I love how each one is completely unique, and the kiddos had SO much FUN making painting after painting, experimenting with layers of texture and color!

Inspired by this post at Play at Home, we made our own microwave puffy paint. Here’s how to make your own:

In a bowl, mix equal parts salt and self-rising flour

Add a few drops of food coloring (optional, especially for snow designs.)

Next, add enough water to make it the consistency of pancake batter. Pour into empty dishwashing soap bottles (or something similar).

Invite your child to join in some puffy painting fun!!! (Use thick card stock paper.)

Yay!! But wait –

…there’s more! Place your child’s painting in the microwave for 30 seconds on high (microwave times will vary, of course.) and *poof* — Paint is dry and super-puffy!

Have fun!!

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are 10 of our favorite ideas from around the web — all made with pumpkins!

This scary pumpkin from familyfun.go.com always makes me giggle!!

These Pumpkin Porcupines via Martha are SO clever!

Have an apple corer? Turn those pumpkins into a marquee! Found via parents.com

I love this idea from Country Living – so warm and cozy! (found via somedaycrafts.blogspot.com)

Turn pumpkins into flower pots! Found via Style Lush

Okay, enough with the home decor… let’s try some tasty recipes, shall we?? I’m thinking we’ll try a “coffee house at home” thing. Are you with me?? Mmmm….

Ummm… yes, please! Have you tried making your own pumpkin spice lattes?? It’s always more FUN (and a lot cheaper) to make your own. Love Veggies and Yoga shares a fun recipe!

The Shoebox Kitchen has a tasty recipe for pumpkin scones… are you getting hungry yet?

Feeling particularly ambitious?? Then you may want to try making these pumpkin donuts from Annie’s Eats. And then, give me a call and tell me when I can come over to your place…

Doesn’t this pumpkin truffle look amazing?? Find the recipe at Taste of Home.

And my personal favorite thing to do with all those pumpkins… Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling!! Dreamy Desserts shares the recipe. Holy Happiness!!!

Inspired yet? You can find more fun ideas on our Made with Pumpkins Pinterest board! Now go grab some pumpkins and have some fun!!

Here’s a little sneak peek of just some of the goodies you’ll find there….

Halloween Treats

I especially love the mini pumpkins (above) made with clementines from The Princess and the Frog Blog — so clever!

Halloween Treats

On the pinterest board, you’ll also find a recipe to make your own chai mix, some festive veggie tray ideas, a fun fruit spider treat, and much more, so go check it out!

What tasty treats have you been cooking up lately? Feel free to link up in the comments section, and share your creations with us!

Yummy!!!

Want to make some? ((Of course you do!)) Luckily, I get to share the recipe with you  – Thanks to Seller’s Publishing for permission to re-post AND for sponsoring a giveaway of this great cookbook!)

Chardonnay Pumpkin Sausage Sauce

1 pound pork sausage, like Jimmy Dean
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (this was the only thing I omitted, since the girls ate it too.)
1 cup chopped sweet onions, like Vidalia
10 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon snipped fresh sage
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup chardonnay wine
1 1/2 cups College Inn White Wine & Herb Culinary Broth (may substitute regular chicken broth)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon sugar

Place sausage and red pepper flakes in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage for 2 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Add onions and garlic and saute, sitrring frequently, for 2 more minutes. Transfer sausage mixture to a 4 quart slow cooker.

Add pumpkin puree, wine, broth, salt, cinnamon, and sugar to slow cooker. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and smooth. Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 3 1/2 hours. Serve over pasta or transfer to covreed containers to refrigerate or freeze until needed. Makes 8 cups.

I have to say, this dish tastes even BETTER the next day — perfect for leftovers for the next day’s lunch!

There are so many inspiring recipes in this book and in all the books from the Good Food at Home Series. There are four other books in the series:

Quick, Cheap Comfort Food
Leftover Makeovers
Weeknight Desserts
Make-Ahead Meals

I like that all of the Good Food at Home cookbooks are designed for busy families on a budget — a big plus!!

Now the fun part — One lucky Frugal Family Fun Blog reader will win a copy of Slow Cooker Classics from Around the World by Victoria Shearer!! To enter for your chance to win, leave a comment on this post sharing what you love most about Autumn. Giveaway is open to U.S. readers only, and winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends Saturday, October 15 @ 6:30pm EST. I just LOVE giveaway, don’t you?? For official giveaway rules, click here.

Good luck!!

Giveaway is now closed, and the winner is…. Allison! Congratulations!!! A big thank you to everyone who entered this fun giveaway!! Another great giveaway starts soon!

* Disclosure — I was provided with a copy of each of the cookbooks from the Good Food at Home series to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Learn How to Make a Kids Bento Box from AlphaMom — I love that these tips are simple and practical for “real” moms!

A great tutorial for how to make reusable snack bags from Naptime Crafters.

I made up a very similar taco cup lunch like this for Emily last year and it was a HUGE hit!!! It’s easy too! Learn how at This Lunch Rox.

For those with kiddos who have food allergies, Paper and Pigtails Party has a free printable that is super-cute!

I love this fun twist on plain ol’ peanut butter and jelly! Get the how-to at Shine.

There are MANY more school lunch ideas on our Back-to-School Lunches Pinterest board ((Thanks, Yelena!!)) including a lunch chart, ideas for DIY lunchables, and tips for organizing lunch snacks. Packed lunches have never looked (or tasted) better! Have fun!!

Here are some of our favorite recipes for homemade frozen treats from around the web…

(Never Home)maker shows how to make these tasty frozen banana bites!

For those of you feeling more ambitious….. These frozen s’mores look ADORABLE (and delicious)!! Yum! Found via Divine Party Concepts.

This Summer dessert idea for watermelon pie looks fun to make! Found via Make and Takes.

Miss the taste of hot chocolate?? Woman’s Day shows how to make frozen hot chocolate — perfect for Summer!

The Hungry Housewife shares a quick & easy idea for frozen watermelon pops that are almost no work at all to make!

There are LOTS more fun ideas for other homemade frozen treats on our Pinterest board – (Thank you, Yelena!) Now go grab the kiddos and get busy making some frozen goodies!!

Bon appétit!