Edgar was indeed a “hot dog” this year… and he loved running around in his buns!  The little monsters at the door thought he was the coolest and I have to agree.  Here are some candids of Edgar’s Halloween costume and please note he prefers mustard over ketchup!

OK, sometimes recipes fall into your hands from strange sources.  While reviewing the BJ’s monthly circular, this particular recipe had a picture that just looked good and the ingredients fit the season… so I was game to give it a try.  As with any new recipe, play with it until you get it right.  Here is my interpretation…

Crust

• 2 packages refrigerated pie crust (I used Pillsbury)

Cranberry Filling

• 2 to 3 Cups Fresh Cranberries
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnimon
• 1/3 Cup Water

Cream Cheese Filling

• 12 oz Cream Cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsp Heavy Cream
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 3 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Caramel

• 1/2 Cup Werther’s Original Hard Candies, Crushed

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  In 1 quart saucepan, mix cranberry filling ingredients; heat to boiling.  Cook over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and allow to cool.  Unroll pie crusts on a floured work surface and flatten each crust slightly with a rolling pin.  With a 3.5 inch round cutter cut as many rounds from crusts as possible.  Spray muffin tins with Pam for baking and press rounds into tins and up sides with a little beyond the edges of the tin.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown, remove from oven and let cool.  Turn oven down to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl mix Cream Cheese Filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.  Spoon one heaping teaspoon of cranberry filling into each tart shell.  Top with cream cheese filling.  Back 10 to 12 minutes or until center is set.  Remove from oven and sprinkle each tartlet with crushed candies.  Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until candy has melted. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.  Enjoy!

With this economy it is important to plan some affordable fun… so for a shopper it is a trip with friends to the outlets in Maine.  My favorite stops always include Stonewall Kitchen, Crate & Barrel, Polo and Tommy Hilfiger stores. 

Crate & Barrel has a great clearance section of furniture, sheets/ bedding and other great finds.  I happened to get a white coverlet for my bed along with 2 shams for about a 1/3 of the price of what it would have been in a regular retail store.  Plus, there is nothing wrong with these that I can see. 

Nothing says summer like some seashell sheets and a white coverlet! 

Recently, a friend introduced me to Halo Cat Food.  This holistic, all natural food is specifically formulated to make your pets healthier; inside and out.  I immediately noticed my cat’s coat was much fuller and silkier after only a week on the kibble.  So, it was a no brainer for me to transition my new kitten to this product.  I was concerned that “kitten” food did not appear on their site but in the FAQ’s it stated that it was just as good for a growing kitten as it was for an adult.  Kitty is enjoying a mix of the canned and kibble for her delicate belly.  When I opened the can she litterally plunked her tiny face into the opening and started eating.  I think she likes it!  For more information go to www.halopets.com

Probably the most unique gift I got for my birthday this year was from a fellow gardener… and it does take one to know one!  This door knocker makes a welcome like no other and I am glad to have it proudly on display. 

I don’t often find a product worth blogging about that is as simple as yogurt but as decadant as any cheesecake.  This stuff is that good.  Not only that, it is good for you.  Somehow American style yogurt has taken all of the fun out of taste and texture out of this simple healthy treat.  Well, Chobani has it all in there and then some.  It is thick, creamy, 0% fat, and 140 calories per 6 oz. serving.  It comes in 5 flavors and you are sure to find one that appeals to you.  How could this get better??  Well, Chobani donates 10% of their profits to charities worldwide.  Good for you and good for the world.  Just remember to recycle and we all win! 

This is an updated to the Spring Potting Ideas post.  Thought I would share a photo of the fruit of my labor! 

I will say that all the rain this spring helped out these pots a lot since they drain quickly without liners.  Also, one drawback of the packing peanuts used as drainers… they float!  So, after a heavy rainfall, one pot had the potting soil pushed up and almost out of the pot.

This year has been all about the pool yard.  It is, after all, where we entertain friends and hang out the most.  The recent patio expansion had me thinking about adding a water feature to the space.  I had been thinking I needed something that is larger than the solar fountain that I already have.  The problem is, bigger means electricity to run the pump.  Since there isn’t an outside outlet this was posing a problem. 

While at the pool store I happened to see a fountain for the pool and I had to chuckle.  Why keep looking in stores for a water feature when I have one already – the pool!  So, for very little money I acquired a fountain for the pool that provides all the ambience of running water with the convenience of containment right in the pool.  After watching it for a while it was time for a nap… it is that relaxing! 

The pool opening is not just about removing the cover and treating the water… there are a lot of things that go along with it… such as cleaning off the deck, bringing out the patio furniture, and getting the yard ready for company after a long and messy winter.   I recently replaced the smaller table set for one that seats six… this is the St. Kitts design (which reminds me of my first Caribbean visit with my Mom and Dad).  It was easy to put together with light stackable chairs which is key in the setting up and storing away.  What was even better, it was on sale for the 4th of July weekend and rang up $250 less than the advertised price and the manager let it stand! 

Another great score was a huge table umbrella at Christmas Tree Shop to replace our old one that had holes in it.  Similar umbrellas cost about $100 but I got this one for under $40.  Don’t you just love a bargain?!

I picked the set and the umbrella up during two different shopping trips months apart and they look like they were sold as a set!  It really fits in the new space created by the patio expansion.

This is a follow up to the Tomato Success Kit post in May.  I just cannot believe how much these plants have grown in a month’s time.  As you can see, each branch is supporting the most impressive amount of tomatoes! 

This appears to be the one plant that thrives in all of this rain we have been having in New England.  My only concern is what to do with all the tomatoes once they are ripe.  Let me count the recipes I will have to be sharing with you…  I am afraid to fertilize these guys!!

Happy Container Gardening!