Pumpkin Loaf and Tea on the Deck

Since it is the season of all things Pumpkin Spice, I thought I would share one of my favourite new recipes I've tried this season.

This super moist, but not-too-sweet, Pumpkin Bread was originally from Food and Wine, however I discovered it via here.

I only substituted the almond milk for 1/6 cup cream and 1/6 cup milk.

I also had some extra cream cheese frosting in the freezer, so I thawed that and spread it on top with some toasted pecans.

The whole house smelled scrumptious and quite like Fall!

While it cooled, we put the kettle on and set up tea on the back porch. Recently we purchased four wicker arm chairs from Ikea to have a small sitting area.

We enjoyed it with a cup of Chai tea.

I can't get over how much he loves to sit and have tea with me. It's so special.

In other news, we welcomed our second nephew yesterday!

Meet Luke Richard Oblak.

He was due on Thanksgiving, but we're happy he came early.

The First Day of Autumn

"And all at once, Summer collapsed into Fall"

Oscar Wilde

I've always been sentimental about Fall.

I love each changing of each season really, but maybe I enjoy the arrival of Autumn so much because it seems to come suddenly.

Before we realize it, it's here.

The first day of Autumn is spent decorating the house.

I couldn't have been more excited to stumble upon this local farmstand.

This is Fehrhaven Farms on Hwy 3 just outside of town. She grows the most beautiful (and grand) pumpkins I've seen at one stand.

The brilliant colours of that majestic Maple tree made it even more lovely!

I can't wait to show you what I stuffed my trunk with.

Pumpkin Carving and Trick or Treating

Halloween this year was such a welcomed distraction. 

It was filled with happy children.

Wednesday afternoon, Willen and I carved our pumpkins. We even roasted the pumpkin seeds, though he wasn't impressed with how they tasted. He preferred his candy. That evening, we went to his Cubbies event at a local church called Hero's Unmasked. It's a fun fair where kids come dressed up and meet hero's of the bible. We came home and lit our pumpkins, and then sat and had tea while we waited for Ryan to get home from work and see our masterpieces.

Thursday was busy. It was Willen's first class party and Hudson and I were invited to come along and celebrate. Afterwards we popped into Tante 'Netty's house and Beams and Papa's for some early trick or treating before heading to my parents for the night. We only ever get one trick or treater. Every year we carve pumpkins and put out a bowl of candy, but only one comes. This year, we had five bags taken. I don't know if we actually had five kids come, but there were still a couple left so I'm hopeful!

At my parents, I made dinner for us as it was Ryan's birthday (he had to work his day off), and later we all went out trick or treating. It was raining and windy, but the boys still had a great time. It was the first time Ryan was able to walk around with us. They brought home a pillowcase full, and it was so fun to watch Willen excitedly go through it all the next morning and sort it all.

This year, Willen picked out his own pumpkin while on his first bus trip with school to the Pumpkin Patch.

He needed a little help from his big brother.

Yes, I had to bribe him with chocolate to try and sit for a photo. It still didn't work.

He was the cutest little lion I've ever seen. He loved his costume and enjoyed 'roaring' at the kids we passed on the street. Willen was a race car driver which was a welcome change as nearly every other boy in his class was a superhero.

Hopefully we'll get to spend some time properly celebrating Ryan's birthday one night soon.

Autumn Shelves

Autumn... It's finally here!

Oh, how I have been waiting for this wonderful season to arrive.

In celebration, I added a few pieces of brown transferware to my kitchen shelves, as well as our first pumpkin and some quince.

What are some things you look forward to in the Fall?