Pumpkin Time

Some cooler weather came our way, so what better time to visit a pumpkin patch? We went today for a preschool field trip.

The best picture we could get of my boys and me.

Jackets were a necessity with the cool wind! Each person got to take a pumpkin home after the field trip.

A train ride

Playing at the park while we ate lunch in a pavilion. Carter just went back and forth between the swing and the animals.

Petting the dogs

Kissing a goat

I actually got a picture with Carter looking at the camera and smiling!!

Looking at these pictures of Carter, he looks like the sweetest most lovable little boy--which he can be at times. He actually is quite the challenge, especially compared to Caleb. He's into bullying/hurting other smaller children with pinching, biting, and pulling hair. I'm having fun working through it especially when he doesn't understand the connection between the consequences and the undesirable behavior. A lot of his aggressive behavior has to do with the inability to verbally tell me what he wants. Hopefully this is just a passing stage and not here to stay!

Carter with his cousin Gavin.

The cooler weather is very welcome after the hot summer weather. We hope it is here to stay!

All Things Pumpkin

It's difficult for me to pick a favorite season, but I have to admit, Fall is at the top of the list solely because I love pumpkin treats. Growing up I did not like pumpkin pie, but now I am a big fan of all things pumpkin. I hosted a book club a few weeks ago and served pumpkin cobbler for dessert. Several people asked for the recipe, so I thought I would include a couple of my favorite pumpkin recipes here. This pumpkin cobbler recipe is probably my MOST favorite dessert ever, so definitely try it out!

Pumpkin Cobbler

1. Set aside 1 C of a yellow cake mix.
2. Mix the remainder of the yellow cake mix with 1 egg and 1/2 C butter.
3. Press into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
4. Mix a 30 oz. can of Pumpkin Pie mix with 2 eggs and 2/3 C canned milk.
5. Pour over crust.
6. Mix 1 C yellow cake mix with 1/4 C butter and 1 t cinnamon.
7. Sprinkle on top of dessert.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Hints: Make sure that you use a can of Pumpkin Pie mix rather than a can of Pumpkin. My sister made this mistake before and it tasted awful. Also, my experience has been that you can't sprinkle the topping onto the dessert. Instead I have had to press into a thin layer in my hands (with flour because it's sticky!) and lay it on top of the pumpkin part. It might depend on what type of margarine you use. I serve it with light whipped topping, but vanilla ice cream would be yummy as well.


Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 C butter, 1 1/2 C sugar, 1 C pumpkin, 1 egg, 1 t vanilla, 2 1/2 C flour, 1 t baking soda, 1 t baking powder, 1 t cinnamon, 1/2 t nutmeg, 1 C chocolate chips.

Cream sugar and butter. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Add all dry ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

1 C pumpkin, 2 eggs, 1/2 C vegetable oil, 1/3 C water, 1 1/2 C sugar, 1/2 C evaporated milk, 1 3/4 C flour, 1 t baking soda, 3/4 t salt, 1 t cinnamon, 1/2 t nutmeg, 1/8 t ginger.

Mix pumpkin, egg, oil, water, sugar, & milk. Add all dry ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour.

I believe it makes one loaf of bread. I sometimes will add 1/2 C chocolate chips too.

Enjoy! If anyone has any yummy pumpkin recipes, send them my way. My friend just made a pumpkin cheesecake to die for. I can't wait to get my hands on that recipe!