Fall's Beautiful Colors

"We have everything here a scarecrow could want, the fall harvest, the beauty of the changing colors, apple cider, pumpkins and cornstalks." ~Mary Martin

I have been absolutely enthralled with this fall season's brilliant and elaborate colors. Here, in Northern California, we are fortunate to have them late into the season. Last year, there was snow in my front yard. It's great to be back in California! Although the snow is pretty during the holiday season, I do love sunshine and the way it sparkles and makes all of the fall colors pop!

Technical difficulties have kept me from posting for most of November. I'm hoping to remedy my situation by purchasing a much needed new computer (mac book pro) soon. I have learned two three four things:

• I am only as good as my tools.
• I am able to do what I can when I can with what I have.
• Not being online as much gave me more time to do other things--(paint, cook, take photo walks)
• I sooo appreciate my computer!

The Best Pumpkin Muffins Ever

I am somewhat of a pumpkin muffin connoisseur. Every fall I taste the perfect pumpkin muffin or bread in a cafe somewhere, and every fall I try to find the perfect recipe or tweak my old one so I can make them at home. I have finally succeeded! I now have the perfect pumpkin muffin recipe. The muffins are the perfect balance between moist and dry, and they are the perfect taste of autumn spice, not too bland and not too bold. Just right. And I want to share them with you!

Here's the recipe:

Start by mixing together, 3 cups of flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg. Then in another bowl, beat together 3/4 cup softened butter, 3 cups sugar and 3 eggs, one at a time. Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture. Stir in 2 cans of pumpkin and 1 tsp vanilla. Fold in 3/4 cup raisins. *Optional: You could fold in some chopped nuts or pumpkin seeds along with or instead of the raisins. Line a muffin tin with papers and spoon in the batter. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

While the muffins are baking, mix up the glaze by stirring together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1/2 tsp of vanilla and 1-2 tsp of milk. Once the muffins have cooled, drizzle with glaze.

Enjoy with a cup of tea!

The Colors of Fall

It's so beautiful to see the trees all adorned in their finery at this time of the year.

The bright red and gold colors of the leaves are absolutely spectacular. 

My drive to work is more pleasant than usual with the sparkling light of the sun catching all those colors and creating a kaleidoscope of wonder.

It's fascinating, isn't it, how the seasons come and go, each with their own personalities and colors. 

Fall is definitely a colorful fanfare, calling in the upcoming holidays and urging us to celebrate, prepare and renew.

 "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

~Emily Bronte