Simply Scrumptious...

I have been staying away from all refined sugar and flour lately.  Staying away from those things is so much better for my headaches, migraines, and energy level (and my waistline).  I found myself really wanting a sweet treat though so I searched around on Pinterest for something sweet but not full of junk.  I found this recipe for a raw "Snickers Bar".  I was a little skeptical that it would taste good but I was beyond pleasantly surprised at how absolutely delicious it was!  Who knew that pureeing peanut butter and dried dates together you will get a caramel-y taste.  Plus with the nuts and chocolate it was simply satisfying.  I used natural peanut butter instead of almond butter and peanuts instead of almonds just because that's what I had on hand.  It is very rich so eating a small piece goes a long way and leaves you feeling satisfied.  I have a feeling it's the coconut oil that helps you to feel satisfied.  I highly recommend everyone give this a try!  It may even help you to stay out of the kiddos Halloween candy.  :)

Click here for the recipe!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/65443000808932168/(Mine didn't look as pretty as the picture but was just as delicious.)

I got my garden all put to sleep and tucked in for the rest of the fall and winter. My first task in the spring will be to put up a fence.  Nothing fancy, just enough to keep the deer out.  My garden is on my parents property and a deer has been frequenting and helping himself to our garden bounty.   My dad got this picture of the thief this past spring.  I have to say he sure is cute...but stay out of my garden dude! 

Have a lovely Sunday everyone! 

Pumpkin Patch...

 We took our 3rd annual trip to Ziemke's Farm Fresh Produce Pumpkin Patch in Buckley yesterday.

 That pumpkin looks pretty rotten to me, better toss it out.  ;)

 Daisy lovingly named her pumpkin Reginald.

 Daisy and Daniel with Gramma.

 

 Love him sticking his little bottom out for the picture.  :) 

Daniel and Grampa.

 Riding the tractor train.

 Very happy little boy!

 Waving to everyone he passed.

I love our annual trip to Buckley and the pumpkin patch.  I definitely could live up on the plateau in that area.  I would love to live out by Carbonado or Wilkeson. Lots of beautiful forests and nestled right up into the foot hills near Mt. Rainier. 

I filled up on lots of pretty mini pumpkins and crazy shaped gourds.  I love putting them all over the kitchen and living room.  The big pumpkins we picked are out on our front porch. I am debating on whether or not to carve them.  I want them to last until Thanksgiving.  Maybe we'll just carve one.  :) I also bought seven little assorted chrysanthemum plants at the store this past week and planted them in my front garden bed. That spot gets full on sun in the summer and I hadn't planted any flowers in there yet because they just would not survive.  I read that chrysanthemums LOVE full sun so I am hoping they will do well there and I'll finally have something living in that spot. It will be so nice to have them blooming in the late summer and early fall.  

It's suppose to be sunny all week so I plan on getting my veggie garden all put to sleep.  I planted my spring garlic a couple weeks ago and it is starting to come up.  I will cover it with a little layer of straw to give it a little protection over the winter.  It's going to be fun having something to harvest right when I am planting everything in the spring! 

Have a lovely week everyone!

Summer grass soup...

I was looking through pictures from this summer and came across these of Daniel making grass soup out in the back yard. When I asked him what he was doing he proceeded to explain step by step what he was cooking.

 First take the grass clumps and put them into the water.

 Here he's explaining how it gets all nice and muddy.

 

Make sure to stir it all up real good.

 

Next poor one bowl of soup into the other.

 

The step back and proudly pose for Momma's picture. 

He must have been paying attention when Momma was watching her cooking shows.  :)

Today is absolutely gorgeous.  70 degrees and sunny! I huge change from the crazy rainstorms we had earlier this week.  The rain got so bad at one point it caused all the drains at the Starbucks I work at to back up into the building.  We had to close up shop for about 4 hours until it could be resolved.  I sure do love the rain though, feels like home.  

Have a lovely weekend and get out and enjoy the sun all you Western Washingtonians!  :)