mes soeurs

My sisters are coming home for their reading break!

I missed them...i'm glad they're coming to visit!

ketchikan, alaska

These are some pictures from our Alaskan Cruise in August. We stopped at three different places; Juno, Skagway and Ketchikan. This was the last of the three. It was wet and rainy that day...and we got resonably wet! Good memories though! I just love these pictures!

...aww puzzles (sigh)

I love doing puzzles! The BF and I did one last night and it was absolutely wonderful! I love the challenge of finding pieces and the satisfaction of fitting them together...and in a matter of time...poof! A masterpiece! 'Tis pretty fantastical!

David Crowder Band - SMS [Shine]

...enough said!

tea of the day

I unofficially officially present Vanilla Chai Tea
as the tea of the day!

I had a cup of this this morning and it was uber wonderful! I added some honey and steamed milk and it was absolutely fabulous! Definitely a first snowfall day kinda tea!

change

It looks as though the warm bright days of summer have grown into wonderful...

crisp fall days...

where the geese have floundered south and...

the first snowfall us now upon us!

the Cross Process

Ok one las thing before I go...here is a picture I took without editing it:

here is it with the color boosted a tad and with the Cross Process...

not edited...

edited... 



it's kinda awesome!

(if you don't know what i'm refering too - see the small note at the end of the exploring post)

exploring

The BF and I went and checked out Condie Nature Reserve on Wednesday. It was pretty sweet! The weather was a tad cool but perfect fall weather. The wind had died down to a mere breeze against our cold noses. It was delightful!

The BF taking a leap for joy:

Personally I think the BF took a better picture of me jumping for joy than i did of him...

the gorgeous sunset...

a beaver dam......

.....and a beaver!!! We actually got to see two!

sooooo wonderful!

Ok...you've probably noticed by now but I am a little obsessed with this photo editing exposure...it's called Cross Proccess and I love it! I use a website called Picnik (www.picnik.com) and it is wonderful. You can sign up for free and they have all sorts of awesome things you can do with your photos! you should probably check it out! ...just sayin!

oh Martha...

So...my baking buddy and I both got ahold of a wonderful, wonderful cookbook with a plethora of stellar cupcake recipes:

Voila!

Sooooo...we took hold of the opportunity to make some cupcakes. With it being Pastor Appreciation Month aaannnndddd National Cake Decorating Month this is what we came up with... 

Sheep Cupcakes in their very own pen!

...and of course...a black sheep!

So good!

We made this for the staff at our church to thank them for "Shepherding our flock." They were pleasantly enjoyed and brought forth many smiles!

the love of fall

 

 



The makings of a tradition...

Gingerbread Pumpkin Squares

courtesy of www.landolakes.com

Prep time: 25 minutes 
Total time: 1:20

48 bars

Bar

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened

1/4 cup mild flavor molasses

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*

1/3 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats

Filling

1 (15-ounce) can cooked pumpkin

1/2 cup sugar

2 (3-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*

2 Land O Lakes® Eggs

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon Land O Lakes® Butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 to 2 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Fat Free Half & Half or milk

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter and molasses in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking soda and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Beat until well mixed. Place 3/4 cup mixture in small bowl. Add oats to 3/4 cup molasses mixture; mix well. Set aside.

Press remaining mixture into ungreased 15x10x1-inch jelly-roll pan.

Combine pumpkin, 1/2 cup sugar, cream cheese, vanilla and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice in medium bowl. Beat until well mixed. Add eggs; continue beating until well mixed. Spread mixture over crust to within 1/4 inch of edge. Crumble reserved oat mixture over filling. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is light golden brown. Cool completely.

Combine powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon butter and vanilla in small bowl. Beat at medium speed, gradually adding enough half & half for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cooled bars. Store bars in loosely covered container in refrigerator.

*Substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves.

Recipe Tip: Bars are best made no more than 1 day ahead as the crust starts to soften.



I made these bars for a potluck and it went over crazy well! They were SO good! You definitely have to make these!