5 Things to Do with a Month Full of Pumpkin

This weekend was awesome - went to a birthday party downtown and danced crazy with my rad boyfriend, then headed up north to see my lady loves for Homecoming. Finished up the weekend with the family, running through a giant corn maze, getting apple cider doughnuts, and watching the Ravens grab another win. 

Needless to say, I love fall: let's celebrate! 
Commence, "Things to do when there's a lot of pumpkin in your life."

1. Pumpkin Coffee (need I say more?). 

If you brew coffee at home like I do to save money, sprinkle just a pinch of Pumpkin Spice in with the grounds before brewing. Not a ton, just enough to give a hint of flavour. For other months of the year, I sprinkle in cinnamon and nutmeg! Or, use flavoured creamer. Personally I'm not usually a huge fan, but I'd be willing to give it a go!


2. Make delicious, moist pumpkin bread.

I don't mean to brag, but I'm the luckiest girl, because my mother makes the BEST pumpkin bread (and chocolate chip cookies, but that's a different story). Here's a great recipe for pumpkin bread that you can bake in a large loaf pan and serve to family, or divide up into mini-pans and share with friends. Mom and I like to sprinkle the top of our loaf with cinnamon and nutmeg before baking!

Also, try cutting the pumpkin bread into cubes, dipping them into warm caramel sauce, and rolling them in crushed pecans!

3. Gear up for autumn with some lovely handmade accessories.

Support the handmade movement, and look quite stylish at the same time! Pumpkin Spice is one of my favourite colours, especially in the fall. It makes me want to go out for coffee with friends, take walks in the brisk afternoon, and wear boots.

4. Try no-carve pumpkins this year!

These seem to be all the rage, even though I just can't NOT carve a pumpkin. I'll do both this year ;) I think it'd be darling to carve a big pumpkin, and then have little decorated pumpkins to match the theme!

Why not try these lovely doily pumpkins? For a wedding, I think they'd look even better in white, with doilies painted all over. I would even tie little fabric black and white bows around each stem!


Want a chic, modern, designer pumpkin? Paint your pumpkin white and grab some cool Helvetica-esque stickers and go to town! I also think it'd be rad to paint smaller pumpkins white, and then rub newsprint all over them! Or papier-mache? Everyone likes the feeling of that stuff between their fingers (and if you don't, you're weird)!


 And probably the most hilarious no-carve pumpkin idea I've come across in my "research", the Junk-o-Lantern or Stuff-on-a-Pumpkin. I mean c'mon: that's just awesome. Everyone's got that junk drawer in the kitchen that has all that weird stuff that you'll never use but have no where to put - now you have a mission, and a way to get rid of it all. You're welcome!



5. Make autumn table decorations with your leftover seeds!

To bake your seeds, preheat your oven to 400 degrees and lay a sheet of foil down on a baking sheet. Bring your seeds to a boil in a saucepan (2 cups water per 1/2 cup seeds), and then let simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and dry the seeds. Leave them natural and rustic, or spread out newspaper and spray paint them your colour of choice. I think silver seeds are very chic!

When they're dry, tuck some in a little cellophane or organza bag, and tie around your napkins (Martha's idea); sprinkle them over the table (my mom's idea); or fill little votive candle holders with them and tuck a name-card flag in with a toothpick (my idea)! Easy.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! I am so excited for autumn!

Wonderful things have been happening :)