A new take on Pumpkin

Pumpkin Muffins, the very best indeed. So when we were at the pumpkin patch picking our that special pumpkin to carve we were told to fill up a bag with as many mini pumpkins we would like. Being that is was only one more day left until Halloween they were trying to find a way to get them off their hands. I gladly filled my bag so that it could barely close thinking of how I could add these to my fall decor, imagining how they would look sitting in a white bowl placed on my island. After chatting with the owner of the farm for a bit she gave me the idea to cook pumpkin muffins in hollowed out mini pumpkins. I was excited to try and it was a success twice over. I like those kind of recipes that are consistently successful. The best part is that as far as muffins go these ones are pretty tasty and decently healthy. I also used pumpkin puree made from our roasted pumpkin. I have never had pumpkin puree turn out so well.

I decided to document the pumpkin muffin attempt on my iphone and was pleased with how the pictures turned out.

Here is the recipe I used copied from this site.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) whole wheat flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) packed brown sugar or granulated sugar
• 2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) pumpkin purée
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup (150 mL) seedless raisins

Preparation

Whisk or stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside.

In large bowl, beat egg until foamy. Beat in milk, pumpkin and oil. Sprinkle first with flour mixture, then raisins. With wooden spoon, stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into 12 lined or greased muffin cups, filling each no more than three-quarters full.

Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for about 25 minutes or until muffins have peaked in centre and are golden brown. Remove from pans and let cool on rack. Turn out muffins and carefully peel off paper liners if using.

Instead of cooking them in muffin liners I used hollowed out mini pumpkins and cooked then for the same time and temperature.

The remainder of October

What else did October have in store well...

One weekend took us up to Rockridge Retreat Center in Princeton.  I helped organize a getaway retreat for 60 of our young adult members.  It was a restful weekend that included shooting stars. The drive home and the potential threat of my car stalling was not restful

Halloween weekend we found ourselves in Whistler.  During the Canucks playoffs my family and boyfriend won 5 vouchers to stay at a hotel in Whistler.  You had to be the one of the first three callers in with the number of the player who scored the Canucks winning goal if they won.  That number equalled how much you would pay for one night stay at the hotel.  Thank you Burrows.  Parking our car in the underground lot cost more that our room.  Finally pumpkin carving. 

Self-portrait and a Thankful Heart

We are only halfway into this month and I have so many highlights already. Strolling down old Fort Langly during the Cranberry Festival. This is our second year in a row and I am positive it won't be our last. There is so much to take in; the foods, the smells, the handmade items, the antiques, and of course the people. Bought 4 pounds of fresh cranberries and plan on baking with them. Spent thanksgiving weekend traveling to three different dinners and yes all of them included turkey and stuffing. I am truly blessed to have a great and loving family who loves to spend time together. I am blessed with friends who are welcomed into the family and feel like they belong. I am blessed with a boyfriend who enjoys good food, cooking good food, and good company. Kayaked in the pouring rain with my boyfriend and cousin from out of town. We had a really great adventure and when you are prepared and dressed for the weather anything can be fun. Tackled the 2.5 hour challenging high ropes course in Maple Ridge at WildPlay. I love these types of adventures. It was worth the Groupon purchase. Hiked the Baden Powell Trail in Deep Cove to the lookout were we were graced with natures beauty. Played Rumoli and laughed the entire game. Laughing like that is good for the soul and I thoroughly enjoyed the time together with my siblings and friends. October what else do you have in store? I can't wait!

It's about time

Okay so it has been way too long since my last blog. I haven't forgotten just busy, preoccupied, distracted, board, or lazy. These are all excuses that fit my lack of blogging at one time or another. Anyways I captures some spaces around my house that I enjoy and thought you might as well. That is if anyone even glances at this site anymore. Maybe I will make a few more guest appearances in the near future. I hope that it is true because blog I really do miss you. It is like a love hate relationship. I love reading other peoples blogs and am always inspired. I like writing my own and uploading pictures. But... often I don't find the time, forget, or can't think of anything worth blogging. It is a sad excuse. On a brighter note I have found a new way to bookmark my favorite things on the vast Internet. Are you ready... it is called Pinterest. If you leave a comment and bug me enough it may encourage me to blog my next entry about this great new site. Well thats all for now. Short and sweet.

Update on 27@27

Remember this...

...well the year is progressing and now it is 2011 and I only have 1 month to cram in everything that hasn't been completed.

1. Finished a quilt (should post a picture)

2. Olympics mini album haven't started but there is still Spring Break.

3. Blog updates it has been more like once a month (hang head in shame)

4. Went on some trips but never go to set up the tent yet...

5. Canvas pictures x4 should arrive this week... looking forward to adding decor to my walls.

6. Is body spray close enough? Vanilla sent from Holister.

7. Yes, I celebrated my completion of the graduate diploma by treating myself to an iPhone ... couldn't help it... now I'm addicted.

8. Yes, the garden party was a success complete with hanging paper lanterns. (another picture I should post)

9. Oh China...

10. Been swing dancing once but no dance lessons yet... I do have a potential partner now. (Curious?)

11. Weather please warm up, I love you snow but you make the ground pretty cold to sit on. Although I am remembering a sorta picnic with my roomate last August at Whiterock beach which included fish and chips, and a stack of library books.

12. Whose idea was that...that is a lot of dishes.

13. went skiing at Whistler for the first time instead. Great day.

14. still planning

15. Check mark. Family Field trip to Lynn Canyon and Fish Hatchery.

16. I would need a kite first.

17. Yet another excuse... my computer start up disk is too full to download the program. Need new computer without a cracked screen preferably.

18. Yes, done that...let's see... (come back to me on that one)

19. Still dreaming

20. Ongoing.

21. Starting a new class tomorrow. Ask me about it later. (mums the word right now)

22. Not yet but I sill have 4 weeks

23. Sometimes I surprise myself. Received 8-10 boxes of chocolates for Christmas and haven't been snaking on any of them. Giving them away to others.

24. Still sitting in my garage. Thankfully I have lots of storage in my garage.

25. Failed

26. Failed but not because I didn't try it just that tomatoes were picky about their growing conditions.

27. Been praying lots thanks to someone who has been encouraging me.

2010 Award Ceremony

So after a year of intermittent blogging it is time to wrap up the year with some highlights and of course pictures must be incorporated otherwise it wouldn't be worth the blog.

And the awards go to...

1. The saddest moment shared between technology and myself. (cracked computer screen)

2. The best way to be apart of something. (Flash Mob

3. The perfect reason to own a home... so you can decorate.

4. The best love moment capture. (The chapel bells ringing)

5. The best way to experience the Olympics. (Tier 3 Driver)

6. The cutest couple who are just too photogenic.

7. The most delicious and perhaps creative birthday celebration.

8. The best DIY project.

9. The most educational family outing. (Capilino Salmon Hatchery)

10. The best time to be a Maid of Honor. (Nicole & Alejandro's wedding)

11. The best place to experience serenity. (Hornby Island)

12. The best time to get messy and creative.

13. The most entertaining and informative tour. (Underground tour in Seattle)

14. The best time to feel the Canadian Spirit. (Athletes Village)

15. Best living in the moment. (Candid jumping shot)

Dive into a good book...

...and let your imagination soar. Oh, the places you'll go!