Nothing says "fall" like...

Baked goods with pumpkin in them! I have made this recipe, from Taste of Home magazine, twice already. With minor adjustments. Sixteen minutes in the oven and they are perfect. There is an icing recipe for these but I don't make it. Too messy. Besides the cookies are perfect by themselves.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup granola without raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts (we use slivered almonds)
1 cup vanilla or white chips (no way- chocolate chips)
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and pumpkin. Combine the flours, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, salt, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the granola, nuts, chips and cranberries.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Yield: 3 dozen.

Also, I love this pumpkin ribbon bread with cream cheese in it. This is also a good recipe for pumpkin bread with cream cheese in it. And chocolate chips can ALWAYS be added to any recipe...I think.

Halloween Preview

I made the kids' costumes on Tuesday. Nick wanted to put his on yesterday morning. So I dressed both up. My two little pirates! Arrgh!!!


Nicholas is not sold on the head wrap (vs. a big pirate hat) and he is demanding an eye patch and sword. Guess I will have to make those, too.

Redecorate or else

On Saturday we made another trip to Ikea in Dallas. We were on a mission to snazz up our boring living room.
See? Boring.

I just don't know how to arrange furniture or decorate- no matter how much HGTV I subscribe to. This is what you see when you open our front door. Not so inviting. What would you do with this? We did buy some bookcases at Ikea. Oh and a new tv (via the internet). This is our "Happy PFD Day to me" present. We have never spent our PFDs so this year we decided to spend one of them. 'Specially since Sarah gave us a bonus this year. If we were still in our AK house, we would be buying windows with the bonus.

I made the kids a "boat" out of the packaging from the bookshelves.


Can you believe we are still wearing summer clothes? Today is rainy and cloudy...I actually was looking forward to it. Reminds me of Alaska.

A very "Fall" Saturday for us

On Saturday, we went to a local farm that had a little pumpkin patch. Orr Family Farm is less than a block from our house- can you believe that?! We had the best time! There was something for everyone- petting zoo, playground, pony rides, carousel, and of course a hay ride to the pumpkin patch.

We were allowed to get very close to the animals. Stella was baa-ing at these sheep.


Nicholas loved the pony ride.

Stella did, too. So much in fact that she cried (and I mean pitched a royal fit) because she wanted to ride again. So, the man running the horses stopped the rides, opened the gate, and put the screaming drama mama on a horse. Here she is- quiet. Happy. Riding all by herself.

Pumpkins for the picking.

Nicholas chose our four beautiful pumpkins.

Ok, but now what do I DO with these pumpkins. They seem small to carve. My two ideas are 1) cook them and 2) glitter them! Anybody have a better idea? seriously.

Big thanks!

I really appreciate all of your suggestions.

I will do a craft.

Martha, I am not doing a Last of the Mohicans theme.

I volunteered to do what?

Ok. I signed up, voluntarily...after the list circulated once around the room of parents, to set up the Fall Party for Nicholas' class. I did what. I don't really know what I am to do. His teacher said to do just whatever. Something small. They are 3 and 4 yr olds. But what. Here's my list of thoughts:
- Tablecloths
- Fall plates and napkins
- A snack
- Treat bag
- juice boxes

Is that it? Please do you have an idea? I need it.

Old video from a few months ago

Check out Nick at the Jump Zone (an indoor playland with inflatable slides. He loved the big slide on the pirate ship!!! This is Shawn by the way... My first post!!!