Our Day at the Arboretum

This past Wednesday, we all got out to enjoy the warm, sunny, beautiful day (or so we thought it was to be).  It's always quite an adventure when the whole troop gets out and about! 

First of all, we must pack every and all essential items the night before or rise early to accomplish this task.   So much to remember: blankets, pillows, hand towels, cover-ups, sunglasses, milk, little red cups, hats, more blankets & pillows.  And let's not forget lunches, drinks, napkins, plates, hot cocoa/cider, muffins =), etc....

Secondly is the difficulty of all getting into the van...and driving...on time. =)  We must speed up the breakfast process, make quick, all around trips to the lu, bundle up, head toward the van, and, eventually, fit everyone in, snug and situated.

So, that we did.  And as we all sat back for the long drive, someone checked the clock to see that it was only 10:23; just over twenty minutes late!  I must say, we all felt like we had made a great accomplishment.

On the way, our sweet little southern belle began the conversation.  It went something like this:

Helen: Better slow down, honey.

Mom (the driver): Yes ma'am.  I'm going 35 in a 40, but I'll slow down if you insist...

Helen: This is my land!  What a pretty land this is.

Mom: Is this your land?  It certainly is beautiful; all the green hills and colorful fall leaves.

Helen: (singing) This is my land!  And your land too! la, la!!

All: (singing along) This land is your land, this land is my land, from California, ...

(We are at a crossroad with a stop light)

Helen: There's nobody coming, hon.  Better go now.

Mom: Oh, well we still have a red light, Helen, maybe I should wait until- oh, it's green now!

Kaitlin: Well at least we know not to let Helen be our next chauffer! =)

In all graciousness to her, our Helen dear has not had the priviledge of sitting shot-gun, it seems, as much as she ought...Quite the navigator though (and converstionalist, I might add).

Our tender-hearted June (or Junebug, as she is so fondly called) enjoyed herself immensly, or, at least what she could see of the gardens.  Throughout the morning someone would need to push her little hat back from her eyes, as it tended to find its comfort on her brow.  Loads of children held her interest as she pointed out different costumes they wore, or how some of them were not dressed warm enough for the weather.

For you must know that our deliciously sunny day was not all that bright, and our warm weather turned out to be quite frigid.  Not to mention (or am I?) the grueling trip through the far off, dirt field "parking lot".  Of course we all know that when dirt gets wet, it turns to mud.  That's right.  And it was wet.  Let's just say it was a slow, bumpy, and "hang on for your life" ride from parking lot to the entrance for our brave bonnie lassies!

However, through all our unexpected, unplanned-for dilemmas we had the joy of the Lord, which pushed aside all gray skies and bone-chilling wind (quite an exaggeration, I might add =), and our looked-forward-to day turned out just as we predicted...BEAUTIFUL!!

The Gang (from left to right): Vanessa, Helen, Jan, Debye, June, Diane, and Johanna

We're off to see the gardens, the wonderful gardens of Fall!

Pumpkins, anyone???

Johanna needed a little excercise...

...however paused for a quick smile!

Mother Theresa?? :)

Our sweet little petunias

A long day deserves a restful, rejuvinating nap!

Yummy Autumn Recipe

This evening we made a new dessert for our trip to the Arboretum.  We'll be posting on "that" adventure soon!! 

Below is the recipe and some "instructive" photos!

Holiday Pumpkin Muffins

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour                    
1 cup packed light brown sugar             
1 tablespoon baking powder                  

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                 

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup solid-pack pumpkin (see below)*
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
6 tablespoons butter, melted

2/3 cup roasted, salted pumpkin seeds, divided (see below)**

*Solid-Pack Pumpkin Directions:

1. Begin by cutting pumpkin down its middle & separating.

2. Scrape out seeds & stringy stuff from inside each half.

3. Separate seeds from strings, throwing the strings away; but keep the seeds!

4. Quarter pumpkin longways, place in roasting pan, or any other large, high-sided baking dish, and cook for an hour at 400 degrees.

**5. Next, lay seeds out on a cookie sheet; sprinkle with olive oil & salt.  Then, put into the oven at 250 degrees for an hour.

6. When pumpkin is done, scrape out the soft insides to make your 1 cup of "solid-pack pumpkin".

Full Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease 1 - 3 standard (2 1/2-inch) muffin cups or line with paper baking cups.

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt in large bowl.

In blender, mix pumpkin, milk, eggs and butter until well blended.

Stir pumpkin mixture into flour mixture just until all ingredients are moistened.

Stir in 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds & raisins. (This part I must let you know that adding the seeds sort of took away the goodness from the muffins, as they were difficult to chew. But it's up to you! :)

Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling 2/3 full.

Sprinkle remaining pumpkin seeds over muffin batter. (If you so desire:)

Bake 15 - 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans 10 minutes.

Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.  Store in airtight container. (Or devour them all before you can get to one!!)

Mom was the chef & we all had so much fun following in the process.  These muffins are so moist, & and for all you "health-nuts" out there, how about the amount of sugar? eh? :)