Holiday fever...

I've been know to BAH HUM BUG a lot of early holiday festivities.
I can't help it.
I see the hub bub that comes along with holidays as a bit of 'noise' and distraction from the true meaning of the celebrations.
Holidays of peace and relaxation seem to turn into drama, hussle/bussle, and tears far too often.

Is Halloween really a HOLIDAY?
I'm not sure but this year we threw up lights and balloons and carved the damned pumpkins 4 days early.
RING THE BELLS!
Tell your friends.
This Mumma may be softening?
not too fast....

There was wine and good eats and some pretty fine company to ring in the traditional pumpkin carving family night.
And when I say traditional, I mean the first annual, first of many, or basically just the first.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Here are some photos from our 4 day prep.
Costume pictures (cue drama and tears) to follow closer to the weekend.

The Trick or Treat sugar buzz is wearing off and this Mumma is coming doooooooooooown!

Beanie BEAR! 2011

(first ever taste of candy) last years post here.here and here.

 Beanie BONES! 2012

(well versed in candy aka choco-babies)

Everything but the kitchen sink PUMPKIN Muffins

PUMPKIN MUFFINS
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar (can be reduced)
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour (use a touch less if using whole wheat flour)
2 tsp cinammon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt (can be reduced)
2/3 cup buttermilk
add as desired: raisins, craisins, dried cherries, chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds. sunflower/pumpkin seeds
CHOCOLATE CHIPS!
* Preheat oven to 350
* Beat butter, sugar, egg, vanilla for one minute
* Combine dry ingredients (I mess a bit with the spices, I encourage you to add more or less depending on your palate. I easily doubled the amount of cinammon from the original.  It is my favorite!)
* Alternate folding wet, dry, and buttermilk together.
* Fold in all berries, nuts, and chocolate chips at the end as desired.
Bake for 15 minutes in a greased muffin tin. Texture is a bit spongy but is no fail every time!
Makes approximately 24 muffins.


Thanks to my friend Stephanie or this delicious recipe way back when!