pumpkins

corn maze at midnight

last night i had my first official fall experience... i got lost in a corn maze. my friend ashley's parents own a pumpkin farm and for her golden birthday we had a party at the farm. yep, totally a wisconsin thing to do.

that was the first time that i've ever been in a corn maze. we went out at midnight with only the moon to light our way. and, of course, friends jumping out of the corn stalks to scare me, but that actually made it more fun. so gripping my best friend's hand for dear life, i ran through the maze and after an hour finally made it out. it was so much fun. and just a little terrifying.

it was a fun night, only thing that was missing was apple bobbing... but i find that a little gross anyway.

{image via weheartit}

Love for Fall

It's been a bit chilly lately and I LOVE it. I'm tired of the heat and humidity of summer already. Why I wish it was fall:

I love cardigans.

I'm tired of a/c and sweating.

Crisp, cool weather.

Hot apple cider.

Scarves.

Pumpkin spice lattes.

I have a mustard yellow purse I'm dying to use.

Leaves change colors.

School is in session.

Jeans. All the time.

Pumpkin patches.

College football.

Candy corn and caramel apples.

{image via weheartit}

thanksgiving pleasures

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays {right after Christmas and July 4th}. I love any excuse to get family together, eat good food and just relax.

... family, turkey, stuffing, board games, apple cider, cinnamon, packer football, vacation days, pumpkin pie, macy's thanksgiving day parade, miracle on 34th street ...

... to name a few ...

Happy Thanksgiving!

{image via weheartit}

pumpkin treats

I love everything about pumpkins: the bright color, the way they smell, the slimy feel when you scoop out seeds, the way seeing one can cheer me up immediately, but I especially love the way they taste.

This weekend I decided to make a few of my favorite pumpkin treats.

Pumpkin Spice Latte:

• 2 Tb canned pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1-2 shots brewed espresso (i always lean toward more)

Combine the pumpkin, vanilla, sugar, pie spice and milk in a small saucepan.

Warm over medium heat, stirring constantly until frothy. Do not boil.

Pour the espresso into a mug and add the pumpkin spiced milk over it.

Add nutmeg and cinnamon to taste.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds:

Large pumpkin

Butter (or non-stick spray)

Salt (or other seasonings)

Clean seeds out of pumpkin, wash thoroughly. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Soak seeds in melted butter or thoroughly grease pan. Spread seeds out in a single layer.

Sprinkle seeds with salt or other seasoning. (i sometimes use seasoned salt or onion salt. sometimes even cinnamon.)

Bake for about 25 minutes or until toasted. Check and stir often.

Pumpkin Pecan Bread:

{Probably my favorite bread EVER}

3 1/2 cups flour

3 cups sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin

1 cup vegetable oil

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2/3 cup water

1/2 cup pecans (i usually add more pecan or almonds and walnuts)

Combine the first six ingredients in a bowl. Combine the pumpkin, oil, eggs and water. Stir mixture into the dry ingredients. Add nuts.

Spoon into two greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for ten minutes before removing from pans.

(TIP: lay pans on their sides to easily remove loaves.)

{image via}

fall obsessions

It's fall, which means a whole new set of personal obsessions.

I honestly think they change with the seasons {this probably has a lot to do with many sports seasons following the tilt of the axis also}. What are my greatest fall loves/obsessions?

Pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, candy corn, football {college and pro}, hockey, red, yellow and orange, fleece coats, slippers, Oktoberfest beer... and anything and everything involving Christmas {yes, I realize it is still early}.

At least I have many things to keep me occupied on these chilly nights.

{image via Flickr}

why i love fall...

I had a family picnic this weekend. It was a little chilly but beautiful.

Fall Pleasures...

When I was young, I hated autumn. If anyone asked me what my favorite season was, I'd always say summer. And my least favorite? Fall. Maybe it was because I missed the warm summer and didn't want to go back to school; I'm not sure.

Now, I love fall. I love the crisp, clear mornings and the chilly nights. I love the smoky scent in the air and the warm colors of the trees. I've come to appreciate autumn and all of its little pleasures...

apple cider, crunchy leaves, caramel apples, orange, yellow, red, pumpkin farms, football, Oktoberfest, scarecrows, hickory-smoked everything, drives on country roads, Halloween, Thanksgiving, pumpkin pies...

... to name a few...

{photo via weheartit}