Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Pumpkin Portraiture

Last night, we attempted to capture our favorite critters in o-lantern form. Our favorite cat friend was my muse, while Matt attempted the chicken punim (a far more challenging subject). 


The cat-and-chicken-o-lanterns...


After the hard labor was through we enjoyed some roasted pumpkin seeds. I tossed the seeds in vegetable oil, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. They then cooked (with frequent stirs) in a 325 degree oven for about 45 minutes. 


Not a bad reward for cleaning out a 23 lb. pumpkin...

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Welcome to Fall

It's official. The sun has disappeared, the wind is whipping, and the rain is pouring.

There are some decent consolations for the crummy weather. Among them are beautiful leaves, pumpkins, apples, and muffins. Muffins might be my own addition to the list, but I think I am on to something very important.


Personally, I am 99.99999% less likely to complain about the weather if there are treats involved. It is possible that I am a slave to my stomach, but it is also completely possible that I have achieved enlightenment.

 

According to my "impartial" reviewer (Matt), these are "amazing." Who knows, but here is the recipe just in case...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (adapted from this recipe)
  • 1 cup sugar (I used half white and half brown)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1+ cups chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
  2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips. DO NOT OVERSTIR. Ever.
  3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
On a different note, my family lost an important canine member last weekend.  Robert was a gentleman and a scholar. I will miss him.