Getting Creative with the Crock-Pot

Getting Creative with the Crock-Pot

Crock Pots have been around for years, following on the heels of our moms' electric skillets and saucepans.

I know exactly how long they have been around since I received a stylin' orange one for a wedding present more than 38 years ago. 

Today's crocks offer more options for the chef. Mine has a timer on it so that the pot will turn off at a certain time and then stay warm, eliminating the main complaint of overdone food. These new ones also can cook side dishes (I have used it to cook potatoes for mashing) and desserts so you could have a combination of Crock-Pots to take care of the entire meal!

There are probably a million recipes for Crock-Pot or "slow cooker" meals on the Internet, so I don't need to point you in their direction here. As the days cool off and snow is on the horizon, (and with Trick or Treaters stopping by tonight for a couple of hours), there really is no more convenient way to have a warm meal ready.

Pumpkin Carving Tips

It's time to start thinking about whether you want to carve your own pumpkins to greet Trick or Treaters or leave your rotund fruit au naturale.

Cutting into that thick skin and spooning out great globs of goo is not a great time, most of us would agree. Often I admit we took the easy way out and drew faces on the pumpkin with permanent markers, instead. Hey, they last longer that way!

But if you are preparing for Halloween and you have grandchildren excited to see a pumpkin face come to life, it's hard to avoid any actual cutting.

So if you are feeling adventurous (or guilty!), here are some tips on pumpkin carving you may want to make note of for the holiday.

Carving Tips 

Jack-O-Lanterns

Perfect Pumpkins

Pumpkin Topiaries

Wish I had thought of these!

I have several blogs that I follow because I like the way the owners write or the special things they create.

Sarah at Repeat CR-after Me always offers up crafty good ideas for creative types. I especially liked these topiaries because they are simple to make and inexpensive, with all supplies in stock for the season.

To see photos and instructions on how to make these beauties, visit http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/. and drop down to Sarah's September 28, 2012 post.

Enjoy!