Happy Thanksgiving!

We are enjoying a wonderful day with Family

I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family, friends and, well, all of the food!

What we are Eating - Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
adapted from Cooking Classy

I love a good Snickerdoodle but this pumpkin version is even better.  The cook is soft and the pumpkin flavor is subtle but adds a whole new dimension to the flavor. Yes, I have officially started my holiday baking.  I try to back one or two cookies a week over the next few weeks.  I keep about a dozen out for eating that week and than freeze the rest - one set goes into a bin for Darryl to take to work closer to Christmas, one goes in a bin for Christmas with the family, and then I freeze any "extra" to take out during the coming weeks so we also have a variety of yummy treats without needing to bake endlessly every week. 

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 + 1/8 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For rolling
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 
  

Directions

• In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice for 20 seconds, set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar (not until pale and fluffy, just to combined. Occasionally scrape down sides and bottom of bowl throughout entire mixing process if not using a paddle attachment that constantly scrapes bowl while mixing). Mix in egg yolk, then mix in pumpkin and vanilla extract. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients then mix until combined. Divide dough in half and place each half in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill 45 minutes to 1 hour (dough should be slightly sticky so the cinnamon sugar will stick when rolling but they should be manageable to roll in the palms of your hands). Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 10 minutes of refrigeration.
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Scoop dough out 2 even tablespoons at a time (run the measuring spoon against side and edge of bowl so it will slightly deflate the dough while also giving an equal tbsp, twice per ball) and shape into a ball, roll dough ball in cinnamon sugar mixture to evenly coat then transfer to Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 12 - 14 minutes (they should look just slightly under-baked as they'll cook slightly once removed from oven). Cool on baking sheet about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Teaching Tuesdays - Week 13

It's hard to believe we are 13 weeks into school - technically half way through our year of 26 weeks.  Now, truth be told, we'll probably go a little longer than 26 weeks in a few subjects but, for the most part we are about 1/2 way through most of Josh's workbooks. 

Josh is really doing amazing with the basics of phonics.  Here, in this photo, he is practicing his "Ferris Wheel" song.  He absolutly loves the song and sings it every single day (even when I don't feel like it).  Not only can he sing it with the music making all of the correct short vowel blends, he likes to then sing it by himself.  I've seen huge improvements with his sounds and with forming words with those sounds.  He also loves to "read" more.  One day, he got out his "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" book and was sounding out the words and then writing out each page. 

Nate loves his preschool work.  Loves it.  Well, most days.  Using the snow as leverage last week, the boys quickly got to work after lunch on their school work and kept saying, "We will not whine mom!" just so they could finish and get back outside!

 On Friday we focused on Thanksgiving again and worked on this little book from Teachers Pay Teachers.  The boys had to make the word "Here" on each of the pages in their book.  I did cut out the letters before hand only because I knew the cutting would be the death of me if I had them do it HA!  It was cute to watch because by the third page, they had figured out how to "read" the sentences based on the picture on the page.

We also read through this cute counting book.  It gave me the opportunity to talk about the Pilgrims and Native Americans.  The boys enjoyed the story and asked lots of questions!

What I'm Making Monday - Meatball Sliders

Recently I've been trying out some simple recipes that could technically be used as appetizers/snack type things when we have our fun little snack nights especially around the holidays.  Sometimes I'm "guilty" of pulling out a bunch of new appetizer recipes on those nights only to have the flop.  I'm glad I've tried some out as dinner/side dishes because some have been success' and some have not!  This Meatball Slider Recipe was mediocore to say the least.

It is a super simple recipe and the idea is good but I would make changes.  The actual meat ball recipe is awesome - I'm going to use that to make meatballs from now on.  Why is it great?  Because it is plain - so often meatball recipes are heavy in spice but if you want them for BBQ or Sweet and Sour plain meatballs are the best.  For our tastes, there was way too much oregano in the sauce - it over powered the whole meal.  Really, I would just use our favorite spaghetti sauce to simmer the meat balls in - it would give a more balanced flavored. 

You can check out the inspiration recipe HERE.

Things my Kids Say

* We were talking about having a a nerf gun fight when Josh got upset because, well, he didn't want to be "shooted" :-) LOL 

* Josh, as I've said before, loves to be in charge.  After an especially trying morning with all three boys, I finally said to Josh, "You are not the adult, you are not in charge.  You are the kid and you cannot tell the other boys what to do - that is my job.  Some day, when you are an adult, you can be the boss."  He went crying into his room where I heard, "It will take so long to be an adult!"

