Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Everything is Coming up Pumpkin!


Poor Mr Puffy had to have wee bit of surgery on his toe last week. Quite upsetting for all of us. But not to worry, he's doing great and his vet was very impressed with how well he handled the procedure. In fact, he seems to really like Mr Puffy.

However, I don't think it can be fairly said that Mr Puffy shares his warm opinion. I'm afraid Mr Puffy came home with all kinds of complaints. While he has no complaints of the procedure itself he complained that the room service was erratic and slow; the food was not at all what he's accustomed too; and his room was noisy and did not have a view. Oh dear. I received quite the earful on the way home in the car. Mr Puffy's advice to you all - if it says Veterinarian on the door - keep driving. It's much better to stay at the Holiday Inn!

It's Pumpkin Time

Every Fall I make lots of pumpkin goodies and this is my favorite pumpkin treat. Unlike the pumpkin bread I shared last year, this is a sweet treat and a great choice for those occasions when you need to bring a dessert.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Squares


It's a Martha Stewart Recipe found here (with just 1 or 2 clarifications and steps that I find helpful).

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice (or a mixture of: 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ginger; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon each allspice and ground cloves. I've reduced these measurements considerably from the original recipe so that they equal 1 tablespoon of spice in total)
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 & 1/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (Note: It calls for 1 cup - not 1 can! Also use pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling)
1 package (12 ounce) semisweet chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.

2. With electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium to high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled).

3. Remove from mixer and mix in dry ingredients with wooden spoon until just combined. Fold in Chocolate chips. This is what I would describe as a dry batter. Don't worry - it will bake up very moist because of the pumpkin.

4. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes.

5. Cool completely in pan. When cool lift cake from pan (using foil as an aid). Peel off foil, and use a serrated knife to cut into 24 squares.



Needle Felting and Fairies.....

Here's a sneak peek at a needle felting kit I bought. It's a kit to make a magic pumpkin and the seller Fairie Bling ,an etsy shop dedicated to all those who still believe, included some of her signature fairie bling. Fortunately, I know a little fairy who was in need of just such a gift and is now happily ensconced in her bling. I've never tried needle felting before and I can't wait to make the magic pumpkin - it certainly looks easy enough!


Bell Curve Skirt Update

Although I have finished my Bell Curve Skirt I am not quite ready to show you pictures because I've decided it's going to need to be lined. Yes, it will definitely need to be lined before I take pictures. This is a family friendly blog after all!

Lastly, I hope you are all enjoying the start of Fall and will have a chance to enjoy some of the treats and experiences of the season such as visiting a pumpkin patch to select your Halloween Pumpkin! Be sure to write that one down on your to-do list.

23 comments:

Monika said...

LOL - so Mr. Puffy did tell you all about it. I know that from Sam, he's always complaining on our way home from the vet, every time he had to stay over.
The pumpkin dessert looks very delicious! I would love it, but nobody in my family likes the taste of pumpkin, I think you have to grow up with it to like it.
The needle felting looks lovely. Are you sure it's easy?

Denise said...

Ooh I'm gonna have to try the pumpkin recipe, Kristen will love it. She loved the pumpkin drop cookies I made last week from Leslie's recipe.
Can't wait to see your skirt.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that Mr. Puffy is recovering well. Most dogs do not like the vet. My Mirabel is quite different. She loves to go see the people ... she actually drags me in. But, once she's on the table her nasty side can come out. As one vet said "she's a bit of a pill".

The pumpkin dessert look sooo good.

Can't wait to see your needle felted pumpkin. You're right that needle felting is easy, but be careful with the needles ... they are sharp!

Anonymous said...

My daughter is in love with Fairies right now - it's so sweet the way she keeps looking for them.

Poor Mr. Puffy!

knittingdragonflies said...

Poor Mr. Puffy, so brave.
Yum, my favorite is pumpkin, I am making dessert this weekend.
I looked at that skirt and loved it, I can't wait to see you in it, I fear I have a little too much booty for that one.
VIcki

Bridget said...

Clearly the vet was not aware of Mr Puffy's fame, and treated him like a regular dog, with none of the amenities. More's the pity, but at least Mr P now knows how life is at the other end of the paw, so to speak.

I'm really glad he is doing well!

That pumpkin recipe sounds good. However, I would have to eat it all myself, so I probably won't try it. Not because I couldn't eat it all myself, but because, well, let's just say I don't need to ...

CelticCastOn said...

ohhh those look good but are they cakey too?? I don't know if I could handle that much pumpkin.
Can't wait to see your skirt!!!!
Tell Mr.Puffy to request lots of treats and lovins for what he's been through.

t does wool said...

Isn't autumn the best...I must try your recipe...I make a mean chocolate chip pumpkin bread,but this I will definitely try! Poor Mr. Puffy with a boo-boo...needle felting looks like fun and I cannot wait to see the skirt...not see through!

Anonymous said...

That recipe looks very njummie!
Hope poor mr Puffy's toe doesnt bother him too much...LOL

amanda said...

your recipe sounds to die for. i love pumpkin baked goodies.

we are actually headed to a pumpkin patch this weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Poor Mr. Puffy. I'm glad to hear that he is on the road to recovery.

I love cooking with fresh pumpkin. Well, I only tried it last year, but loved the results. I had plans to do it again this year. Thank you for the recipe.

I can't wait to see your knitted skirt.

Anonymous said...

Oh your pumpkin recipe looks delicious! I have a feeling I'll struggle to find the tinned pumpkin over here though :(

ps...give Mr P a hug from Lily and I.

SissySees said...

I hope Mr Puffy is all set for life now! And I'm going to make those pumpkin chip bars this weekend...

Hilary said...

Aww, poor little Mr. Puffy! Please tell him I hope he feels better soon!

Oh my GOSH those pumpkin squares look delicious. I can see myself making those and eating the entire pan in one sitting. Thanks a lot. :)

Can't wait to see more needle felted goodies!

sarah said...

oh my do those pumpkin squares look divine! i think i need to try that recipe.

thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting the other day. it made my day!

have a good weekend,
sar

IrishGirlieKnits said...

Poor Mr. Puffy!

And Oh my! Those pumpkin chocolate chip squares look delicious! I may just need to make these soon!!

raining sheep said...

Oh! I hope Mr. Puffy is doing alright. I have a very spoiled cat and I worry when something is not right with her. The baking looks yummy and I bet your house smelled fabulous.

Anonymous said...

Poor Mr. Puffy to have to put up with those living conditions while at the vet! I'm glad he is doing fine. Yummy pumpkin recipe!

Ally Jay said...

I've finished my bell Curved skirt too and think perhaps one or two minor adjustments might have been called for. I definitely want to knit another one but this time I don't think I'll put in the last eight increases.
Poor Mr Puffy, you really should listen to him more you know.

Teddy Rose said...

Poor Mr Puffy! Linda, you must book him at a 5 star and give him the life to which he thinks he's accustomed. LOL! Poor boy, I'm glad he's all right!

sweetp said...

oh yum, that recipe sounds just gorgeous. Its quite funny - we're heading into spring/summer and every blog I've visited today there is pumpkins and/or soup recipes.

Pat K said...

Poor Mr Puffy! Life is tough, sometimes! Your pumpkin cookies look yummy. Very similar to a pumpkin muffin recipe that I have.

Ellen Bloom said...

Yummmm....the pumpkin recipe sounds fantastic. Thanks so much for posting it!