The Kitchen is Open...And Baking (Almost)!

Wheat and cranberry paint replaced...

It's a little smaller, but at least the pink and black wallpaper is gone. It's still minus the upscale granite counter tops, tiled back splash and center island that my other kitchen was decked out in...but it's now cozy and adorable (these are real estate terms I learned over the last year that actually mean "functional but small".) And it's all good! I actually have more cabinet space than I previously had, so it's a wash.

...pink and black wallpaper!

But more importantly, after weeks of scraping, painting, hammering, nailing, cleaning and decorating, my new place is ready for fall and the holidays to come. There is a bit more work to do in the bedrooms and bathrooms, but that can wait till January when we are in full blown hibernation mode and there is not much else do to. For now, let the party begin!

Hardwood floors replaced white Linoleum 

On a recent cool, rainy Sunday when the leaves were swirling by my window, I wanted to fill the house with the warmth and aroma that comes with fall baking. But weeks without grocery shopping prior to the move have left my pantry somewhat challenged. Then I remembered my niece Beth telling me about a cookie recipe that she found on Pinterest that only needs two ingredients; a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin. Both of which I had surprisingly, (okay, there were left over from last year, but still usable.) Beth made them and loved them! (Shh...and between you and I, she has rather discriminating taste, so they must have been good.) Also, must give a shout out to StockpilingMoms.com the site that originally posted this recipe, a web page I always find user friendly with very flavorful ideas! So here it is!

Ingredients:

• 1 box Spice Cake Mix
• 1 15oz can of pumpkin

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Grease cookie sheets
• In large bowl, stir together the cake mix and pumpkin until well blended
• Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared sheets
• Bake 18 to 20 minutes
• Allow cookies to cool five minutes before moving to wire racks

Found room for Buyers Choice chefs!

Now you know me, I actually made this a three ingredient recipe by adding raisins. But I must say, these cookies were moist, chewy and wonderful. (And, if such things matter to you, each cookie is only 2 Weight Watcher points!) And even if you don't eat cookies, if you just want to capture the essence of autumn, nothing does it better than the waft of spice and pumpkin flowing through the house!

I am so glad for the timing of my kitchen re-do. With the big holidays coming up, so much time will be spent there. Granite counter tops and tile will come eventually, but for now, each day I add something that makes it more "mine", and I am grateful to be home again. Cozy is okay with me!