What I do when I have extra pumpkin around.....

Pumpkin is too yummy to waste, so this year I am determined to use every last little bit of pumpkin I have. This determination has forced me to get creative with some of my meals. I want to share some of the ways I have used extra pumpkin puree.

These pumpkin cookies are to die for...I've been making them for years and they are definitely one of my best cookie recipes.

Pumpkin pancakes are an easy way to use left over pumpkin puree. I usually put about a half a cup in with my pancakes and add a little less water. You can mix in more water in order to achieve that perfect pancake consistency.

Pumpkin bagels...this Taste of Home recipe is so yummy, especially with maple walnut cream cheese. Don't be discouraged at the thought of making your own bagels...you can use a bread maker!

Last, but certainly not least, pasta with pumpkin sauce. This was my own creation, so no links here.

1 cup of pumpkin puree
1/3 cup of cream cheese
1 tbs white wine vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup of half and half
1/2 cup of pasta water

Cook pasta and reserve some of the water to put in the sauce. While the pasta is cooking whisk together all of these ingredients over medium heat add salt and pepper to taste and then add in pasta water until you get the sauce to the consistency you like.

I added roasted tomatoes and sauteed rosemary to my pasta, but you can add in whatever seems tasty to you!

Hope you enjoy these recipes!

Fall in the Northwest

So...A LOT has happened since my last post. Summer came and went (it was great by the way), Elijah turned one (!!!), we went to Hamilton, Bridge, and Vegas (lots of grandpa and grandma love), and Hank went back to work. That brings us up to date, maybe someday I'll post pictures of the lost summer :).

Fall is by far my favorite time of year. I love the crisp cool mornings and warm afternoons. Hank is borderline obsessed with hot chocolate this time of year, so we have nice quiet evening sipping lots of hot chocolate and tea together. I am pretty much obsessed with anything pumpkin this time of year (I'll hopefully be posting more about that soon, but it kind of depends on how long Elijah naps). Pumpkin cookies, bread, pie, sauce, pancakes...ahhh I could go on and on.....but I won't because that may bore you. Oh and candles.....I love Autumn scented candles, but most of all this city girl LOVES the pumpkin patch!!

We went to the pumpkin patch as a family earlier this month, and Elijah and I can't seem to stay away. While Hank is off slaying dragons for his family, Elijah and I go play in the pumpkins, or pupum as Elijah so affectionately refers to them.