Pumpkin Muffins

I love to bake, and my children love it as well. They think it's great measuring and dumping the ingredients, mixing the batter, and licking the spoon of course! So we're always making some kind of goody and this week was no different. I was really in the mood for something pumpkin. The change of seasons always puts me in the mood for pumpkins and apples.

So today it was just me and Jonas as Camille was in preschool. He was so excited that he got to do all the baking and didn't have to share with his sister, and I love having special time with just him. He often gets jipped (is that a word?) as he's the youngest.

I found this recipe on the internet and adjusted it a little bit. It's very simple and only takes minutes. The muffins were so moist and yummy. The scent of ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon filled my house all day. It was wonderful.

I wanted to share the recipe for anyone else that has a pumpkin craving. It makes 12 muffins so you'll have plenty to share.

Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

15 oz. can of pumpkin

1/3 cup canola oil

2 large eggs

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 1/4 cups sugar

Topping:

1/2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F. Put liners in muffin cups or grease.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.

Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and 1 1/4 cups sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Then pour flour mixture in and combine.

Stir together topping ingredients in a separate bowl.

Pour batter into muffin cups and sprinkle with topping. Bake approximately 20-25 minutes (mine only took 20).

Cool for five minutes and remove from pan to rack.

Enjoy!

Wall Art Worth Millions

My 4-yr old daughter, Camille, is huge into coloring and drawing. She's just recently discovered that she can now draw lots of things. She's been making sailboats using shapes, tracing bowls and cups, and making all kinds of scenes. She drew this for me the other day. It's our family (including our 6-legged dog Harley down at the bottom) and we're all happy under the beautiful rainbow (exactly how she put it). She said she made it especially for my sewing room. So now I get to look at this great picture everyday. . .I absolutely love it!!!

Her drawing reminds me of two things: how blessed I am and how uncomplicated life should be. To be a kid again, and to think so simply and innocently would be the best. There's no stresses, no money, no sadness, no hunger, no hate whatsoever in her picture. It's love, family, security, and beauty all in one and it's from a 4-yr old's heart.

New Finds

I went shopping the other day and came across some gorgeous fabric I just couldn't pass up. I love discovering special "finds" that you don't see everywhere else. And you can't go wrong with browns and blacks. My fabric stash just keeps growing and growing. . .
This one is a suiting fabric so it's great for Fall/Winter and is extra tough. There are black flocked flowers on a grey background. I love the flowers ~ they appear to be freehanded and floating.

Brown and turquoise make such a great color combination. These petals are huge and seem to be dancing on the warm chocolate background.

I also have several new shades of corduroy ~ smoky grey and dusty lilac. Check out my shop for new bags being posted this week.

Handmade Christmas

I know Christmas isn't for several for months, but it's already on my mind. I really don't look forward to the shopping, trying (key word here) to find the perfect gift, and then spending so much money. I realized early on that this is going to be a somewhat "tight" Christmas for us this year and others in our extended family due to career changes, family additions, and the increase in gas & groceries. So my sister, mom and I have decided to make this a "Handmade Christmas".

Each of us loves to make things and can use our talents in different areas. For example, my sister is awesome at scrapbooking and papercrafting, my mom is a great sewer and crafter, and I love working with fabric and crocheting. I'm so excited about gift giving this year and already have lots of ideas in my head for what I'm going to make (sshhh. . .it's a secret though. I can't share them in case they read my blog).

I'm also making a lot of handmade gifts for my kids, nieces/nephews, and godchildren. I know my daughter will love a handmade blanket for her bed (anything pink, purple, or with princesses!). I've also spotted some great fabric hair accessories on Etsy that I can't wait to get for her. And what kid wouldn't love a handmade pillow with their favorite characters on it. They can snuggle with it while laying down and watching a movie.

I truly believe the gifts will be so much more meaningful. In addition, I'll be supporting other handmade artists on Etsy which is a wonderful thing.

Warm & Cozy

I never have idle hands, and I can't sit still. My husband is forever frustrated with me that I don't just sit more, relax and watch t.v. with him. I could do it, but unless it's a show/movie I'm completely into, I feel like I'm wasting time and my mind starts thinking of the other 25 things I could be doing. So I learned how to crochet many years ago, and I absolutely love it. I feel like I'm still accomplishing something while sitting and relaxing. The best of both worlds. Now it's not so bad watching a show I'm not completely absorbed in because my mind is focusing on the task at hand.

Whenever Autumn approaches, I get the urge to start crocheting. It's almost like my fingers crave it. This year is no different. I've already started a scarf and can't wait to make more. I love chunky, textured scarves and this one is my new favorite. It's a very simple pattern that I made myself (nothing complicated, nothing frou-frou), just warm, cozy wool. As I get time and make more, I hope to add some to my shop.

Fresh Beginnings

School bells are ringing, nights are getting crisp & cool, and Fall is just around the bend. To celebrate fresh beginnings and warm apple cider donuts (yay, my favorite), all CrossOver Bags are on sale through September 2nd, 2008. Please mention "Fall" in the message section of your order, and I'll refund you $5.00 through your Paypal account. Now you'll have funds to get your own yummy donuts!!

Yummy Discovery

I'm always looking through the different categories on Etsy to see all the great handmade stuff that's out there, and I happened across the yummiest shop ever the other day. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5235881

Bangerang Bake Shop (aka Fat Daddy's Bake Shop) has the original Cupcake In a Jar. They look so scrumptious, I'd take a bite through my computer screen if I could. You gotta check out their cupcakes. They use all natural ingredients, even organic when available, and no preservatives or artificial anything. And to top it all off, they're right here in Chicago.

I'm already planning several orders for upcoming birthdays. We have a lot of relatives out-of-state that I know would love one of these Cupcakes in a Jar. Who wouldn't want to get mail like this??? Now just to decide which flavor ~ naked lemon lime, captain carrot cake or banana butterscotch.

Can you tell I have the hugest sweet tooth??