My Favorite Season

Fall has arrived! I love this time of year... the campfires, pressing cider, the foliage, cool crisp nights, and hunting! The glorious colors and the delightful aromas either coming from our oven, woodstove or burning candles are just the Best ! Fall is such a Cozy time of year.

Lord willing, this fall I plan to take some long walks, make applesauce and more cider, bake and enjoy some cozy moments with my children as we read together by the fire. We are currently getting all our winter wood stacked in the cellar, it is hard work but nonetheless fun. We are also busy getting school underway and I am hoping for a great year. My husband will be leaving in 3 days to go on a moose hunt, which is a big deal around here. So, we are also very busy getting ready for that. Praying they have fun, safety, and get a big moose too! So busy, but so much fun. I love the great memories we make doing simple things together as a family.

 I hope all of you have a chance to sit back with a cup of cider, tea, coffee, or cocoa and enjoy this most wonderful time of year with your family. Take some time to notice the beautiful change of season.

Well, as I mentioned with fall comes baking here in our home, so I would like to share some of our favorite fall recipes. You will enjoy eating them and they will fill your kitchen with a heavenly aroma as you bake them.

Pumpkin Muffins :                       
2 cups flour                                         1 cup honey
1 1/2  tsp. cinnamon                          1/4 cup oil
1 tsp. baking soda                               2 eggs
1/2 cup walnuts                                  1/4 cup buttermilk
1 cup pumpkin                                    1 tsp. vanilla

Mix pumpkin, honey, oil, milk, eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, stir until blended. Bake at 350 degrees 25 minutes or until done. Eat as is or with cream cheese frosting . We mix  some honey and cream cheese for frosting and it is delicious . Enjoy! 

Pineapple Zucchini Bread :
2 eggs                                                           3 cups flour
1 cup oil                                                        2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups sugar                                                1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla                                                1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups grated zucchini                                raisins and chopped nuts (optional)
1 can drained, crushed pineapple    

Beat eggs, add sugar, oil, and vanilla, beat until foamy, stir in zucchini and pineapple. Mix dry ingredients and add to zucchini mixture. Divide batter into 2 well greased loaf pans. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Last but not least, this is one of our family favorites. This taste delicious but uses honey instead of sugar, which I love because I try not to use refined sugar. 

Carrot Cake

1 1/2 cups honey                           1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups flour                                     2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking soda                          3/4 cup crushed pineapple
2 tsp. cinnamon                              2 cups grated carrot
3 eggs                                               1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/3 cup oil  

Beat eggs, add oil, honey, milk, vanilla, mix well. Add dry ingredients, mix, then add nuts, carrots, and pineapple, mix. Pour into 2-8" greased, round pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting : 

4 cups powdered sugar                                          2- 8oz cream cheese
8oz cream cheese                                                    1/2 - 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1 TBS milk                                             or
1 tsp. vanilla                                                             beat until creamy
beat until creamy