* We have a rule that in order to play the piano, hands must be washed first.  Well, I got home from the store the other night and the boys "tattled".  They told me that Daddy played the piano without washing his hands.  Josh then told me that he told Darryl that he was wrong and he must wash his hands or I would send him to time out when I got home.  It gets better . .. I then asked if Darryl listened to him and Josh said he had to because when I'm gone, he (Josh) is the boss. hahahahahaha  The boy - he will be a leader someday!!

Family Fun - Let It Snow!

This past week, we got snow!  The first flakes began falling on Thursday, November 13th and the boys were beyond excited.  As a matter of fact, we were about 10 minutes from finishing up school work when it started so, needed to say, school stopped and the boys headed outside.

 Even in the snow, the boys love to ride bikes. 

 Can you see the snowflakes in the picture??? They also had the John Deere out with hopes of filling it with snow.

 My sweet six year old - I just love that adorable face!

 Mr. Innocent almost 5 year old!  Super super cute!

 A very small snow ball!

For some reason, the treehouse gets a lot more use in the fall and winter than it gets the entire summer.  They absolutely love playing it and sliding down the slippery slide!

The snow didn't stop though and we had more fun!

Sunday brought more snow - so the boys felt they needed to "mow" the grass one more time. 

THEN the big storm hit.  We ended up with about 12 inches of snow by the end of the day Thursday.  My boys were beyond thrilled and spent hours outside.  On Wednesday, I believe, Josh went outside at 1:30 and did not come in until 4:30.  He loves the cold and snow so much! 

 Josh started right out shoveling  - something he usually tries to help with every year.

 This photo speaks volumes - we are in the "Harvest" season - getting ready for Thanksgiving - yet we were in the middle of a snow storm! 

 Nate is also a great helper.

 Those boys moved a lot of snow!!!

After spending hours outside, they both snuggled into chairs with blankets and pillows and watched HGTV with me for a bit.

Thursday was really the snowiest day - we had white out conditions - it was beautiful (from inside!)  The boys got to play in the front yard for a bit because they wanted to knock down the huge icicles.  Funny thing, I heard a huge bang on the house so I looked outside; Josh saw me and said, "Nate we can throw the shovels to get the ice but don't throw it by the window" haha  Smart move Josh!  They also shoveled off the front porch for me and then used their shovels to make mazes in the snow.  They did try to make an igloo but my perfectionist (Josh) had a total breakdown because "I can't build anything!!" Poor kid!

Weekly Menu - The one with Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving?  Already?  Wow!  This year we are heading to my parents house for Thanksgiving which is nice.  As much as I like hosting it, which I do, it's nice to not have to plan it too!

Here's the plan:

Saturday - We are staying home :-)  We've had a few busy weekends and now, it's time to stay home.  The boys really love to help decorate outside for Christmas so, if the weather is half way decent, I thought we'd get out the outdoor decorations and get the lights up!  Pizza is good on Saturdays and the boys have free pizza certificates from Soccer so I think we'll use those and go to Pizza Hut!

Sunday - Today is different.  Our Church Thanksgiving Dinner is at 5:00 so, when we come home from church, we have Mac and Cheese and little ham sammies.  Super simple but something we all love.  I have to cook a ham for the dinner (the benefits of my husband being a deacon, I guess HA) so my oven will be put to good use and then I'm going to make a raspberry cobbler for a dessert and a fruit salad for a side dish. 

** On a side note - our grocery store has had cartons of raspberries on sale for 2/$1.00 for two weeks.  This week I bought 24 cartons.  My receipt showed the regular price - I almost lost my teeth - the regular price is $95.00.  I paid $12.00.  So yes, I made sure I had enough for a couple of cobbler's for Thanksgiving ***

Monday - Beef w/ Broccoli - a freezer meal to try :-)  As much as I'm really not a freezer meal person, I do like having a few go to meals in the freezer to pull out for something quick.  I saw this recipe and thought I would try it and, if we like it, I could make up a few for the freezer :-)  I'll add some brown baked rice and yeast rolls for a great dinner.

Tuesday - Crock pot Smothered Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Corn and Biscuits.  Nothing like a good comfort meal on a Tuesday night :-)

Wednesday - We'll grab some dinner on the run as we start our Holiday fun!

Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving! 

Friday - No Kids :-)  I'm going scrapbooking for the afternoon/early evening.  I will eat at the crop and leave something for the big D for dinner!