Try-it Tuesdays Pumpkin Spice Cookies

This is such a fun fall recipe. I came across this recipe years ago in the grocery store. I make these every year during the fall season and these cookies always come out just right. It's a keeper.
Hint-You can substitute fresh pumpkin instead of canned. If you don't like chocolate with your pumpkin just omit the chips. Tastes great either way.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 can (15 oz.) Pure Pumpkin
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
• VANILLA GLAZE (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease baking sheets or just use your sil[at. 

Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in pumpkin, eggs and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets. 

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle or spread with Vanilla Glaze. 



For Vanilla Glaze: 
Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well.

Monday Gratitudes

Okay I love older homes. The architecture and character of an old home is just something you can't achieve in the new housing markets of today. But then you have to contend with the numerous mistakes the previous owners have made over the years.
We need to redo this old grandma kitchen! it is desperately in need of some help. The cabinets are fairly new but so flawed. The drawers are only 2 inches deep and don't even hold a utensil tray correctly. So sad but it needs to be redone.

If you have any ideas or photos, please share! It definitely needs a splash of color. The yellow is no longer on the walls. Now it just has a coat of white primer.
I've been thinking of white cabinets and some fun colors? This second kitchen was in another house that was on the market when we bought this house. I loved that house but it had no yard for the kids to play in. Compromise is always good. Right.
I am truly grateful to have a roof over my head and am more grateful that my hubby is able to work on a lot of the projects in this old house of ours. Right now one of our hallways is torn apart. I would love to take photos but there is so much dust in the air, I;m afraid it would ruin my camera. More to come

Monday Gratitudes

My sweet little boy started preschool for the first time this past week.
I was worried. No, I was petrified.
Since my stroke this past January he's been very clingy and will not leave my side. He is literally my shadow.
But guess what.. he had an absolutely wonderful first day and seems to like the kids in his class.
Miracles still happen -even small ones. I am grateful for this.

Monday Gratitudes

I always thought that Labor Day was a holiday to squeeze in one last trip to the lake as summer gives way to fall or one last excursion to buy school clothes at all the great sales. Oh, I also thought it was the last hurrah before the start of a new school year (so not true, since my kids seem to be starting school earlier every year). All joking aside -that's well and good, but maybe we should be thankful for those who have and continue to faithfully perform their jobs here in this good country and those who serve this country abroad.
American workers have risen to the occasion in times of crisis. They have increased productivity. They have been responsible for innovations and discoveries that have enhanced our quality of life and the rest of the world's.They have toiled to produce the greatest country in the world.
Americans deserve a holiday for a job well done.
I am thankful for those around me that are the backbone of this country and who truly get the job done.

I am truly thankful that my hubby (who is at work right now) has a job. How blessed my family is.

So enjoy your family and friends today and take a minute to thank yourself and others around you for the hard work you do.

Try-it Tuesdays Caramel Apples

My family and I love caramel apples. Such a fun treat to make for a sleep-over, birthday party, Halloween, you name it and anytime is a good time.
I have tried several recipes and found this one to be the best for caramel apples. Try them, you'll love it.
Caramel
2 cups light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups sugar
pinch of baking soda
1 stick butter
1 (12oz) can evaporated milk

In a heavy 4 quart saucepan, combine corn syrup, water and sugar. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes to a boil. Add soda and stir well. Clip on Candy thermometer. Add butter and stir well. Stirring constantly and without allowing mixture to stop boiling, slowly add milk.. Continue stiring yo keep mixture from scorching. Caramel is done when it reaches 242F. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 200F. Dip apples until thoroughly coated. Place on a bed of nut, chocolate chips, m&m's, etc., Hint: Silpat's work great if you only want a caramel apple!

Monday Gratitudes

Ranleigh and I had such a nice weekend. We were able to attend Mike and Karen's wedding in Detroit. Everything was beautiful. Mike and Karen are such great people. I'm grateful to know them.
This weekend also gave me time to reflect on my relationship with my hubby. I'm grateful for him, he is such a good man. He is kind, loving, great with our kids, smart, funny and very handsome.
I'm grateful for our marriage.

Monday Gratitudes

I am truly grateful for all the wonderful canners in my church family. This past week the kids and I were able to snap a ton of green beans at the home of our wonderful Sister Bridges. She was so kind to help us and take the time out of her busy schedule. We were able to can 14 jars! Good experience.
I'm excited to can peaches next. Love it.
I'm also grateful that my children start school this week. I wish that the summer was a little longer but I think it's time for them to make new friends and hopefully renew the friendships they made last year.
I'm also grateful to be on this earth and alive. I know that I've said it before but I'm so glad to be here for my family. These past several months have been pretty hard for my kids. I know that we are blessed.

Monday Gratitudes

Today was so hot and humid that it was hard to see any reason to be grateful for this time of year. But as the scriptures say there must be 'opposition in all things'. Were it not so, then value would cease to exist. I know better than to complain about the humidity and the crazy things that my hair does-the fact is- that this is going to happen over and over again. Hey this is the midwest -where the corn grows as tall as en Elephant's eye. So I must learn to accept the humidity and try to be thankful for it. Which leads me into truly looking forward to crisp fall days.(picture of Noah)
All kidding aside, I am thankful to live in this part of the country. It truly is a beautiful place.

I'm also grateful for my brother Matt (picture of him lighting our bonfire) who is serving in the military. He has a beautiful family in Utah and this is his third deployment to Iraq. My sister in-law is raising 4 kids by herself, while he is away, and she has a positive attitude. Makes me even more grateful for my hubby being home.
I am grateful to have all of the kids school shopping done. This is their last full week of summer vacation so we're going to plan a fun weekend for them.

Up town girl give-away link -Darling

This is the photo from the cover of the ‘up town girl’ pattern created by the incredibly talented and gifted Aussie designer and blogger Toni from Make it Perfect.
It’s the next piece of kids clothing that I want to make. I need a pattern for a coat. I can wing it for a skirt, …but a coat. A coat I need a pattern for.
If I’m lucky I might just win one! Pop over to Handmade Kids and have a look. Leave a comment and you could be in the running as well. Just make sure you don’t win though okay…because I want to!

Try-it Tuesdays Spinach Salad

THis is such a fabulous salad and the dressing is absolutely yummy. If you like mandarin oranges you can add those too.

10 ounces fresh spinach
1 cup sliced celery
1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced

Poppy Seed Dressing
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dry mustard
2/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
14-1/2 red onion
2 cups oil
3 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)

Combine sugar, salt, mustard, vinegar, and red onion in blender. Blend and slowly add oil. Add poppy seeds. Refrigerate.

Caramelized Pecans
1 cup sugar
1 cup pecans

Place sugar in a heavy pot. Once sugar begins to melt add pecans. Slowly cook until the sugar is melted onto the pecans and they are browned a little. Immediately place on wax paper. Cool.