Yea for Apple Picking!

Fall wouldn't be complete without going apple picking! I know most of my friends have taken their little ones too-it's so much fun to share in a young child's excitement! Here are some pics from our excursion to Eckert's out in Grafton a few weeks ago.

Blaise loved all the animals! They had a children's area with goats, chickens, pigs and miniature horses.

Neighing at the horse! (His goat bleating was the best I thought.)

Blaise couldn't believe all the "apples! apples!" everywhere. He loved it!

He got frustrated when he couldn't pick the apple off the tree himself. It was "stuck!" And we had to keep him from picking up all the rotten ones off the ground. As long as he had one in his hands or mouth, it was good.

Mmmm yummy!

He loved the pumpkins too! Yea for Fall!

Healthy Pumpkin Bread

I LOVE all things pumpkin! I was so excited to find a healthier version of pumpkin bread in Simply in Season. Worth the time and energy for sure! Must be eaten warm, with butter....

Nutty Pumpkin Bread

1 ½ c. flour (I used white wheat)

1 ½ c. whole wheat flour

1 c. wheat germ

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 t. baking soda

1 ½ t. salt

2 t. cinnamon

½ t. nutmeg and cloves

Mix together in a large bowl and make a well.

2 ½ c. pumpkin (cooked and pureed

4 eggs (lightly beaten)

½ c. oil

½ c. pecans or other nuts

1 c. raisins or dates (David doesn’t like them so I leave them out of his loaf J )

A handful of Dark Chocolate Chips (optional but oh so tasty! :)

Add into the well and mix just until all the dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter into two greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pans (I use four mini ones. Of course, you could also make muffins too!) Bake at 350 for about 50 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 min.

It's Genetic

He LOVES cars! Especially this JEEP. (Aren't you proud, Aunt Sharon!? :)

Looks like they're on a date!

Crusin' with Noelle

Why I Love the Fall

Crisp, cool mornings

Picking plump pumpkins

Jewel toned mums

Sipping hot cider

Fall fests

Hay rides

Bon fires

Camping with friends

Hot chili

Spiced pumpkin bread

Apple picking

Warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream

Changing leaves

Trees ablaze

Colorful Indian corn

Collecting acorns

Decorative squash & gourds

Sweet candy corn

Sticky caramel apples

Hay bales

Harvest

Falling leaves

Giving Thanks

~~~~~~~~~~~

Did I miss anything?

Inspired by my friend Jess ;)

Breakfast this Weekend?

Blueberry Coffee Cake

This is so tasty! A friend mentioned that his wife made it and I couldn’t get it out of my mind. When I asked her about it I was excited to learn it was in a cookbook I had, Simply in Season. When I made it for a larger group, I doubled the recipe and made it in a bundt pan, sprinkling the topping in the pan first.

1 c. flour (I used white/wheat)

½ c. whole wheat flour

½ c. sugar

1 T. baking powder

1 t. cinnamon

½ t salt

Combine in large mixing bowl.

1 ½ c. blueberries

1 t. lemon peel (grated, optional)

Gently fold in.

1 egg

½ cup milk

¼ c. butter (melted) or oil

Whisk together in small bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir carefully. Batter will be stiff. Spread into a greased 8 by 8 inch pan.

Topping:

1/3 c. sugar

1/3 c. whole wheat flour

1/3 c. walnuts or pecans

2 T butter

1 t. cinnamon

Mix together until crumbly and sprinkle over batter.

Bake in preheated over at 425 until top is light golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.