Vacation Baking

Popcorn balls. I remember having these as a child....I do heart them very much!

Peanut butter rice crispy bites.

Pumpkin cupcakes that aren't frosted or decorated yet. These are VERY yummy....you MUST try the recipe!
Pumpkin Bars ~

cream: 1cup oil
4 eggs
2cups sugar
blend in: 15 oz. can pumpkin
2 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt

spread in greased jelly roll pan 15" x 18" x 1" (cupcake, or 9x13 pans work too...just adjust the cooking time)
Bake for about 25 mins - Oven: 350 degrees

frosting: 3 oz. cream cheese
3/4 stick butter
1 tsp. cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

And lastly, pumpkin bread that doesn't taste only of cloves!!!! This batch turned out wonderful! :)

I am leaving tomorrow morning for a week's vacation at the beach......YAY!!!! I am very excited. Not sure if I'll be able to post while I'm there but will be sure to put pics on when I return.

Ear Candles

Last week we did ear candling. I love how it pulls so much earwax out....so gently. Makes my head feel so light.

Dew Drops

No, I do not like spiders or their webs! But as I was leaving the house the other morning, this web was worthy a picture...dew drops clinging to each strand. (Notice.....NO spider!) Click on picture to see dew drops more closely.

Happy face

Pansies are such happy little faces. We plant them in the fall and they are still smiling in Spring.

Fall Perfection

The changing of leaves seem exceptionally bright this year. These backgrounds aren't exactly anything special but I loved the variety of colors.

Lunch

This is Pho. Ummmm....it was interesting. Loved the bean sprouts in it, added a little crunch. The meat chunks....well, I do believe they rather closely resembled cow tongue! The menu wasn't specific as to what part of the "beef" they would be using for the meat, think I'll go vegetarian next time. I did enjoy the broth, rice noodles and sprouts though! :)

Latest Project

Biblecase gifts....made for special kiddos. I took the pictures with my Bible and Hymn book in them...might have to make me one!

A Taste of Fall

A dear friend made a batch of butternut squash soup today and shared it with me. Soup is such comfort food in the fall and winter. I do love it very much!!

Walking

Walking is very serious business. They turned 10 months last week and began walking w/o help.

Hello & Good-bye

Good-bye Nutmeg's Nanny....Hello Butterfly Landing!!!!

Since I am no longer Nutmeg's Nanny I decided it was time for a new blog title. I've been pondering names for a while and my friend suggested "Butterfly Landing"....how perfect! Though, I've changed the title, I am not going to change the web address. It shall remain, at least for the time being.

For those of you wondering, "where the cutest puppy in all the world has gone?" She has been adopted out to a dear couple who love her very very much. I do believe that "spoiled" has become her middle name. :) She loves them and they need her....great combination.

Thank you for fluttering on over! :)

Last week's company

B-I-N-G-O....and Bingo was his name-O.

not sure what this is.....

Snuggle time. Anything soft works for a blankie!

Window watching.

Remember this one?

Here is the same picture I posted a few weeks ago....I asked if anyone could guess what kind of flower it is. Many sent emails and comments with guesses.....though none with the right answer. This lovely flower is a Zinnia. We planted several different colors this year in our garden, giving a smorgasbord of photo opportunities!

Pumpkin Bread

Recently I went to Starbucks and had a slice of their pumpkin bread. I absolutely LOVE it!!!!! They have it every fall/winter. It is so moist and spicy. I sought out to make my version of it. Ha....mine turned out to be "clove" bread with a little pumpkin in it. I used MUCH ground cloves and cinnamon, and though it isn't as moist as Starbucks, it is tasty. Next time I"ll use more oil. Enjoy a slice or two! :)

Chicken & Dumpling recipe.....it's a keeper!!!

Ingredients

CHICKEN:
- 4 cups chicken - cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 stalks celery - diced
- 1 onion - medium and diced
- 4 carrots - large and cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 bay leaf
- pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup cold water

DUMPLINGS:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon parsley - minced, fresh or dried
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 egg - slightly beaten

CHICKEN:
In a dutch oven or large skillet, brown the chicken in oil.
Add salt, celery, onion, carrots, pepper, bay leaf and chicken stock.
Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes.
Combine the flour with water. Stir into the chicken mixture.
Heat over medium high heat until it boils and thickens, stirring constantly.

DUMPLINGS:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, parsley, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
Stir in the milk, oil and egg until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls on top of the boiling chicken mixture.
Cover tightly and boil gently over medium heat for 12-15 minutes or until the dumplings are done. Be sure to keep the lid on for the entire cooking time so that the dumplings will be light and fluffy. Makes 8-10 dumplings and can easily be doubled

Dumpling dinner

Last night, I tried a new recipe for dinner.......Chicken & Dumplings. I have a really hard time staying EXACTLY with a recipe but I did, as I wanted the dumplings to turn out perfect. :) I was a bit nervous, other times I have tried them, they were either too soggy or too tough. This new recipe was quite easy AND the dumpings got raving reviews. YAY!

Sew lovely

Garage Sale treasures!! Found these pieces of fabric for making bags and purses.

Baker City weekend

We went to Baker City this last weekend to visit Nathan, Sara, Trevor and Madilyn. Greg and Zane came Saturday and stayed through Sunday with us. Fun was had by all.

Miss M