The First Snowfall

Yesterday we had the first snow of the year. The kids were elated. I wasn't.When the snow starts in October and ends in April, it just makes for way too long of a winter.
Here are a few photos. Sorry they are so blurry. Our camera isn't doing too well these days.

Interesting

The other day we had some tangerines, and they has so many seeds in them!

All of the seeds in the picture below came from 1 tangerine, 52 to be exact!

Fall From Our Perspective

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. 

It is so pretty around our house in the fall, because we are surrounded by trees.

Fall is ushered in with a craving for all things pumpkin.

Here is my favorite pumpkin recipe. I haven't made one yet this year.

It's been hard to do much cooking this fall, because I have been forced to stay off

of my feet for the most part due to this pregnancy. So I don't have any photos of it to make you drool over.

Pumpkin Roll

Cake ingredients:

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup pumpkin

1 tsp. lemon juice

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. ginger

2 tsp. cinnamon

powdered sugar ( needed for a towel, to keep the cake from sticking)

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

4 Tbs. butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

powdered sugar for topping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, and spices.

Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until well blended.

Spray a 10 1/2" X 15" non stick cookie sheet with cooking spray. Pour the batter onto cookie sheet, spread evenly. Bake 12-15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Prepare a clean kitchen towel by sprinkling heavily with powdered sugar.

After baking, turn the cookie sheet onto the towel, the cake should slide out onto the towel. Starting at one end, roll the cake into the towel. Cool 30-40 minutes.

For the filling, stir together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and butter. Mix well.

After the roll has cooled unroll it and spread the filling evenly. Roll back up without the towel. Wrap in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour, or until filling is firm.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.

Enjoy!

The Nichols Wildlife Reserve

One of the great things about living in the country is that you don't have to seek out the wildlife. It comes straight to you! We see deer, turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, turtles and so much more. 

Here are some pictures of creatures we have seen in just the past 2 weeks.

Seth is the bravest of all the kids. He will hold

a frog or a caterpillar for the longest time.

This beautiful, young, doe caught Isaac's eye outside our living room window.

She stayed for a while just looking at us and letting us admire her.

The other other day, I walked out the front door and these 2 birds ( I thought they were pheasants, but I'm not sure now.) were right there!

I slowly crept inside for my camera and when I got back outside, the more beautiful of the two flew away, so I was only able to photograph this one.

This salamander was so cute, but we let him go shortly after we caught him.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

You know you need a pedicure when your 18 month old picks up your big toe and says, " Uckkk".

Needless to say, I won't put a picture with this post. :)

Isaac's 5th Birthday

Yesterday was Isaac's 5th birthday! He is so big (and smart) already.

I can't believe it's been 5 years since we had him.

Well, we had a nice day yesterday. I was not feeling up to having a party. Can't imagine why. :) 

Judy(Ken was out of town) and her parents came and brought us lunch. 

Then we had cake with them and my mom. So Isaac got to have most of his grandparents there.

Here he is beside his cake and cards. Such a sweet smile.

 

Isaac opening presents and cards. His great grandma and grandpa Hopkins are in the background.

Mommy and daddy with the birthday boy.

Isaac with both of his Grandma's, and Annabelle.

Getting a great big hug from great grandpa.

At the bowling alley. We were the only ones there,

so our pizza and pops came fast.

Isaac's favorite thing to do is play Wii bowling, so going to a "real" bowling alley

was very exciting for him.

Here is Seth. He loved it just as much as Isaac did. He actually got more points than Isaac did, but Isaac doesn't know that. :)

Annabelle didn't know what to think. She sat in a chair most of the time, wanting a "bawl, bawl" until daddy showed her how heavy they were.