Muffin top

Did you know that canned pumpkin is not widely available in grocery stores yet? Apparently, Christmas decorations in Macy's in Sept. are fine, but Heaven forbid there be canned pumpkin on the shelves? Pshhh. Never fear, I actually squirreled away a can or two in my basement from last year for this very reason. 

Last night, the Little Man and I got down to it after dinner. I've really started to get him involved in cooking with me because a. I love cooking/baking, b. I don't want to use the TV as a babysitter, c. I am determined to raise a man who knows how to properly feed himself. His future wife will thank me. It has been so much fun letting him smell spices and lick (egg-free) beaters and measure ingredients.

whisking and food processing at the same time! this kid has skills!

ignore the mess in my kitchen...it was spotless before i went to bed!

The result: to be perfectly honest, the results were a little ehh. Sure, they were good and the frosting was delish, but they weren't quite the pumpkin Nirvana I was hoping for. Did I eat two right out of the oven? Um yeah, that goes without saying, but you know... For some reason my muffins were a little dense and I'm going to keep looking for that perfect recipe. I think what I really am looking for is pumpkin roll texture and taste, without it being a pumpkin roll, although I would sooo love a pumpkin roll. I mean, I'd eat that bad boy in one sitting...which is why I haven't attempted to make one yet. Anyway, does anyone have a good recipe for pumpkin muffins/bread they'd like to share? 

Its the most wonderful time of the year!

That's right ladies (and gentlemen...do any gentlemen actually read my blog?), it is is my most favorite time of the year, FALL. Oh sweet baby Jesus, the heat of the summer is subsiding, the nights are cooler, football is back on TV, the Phillies made the playoffs for the 5th yr in a row and I can unabashedly proclaim my love of all things pumpkin. Ok, let's be real, I unabashedly proclaim my love of all things pumpkin year round, but you know... We've also only got 2 more weddings to go and for two glorious months, my electric/gas bill is manageable while we don't need the ac's or the heat quite yet. Ahhh, are you with me?!

So in that spirit, I've done some serious research on pumpkin muffin receipes because I HAVE to have them right about now. Any time the temperature dips below 100, I have to have pumpkin muffins. Now, generally I stay away from the Pioneer Woman because her stuff looks AMAZING to my tongue and about 40 lbs to each hip, however in my quest for awesome pumpkin muffins, I am caving. Tonight I'm going to make these babies, complete with cream cheese frosting, because I don't believe in doing anything half-assed. I will report tomorrow, after I dig my face out of the muffin tin.

Rain

Well, in the last 24 hrs alone we got over 5 inches of rain. The regional rail lines have largely shut down and Dr. F got so frustrated trying to drive to work that he came home and is going to try again later. I didn't even bother trying (thank God we can walk to daycare), so now I'm working from home today. In my sweats. YESSS. Of course, I had to stop at take a few pictures of the river that has in large part f'ed everyone's commute this morning.

Yes, that is a duck swimming ON the road

And this is why working from home today is the MUCH better option

And for comparison to a non-flooded day:

This lady is my hero. I dare you not to laugh and sit back in awe.

All the Preggo Ladies - Parenting.com