New Jammies

Nothin' like 'em:

Dress-up

When we found out that the Halloween party we were planning on going to was canceled due to the flu, we decided to put the kids in their outfits for Small Group last night. Here are the obligatory cute shots:

Baking is fun in the fall!

Making Pumpkin Pie Cake (we made it with no nuts--of course!--and got the recipe from a friend, but I found it for y'all online anyway!) with Nehemiah for our small group tonight:

It's ba-aaack!!!

That's right ladies and gents, October 10th and we have SNOW--eek!

Fall-ing in Love!

Fall where we live is probably the most glorious season! Here is some early proof:

My first attempt at Apple Dumplings.**

All prettied up with vanilla ice cream--yumm!

An evening stroll around our land.


The cutest little bundle of all!!!

Ben and I were bringing up the rear, holding hands while the grandparents did the real work this loop around. ;)

**Added September 29: For all of those curious about the dumplings, I just linked to the recipe I used above. I cheated and used Pillsbury pie crusts from the refrigerated section of the grocery store, and in the comments on allrecipes, I followed this one for the sauce, because it sounded better to me--

I've made these a couple of times w/ a ready-made crust & homemade. A little involved to make but both looked impressive and were DELICIOUS. Sauce could be improved, instead, use the following caramel sauce from another recipe on this site: 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 2 tablespoons light corn syrup Heat brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter until melted. **Remove from heat** stir in corn syrup. (Add crushed pecans w/ sauce for a beautiful presentation!) Great Recipe!

--though I never tried the original sauce. It is very caramelly, and Ben thought a little too decadent, but then again, I really loved it with that vanilla ice cream!

All Hallow's Eve

Here are some pictures of our Halloween themed activities of late:

Our sweet neighbors brought Nehemiah a pumpkin treat bag about a week ago--with one of his favorite treats...a whole apple--Shazaam! ;)


When Nehemiah caught sight of himself in his pirate/Buccaneer outfit a few days ago, when we tried it on to see if it fit, "Argh!" was the furthest thing from his mind...it was more like "Aaaaa!" He was so freaked out!


Tonight we stayed far away from mirrors! Success!


This picture of my costume didn't come out really well, but I had a bun in the oven on my shirt. The bun even had a little pink bow on top!

Nehemiah has also really enjoyed our pumpkins--he's even attempted saying pumpkin, which is pretty funny.


PS--My camera is having a tough time lately--if you notice the green on the bottom of one picture, I am having similar problems in about 20% of my pictures--so sad! Anyone have any expertise as to what might be happening?

PPS--I made Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread to bring to the soiree we attended tonight. It always gets rave reviews, and is really easy! I've posted the recipe before, so link away! :)

Squash-ed!

This morning at my mom's group, we were talking about homemade soups, and I love squash soups, though I haven't actually made any from scratch. A few of the moms hadn't had any squashy soups, so I thought I'd dig through my recipes for one I clipped knowing it would be pretty quick and painless. I have yet to make it, but if you do, please leave a comment telling me how it is! I hope to make it soon. Sorry to not give entirely proper credit, but I don't remember where the clipping is from. It does say it is from the American Heart Association No-Fad Diet. :) Enjoy!

Curried Pumpkin Soup
Serves 4

1 tsp olive oil
1/2 C. minced onion
15 oz. can solid-pack pumpkin
1 1/2 C. water
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne
1 C. fat free half-and-half
1 Tbs. light tub margarine
1 tsp. sugar

• Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Pour the oil into the pan and swirl to coat bottom. Cook the onion for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in the pumpkin, water, curry powder, salt, and cayenne. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in the half-and half, margarine and sugar. Cover and let stand for 3 minutes to allow the flavors to blend before serving.

I have to admit, that I am unlikely to use margarine or fat-free half-and half, as I prefer the more natural full of fat varieties. ;)

Pictures from the park

Who knew my favorite park was full of gorgeous photo ops?!

Beautiful Fall

I really enjoy taking pictures. I am by no means a photographer, even in an amateur way--I have very little actual knowledge of the subject aside from one class in high school. In that class however, I heard that if you take enough pictures, then anyone can be a photographer. With the advent of digital photography, it is possible! I also figured out how to make a photo collage, so that you don't have to look at countless individual photos. These are all in our yard. Enjoy!

Dandelions

Nehemiah's first fuzzy experience!

A Fall Baby Shower idea

I was doing a little internet surfing during naptime yesterday, and there was a lady looking for ideas for a Harvest themed baby shower...it got my creative juices flowing, and this is what I came up with (for any of you interested in such a thing)! If you're not planning a wedding/baby shower, there are still some killer recipes for great fall food! :)

You could assign each guest to bring a themed gift in their invite. Ideas...thankful for naptime, thankful for mommy, thankful for daddy, thankful for feeding, thankful for playtime, etc. I know it is more Thanksgiving-y, but it could be fun! :) Sort of like the showers where you assign everyone a time of day or night to bring a gift for.

Or you could have a game when you asked them why they are thankful for naptime/playtime/mommies, etc. It might be good advice for the mom-to-be.

As far as food...apple cider (sparkling or spice/hot or my favorite, caramel apple cider), and pumpkin recipes like chocolate chip pumpkin bread/muffins, and pumpkin dip.

Here's an easy recipe for pumpkin dip:
1 Large can of pumpkin
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
2C. powdered sugar
Pumpkin pie spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg)
Mix together and serve w/ gingersnaps or 'Nilla Wafers

Ooo! I found another good harvest recipe in my recipe box!

Carmel Corn:
Pop 2 bags of microwave popcorn
1 stick margarine 1/4 C. corn syrup & 1 C. brown sugar (place on low heat, bring to boil and leave on low hear 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add: 1/8 tsp. bream of tartar, 1/2 tsp. each of salt and baking soda and stir)

Stir caramel through popcorn quickly. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil in a 200*F oven for 1 hour, stirring after 1/2 hour in oven.

I also have a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Cake if you are interested.

You could make fancy caramel apples for favors--you know the ones...drizzled with dark and white chocolate with mini choco chips or marshmallows on the outside...mmm, mmm! I'd wrap them in cellophane and then tie them with pastel ribbon and a mini pacifier or other baby symbol from the favor section at Wal-mart or your local party store.

You could cut out paper leaves (and/or sunflowers) and have people write their advice for the mom to be and then string them on a banner.

One of my all-time favorite general baby shower ideas...no matter what the theme, is to get together a bunch of baby scrapbook supplies (you can even ask those among your guests who scrap or stamp or make cards to bring their supplies (cutters and tools, etc) to lend a hand). Then each guest makes a page or two with blank pages for pictures. I suggest going with the smaller 8x8" books because a 12" page takes too much time. Then the mama has a ready made memory and guest book of her shower. They always come out great and have lots of love and personality! If you have a few example pages printed out--even ladies who have never scrapped before get in on it! It's great for young and old, and if you are looking for scrapbook ideas, visit: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp

Hope this helps! Let me know what you decide! Fun stuff!

And for those of you who want even more; I've linked to my diaper cake tutorial (and other ideas) too. :)