Pumpkin Everything

This time of year means pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!  I love making pumpkin things.  As you may remember these pumpkin pancakes, my favorite pumpkin dip,  this pumpkin cake, and of course pumpkin root beer floats.  I love baking with the pumpkin which is why I love these tasty cookies.  Just tastes like fall.

Frosted Pumpkin Cookies

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 can pumpkin

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups butter, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat 2 cups butter with your Kitchen Aid mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat until combined. Beat in pumpkin. Add the flour slowly until combined. Don't worry dough will be very wet. Drop dough by the tablespoon onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until tops are set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool. Top with cream cheese frosting.

I like to pipe my frosting just because it looks a bit fancy.  But of course when I'm short on time I just slap it on there.

Enjoy the pumpkinpalooza!

The Fight

1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  8.

It's the end of breast cancer awareness month but not the end of the fight.  Both my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are survivors and warriors of the epic battle which is breast cancer.  It's so important to self exam and get your mammogram.  These are some of my favorite products that donate a portion to breast cancer charities.  And the Kitchen Aid mixer is on sale here!!!
Let's all believe in the pink and fight like a girl!!! 

Shop These Fun Products And A Portion Benefits Breast Cancer Charities

Halloween Treat

Halloween is fast approaching and I'm a Kindergarten room mom in charge of hosting the party at school on Friday afternoon.  I wanted to bring a treat that's festive and the kids would love.  These  spookalicious mummies don't require many ingredients are easy to put together in advance.  I plan to make a classroom amount of HoHo mummies.

Place a lollipop stick through each HoHo and pipe the vanilla frosting back and forth to make the mummy gauze.  Stick the edible eyes onto the frosting.  And now that I'm looking at the pictures of these I bet they would look even better if the frosting was piped a bit over the eyes as well.  So that the eyes are peeking out of the frosting.  Place in the fridge until served.

My mummy tester.

So if you're in need of a last minute, quick treat for Halloween.  HoHo mummies are perfect.

Enjoy!

Fall Outfit Inspiration

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Our weekend was beautiful.  Perfect fall weather-crisp air and plenty of sunshine.  We spent lots of time outside playing, raking leaves and going to our 4th grader's last football game of the season.  So with all of that activity this time of year, I love effortless layering pieces when the mornings are cool and the afternoons warm up.  This tartan plaid scarf is super cute and you can grab one here for $16.99!  Amazing!!!!  I snatched This one up for myself to wear with my jacket from J Crew.  I love wearing suede booties this time of year as well.  As you may recall from this post.  Hope you enjoy these comfy fall picks and have a great start to your week. 
And as a Monday bonus J Crew is offering 25% off everything and an additional 30% final sale items here. Yippee!

 1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  8.  9.

Shop the Look

Apple Cider Sangria

Last week I hosted my book club and went with a cozy fall theme.  You can read more about my book club here.  I served my favorite soup, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, anti-pasta skewers, cheese platter and pumpkin cookies.  Discussing the book wouldn't be the same without some cocktails.  So I served cider sangria with fresh cider from the apple orchard.  It was a big hit.  Refreshing, seasonal, light and yum!  Be sure to give it a try.

Apple Cider Sangria

1 Pitcher

4 cups apple cider

1 bottle of pinot grigio

1 cup brandy

2 apples cut into small cubes 

1 pear cut into small cubes

Stir together in your favorite pitcher and chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.  Serve in a glass with ice and enjoy!

And if you're looking for a great book, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, was such a great read!  Loved it as much, if not more, than The Husband's Secret written by the same author.  So, whether you are curled up with a great book or out drinkin' cider sangria this weekend-hope it's great!  

Fall Happiness

  Just a few little things that make me happy now that it's fall...

Hot Chocolate...my favorite recipe is here

Pumpkin Pancakes…my favorite recipe is here

A Cozy Blanket...my fave is here

Kids Jumpin' in the Autumn Leaves

Scarves, Hats and New Boots…love this and this and these

Favorite Fall Candle….here

Pumpkin Pickin'

Comfy Socks….here

Spiced Cider

Comfort Food-crock pot cookin'

Halloween Trick or Treat

Wanted to also mention that everything at J Crew is 25% off!  I mean everything! Yippee!!

Happiness is a day like this.  Hoping for many more of these before the dreary winter is upon us.

Everday Fall Outfit Inspiration

The changing of the seasons means cleaning out the closets and deciding what needs to stay and go.  For me it's also time to go shopping!  I was looking an everyday, mid length jacket that I can wear now that the temps have started to drop.  This Field Jacket from J Crew is just what I was looking for.  And right now it's 30% off with the code SHOPFALL.  It is casual and looks great with jeans, khakis, heels, or flats. Very versatile and that's my thang!!!  Happy Monday!

         

Teddy Toast

So many things have been taking up my time this fall.  The time when I would normally work on upcoming posts (during nap time and in the evening) has become nonexistent.  Our youngest has decided not to nap and our oldest is staying up so much later trying to get her homework done after a long day of school and all of her after school activities.  I need to carve out some time to write and share.  I want to just jump right back in even if it's just for a quick share.  So today that's just what this is- a quick feel good snack that my youngest LOVES!!!  Teddy Toast

Hope your littles like it as much as mine.

Teddy Toast

1 slice of whole wheat bread lightly toasted

favorite creamy peanut butter

1 banana sliced

blueberries

arrange to make the cutest edible bear

serve with ice cold milk

makes a great quick breakfast or after school snack

Enjoy!!

Hope you are having a fantastic fall!  I'm off to Kindergarten Mom's Night.  Need to grab the wine, easy appetizer and go.