween: October 9th

What a "homespun" sweetheart! This Ann still sports the thrift store price tag from where we got her! We always love it when we find a Raggedy while "thrifting."

Countdown to Halloween: October 8th

This guy is so old and dear - I wish I could have him tell me a story or two!

Countdown to Halloween: October 7th

"Alabama Anna" was so excited to show off her orange hair for Countdown to Halloween!

Countdown to Halloween: October 6th

What a sweet old couple!

Countdown to Halloween: October 5th

Our first memorbila piece is a ceramic Andy that was made in Japan - a beloved country in our family.

Countdown to Halloween: October 4th

The Other Half!

Countdown to Halloween: October 3rd

These homespun sweethearts are half of quadruplets that my mom "rescued."

Flour Power

Dad and I went to King Arthur Flour's Traveling Baking Demo in Dublin (OH) yesterday. It was AWESOME and FREE!  I've always had great respect for the Vermont-based company but this exceeded all my expectations.  The five company representatives managed to share their immense baking knowledge in a down-to-earth way, that was never condescending. It was like having a friend of a friend over for coffee and she just happens to be an expert in your favorite hobby. The four hours just flew by. I look forward to sharing what I learned (and won in their door prize drawings) in an upcoming post.

Countdown to Halloween: October 2nd

This guy is a celebrity around our house. "Mandy" was Mark's childhood buddy. He sits on the VIP closet shelf with The Originals and other vintage friends.

Countdown to Halloween: October 1st

"Raggedys and Recipes" will be highlighting spooky and orange-haired Raggedys and memorbilia from my collection each day this month as part of "Countdown to Halloween."
We start things off with this 85th Anniversary (2000) Applause Ann.