It's beginning to look a lot like.....

a little holiday cheer, here and there around the house.............



my little trees.........



some whimsy.....



.........and the countdown is on!




Now for some holiday baking! What are you up to?

Early riser

Early morning sunrise!



This was such a gorgeous sunrise. I forgot to post this photo, from way back in October. Goodness me. Each morning seems to run into the next, these cold days.

Take the time to look out your window and reflect. Look up and out of yourself. There is a world of natural beauty to behold.

Setting the table

Here we are on Saturday morning...........a cold, gray morning.....getting ready to rain. Cheery holiday place mats freshly made......homemade pancakes, buckwheat cereal, almond butter, homemade jam, butter, persimmons, hot cups of tea on the way.



Try my recipe for Oat pancakes!

Oat Pancakes (gluten-free)

3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup oat flour (gluten-free)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon baking powder

Beat all ingredients, and pour batter by spoon fulls onto pancake griddle. Flip pancakes over once bubbles form.

Serve and eat immediately! Yummy!
We love to pile ours with butter, jam, fresh fruit and whipping cream.

Shorter days that glisten and glow

I'm sure enjoying these Fall days that glisten and glow! The leaves are really gorgeous right NOW!
I know that in most places the leaves have almost all fallen. We are still enjoying the various stages of leaves changing colors and falling.





A single leaf, dangling by a thread



Pretty persimmons on my table



Waiting to soften into jelly and make into Winter smoothies. Yummy~

What have I been up to?
Sewing up a storm....place mats, bags, purses, pillows, and all sorts of Christmas surprises.

Baking up a storm...trying new seasonal recipes.

Sipping cups of hot tea~

What have you been up to?

Signs of the season

Fall. I just love this time of the year!

Colorful season for leaves........veggies, etc....first rains of the season to freshen the air. A crispness in the air. Wood burning fireplace smell outdoors. Pumpkins! Just a few of my favorite things.



Our supper cooking on the stove top. Yummy beets, celery, butternut squash, zucchini, garlic, savory onions.



Making Halloween treat bags for some lucky kids.

It's a pumpkin thing

Pumpkin time of year! Oh yeah! Squash in your cupcakes?

Yes!



Pumpkin cupcakes

1 can pumpkin
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice seasoning
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 cup sorghum flour
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips (make sure they are gluten-free)

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, and pour batter 3/4 full into cupcake/muffin molds.
Bake at 350 for approximately 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cupcake, comes out smooth.

Let cool.

Frost with cream cheese frosting if you so desire.

Cream Cheese frosting:

1 pkg. cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup agave nectar (I used a bit less)

Mix on high speed with electric mixer, until mixture is creamy and smooth.
Spread on top of cupcakes!







Mmmmmm, yummy yummy mmmmmmmmm! Cream cheese frosting on top.............chocolate chips peeking out.



Okay now, get baking my friends!

Come back and tell us how good these Fall treats are.

Fun little project

Just take a look at these adorable little photo albums! I got the idea from Lizzy Kartchner. Lizzy's talented works are amazing and beautiful.



I had so much fun with these darling little photo books, during the summer. You really and truly get so hooked, that you end up making more than one! They are so addicting that I made one more, and another, and another and wow, "so and so" would love one.......and before I knew it, the pile was growing.



and a few more.........



pretty stash all over my bed!



I am still having fun with these little beauties. They make really nice gifts! (which reminds me that I still need to finish up a few before Christmas!!)

Thanks for the fun, Lizzy!!!!!!!