PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS :: a recipe

I thought I would share a scrumptious pumpkin spice muffin recipe.  Last week I made some to-die-for pumpkin + molasses cookies.  Seriously, I couldn't stop eating them!!  I will post the recipe, I just didn't get any photos, but I promise, you will want to eat the entire batch!!

Anyways, I had some left over pumping puree to use up.  A little breakfast treat sounded good, so I made some pumpkin spice muffins.

Pumpkin Muffins from Smitten Kitchen

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin (from a 15 ounce can) 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice 1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Put oven in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Put liners in muffin cups.

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.

Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.

Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about three-fourths full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake until puffed and golden brown and wooden pick or skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Cool in pan on a rack five minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

Addilyn loves to help in the kitchen.  She picked out the muffin liners ;-) and she takes her role of taste testing very seriously.  Don't step between the girl and her muffin batter {or cookie dough, or cake batter or anything with butter and sugar}.

And on a separate note, I am loving my 'FALL' sign that I got from Anne.

Isn't it darling?

We did a little bartering after the SALE and I was thrilled to come home with this ;-)

Now go bake some muffins....your family will love you for it!!

xoxo~Darci

FALL DECOR & COOKIES :: a fall cookie recipe

This weekend was stormy and cool, the perfect weekend to bake in the kitchen and begin adding a few Fall touches around the house.

The girls and I worked in the kitchen and had several dance parties as we decorated.  It was so good for my heart!!

It's hard work running a business.

Especially when you are a driven personality, a bit of a perfectionist, very little time to actually work, and a little family who you adore and want to spend your time with.

So, we celebrate the little moments.....

Like being home all weekend with the rain blowing outside.

Extra time with out-of-town family.

A chance to do a bit of Fall decorating.

Some time to gather goodies from the garden before the rain beats everything down.

Extra snuggles with my littles.

Some time to work on projects.

And just sit and enjoy the quiet moments.

I am really working on enjoying the little moments and living with the fact that I can't get everything done on my to-do list.

I want my day to be about building relationships, and not always accomplishing tasks.  I know I am not the only one who battles with this struggle!!  And so, I am thankful for the un-expected 'slow' weekends/days/moments, the chance to take a deep breath, and just be thankful.

***

And so, I leave you with a yummy GINGER COOKIE recipe.

I love baking cookies!!  They make the house smell delicious, and they warm the hearts and tummies of family and friends.  I love packaging up half the batch of the cookies and giving them away.  It's a simple gesture....and a great excuse to get to bake another batch ;-)

Ginger Cookies

Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/3 cup unsulfured molasses 1 extra-large egg, at room temperature 1 1/4 cups chopped crystallized ginger (6 ounces) Granulated sugar, for rolling the cookies

Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt and then combine the mixture with your hands. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the brown sugar, oil, and molasses on medium speed for 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to low speed, add the egg, and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for 1 more minute. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the crystallized ginger and mix until combined.

Scoop the dough with 2 spoons or a small ice cream scoop. With your hands, roll each cookie into a 1 3/4-inch ball and then flatten them lightly with your fingers. Press both sides of each cookie in granulated sugar and place them on the sheet pans. Bake for exactly 13 minutes. The cookies will be crackled on the top and soft inside. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

SAVE THE DATE :: a fall sale

Just a quick note to say  SAVE THE DATE  girls!

Some super talented friends are teaming up to host a Fall Vintage Sale.  More details to come!!

CANON BEACH :: a 4th of July tradition

Have you been to Canon Beach?

It is one of my favorite beach towns {in Oregon}!  The shops, the food, the houses, the ocean, I love everything about it!

Three years ago, a friend told us that the entire city celebrates the 4th of July.  That they have a darling parade and great fireworks.  She was so right!

It has now become a tradition.....starting with breakfast at the Canon Beach Bakery....

Cheering on the participants in the parade.....

Packing a picnic for the beach.....

The past two years, we also did a lot of shopping.  Funny thing; a 2 year old and 2 month old aren't really into shopping....

So, this year we didn't check out any of the darling little shops, looks like we will just have to make another trip later this month ;-)

Hope you and your family had a lovely 4th....we are so very blessed to live in a free country!!

xoxo~Darci

THE LOFT :: busy season

 

Well, the month of May signals the beginning of the busy season for us in wine country.

The the past five years, the vacation rentals have kept me super busy from May until November.  I am really enjoying just have the LOFT space to rent out, it is quite a bit more manageable than two vacation rentals!

I was thinking this morning of a few of our favorite little weekend get-away places here in Oregon, I thought I would share them with you!

The Inn at Canon Beach

Canon Beach is one of my favorite beaches along the Oregon coast.  There are many lovely places to stay, but The Inn at Canon Beach is fabulous.

Camp Sherman

I have great memories of staying in Camp Sherman with dear friends.  I know that wonderful memories make a place seem so much sweeter.  But, Camp Sherman is a beautiful and charming place to stay or camp if you want some Oregon sunshine and fresh mountain air!

Timberline Lodge

It's been years since I have stayed at Timberline Lodge, but it is a beautiful and magical place to stay, especially during the holidays.  When I last stayed, we went snow skiing all weekend, but I know it would be a great place to stay even if you didn't ski or snowboard!

I am sure other fabulous places will come to mind, and there are so many great places all over Oregon!  I would love to hear of other places you have stayed in Oregon!!

A FEW PHOTOS OF EASTER & A WINNER

Does anybody else have about 1 million projects going at once, and can't seem to finish one??

That's me.  

I thought I would snap a few photos of Easter decorations that are popping up around the house.  Problem is, in the background of every picture was an un-finished project!

Case in point #1.....

My hard working hubby is 99% finished with our covered deck/outdoor area.  It's now my job to furnish and decorate....it's been my job for a few weeks......it sits as a half-finished project......

I have a half sewn dining room table cloth, and fabric for new dining room curtains.  The whole bunch of which are sitting collecting dust in my little office.

My sweet hubby bought me these beauties for my birthday.

They sit on the coffee table with three pillows next to them waiting for new fabric covers.

And that is just the beginning.....

Thankfully my life and worth aren't measured by what I accomplish on my 'to-do' list!

On a separate note, KATHIE ORIET is the winner of the Spring Entertaining Class giveaway. I am so excited to have her join us for a night of fun, food and inspiration.

There is still room left in the Friday, March 22nd class, and we would LOVE to have you!!

xoxo~Darci

ST. PATRICKS DAY:: some green inspiration

Good morning friends,

It's so hard to believe that February is almost over!

March is on my mind.  The newness of Spring, planting cold weather crops, darling bulbs poking their heads through the mud...more on all of that later.

In the mean time, I thought I would share a few St. Patrick's day ideas I have found on Pinterest......I plan on implementing these fun ideas in the Haney household next month!

Such a cute way to start the day off right for the little ones!

She even included a free printable here.

And what about this cute idea....she included a free printable here.

Another breakfast idea here....

Classic St. Patrick's day dinner.  This recipe is a crockpot recipe.....who doesn't love throwing food in the crockpot and letting that precious little appliance do all of the work??

And for dessert.....adorable cupcakes from here.

One last cute treat idea from here....

 Have a great weekend friends!!