Lifesong

On This Day

"There is a place in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again."

I don't know who said this, but it's one of my favorite quotes about childhood. As a Mama, I am always clinging to memories with one hand, yet with the other, so excited to watch them grow into the children of God they were meant to be. Here's to memories and growing!

Photo taken October 1, 2011.

Pumpkin Butter

I've been wanting to make some pumpkin butter (because I love pumpkin!) so on Sunday afternoon, I thought it was the perfect time to start. It turned out super yummy, so I thought I'd share the recipe if you want to try some of your own. It was super easy, too!

Pumpkin Butter

About 3 1/2 cups of pumpkin, or 1 29 oz can pumpkin puree
1 cup apple juice
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Reduce and simmer for about 30 minutes. Put in sterilized, airtight jars.

John swears sometimes I do things just to be able to use adorable little jars like these.

It may be true. They are awfully adorable.

And pumpkin butter is not just for biscuits or toast. I've been putting a dollop in my oatmeal every morning - yum! You could also add it to yogurt or a smoothie.

Or, one of my personal favorites, you could make some scones.

Mamasita!

I made these to take to a friend for her birthday, but I had to double the batch because I thought it'd be cruel to not leave any for my family. Spread a little pumpkin butter on the top and yummmmmeee! So good.

They also look pretty in my new treat display stand. I decided that I bake so much I needed a fun place to store them instead of in a tupperware container on the side of the counter. I think they look nice here, the only trouble is they don't last long, since they are all out in the open and all.

Bottom line: Scones + pumpkin butter = YUM.

Try some today!

* The USDA does not recommend the canning of pumpkin. I didn't listen to the USDA, but you might want to.

Pumpkin Bars

My friend Emilee shared this recipe with me last fall, and it is DEElicious!

(Did you know one of my pet peeves is when people shorten words? It drives me crazy. Like delish. Vacay. Adorbs. Deets. NO. JUST NO. But pronounce them funny or put the emphasis on the wrong syllable? I do that all day long.)

Just in case you were short on facts today, now you know a fact about me, so there's that.

Anyway, back to the pumpkin. Pumpkin is my weakness. I do have other weaknesses, it's true, but pumpkin is a major one. I love pumpkin! I thought I'd start sharing some recipes with ya'll because I love to bake, and you always need a yummy fall recipe, right? Sometimes recipes can be tricky, because what one person loves another person may not love as much, but rest assured, I have great taste.

Oh, I kid.

But I vow to only share the yummiest of recipes, okay? So here we go.

These are super easy and so yummy.

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

1 3 oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the pumpkin mixture until combined.

Spread the batter evenly into an ungreased 10x15 jellyroll pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool before frosting.

Frosting

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Stir in vanilla. Add powdered sugar, beating until mixture is smooth. Spread evenly on top of cooled bars. Cut into squares.

Mamasita! SO GOOD.

And super easy.

The only problem is it makes a whole pan, which is a lot of bars. So we solved this problem by packing up a bunch of plates and taking them to neighbors.

Ansley loves delivering treats!

And, this is the result:

Which is much better for the 'ol waistline.

Not to mention, the delight (and texts) from happy neighbors is well worth it!