The Best Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

Pumpkin Muffins Rock!

I have been using this recipe all fall and winter and everyone here just LOVES it! The muffins are soft, full of pumpkin flavor and the crumble sends it over the top! These muffins don't last long around here and I bet you will have the same problem at your house too. 

This is a simple recipe that uses ingredients you probably have in your pantry already. So what are you waiting for get those mixing bowls out get baking!

Click HERE for the pdf version of this recipe

enjoy,
Erin

Halloween 2011

So it looks like I'm running almost a month behind on a consistent basis here for posting happenings around our house. We had a blast on Halloween with our good friends the Allens. The kids were dressed up in such fun costumes - Kami was a cheetah, Rian was a black cat and Drew was a "wobot" (aka robot). The weather was pleasant so our trick or treating lasted longer than past (coooold) years. Here are some pics of the trick-or-treaters and our pumpkin carving!

Pumpkin Carving & Halloween Party

Once again the kids had an absolute blast on Halloween! Kami dressed up as Minnie Mouse, Rian was a princess and Drew was a lion. The evening was filled with screams, howls and giggles in an ear drum shattering volume as our girls were joined by Snow White (aka Reese), a Witch (aka Lauryn) and a Fairy (aka Kate). The kids even got to spend some time with Papa Evans, Nana Evans, Maima (O'Brien) and Papa O'Brien (aka the Captain). The trick-or-treating started around 6:30 as we ventured across the street to the neighborhood houses. It was cold and windy but the kids didn't seem to notice -go figure! As the goody bags got heavier and the parents got colder we knew it was time to call it a night. We were all pretty worn out after this party - thank goodness for the time change! Too bad Drew didn't understand what it meant to "gain an hour".
Enjoy the pics!

Girls Weekend 2008

10 year Anniversary

2008 was the 10th anniversary of Girls Weekend! Hard to believe this once little idea years ago has become such a wonderful tradition. This year the annual event was held in Fremont (at Dianne's house). This year there were 17 of us including three generations of girls, the farthest of our group coming from Tennessee. For many years the main "events" for this weekend have included food (of course - with chocolate!!), a craft and an outing. Most of the gang arrived on Friday evening and after a yummy pasta dinner we kicked off the weekend with a bonfire, marshmallows and camper pies. Saturday morning rise and shine came earlier than expected due to the noise generated from the MILLIONS of squawking ducks and GUN SHOTS from the duck hunters (apparently duck season is in October). The morning also consisted of more delicious homemade treats to get us ready for our outing to the Heritage Farm for some fall festivities. At Heritage Farm the group successfully navigated through the corn made by correctly answering American President Trivia at each turn. Emma was a real pro - showing off her knowledge of Presidential facts by correctly answering the question "who resided at Monticello?" - of course that Jeff Tom guy (Thomas Jefferson) was her reply! The little ones picked out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and we all took turns posing for silly pictures in the field.







Later in the afternoon (once the kiddos were down for a nap) we started on our craft. This years craft was sock and glove animals, instructions courtesy of the book Sock and Glove by Miyako Kanamori. Since the weather was so nice we did the craft on mom (dianne's) porch under the beautiful fall colors of a big maple tree looking out over the lake. Once the creative juices began flowing there was no stopping these girls from creating some of the cutest little animals out of recycled gloves and socks! All this crafting makes a girl hungry! Dinner at Spanky's for the world's best bread sticks and pizza helped us refuel for some a little more crafting to put the finishing touches on the animals. The gang crashed after a long busy and FUN filled day!




Sunday morning started off with the duck and hunter wake up calls as well as a nice spread of breakfast treats. Some of the group had to get back home and get ready for school or work on Monday morning. The rest of us took a road trip to Whitehall to visit Cara's studio. Her latest creation, Uncomfortable Animals, was a hit with the girls! If you missed the studio trip check out her wares on Etsy. We also cruised over to the studio where Chester works to watch him create some pottery. Sunday evening we carved pumpkins down by the lake with the kids, had a bonfire, roasted marshmallows and told stories.




Monday morning the Tennessee girls and the Evans' clan packed into the car and headed back to Grand Rapids to the airport. It was sad to see the weekend come to a close but the memories of our time spent together will last forever. We are so blessed to have people in our lives who love us and so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

See You All Next Year!

(thanks Katie for letting me use some of your great pictures!)