10.30.2016
10.27.2016
Little House in the Pumpkin
Last week I had an Instagram post reminding myself to embrace fall baking despite the not so fall-like temperatures, especially after I found all these goodies at the local Farmer's Market. Among my finds was a pumpkin. A good sized heavy cooking pumpkin.
A pumpkin fresh from the Farmer's Market was just the right thing to take home to lift my fall spirits. This pumpkin, grown among many from a small seed in the farmer's fields, so heavy and plump with oh such delicious goodness that awoke a desire in me to preserve and devour it all at the same time. And then I gently remind myself that there are more pumpkins to return to for later if I wish.
Carving pumpkins is a tradition; a delight for most around this time of the year. Walking amongst the many beautiful fall fruits, rich in color and scent, we usually choose the darker skinned variety to carve. But before I arrived at the Market, I already knew I wanted to cook with the healthy flesh insides instead of just discarding it. And so without further ado - in mostly just pictures our fall pumpkin house.
Little House in the Pumpkin
Pumpkin
large sharp chef's knife
boning knife
ice cream scoop
two bowls (one for the seeds and one for the flesh)
I chose to cut the end off instead of the top. Also, I spy a little hand... curious eyes and hands are always near.
Free handed the windows. If desired draw them on before cutting.
She not only helped gather materials from the yard, she also played with it for a while. Win, win in my book.
Sharing with some of these beautiful ladies
10.26.2016
Mummy Cookies
Temperatures have dipped again a little this week. It feels more like fall than summer now, which is great considering Halloween is right around the corner already. This year I've been embracing fall with all its might, crunchy leaves, deep blue skies, and even the too warm temperatures. I've been eyeballing Thanksgiving dishes for a while now, eager to get busy in the kitchen baking fall treats.
But, alas, we still do have a few more days to go until November. Pumpkin spice for Mummy Cookies aside, we are still in Halloween mode over here.
All year round I've been making simple chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies to share with our morning or afternoon cuppa. But then I came across our gingerbread cut out one day when e was playing with her playdough and I remembered seeing a Mummy Cookie online somewhere, which gave me the final nudge to give it a try also, using said gingerbread cut out. So we got busy in the kitchen yesterday afternoon.
Mummy Cookies
1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 melted chocolate chips
2 TBS cocoa powder
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3 c flour (unbleached)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Instructions
1. preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
2. in a mixing bowl, add butter and sugar - beat on medium speed until combined.
3. add egg, vanilla, melted chocolate chips, cocoa, and pumpkin spice - mix well
4. add flour with baking powder and salt, one cup at a time, mix until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. roll out dough about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick (mine worked better on the thicker side)
6. punch 'em out and bake on a cookie sheet for 9- 12 minutes
7. let cool completely before icing with royal icing (small tip if available)
sharing this recipe with some of these blogs
10.25.2016
Seasonal Blog Hop Joy 17
October is halfway through already. The days of sun and warmth are dwindling fast over here.
Coincidentally we also happen to live within walking distance to the local State Park but most days still have to use my van to get there due to the lack of a walkway on the busy road leading up to it. Nevertheless, we visited for the first time in months last week, avoiding the park during the summer months when it is swamped with children of all ages off on summer vacation. We prefer the quieter days with fewer people around.
And you know it's been too long when you see all the new playground equipment that wasn't there the last time you visited.
In any case, we were soaking up this warm day feeding the ducks, encouraging ourselves to return more often now that school is in session again. It will turn colder, soon, and I am looking forward to enjoying hot stews next to our fireplace after a visit to the park. But until then, we are taking lots of delight in sunny blue skied days outside, feeding ducks and other Park inhabitants.
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10.24.2016
Simple Moments
10.19.2016
Simple Food: Fall Harvest Snacks
This time of year calls for candy. And lots of it. The internet is full of mouth watering recipe ideas that I would love to bake and eat them all. Combine that with all the fall desserts and we are in for some delicious fun! But, I also have kids. My kids and too much sugar is not a great combination. {Is it ever?}
Therefore, to keep our snacks a bit on the healthy side until the big night, I searched Pinterest for some healthy fall snack ideas.
In any case, below are a few snack ideas we recently have had in our house. e was very fond of the Candy Corn-ish snack, while j preferred the grapes and tangerines. I homemade the whipped cream on top of the pineapples and tangerines off of this recipe. I also like to have it in my afternoon cuppa, it hits the spot quite well I say. The eyes and mouth were drawn on the glass with a Sharpie {gasp}, but no worries it washes right off. All of the snacks are definitely keepers for us.
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10.18.2016
Seasonal Blog Hop Joy 16
September was j's birthday month, and last weekend we celebrated his and my husband's birthday with a gathering of family and very close friends. It was small and it was perfect.
WELCOME TO THE SEASONAL BLOG HOP JOY!
If this is your first time joining us, let me tell you about a few things...
*This blog hop was created by the Seasonal Blog Joy Group!
*We are a Facebook group and help you connect with other bloggers,
join daily threads, weekly blog hops and become a contributor of our Pinterest board!
*Go to SEASONAL BLOG JOY GROUP to learn more!
Please follow our group on social media:
FOLLOW OUR PINTEREST BOARD:
GRAB OUR BUTTON FOR YOUR SIDEBAR!
(RIGHT CLICK & SAVE)
CHECK OUT OUR CO-HOSTS' BLOGS:
FOLLOW FAMILY JOYS:
FOLLOW SIMPLE SUMMIT:
FOLLOW SILVER LININGS:
FOLLOW CRAFTY MAMA IN ME:
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST BLOG POSTS:
Give them a peek!
*Check back next week to see if your post will be featured!
CHOSEN BY NUMBER OF CLICKS!
**Featured blog posts get an extra week of social media shares from us!!!**
Share the joy and TWEET about this blog hop!
***Click on the INLINKZ LINK-UP text and add up to 3 links...enjoy!***
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