Pumpkin Cookie Cake

Not my idea...it was a friend's.  Oh, this was a good idea though. Mmm.  When a sugar pumpkin meets the original cookie cake? Bliss, I tell you.  This was a late night picture....because it's too good to wait to share. Mmm.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake


 1 stick of butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup pumpkin
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
1 3/4 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips

-Mix butter and sugars.  Add eggs, pumpkin, mix.  Add baking soda, salt, vanilla and cream of tarter and mix.  Mix in flour.  Add chocolate chips.  Spread in a greased pie plate*. Bake at 350 for ~24 minutes.  Devour.
* To spread quickly, I use cooking spray to spray the bottom of the measuring cup.  I use that to spread the dough without it sticking.  Quick and easy peasy.

Before the storm...

Although I don't watch the news or keep up with the weather, I had this pull to make sure we were winter ready the last couple days before the storm.  We picked sticks for kindling, we put things away, we tidied, making sure things were not randomly left out, we got as much wood as possible in the woodshed, we covered that which was left for wood outside. Good thing, as this snow is a thick blanket and we possibly will not see the ground until spring now.

Seriously, this kid is the BEST helper with wood. I took a break to go for a quick 3mile run.  He kept stacking the whole time I was gone.

 And she? Well, she's 'helpful' in a way that isn't as helpful as one might want at times.

The biggest sigh of relief just before the storm, was our amazing contractors fixed this side of the barn. I had a great deal of fear that it might fall in this winter.  Thanks to their efforts, it should stand firm.

 Good thing they had this little guy....who was willing to 'help' with whatever needed helping. He liked eating lunch with his construction boys, too.

I also squeezed in an awesome family portrait session with an amazing family.  So much fun.  I loved dozens of the pictures...but alas, they aren't mine to share.

 

And just for fun, a few of my fave shots from before the snow.

 

Memories, oh sweet memories.  Now that we have a fresh blanket of white, we have so many more memories awaiting for us to make.  Embrace the seasons. There's a whole lot of good in the seasons. <3

Opposties.

It's crazy to think the day before yesterday, we were trying out this beast. 

 Well, three of us were. The fourth, napping.  We all know better than to mess with naps.

 My husband was getting quotes left and right from dealerships for something that would remove th snow and mow the lawn. Along comes stealthy wife, with a great ad from craiglist. Only used a couple times for a HUGE chunk off the original price. Brand new vs. slightly used.  Used, hands down.

 And then boom....the next day...no more grass and just this.  Green vs. white. The white won.

 While our little guy spent more than an hour shoveling a path to his animals and a path to our garage (his own idea!), he petered out when he hit the driveway. Rightly so...there was a lot of snow. After they went to bed, attempts were made to use the snowblower, unsuccessfully. Power went out. We were feeling defeated.  We gave up and went to bed.  Adult calmness vs. Adult temper tantrum.  Well, it wasn't quite a temper tantrum, but basically the beginnings of one, yeah that's what won.

 But then, the beauty of the morning...so stunning.

 Inside or outside? Stay inside by the fire or enjoy the beauty? Finally outside won.

 Thankful I did, it was so beautiful.

 

 Although I must admit...pajamas vs. actually getting dressed...  Pajamas won.  (And how about my brand new boots? ...Never even worn, perfect tread.... thrifted for $5.00. Much cheaper than the LL Bean ones I was planning on getting. Score.)

 

Complete failures vs. success.  With a little less stress, prayers and a whole lot of patience, success won in the end.



I realize this post is scattered.  But that's how we were feeling with this storm.  With the snow, the power, the learning curve of something new, a house to worry about, two kids to look after and a Thanksgiving meal to make.... we weren't ready for all these curves. Every decision felt like we were contemplating and we felt conflicted. Which is silly, as we do live in Maine and we should be more prepared.

Sometimes it's good to take a deep breath, step away and then try again.  When we do that, things really do change lots of time. And when they do, things are wrapped up before you even know it sometimes.

Which is good, as less anxiety, frustrations and impatience leads to more time to just enjoy and be thankful for the day.  I guess our little bout of bad day blues was good, as once it turned around, we really saw how thankful we are.

 

 

 

 I still have a few days off of work.

I'm going to remind myself to push aside those adult decisions so I can fully embrace being where I it matters, home with my littles.

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2014!

 

Happy Thanksgiving! From our house to yours!

Thrifted.

 

Ooo, look what I found!  Wooden handmade in VT. Swoon!!!

 

They are these cute little serving trays. Perfect for picnics, for carrying our lunch to the sunporch. Or for crafting. Now I know I sometimes may have "unique" tastes....but these were the half off tag because they had been there so long. Fifty cents a piece?! Score!  Ad that to some more Usborne books (love those!), a metal top (how have we never had one?) and some small traffic cones (for very important farming work.) $6.00

 

I just love these little trays for little hands crafting.

 

(Always farming equipment handy, you know, in case of an emergency. One can never be too prepared.)

And other adventures.   Two wool skirts. A wooden Christmas rocker, a cow bowl (for you know who), a ten cents pattern I couldn't pass up and two bib overall snow pants (one in this size, one a size up). $5.50.

And another Dinosaur book (love those), all of our very favorite book of all time right now (awesome pictures and story "Time for the Fair"), more Richard Scarry, a wooden tow truck and an xylophone. $6.00

Now your turn. Tell me your latest deal!