Pumpkin Patch

 Graham and Hannah Reece spent the night with Nana and Papa last night.  The kids had a 4 day weekend with a couple of days off on Thurs. and Fri.  so they were ready for some fun and a change of scenery, I think!  This morning, Nana and Papa took them to breakfast at their favorite little spot on Ft. Myers Beach.  Then Nana took them to the pumpkin patch and for lunch a playing at McD's.  They can always talk Nana into McD.'s happy meals!  ;)

The kids picked out pumpkins for themselves and a baby one for Camille.  I'll have to add a picture of their pumpkins later.  They "decorated" them with sharpies.  :) 

While the kids were away, Dan and I vascillated between relaxing and trying to make the most of the time to get a few house projects accomplished.  I moved the living room furniture around (this seems to be a trend for me when the kids are away) to make a designated play area for Camille.  Now I have a clear view of her in her play kitchen while I'm cooking/cleaning-up in the kitchen.   I know it sounds weird, but organizing a cleaning really is relaxing to me!  Dan watched football, cleaned up the patio, tidied up the garage and was terribly thrilled to help me move the furniture *again*.  ;)   

I think Camille is growing, she slept for 14 hours last night!  From 4:15pm-6:15am!  That was a treat.  Dan and I enjoyed a few late night episodes of Parks and Rec on Netflix.  We are hooked on that show!

Fall weather hit Florida late last night with a cool front...the high was 87 today.  That qualifies as "brisk weather" in these parts, ha!    I am in the mood to make something with pumpkin in it....maybe this?  

Source: tasteofhome.com via Sarah on Pinterest

butter 'n Bible

Posted for the first time in a loooong time over here.  Although we strive to eat for good health, I admit, I'm a sucker for anything with the word "butter" in it...those southern roots run deep y'all!   Butter....buttermilk...butterfinger...well you get the picture.  ;) 

Tonight we had this delicious meal for our weekly breakfast-for-dinner night. 

Buttermilk Pancakes-with homemade butter syrup.  'Nuff said. 

Reviews:
Dan:  "These are the best pancakes I've ever eaten."
Graham:  "Oh Mom, can you make these pancakes again and again and again?!"
Hannah Reece:  *silent chewing*   This is the highest compliment from our picky, squirmy little eater.

So now your wondering (and so am I) Bible???

On Friday, Dan's taking his LAST of 5 ordination exams required by our denomination for ordination.   It is the Bible Content Exam.   He's been taking exams online from previous years for practice.  For fun/torture I decided to accept his invitation to try one of the 100 question exams to see how much I really know about the Bible...aaaaannnd....let's just say, without mentioning any scores....I was humbled.  My Old Testament knowledge STINKS!  So my goal is to read through the Old Testament (in my New Living Translation Bible which helps my pea brain understand things a little better) by Easter.  There, I wrote it out loud.   Now y'all can hold me accountable.  :)

Overnight Pecan Rolls

Just added this recipe over here...courtesy of my mother-in-law, Nancy. Easy, gooey, goodness on a cool morning. Perfect for a holiday breakfast or when you've gotta have something delicious and simple for a morning meeting....enjoy!

Banana Nut Winter Smoothie

Smoothies, soups and muffins are becoming regulars in this kitchen...simple, satisfying and nutritious. Head over here for the recipe...very tasty and a nice change from the all-fruit smoothie.

While we're on the topic of recipes, this soup was DELICIOUS! Made lots and we had leftovers for lunch for the next 4 days...when it was gone, Dan asked me when I was planning to make it again. :)

This might be what fall would smell like...

...Pumpkin Cookies!

My mom used to make these for us with raisins in them. Any baked good with pumpkin in the ingredients is a big winner in my book! I needed to bring a snack to church this week, couldn't find my mom's recipe, but used this recipe instead...soft, yummy and super easy to make!

EDITED:

Here's mom's recipe!

Pumpkin Cookies (FBC preschool: makes 3 dozen)

Cream - 1/2 C. butter & 1 1/4 C. brown sugar, add - 2 eggs, 1 can pumpkin & 1 1/2 t. allspice -

Mix well and add 1 C. raisins, add - 2 1/4 C. flour, 4 t. baking powder & 1/2 t. saltStir in 1 t. vanilla

Drop by teaspoon onto greased pan.

Bake 15 min. at 375 degrees

Homework and Banana-Walnut Muffins

Dan's buddy, Chris, has been staying with us this week. One night, he saw me sitting at the kitchen table, contents of Graham's take-home folder spread out all over the table, and said "how did you get a job here so quickly (being totally serious) " I laughed and said, "yeah, this take-home stuff and paperwork is like a part time job!"

So, in addition to reading a book every evening together (which we try to do every day anyway) now we have a monthly homework chart, with an assignment for each day! It's all very simple tasks, but homework the same. Mom's out there, if you have any ideas on making homework time painless, please share!

Yesterday, his assignment was to write his name three times and draw a picture of himself and a friend together. I wish I had taken a picture, but he drew this huge-long space ship with about 10 kids in it...his buddies from Florida and all of his cousins. He said he couldn't pick just one. :)

On a different note, I have a recipe to share with you, and it's so yummy!!! Check it out at the link on the right side of this page for Sarah's Simple Servings. Here's a teaser! ;)

A couple of new additions...

to Sarah's Simple Servings...and coming up next is the big winner of the week... Dan's delicious home-made Crab Rangoon! Just thinkin' about it makes my mouth water!