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Showing posts with label Autumn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Autumn. Show all posts

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes

I decided it was time to get my pumpkin fix so I put my pumpkin scented warmers on and and I made these delicious pumpkin ginger cupcakes.


I found the recipe here, but I didn't have crystalized ginger so I used a little more ground ginger instead.
They didn't look quite done after 20 minutes, so I shut the oven off and kept them in the oven for about 10 minutes longer. . . big mistake! While they were still very delicious, I think they did dry out a little. Not so much that they weren't edible though and certainly nothing a little cream cheese frosting couldn't fix. I will admit though, I prefer them plain without any frosting. Don't get me wrong, I love frosting, but sometimes I just don't want anything to compete with my cakes. If you're looking for a yummy pumpkin recipe, be sure to try this out.

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
      • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
      • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
      • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
      • 1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger 
      • (I didn't have crystalized ginger so I just used an addition teaspoon of ground ginger)
      •  
      • 1 cup butter, room temperature
      • 1 cup white sugar
      • 1 cup packed brown sugar
      • 4 eggs
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree


    Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Whisk together the flour, pudding mix, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, cloves, and crystallized ginger in a bowl; set aside.


    Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla and pumpkin puree with the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.


    Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.




Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Fall Inspiration

I can't stop thinking of all the beautiful colors and yummy treats Autumn has to offer. Something about this season really makes me happy. It could be that I absolutely adore earthy colors in a home, they really give me that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Check out these great fall ideas I've pinned on Pinterest.

Pinterest
I love the combination of rustic and pretty. The contrast has always been appealing to me. I love how much the use of simple decorations has added to this place.

Pinterest
You may have seen these in Pottery Barn or on some totally talented DIY blogger's site, but mercury glass pumpkins look so classy to me.

Pinterest
Here's another warming fall idea. Love it.

Pinterest
Beautiful decor must be accompanied with yummy food. Doesn't this cake look absolutely delicious?

Pinterest
These totally adorable goblins would be great with some tasty pumpkin dip.

Pinterest
And what better way to cool your bottled drinks than with a large pumpkin! I think this is such a cute idea.

Pinterest
If you're not having or serving bottled drinks, this could be an alternative to serve adults during your fall festivities.

Pinterest
Pinterest
Or delicious apple cider for those who don't or prefer not to drink alcohol. Aren't those lattice cookies adorable?  I personally can't wait to try out the apple cups!

If you're looking for fall inspirations, take a look at Pinterest. If you're an avid www surfer, and you tend to bookmark things that get lost in the mile long list of bookmarks, this is a wonderful alternative. Everytime you pin something, the original web site will be listed so you always know what site you found your ideas on. Thanks Pinterest folks for making my computer happy as I lighten my bookmark load!





Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Keeping It Simple

All too often in life we tend to complicate things, but why? I've been asking myself that question for years.  I bought a thank you gift for a friend who has helped me out with some not so desirable manual labor recently.  I wanted to show my appreciation and present my friend with a nicely wrapped gift.

A few simple shots taken with my mobile phone
Normally I have an assortment of recycled gift bags on hand, but this time all I could find in my stash were bags appropriate for the two to ten year old range. Rather than driving 10 minutes into town, I decided to keep it simple and use supplies I had on hand. Brown paper packaging, card stock, stamps, ink pads, organza, ribbon, jute, and a lighter to be exact. In about 15 minutes I made very simple wrapping paper, wrapping emblishment, and a very simple thank you card. Not only did I save a few dollars, but the time, effort, and thought into my presentation is a gift in and of itself. 

So as the season of thanks approaches, remember not to sweat the small stuff, instead enjoy life and be thankful for the simple things. Thanks Tammy for your help lately! 

Friday, September 9, 2011

Embracing Autumn

I'm not exactly a huge fan of the dark and cold Alaskan winters anymore so I'm always sad when summer ends, but as the leaves change, I quickly remember how much I love Fall time and the beautiful colors that come with it.



Since I have been totally lacking creativity lately, I decided to gather my older girls up and go for a walk to collect some leaves for a project I have in mind.





Along the way, I talked them into letting me take a couple quick shots of them. 


And of course I had to take pictures of the beautiful colors. When I look at Autumn photos taken in the Lower 48, I have serious color envy.


 Our season is always just so . . . . yellow,  however, in the beginning of the season you can always find the Fireweed and a few other species turn into a beautiful shade of red. 


So we gathered a some leaves.



And I snapped a couple more photos of my girls.




We said goodbye to the few remaining things holding onto to summer and just enjoyed the rest of our walk. Now if I can actually follow through with the leaf project I have in mind, I'll have something to share soon.







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