#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Beckoning Fall

August 22, 2006 · Narrative

Fall is, hands down, without question, my favorite season of the year. Whether it’s pumpkin or apple picking with Nicholas, the smell of warm apple cider or the crisp air, the technicolor leaf display that Mother Nature puts on for us or the anticipation of Halloween, I can’t wait until it arrives.

For tomorrow’s breakfast tray for my client, I decided to do a little early beckoning of the season with a favorite tried-and-true, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. Achingly easy to make, they taste divine fresh from the oven, split open and smeared with a little bit of softened butter … mmmm. Coupled with fresh croissants and an assortment of jams, it’s a perfect way to start their morning.

Until tomorrow… 

A year ago today … my sleeping baby, and some good new recipes to boot.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
pinch of nutmeg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Add eggs, pumpkin, butter and chocolate chips. Stir until well blended. Spoon into muffin pans, filling about 3/4 full. Bake 20-25 minutes. Makes about 12 muffins.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Cyndi says

    August 22, 2006 at 2:47 am

    These look fabulous – I’ve gotta try this flavor combination. Cate – can I get back on your blogroll?

    Reply
  2. Claire says

    August 22, 2006 at 3:42 am

    Mmmm…I’m definitely going to try these when it gets cooler around here. We’re still hitting 100.

    Reply
  3. the chocolate lady says

    August 22, 2006 at 7:18 am

    You know, Fall is my favorite too, but I still feel sad about summer ending. There is something so poignant about those black-eyed susans.

    Reply
  4. michele says

    August 22, 2006 at 1:09 pm

    Fall is my favorite time of the year, also. I was just thinking of muffins last night, and this is one of my favorite combinations. I think I may make some today, too!

    Reply
  5. wheresmymind says

    August 22, 2006 at 1:23 pm

    mmm…Pumpkin AND chocolate! Looks like a powerful combination to me :)

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    August 22, 2006 at 6:38 pm

    45 days until sun,cigars and colada’s / I nominate The husband for midnight picture duty of the phenomenal buffet.

    The neighbor (husband)

    Reply
  7. Cate says

    August 22, 2006 at 6:56 pm

    Cyndi – I didn’t realize it was off. I’ll get you back on.

    Claire – 100? Ouch!

    The Chocolate Lady – Black-Eyed Susans, absolutely. The humidity? Uh huh.

    Michele – make sure you grab one fresh from the oven!

    Wheresmymind – and almost healthy to boot!

    The Neighbor Husband – I’m not sure you can be in charge of the official countdown anymore. There’s forty-FOUR days left!

    Reply
  8. Patti says

    August 23, 2006 at 1:03 am

    Those look great Cate! I love anything with pumpkin.

    Reply
  9. farmgirl says

    August 23, 2006 at 1:22 am

    Hmmm. I just happened to spy some forgotten cans of pumpkin in a dark corner of the pantry today. And of course I always have chocolate chips on hand. These sound great. Why on earth do I always make pumpkin muffins with raisins and not chocolate? Thanks for setting me straight! : )

    Reply
  10. Kaji's Mom says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:25 am

    Thats too funny, I guess fall really is approaching since we’ve started bringing out the pumpkin!

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    August 23, 2006 at 8:04 pm

    I have been wanting pumpkin chocolate chip muffins too, I think I’m excited cause it’s only a little over a month away, and it will be Pumpkin Patch time, my son loves it, we go every year, and my daughter will be 2 next month, so she will actually get to enjoy it this year too. Can’t wait.

    Reply
  12. PatL says

    August 27, 2006 at 11:14 pm

    Oh, man, you are a mind reader. I’m doing a weekend of meals for a crowd in October, and I had just made a note to myself to look for a pumpkin muffin recipe. Chocolate chips sound like just the addition to make it special. Thanks, Cate!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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