Apple Picking

Since our son was a baby we started the tradition every October to go pumpkin picking.  I have been wanting to go apple picking and we finally made it happen.  This was the first for us and it was a lot of fun.  Hopefully this is something we can do every year from now on.  Another awesome fall tradition to add to the list. 

We went to a well known orchard in our area.  My husband helped the kids pick the apples from the trees while I spent most of the time snapping pictures with my camera.  Next time I'll enjoy the apple picking experience for myself but since it was our first time I wanted to capture the moments in photographs.  That's just how I am. 

My 6 year old is pretty good with the camera, I must admit.  He snapped this one of us:

 

It was a great day and we brought home a lot of apples.  Even picked some for my parents.  

I took a picture of part of the orchard.  Gotta love the country life!   I do like it here in the Keystone State. 

 

Autumn is here!

Autumn is here!  Actually, yesterday was the first official day but I was too busy to blog.  I miss blogging regularly and it seems I have so many other blogs to read and catch up on.  Right now my daughter is playing games on my Mp3 player while watching one of her favorite shows and I decided to take a little break to type up this blog and sip my pumpkin spice coffee.  There is so much that needs done around the house but I'm allowing myself to have a lazy, relaxing morning before starting on the chaos.

I've been spending a few hours each day this week staining our backyard deck.  It's looking great.  My husband rebuilt the deck last year and now I'm finally getting around to putting the stain on.  A lot of people complain about painting but I actually enjoy it.  It's so relaxing.  I try to get a little done during nap time and after dinner before the sun goes down.  Now that it's fall the sun is going down earlier and the evenings are chillier.  So are the mornings.

Yesterday to welcome the new season I made a batch of pumpkin spice brownies and pumpkin flavored cookies.  That's just the start, I plan to do more baking and learning more recipes.  I also want to start cooking soups and other warm autumn-appropriate recipes.  As a family we are planning to go to a local orchard for apple and pumpkin picking.  We've done a little fall decorating around the house and it will only be a few months before the Christmas stuff comes out.  This is my favorite time of the year.  Story time at the library started back up again this week and that makes my daughter very happy.  My son seems to be doing excellent in school and is becoming a great reader.  However, today he had a tough time wanting to get out of bed.  He's usually the first one awake TOO early so this was rare.  Both of my kids are early risers.

I better get off.  My daughter is asking for a snack.  Hope autumn brings you a lot of happiness and cheer.

Autumn Is In The Air

Even though autumn isn't officially here, according to the calendar, it definitely feels like it.  The temperature has dropped and it's time for us to wear the hoodies, jackets and jeans.  I don't particularly care for the colder weather but I do love this time of year because there is so much to do.  Apple picking, pumpking picking, trick-or-treating, etc.  Also, let's not forget consuming everything pumpkin flavored.  You can imagine my excitement when my husband came home with the traditional pumpkin spice creamer for our morning coffee.

 

I enjoyed every sip.

After putting my son on the bus my daughter and I stayed outside for a little bit looking at the trees and all the leaves that are starting to change colors and fall.  Nature is so beautiful this time of year.  We found this cool red one of the ground.

And now that autumn is just around the corner I'm getting so excited to decorate the inside of the house.  I came up with a creative do-it-yourself decoration and after purchasing some of the supplies at the craft store and then printing out a template I can't wait to begin.  Here's a little hint.

Halloween

Halloween is tomorrow!  The kids are so excited for it.  It's one of my son's favorite holidays and he looks forward to it all year.  I know some people do not care to celebrate Halloween and that's okay.  You make the choices you feel are right for your family.  It was part of my childhood and I want it to be part of my kids' childhood as well -- along with Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.  It's just fun little things that bring them joy.

After a trip to Walmart a few weeks ago we left with a Thor costume for my son and a Minnie Mouse costume for my daughter.  They both picked them out and luckily have been able to wear them multiple times.  Trunk or Treat night at Matthew's school, a benefit for our neighbor and the local amusement park during their "Happy Hauntings."  We'll be trick-or-treating around the neighborhood tomorrow and will attend a Trunk Or Treat In the Park event on Friday.  I'm glad they are making the most out of these costumes but ... sooooo much candy!  Oh my!  What are we going to do with all this candy?  They already have so much and will only be getting more tomorrow.  The worst part is every time I pass the buckets I'm tempted to take one ... and sometimes I do.  Shhh, don't tell them!

