lovin' punkin'

Happy Monday peeps.  I know, that's an oxymoron.  I've spent the last bit peeling, coring and slicing 12 POUNDS of apples.  Why?!  Can't tell ya.  Not until Thursday ;)  This weekend has finally brought in some cool Fall weather, so today I need to finally get some decorating done and break out the fall clothes from the attic.  And at some point, I have to get my tail on the treadmill, hopefully during Mr. Two's naptime, since the weekend was void of all things exercise related.  and full of pretzel M&M's and PUMPKIN!  aka punkin'.  Not together.  Not yet anyway.

It was kind of a crazy weekend.  The rain was so heavy last week that there was lots of flooding in areas of Eastern NC.  My 80 y/o grandmother had to be evacuated from her home via boat.  She is terrified of water, can not walk, and has never been on a boat in her 80 years.  I was really surprised she did not go into cardiac arrest, and I'm not even joking.  She did fine however, even did an interview (unknowingly - she said she was so nervous and there was a really nice young girl talking away with her, it was only towards the end that she realized the girl was holding a microphone!!).  The clip was shown on the CBS evening news and she was on video on CNN.  So, Grandma is famous now.  The best part is not only is she safe, but the water did not get into her house.  She got to go back home yesterday.

I went to visit the parentals.  Of course, I don't like to go empty handed so I brought presents and cookies!  I made Pumpkin Spice Cookies - which were awesome right out of the oven, but as they sat, they were SO moist that they got all sticky and yucky.  Not sure what to do about that (other than try a different recipe).  Of course, these were the only ingredients....

maybe I shouldn't be surprised it didn't turn out quite right?  It got 4 1/2 stars on allrecipes!

Anyway, live cook and learn.

The other pumpkin recipe I tried .....

 Pumpkin Granola by Two Peas and Their Pod

5 cups rolled oats

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

¾ tsp. salt

¾ cup brown sugar

½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup applesauce

¼ cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup dried cranberries  I used a mix of dried cranberries, cherries and blueberries

1/2 cup pepitas I used a mix of sunflower/pumpkin seeds, almonds

Directions -

1. Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt. Mix well.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into oat mixture and stir until the oats are evenly coated. They will be moist. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and stir. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and stir in dried berries and seeds/nuts. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

*Note-serve granola with yogurt, milk, or enjoy plain.

This is pretty good.  Much better than my last attempt at granola!  I had some this morning with milk, instead of my Green/Purple Monster!  That may be lunch...

Hope everyone has a great week.  Mine has started out well - I've met my fundraising goal for my Leukemia walk this weekend!!  Just need to raise a little more so the Team goal is met.  I'm really looking forward to it!