treasuring autumn

I love fall! I love everything about it. I'm a Wisconsin girl. A wearing nubby sweaters while still wearing flip flops kind of girl. A let's go to the orchard and pumpkin patch kind of girl...and I don't even have any kids! I love when the trees start changing color and the familiar drives turn into "ohh, look at those hills" and "Wow, check out that red!" I love walking outside and taking a big deep breath of that crisp autumn air that has "that smell."

And the apples! Oh the apples! There's nothing quite like a honeycrisp apple fresh from the orchard! yum! (or the grocery store...cause we all know they are still that good!)

So, right now these are a few of my favorite things. Of course there are always new things, but right now, this is what I'm loving!

I love...

the start of football season

apples

cozy autumn scents filling the house

baking just because it smells good

crisp mornings

warm afternoons

my favorite jeans

perfect bonfire weather

a gigantic orange harvest moon

simmering homemade soup on the stove

mums

curling up under a cozy blanket to read a book

crunchy leaves

oh yeah...a great new recipe! Caryn, Lauren and I baked them this afternoon...yum!


Old Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookies



2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze (recipe follows)

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease baking sheets.
COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.


GLAZE:

COMBINE 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth.
Cooks Note: For a variation add 1/2 cup chocolate chips or nuts to the recipe.

Estimated Times: Preparation - 10 minutes; Cooking - 18 minutes; Cooling Time - 2 minutes cooling.

There are so many things to love about each change of season! I'm enjoying this one before the snow flies!