Aiken House & Gardens

Hello everyone,

I couldn't resist sharing these pictures of our three year old grandson Noah talking on his toy cell phone to his imaginary friend Sally. I laugh at the expressions on his face and the actions as he was flipping around. Oh! Noah you are such a funny boy.

I am happy to have our house and shutters painted now. The color isn't a lot different then before but it is a little change from the taupe that it was before and it is fresher.

This was our allee garden in early July

and sadly this is what it looks like now as we our we are chopping down the tops and hauling them to the compost heap. I will be hoping for snow soon to hide the bareness!

We have loads and loads of wheel barrow loads to haul so we are happy to get a few sunny days.

I wanted to show you the fairy rose still blooming and has loads of buds yet-you have to love that!

Some of you asked for the recipe for spice pumpkin cream cheese crunch muffins so I am including it here

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

2 1/2 C. flour

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 spt. cloves

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1tsp. salt

2t. baking powder

1/2t. baking soda

Mix dry ingredients together, then in separate bowl mix:

2 eggs-beaten

1 C. brown sugar

1 C. pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1/3 C. oil

2 t. grated orange zest

1/3C. orange juice

add the wet ingredients to the dry until just combined

fill greased muffin tins about 2/3 full

press a small cube of cream cheese down in center

I sprinkled some brown sugar , cinnamon and caramelized pecans on top.

bake @350 for 20-25 minutes

I hope you enjoy these muffins

and

Have a good day!

Carolyn