Life: The Great Mystery

“Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up ’cause they’re looking for ideas.”~ Paula Poundstone

     I finally finished the Mystery Quilt that we started at Quilt Guild.  This is the first time I have ever done a mystery quilt and I enjoyed it; even though I'm kind of one of those control freaks who like to make all my own decisions and know exactly what's going to happen.  I usually don't enjoy surprises so I had to let go with this one a little and just enjoy the process.  I even had fun using the leftover fabric to make a pieced backing.



     One of my grandsons had his 4th birthday this month and we helped him celebrate by taking our children and the grandkids to This Is The Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City.  We had fun touring old pioneer homes, doing crafts, riding on the train, playing with toys, petting animals and panning for gold.  The nice thing about this place is people of all ages can have fun!

   


       I love baking in the fall when the days finally cool down a little.  These muffins are all about fall flavor.  They are so tasty.

Apple Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup flour                                                   2 eggs

3/4 cup whole wheat flour                     ½ cup applesauce

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice                          ¼ cup canola oil

½ tsp. baking soda                                     3/4 cup brown sugar                   

1 tsp. baking powder                                1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. salt                                                    1 cup canned pumpkin

                                                                      2 cups finely diced apples

Streusel Topping

2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour

¼ cup brown sugar

½ tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbsp. butter, cut in small pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tin with paper liners. 

In a medium bowl mix dry ingredients together.  In a large bowl mix eggs, applesauce, oil, brown sugar, vanilla and pumpkin.  Add dry ingredients to this mixture and stir until combined.  Fold in apples.  Spoon into prepared muffin tins, filling each to the top.  Combine streusel ingredients and sprinkle over muffin batter. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.  Makes 12 muffins.

 

     Here's another Fall recipe that tastes just right in the Autumn months.  I used Jennie-O turkey sausage to make it a little lighter.

Potato Kielbasa Skillet

(adapted from a recipe from Taste of Home)

1 pound red potatoes, cubed

3 Tbsp. water

¾ pound kielbasa sausage, cut into ¼ inch slices

½ cup chopped onion

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

½ tsp. dried thyme

¼ tsp. pepper

4 cups fresh baby spinach

5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Place potatoes and water in microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 5-7 minutes or until tender; drain. 

In a large skillet, saute kielbasa and onion in oil until onion is tender.  Add potatoes and saute 3-5 minutes longer or until potatoes and sausage are lightly browned. 

Combine the brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pepper; stir into the skillet.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.  Add spinach and bacon; cook and stir until spinach is wilted.  Serves 4.

 

 

     In the month of October we read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman for Book Club.  It was very entertaining and something most different from what I normally read.





     Just a couple of extras here.  These are the donuts that I served to my cub scouts after our field trip last week.  And this is the table runner I made from a Halloween panel and some charm squares.