Monday, October 10, 2011

Monday Musings . . .

I just can't think of anything better on a cold day than pumpkin cookies and a hot cup of herb tea!

Pumpkin Cookies 

1 (15 ounces) can pumpkin, about 1 2/3 cups
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon maple extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
1 pkg. chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

Into a large mixing bowl, measure all ingredients. Mix at low speed, beat ingredients until blended, scraping bowl occasionally. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 minute longer.

Preheat oven to 350°. Using 2 tablespoons of batter for each cookie, spoon batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet, keeping mounds about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies for 14 to 18 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in tightly covered container for up to 4 days. These cookies freeze well!
Makes 6 to 7 dozen cookies .

Yesterday was my little Taylor Jo's birthday!  I can't believe how fast they grow!
I think she liked her afgahn!

 I also made Clara a cute little hat to cover her little bald head - she is so adorable!  She just loves her grandpa!

I finally got around to putting up my Fall decorations - kind of slow this year.  My house always feels so cozy after I'm done, I don't know why I wait so long!

 The saying on the framed pictures says - "Be forever thankful, for life gives us much". 

Warm Hugs,







16 comments:

Julie Harward said...

What a cutie with her afgahan...love the recipe too, my favorite kind of cookie! Clara, love that name, looks like an angel in that darling hat! ;D

Just Ramblin' said...

Love pumpkin cookies. The recipe I use came from the Relief Society Magazine umpteen years ago. Made some over the weekend and they are disappearing quickly. Love the afghan and I can tell your granddaughter does too. The little hat for Clara is precious. You have really been busy. Your fall decorations do look warm and inviting and I love the saying. Did you stitch it? Nola

Marge said...

Hi Barb,
Thanks for the recipe. How totally cute the kids are. Love seeing pictures of them.
Your decorations are lovely. How warm & cozy things appear. Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us. Hugz!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Barb! The pumpkin cookies look very yummy! It looks like your granddaughter loves her new afghan. She's a cutie! Little Clara looks so sweet in her little pink hat. The framed picture is just adorable. Did you make it? Your home looks so warm and cozy with the lovely fall decor. I bet all your family just loves to gather there! Have a nice week!

Packrat said...

Yum, the cookie recipe is different than the one I use. Will have to try this one. I like that they can be frozen. Happy birthday to Taylor Jo. Cute little hat for Clara. Your decorations look nice. Cold and rainy here today.

Saimi said...

Boy you did it right! Nothing like pumpkin chocolate cookies to bring in fall! It's time for me to do some decorating and baking myself!

Kimmie said...

Have never tried pumpkin cookies or bicces as we call them in Aus ;] Will try your recipe for sure :]

Beautiful grandies and love the afghan and hat!

Tauna said...

I love your decorations.
I love that snuggly feeling of Fall decorations, but don't tell anyone. I'm kinda being a Fall grinch this year. I guess I'm not looking forward to the winter ahead.

I love that hat! Such a cute flower. Beautiful afghan. You are such a talented lady.

The WIlloughby Family said...

The recipe looks good, its not the one I have. The hat is even cuter in person. She looked really cute! You got the picture of Grandpa and Granddaughter that we needed. I just turned up heat, it was feeling chilli....I love fall and all of the cozies that come with it! Enjoy today. Love you!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh just look at that smile, reaction to getting the afghan! Wow does she like it!

But OHHHHHHHHH, that pic of the tiny little Fairy and her Grandpa! That precious hat! The whole photo! OH BARB, you simply *have* to have that made into a picture, to put on the wall!!!!!!!! You do.... You do... You do... Pleeeeeeeeeeeease... :-)

I just discovered how to take my camera .... (the tiny thing that the pics are on, in our camera) to a Target store, and have them made into real pictures.

Many stores have been doing this for ages, but I'm slow. Just took cam and asked sweet girl to show us, and she did. (For his 1951 HS Class Reunion pics, to send to gal who compiles them)

Oh please............. Have a picture made and get a frame and put it on your wall. Grandpa will LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Oh and take a pic of his reaction, when you show the hung picture, to him. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"

"October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again." ~~Hal Borland

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

-clapping hands- I had to show the pic, to my husband. (Who is called "Pop" by our Grands.) And he agrees, that the pic is precious. And that you simply MUST have a framed pic made of it.

So see........ It's not just me. "Pop" will be waiting to see your husband's reaction to the framed pic, too. :-)))))))))))))

Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"

"October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again." ~~Hal Borland

LeAnn said...

Warm hugs back to you! I loved the pictures; and the cute Taylor Jo is so precious. I really need a day with you so you could teach me how to make all of the wonderful items you crochet. I am getting that warm cozy feeling from reading your post.
Love you much!

Shug said...

Hello Sweet Lady...

Thanks for the warm hugs! I think you made one little girl pretty happy. I would be as well...
Is it ok to envy for just a moment?? I envy your talents...Such beautiful work...

And, BTW....Your pumpkin is darling! Can't wait to try the cookies..
Blessings,
Shug

Gina said...

Barb,

Oh gosh. I need one of your cookies! :)

And the blanket is gorgeous as is the baby's hat. So precious! Excellent work!!

Yolanda said...

The blanket and the cookies are both yummy. I just love fall.

jules said...

That hat is so adorable....it matches the little sweetie in it!

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