{hunting} for pumpkins

Well, I'm back after a short break.....mostly from being sick, but also a fun filled weekend. On Sunday, Ryan and I headed out of town to explore Snohomish and hunt for pumpkins at the pumpkin patch!   We picked out our three favorite, braving the mud in our city shoes.  And the weather, oh it was magical!!!  Warm from the bright sunshine, cold from the breeze, and rainy from a few raindrops falling from those dark clouds all at the same time.  We drank hot spiced cider (that I had packed for us), and chatted on the way home about this new experience.

 

(Photos taken by Ryan, except for the three below.)

 

My outfit: Hat | hand-me-down from my Grandma, Jacket | hand-me-down from my Mom (she said she wore it in high school), Sweater | too old to remember, Jeans | Forever 21, Boots | Aldo, Purse | H&M

{autumn muffins} pumpkin spice chocolate chip

This is my first venture in fall baking of the year. Perfect for breakfast with a little butter and a side of hot tea. Healthy and full of chocolate goodness. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Muffins

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl mix together four, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar, applesauce, vegetable oil, almond extract and chocolate chips.
3. Slowly add the flour mixture into your mixing bowl with the wet ingredients until blended.  Do not over beat.
4. Pour the batter into 18 paper cupcake lined muffin tins.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, checking after 25.  Remove muffins from the oven, and let them cool slightly.  Then, remove the muffins from the tins and let them cool completely.

Notes:

 

>>> I've found that warming the muffins in the microwave before eating them for breakfast the next day with a little butter is delicious.  Also, if you are going to eat them warm, remove the paper liner before reheating otherwise the muffin with stick to the bottom of the liner.  This recipe uses a lot of chocolate chips, you may want to use less.....apparently I am craving chocolate right now.  Oh, and I used a little extra almond extract. :D  This recipe is altered from HERE. <<<

{fall} color

While visiting my family in the country this past weekend I took a walk with my little sister late one afternoon. It was finally the chance I needed to take photos of some fall color.  Walking atop all the crunchy leaves was my favorite part, well that and the lovely sunshine mixed with the cool autumn breeze.  Here is what we saw.....

{wedding} poster art

The first day of fall, my sister Amber was married to my new brother. Leading up to the wedding, we talked and planned, went tromping through the woods cutting fresh greenery, picking flowers, making her bouquet, and even had a special mini photoshoot to take the pictures for these posters.

 

And in the evenings before the big day, I enjoyed putting in a movie, rexaling on the couch next to Amber and adding a bit of embroidery to make them extra special.....take a look at the fun.....