 

I've heard several parents make remarks about Halloween and why they choose not to expose their children to this holiday.  It certainly doesn't have to be about ghosts, monsters and everything spooky.  I make it all about kid-appropriate costumes, candy and fun decorations.  You won't find anything spooky and scary in my house.  All fun!  I enjoy these events for my children's happiness. 

Happy Halloween y'all! 

Beautiful Morning Outside

The weather today is absolutely beautiful!  Oh I just love it.  As of now it's in the upper 70's.  The sun is shining, the air is warm and there is just enough breeze to keep it from being too hot.  Last year at this time we had some snow and so far this October it's been nothing but gorgeous.  Of course, we're only in the second day of October but I'm hoping this weather lasts just a little bit longer.

So in an effort to enjoy this amazing weather the little one and I spent most of the morning outside.  I wanted to take a walk around the neighborhood but she refused to sit in the stroller.  She wanted to walk on her own.  I knew her little feet wouldn't be able to handle such a long walk so we headed to the nearby playground instead.  Even though the kids have their own swing set in the backyard we still like to go to the playground occasionally too.  The little beauty knew her way to the playground and I followed behind, of course taking pictures along the way.

Unfortunately, this little one bores easily and asked to go back home after only being there for a few minutes.  So off we went, with her leading the way again.  At one point she stopped and picked up a pine cone.

 

"Mama, what's this?" she asked with her sweet little voice.

"A pine cone," I answered.  

We walked a little further before she discovered something better.  You can see in the next picture that the pine cone was tossed aside when this new discovery was made. 

 

I'm not an expert on trees so I have no idea what kind of tree this leaf fell from but it's huge.  She loved it and carried it the rest of the way.  

Even though the time spent at the playground was short we stayed outside to play in the driveway.  

 

She loves her brother's scooter and handles it pretty well.  

 I told her to (pretend to) put gas in the car so she grabbed a clump of grass and put it inside the gas cap.  Silly girl, Mommy said GAS not GRASS! I love her.  

We also spent some time on the back deck blowing bubbles before it was time for the daily nap.  More time will be spent outside later during my son's baseball game.  

It won't be long before the cold weather is here and we won't have a chance to spend time playing outside like this.  I'm going to enjoy it for as long as I can.  Oh sunshine please stay! 

Welcoming Fall With Pumpkin Spice Brownies

Although I'm not one for the cooler temperatures I'm very excited that fall has officially arrived.  I enjoy this time of year since there is so much to look forward to.  The holidays are fast approaching, the leaves are changing colors and starting to fall to the ground, we have plans to take the kids pumpkin picking soon and you can find and make pumpkin spice -anything.  In fact, today I made a batch of pumpkin spice brownies.  It's the first time making this recipe and the aroma in this house is amazing right now.  The brownies are gooey and delicious.  Yes, I tried one.  Had to make sure it came out okay before presenting it to the family.  I've been trying to keep a healthy diet going but a little indulgence doesn't hurt, right?

And of course sharing this recipe with my wonderful readers is a necessity.

PUMPKIN SPICE BROWNIES

prep time: 5 minutes  cook time: 18 minutes

 Nutrition Information:

Serving size: 1/20th recipe Calories: 123 Fat: 2.5g Saturated fat: 1g Carbohydrates: 25g Sugar: 17.6g Sodium: 99mg Fiber: 0.9g Protein: 1.6g Cholesterol: 9.3mg

What you need:

One box of fudge brownie mix

1 can of pumpkin puree (make sure it's not pumpkin pie)  I bought the big can but all you need is the small can (couldn't find it so I bought the big can and only used about half)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

 This spice is pricey but worth it!

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven  350 degrees

2. Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased 13x9 baking dish

3.  Bake for 18 minutes or until brownies are done, but still fudgy

Note:

The recipe I used also called for 1/4 cup white chocolate chips.  I didn't have any so I used a few dark chocolate ones instead.

 And there it is!  Delicious!  I can't wait until my husband and son get home so they can sink their teeth into this well deserved snack.  

I may use the rest of the pumpkin puree for pumpkin spice pancakes some morning for breakfast.  

Happy Fall y'all!