pumpkin chocolate chip muffins

Just blog hopping and found this yummy looking thing... I'm going to call LUNCH!
go to the Idea Room for the recipe

It's Witche's Night Out!!

The MONSTER'S ....

Now... don't you wish you could come too? Come on over to Feather Your Nest or Bowcutts floral tonight 6-8 and Friday all day... get a cupcake, you won't be dissapointed!

31 pillows

The numbers are spray painted on. The back fabric is black and white checked. The embelishments are my favorite part. And nothing is complete without a little ribbon (I learned that from a friend a long time ago... and think of her everytime I tie a ribbon on anything. I wonder if she frequents the blogger world?... she would be happy to know that I found this ribbon at my local flower shop!)

Conference Weekend

Carmel Apples with white chocolate and cinnamon

(look for the recipe for homemade carmel on the recipe page)
bruschetta with parm, basil and cherry tomatoes

carrot cake cupcakes

afternoon drive to Mantua....

what does all this have to do with conference you ask? Well, if there is ever a weekend filled with traditions this is one for sure. It's all about being together, listening to conference, and doing the things that we all like to do together.

I loved conference, it was so uplifting and good. I have much room for improvement.

Hope it was a good weekend for you too.

These are my cute little "chicken's"... it was family picture night and we caught a few snapshots after. Wish I could have gotten more by the red brick house..

In a New York state of mind

I used to see this view often... we lived in New Jersey several years ago. I would take my little boy to Liberty State Park to play and look at this very view... only with the twin towers standing well above the rest of the buildings. It became a pretty "usual" thing to do, to go to the park, or ride the train in to see the sights, or go to central park and have a picnic. It was something I will never forget.

I got a call from an old friend today... and it made me think of this City! He and his wife are having a very different experience than I there, but nonetheless I think of this place with fondness. Like you say Chellese... there is a heart beat there, a rhythm that keeps things moving and exciting and alive...

That's it... I'm ready... let's go to New York! I'm craving a chicken parm sandwich from one of those little mom and pop Italian deli's. I'd even take a hot dog from a street vendor!

Here's hoping my friends make it out alive!

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

I'm always looking for new breakfast ideas. This one is "swirlling" around the blogger world... just thought I would keep it "swirlling!"

All you need is a yummy buttermilk pancake recipe...

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for pan 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon honey

for the cinnamon swirl:
2 tablespoons melted butter1/4 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon cinnamon1 tablespoon flour
1. Combine dry ingredients in a medium size bowl. Combine wet ingredients in a liquid measuring cup and then whisk into flour mixture. Batter should be lumpy and not too thin. In a small bowl, combine ingredients for the cinnamon swirl, and pour into a plastic ziploc bag or a disposable pastry bag. Snip a tiny triangle off the end of the bag for piping. Set aside.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Grease with butter, if desired, and pour on a 1/2 cup of batter. Use the pastry bag to make a swirl of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the batter. When the bubbles on the surface of the pancake begin to pop, and then no longer fill in with more batter, flip, and cook for 30 seconds more. Repeat with remaining batter.

Buttermilk Syrup
4 tablespoons butter1/4 cup sugar1 cup buttermilk1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1. In a medium sauce pan, combine butter, sugar, and buttermilk. Set over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occassionally. Take off heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. Stir, and the mixture will become thick and bubbly.


**These might be yummy pumpkin pancakes for the fall season.... with cider syrup!