Republished from October 2022

Need something that screams “Autumn!” to take to the PTA meeting, work luncheon, or other gathering? Didn’t have time to make your famous pumpkin loaf with cream cheese frosting? I gotchu!

This tasty cream cheese pumpkin dip takes just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes to whip up. It's creamy, tangy, pumpkiny deliciousness that every pumpkin spice enthusiast will love.

It's best served with the small. crisp ginger snaps that come in the bag, or the very thin Anna’s brand Swedish ginger thins… but neither could be found on local grocer shelves, so it's pictured with larger soft ginger cookies instead; just as yummy but unless cut into pieces might encourage double-dipping, a thing I know we’d all like to avoid! Apple wedges would also be an option.

Here’s how to make your own. Go ahead, take a dip!

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese (1 pkg) room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
3/4 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

In a medium sized bowl, mix all ingredients, except sprinkle of cinnamon, until well blended. You may use an electric mixer or immersion stick blender to make a smoother dip.

Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with a little cinnamon, and serve with your favorite fall cookie, cracker, or even crisp apple wedges!

Fall is (almost) here and even though I love the warm summer days, there’s something so heart warming about the changing of the seasons. One of the ways I transition myself and my family into the autumn spirit is by incorporating dried flowers into my home decor.

Creating dried bouquets using the flowers you already have growing in your garden is an inexpensive way to decorate your home while also getting the most use out of your flowers. If you keep up with my social accounts you would have seen an ARRAY of garden and flower photos, and all the ways and places I use them around the farm.

Tending to my flowers makes my heart sing and putting together these bouquets helps keep my creativity muscles in good shape.

I’m going to walk you through my favorite tips and tricks for getting the perfect dried hydrangea arrangement.

My first tip for making the perfect dried flower arrangement starts with picking your flowers at the right time. I suggest harvesting your hydrangea blossoms after they have bloomed fully, when their color is beginning to turn, and they take on a slightly papery feel and vintage look; this is typically toward the end of summer/early fall.
Dried hydrangeas can be quite delicate and tend to break easily. If you can create your arrangement or wreath before they get too brittle, it’s often best to do so.

Once you’ve picked your flowers, trim the stems so they fit in whichever vase you are planning on using for your arrangement and remove the leafs, leaving a few for decorative purposes while they are drying (you’ll want to eventually remove ALL leaves.)

Now this next step is entirely up to you. When it comes to drying out your flowers there are two ways I like to do it.

The 1st way…

Fill your vase with fresh water so at least half of the stem is covered, arrange your bouquet and simply wait until the water evaporates naturally.
Allow a few weeks for the flowers to dry completely.
Lightly spray the flowers with unscented hairspray to help them retain their shape

The 2nd way…

Begin with arranging your flowers, and then bind them together using twine or unflavored dental floss.
Secure them to a clothes line or an unused hanger so that they hang upside down.
Store them in a dry, dark area that gets good circulation like an attic or closet.
Let them dry for 2-3 weeks
Place in desired vase
Lightly spray the flowers with unscented hairspray to help them retain their shape

I hope you enjoy these super easy tips for creating beautiful dried flower arrangements, and then use them for your own home or as gifts to others.

Get creative with your vases and any additional decorations! Place these stunning bouquets in all the different corners of your house like your mantel, dining table or kitchen counter to bring those muted Autumn tones to your decor!

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Dip