An awesome day & the Pumpkin Walk

We are definitely experiencing a real Autumn here in Cache Valley Utah. 

The air crisp, the sky sunny & blue & brilliant colored leaves everywhere!  

I especially love walking on them, crunch, crunch, crunch & smelling their rich fragrance - yes, I love fall. Usually though, I feel like we jump from summer to winter here in Northern Utah, so this year I feel very fortunate indeed.

I'm also excited because I launched my kickstarter project at about 3 this morning. For those folks who haven't checked out my site yet, the address is:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marcyhopewilliams/ruby-rose-comes-to-town

Now onto the Pumpkin Walk, a tradition here in these parts for 29 years now. Once a year at this time, schools, clubs and organizations get together to decorate pumpkins and create scenes. I think my business Story-Express will have to create one next year. Every year the theme is new. This year sets were created around, "Let the Games Begin." 
Enjoy your walk!

A scene from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

 Yes winter in Northern Utah!

Karate Kid

I'm not sure about this one.

Or this one?

Tug o War between Utah State University's mascot & students? 

The game Clue.

In the barn were these lighted carved pumpkins.

Harry Potter, of course, riding his broom.

Duck duck, goose, goose.

For the parents - these next 2 scenes are political cartoons, or politics at their worst! 

The title was "If the pets had their way."

And of course, love finds its way & happily ever-after.

Odds & Ends

Fun Alternative to Cheez-Its (or cheese crackers)

So sometimes, I have no idea where Eden finds these unique foods, but she does. This eco.planet (hmm, just misspelled the word planet & without the 'e', what does it spell?)  Anyway, this cracker is so fun. For the pic, I placed one of each type of cracker on its respective symbol on the box. 

Sometimes when you give up certain foods, you still may crave them (or something similar) - that's where the value of transitional food comes in.  I don't remember eating cheese crackers for at least a decade, but when Eden brought these home (actually they arrived through the mail), I was so excited to try them.

At first bite, they seemed a bit strange, as the memories of your taste buds kind of rev-up to expect a certain familiar taste. Then your imagination kicks in. At second & third taste, I began to love them. Now, I don't  include this in my daily diet, but once in a while when you might 'crave' cheddar cheese, why not reach for a healthier alternative?  

These crackers can  be a teaching tool for your children too. The four shapes represent: solar energy, being earth-friendly, wind energy & green cars with an explanation printed on the back.

   

Below are Annie Chun's All Natural Asian Cuisine - Maifun. These are brown rice noodles that cook up in a few minutes (at the most). 

And this is a heart-filled serving for tomorrow's lunch (plus veggies, of course!)

 (sorry for the blur - just a cut & paste job)

So much to share - so little time...

Until next time,

Peace to you & yours,

Marcy Hope Williams

From Eden's Kitchen

Peanut Butter Cookies with a Little Help from my Friends!

What an opportunity to teach!! 

Rather than having the girls watch how to prepare cookies, Eden gave the children simple steps & instructions to allow them the hands-on experience they need to become future chefs. Also, giving children the opportunity to do things themselves increases their knowledge, self-esteem & confidence. 

The children created the peanut butter cookies themselves except for using the hand-held mixer (the children were only 4 years old). 

These peanut-butter cookies were some of the most delicious cookies I've eaten. 



Basic Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup margarine - softened

1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)

2 cups brown sugar (or replacement)

egg replacer for 2 eggs

2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Optional: you can add a cup of chopped salted peanuts if you like.

Beat together with mixer: margarine, peanut butter & brown sugar until creamy. Add egg replacer.

In another bowl hand mix your dry ingredients.

Add slowly to wet ingredients.

Stir in extra chopped nuts if you like.

Use either a heaping tablespoon or up to 1/2 cup of batter for each cookie. 

Shape as desired.

Use flattened edge of fork to create crisscross design & even out batter & shape.

Space at least a few inches apart on cookie sheet.

Bake for about 14 minutes at 350 degrees.

Let cool on baking pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks for complete cool-down.

Can make up to 2 to 3 dozen cookies, depending on size preference.