Sunday, October 14, 2012

Dance


The grandchildren love to play out in the yard when they come to granny's house. Missy Moo was captured twirling, jumping, dancing.. to the beat of her own drum! Unaware she had a couple of admirers. Wonderful!



My Button 



Friday, October 12, 2012

Super Easy Pumpkin Treats

Not all pumpkins are created equal. Here's a run down of what size and variety of pumpkin is best for what...

Small pumpkins 


Choose Sugar Pie pumpkins and other flavorful varieties for baking. They are small and sweet, with dark orange-colored flesh. They are perfect for pies, soups, muffins, and bread.

A medium-sized (4 pound) sugar pumpkin should yield around 1 1/2 cups of mashed pumpkin. The puree can be used in recipes calling for canned pumpkin.







Field pumpkins


Field pumpkins are larger and stringy inside. They make perfect jack-o-lanterns.


















Jack-be-littles


These miniature pumpkins are small and are perfect for decorating.












Pumpkins for decorating




ornamental pumpkins and gourds



jack-be-littles made into spiders


pumpkin head helmets (Pumpkin Walk)



carved jack-o-lantern





Fall is all about the pumpkin! Whether you bake them, carve them, or decorate with them, pumpkins bring color and pleasure to cool Autumn days. 

One of my favorite things to do with pumpkins is to make treats and other sweets with and for the kids and grandkids. Two of my favorite super easy pumpkin treats will surely get your family in the pumpkin mood!


Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:  

15 oz. canned pumpkin
box of cake mix (I like spice)
12 oz. bag of chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1.  Pour dry cake mix into large mixing bowl
 2. Add canned pumpkin

3. Mix well
 4. Add chocolate chips
5. Stir into batter with spoon

 6. Lick the beaters! (this recipe does not contain eggs)

7. Drop by teaspoon onto a cookie sheet

8. Cook for 18 - 20 minutes

    Place on cooling rack and let cool
9. Yummm!



















Thanks Missy Moo and Buster Boo for helping grandma make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies!

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping, divided
1 Graham Cracker pie crust
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. pecan pieces, divided
1 cup cold milk
2 pkg. (3.4 oz. ea.) vanilla instant pudding
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed, divided

Directions:

1. Pour 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts.

2. Beat milk, dry pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk 2 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping. Spread into crust.

3. Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with remaining whipped topping, caramel topping and nuts just before serving.

This pie has become a tradition at our house every Thanksgiving. It's easy to make and so delicious!

(Food & Family magazine)








Prompt #4: Pumpkins! Anything with pumpkins!


Monday, October 8, 2012

Healing


The LDS New Era, March 1990, pages 20-23

My husband and I attended the LDS General Conference on Sunday in Salt Lake City. In between the sessions we took in the beauty of Temple Square. The North Visitor's Center has the most beautiful marble statue of Christ. It stands about 20 feet tall and is located in a circular room dedicated to just the statue. The room has a special spirit to it that beckons the visitor to sit, ponder, and reflect on Christ, His ministry, and Atonement. I have learned throughout my life that Christ truly does have the healing touch and gives us the strength to endure all things if we put our trust in Him.