Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Anyone who truly knows me, can tell you that I don't like trying new things - especially when it comes to cooking/baking. I fear the waste of time and money if the result is bad.

HOWEVER...

Earlier this week, I wanted to bake some pumpkin spice cookies for Josh's co-worker. I had made some of Betty Crocker's Pumpkin Spice cookie mix last fall for his office. They really enjoyed them.  But one person in particular, Fawn - BEST massage therapist in the world, REALLY REALLY enjoyed them!  I knew her birthday was mid-September, so I wanted to do something special for her and bake these cookies again.  However, no one had the pumpkin spice cookie mix yet :(  I was determined nonetheless. I found a recipe on Pinterest that looked simple and tasty. I only needed a two ingredients, that I didn't already have in the house.

Tuesday evening, the experiment began, five dozen cookies were baked.

Wednesday, the verdict was in... She loved them (and so did everyone else in the office). So much so, we kept sending more back to work each day this week. Before she could get a chance to take any home, she was raving about the cookies and sharing with all the patients!  HA HA

I guess I better keep this recipe!  Sharing it also, in case anyone else wants to try it!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies:

1. Mix 1 cup butter, 1/2 can pumpkin puree, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 2 eggs until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl mix 4 cups flour, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 2 tsp. pumpkin spice.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
4. Ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes.
5. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheet (or use parchment paper)
6. 1" balls will make 5 dozen cookies. Squish flat with jar and bake 10-14 minutes until it starts looking dry. (I found it worked best to cook the balls for about 5 minutes and pull them out of the oven, grease a jar and squish the cookies, and place them back in the oven for remaining time).
7. Allow cookies to cool completely and top with cream cheese frosting (If you are an overachiever, you can make it from scratch, but store bought is fast and tasty too)!

Andrew's TerRUFFic Surprise!

Andrew has been obsessed with Paw Patrol (cartoon) for some time now.


Plot summary from Wikipedia:
PAW Patrol is a computer-generated, action-adventure preschool series starring a pack of six celebrity puppies: Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Zuma, Rubble, and Skye, who are led by a tech-savvy 10-year-old boy named Ryder. With a unique blend of problem-solving skills, cool vehicles and lots of cute doggy humor, the PAW Patrol works together on high-stakes rescue missions to protect the Adventure Bay community.
From Marshall the firedog to Chase the police pup to Skye, who flies high in her copter, each pup brings unique personality and skill to the team, modeling the importance of teamwork and good citizenship. They all have special Pup Packs on their backs to help them handle anything – from rescuing kittens to saving a train from a rock slide. And no matter how big the adventure, the PAW Patrol always has time for a game, a laugh, and an ear scratch from Ryder

I realized last week that this show was on the NICK channel, and finally put two and two together that Great Aunt Jenny works for the Mall of America (Nickelodeon Universe)!!  She scored some Paw Patrol toys and shipped them off to her favorite Great Nephew!!!

Andrew was excited when he opened the package (I got a video, but it is too long for me to upload). I did take a few pictures though!

Thank you Swanson Family!

Stained Fence

We had a much needed break in temperature this weekend!  70"s as the high.. Wooohoooo !!! We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and stain the fence. Friday, we went to Lowe's and purchased 6 gallons of Olympic Maximum Stain & Sealant - Cedar Natural Tone.  Andrew is pictured to the right "zooming" around Lowe's in JJ's car! You can't tell by his face, but he was excited!












 

It rained on Friday and still a little wet on Saturday. We mowed, weeded and edged the yard Saturday afternoon. Sunday it was dry enough to stain. Thankfully, Jackie came over to watch Andrew. They went to the park and McDonalds while Josh and I completed the fence. It took us about 2 1/2 hours.We used a little less than 5 gallons of stain (we only had to stain the sides of the yard as the homeowners behind us already had theirs stained). Theirs is a yucky brown color, so it doesn't match. Oh well, the side of the yard is pretty!!!

Of course I forgot to take a before picture, so you will have to view one of the other house pictures I had taken a few months ago to compare.

BEFORE:

  

AFTER:

Happy Grandparents Day!

Andrew only got to see one of his grandparents today, Poppa. 

So glad he could come play and share a meal with us!

Quick Trip to Huntsville

We traveled to Huntsville for a funeral. We stayed with our friend, Meghan, and her dog, Samantha!

Andrew was very excited to meet this "Big dog". We enjoyed dinner Friday evening upon our arrival. Her parents came over to visit that evening, played some Wii games before bed.  Saturday morning we attended the memorial service for Delores (Hoo Hoo) Nelson (grandmother to our dear friend Jessie). She was a member of FPC Huntsville - where Josh and I attended during college. After visiting with old friends, we got some lunch and packed up our things and traveled back home that afternoon.

Dessert after dinner - Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!

Saturday morning, playing with Sam!

Andrew's selfie

Andrew's picture of Meghan

Car ride home

Houston for Labor Day Weekend

Friday, August 29th - Josh and I both worked in the morning. I met mom for her birthday lunch at Mooyah Burgers & Fries. Josh and I loaded up the truck, picked up Andrew from daycare and hit the road, Houston bound.

Andrew using his new headphones, watching Rio. Must have been a serious part of the movie!

After a potty and snack stop at Buccee's, I sat in the backseat with A.

 We arrived at Karl & Audrey's house around 6:30pm. We visited and enjoyed some tasty pizza!  After Andrew went to bed, the four of us played our new favorite game, Carcassonne.  Then bed time!

Saturday, August 30th - We woke up and left the house by 10:15. We drove to Dayton to visit Granbet. She is gracious enough to donate a few supplies for my secret craft project which will be unveiled to the Elliott/Wardell family at Christmas time! We also scored a couple jars of Mayhaw jelly!!!!

Andrew loved all of Granbet's different chairs in her living room, he kept moving around checking each of them out (two of them pictured below. We treated her to lunch at a local bbq/burger joint called Pappy's.  We all ate different things and it was VERY tasty!!!

After lunch, we headed to Sears to see Big Papa at work. Andrew is pictured below helping him sell a dishwasher!

Then we headed to Big Papa and Grandma Net's house where Andrew really enjoyed playing with his cousins. When Big Papa got off work, we all met at Carinos for dinner. Mmmmm Potato Soup! 

Andrew spent the night at Big Papa's house, so Josh and I could stay and visit. When the kids went to bed we played Phase 10. Josh and I left around 11:15 to go back to Karl & Audrey's. They were in Galveston for the rest of the weekend, but were gracious enough to let us stay at the house anyway. It was a good day!


Sunday, August 31st - Josh and I went to First Baptist Church with Grandpa and Connie that morning. After service, we met everyone at Franks for brunch. Andrew slept in until 9 and had not ate anything (it was about 11:30 when we got food). He scarfed down his pancakes... I had never seen him eat so fast before!!!!

We spent the afternoon hanging out at Terry and Net's house. Then met more family for dinner that evening at Iguana Joe's to celebrate Terry's birthday.

Boys hanging out with Great Uncle Steve

Elliott Selfie!!!

Andrew showing off his card from Uncle Steve, "Keep Smiling". I understand that Steve has been handing these out for years; he gives them to anyone and everyone. You always get one in your birthday and Christmas card too!

 After dinner we took some family pictures. Next time we'll be together is Christmas.

Terry and Net with kids and grandkids

Grandbet with Great Grandkids

 

 

Grandpa & Connie with Great Grandkids

Four generations of Elliott boys!

Monday, September 1st - We woke up, packed up our things and headed home. We stopped for lunch in Huntsville and made it home just before 3:00pm. It was a great weekend!