Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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


28 comments:

Deanna said...

Dear Friend,
This fairy rose is so gorgeous. I'll have to check into this and see if this type of rose would do well in Kansas. So gorgeous.

Carolyn, Noah is a handsome little guy! What a fun age to be for Grands to see and enjoy.

Always enjoy your blog!
d

Mary said...

Carolyn, I am always delightfully surprised when visiting your blog! First, your grandson on the phone is priceless! As a grandmother, I share your love for the little ones...they are the best gift from Heaven. And your garden...breathtaking. Glad you got the shutters finished...your home is a wonder to behold.

God bless,
Mary

Islandsparrow said...

Our oldest boy Andrew had an imaginary friend too - his name was "Coggie Ferbie" - oh we had so much fun listening to those conversations!

Fairy rose - that is going on my list for next year. So pretty!

Isn't nice to see a bit of sun??

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

The fairy rose is so sweet! Noah is such a handsome little guy. I like the colour of your home. I think the colour warms it up and looks very nice especially this time of year. It will look wonderful with all your Christmas decor as well. It won't be long now but I'm not wishing for any snow just yet.

Blessings,
Sandi

Mrs Twins said...

Carolyn
I'm a fairly new follower to your blog. Just to say what a charming little boy. No wonder you couldn't resist posting a photo of him! You have a large amount of land with your house. But as your photographs prove it is all well worth the hard work!Love the rose too. I love pink!

maría cecilia said...

Alo Carolyn??, your grandson Noah is so adorable speaking on the phone!!! and, oh my god, what a lovely and wonderful garden back in July, and so appreciate you show your work in your garden now, it looks pretty though. Please come and see the new post of my garden now.
Muchos cariños
María Cecilia

Lacy said...

Your home is gorgeous and Noah is just too cute for words.

Garden Cats + Crafts said...

Hello Caroly, you`ve a fantastic Blog. Love your Lavender!
Hugs from Germany,
Birgit

Anonymous said...

Noah is gorgeous!! Your house and garden look lovely and I can't wait to see it decorated at Christmas.

By the way I have a new blogger friend who lives not far from me who I met through your blog!!!http://joanne-orangecottages.blogspot.com/

Jackie

Joanne said...

Noah looks like he's got all the adult poses down to a fine art clearly a very observant boy.

The house looks great and didn't seem to take long.

It is sad to say goodbye to summer.

June said...

I can see that Noah is a hit with the girls already. Even the imaginary ones.
Your house looks beautiful!

Today I spent a few hours cutting back and will probably finish up in a couple of days. I'm so sore I can hardly walk, but it's great to get most of the work done.
Hugs,
June

nannykim said...

I love the way grandchildren just make us laugh....My grand/daughter always makes me laugh.

What a contrast in your landscape!!

Marilyn said...

Haven't been by to visit for a while, but what a delightful surprise to see the pink fairy rose. Fall colors are just not me, so you really brightened my day! Thanks for sharing.

a quiet life said...

the cell phone pics are adorable~

and youR lavender... oh my you live in paradise, even if loads of work to put to rest, ITS WORTH IT!

Pearl Maple said...

Yum on the spice pumpkin muffins, that sounds so tasty. Am enjoying all the seasonal posts, as much as summer flowers are pretty, the colours of autumn have their own beauty too.

La Table De Nana said...

My friend Jain introduced me to your blog:) We have many similarities..both a Noah..:)both chopping down everything :( The Fairy.. a love of lavender:)..and I am eating a muffin I made.You have a lovely blog~

Ofelias Hus said...

Noah is so cute as he is talking on the phone...

The muffins looked so good!

Hugs!
Anette

A Southern Rose said...

Your garden was so beautiful and I know it will be beautiful again next year. Your house looks gorgeous too with the new paint. I love paint it makes everything look so new and refreshed! Noah is a doll! I love all of the faces that he made. I love that fairy rose too! My favorite color and I love roses!

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Madelief said...

Hi Carolyn,

It must be a lot of work making your garden ready for the winter. You have so much space! Have you already put bulbs in the ground as well? Your grandson look very sweet! It must be great to have all your grandchildren and children nearby. Thank you very much for the recipe. I will copy it in a word document and put it in my recipe book. I still have three pumpkins from our garden so I could use them for the muffins! Can I make pumpkin puree from fresh pumpkins as well?

Fijne dag! groetjes van Madelief

Rita said...

Dear Carolyn,
I'm so pleasantly surpised to see that your fairy rose is still blooming.
Love your tea table setting and I'm intrigued by your spice pumpkin cream cheese crunch muffins'. Will try this coming weekend.
Rita

Anonymous said...

Oh - Noah is adorable! What joy these little ones bring us by simply being!

The tiny garden that I planted around the house foundation this summer is now under snow. You can tell I love gardens, because I'm already looking forward to the surprises I'll find next year. :)

Thanks for all the beauty you share - every visit to your blog is a delight!

Zuzu

Rita said...

That rose is beautiful and your grandson is adorable. We had snow this morning.
Rita

BELLE BLANC said...

Your gandson is adorable! When I see this pictures I must think of my little niece Olivia, she is one year and two mounth old and she also has a toy-cellphone and when I tell her to say Hello, she only repeats "Hah?" Love the picture with your house on it. So pretty! And I think your Muffins look very delicious.. Mira!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Carolyn,
Noah is just a doll, don't little Grandson's just steel your heart! I know mine sure had mine.
Yum, your spice pumpkin muffins sure look good, I can smell them now.
Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth

Unknown said...

Your little Noah is such a cutie! Funny how they all love to talk on the phone at that age :)

Thanks for the recipe...it sure sounds delish!

:) T

melontha said...

Is it nice here, so wonderful pictures, you have such a beautiful blog and you live in a beautiful area.

Many greetings Melontha

Elissa said...

Hello! What a lovely post!
I love that picture of your home, it looks like such an inviting place!
Your grandson is such a cutie! His facial expressions are so cute!

Your fairy rose is absolutely gorgeous!

Mmm! Those muffins look positively scrumptious, I will definitely have to try those!

Thanks for such a lovely post!!

~Elissa

Suzann said...

Grandson Noah - Precious
House and Gardens - amazing
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins? Delicious!!!