easy pumpkin muffins...domestic weakness style

Told you it was simple!

 Sometimes you just need to bake something. Wait, did I just say that? Yes, apparently fall makes me want to bake all things apple and pumpkin related.

My boss always has the ingredients for easy pumpkin muffins on hand and I've tweaked the recipe enough that I now like them too. Plus, it makes the house smell amazing.

This is my version of the pinterest rage "only 2 ingredient, only 2 WW points etc muffins." These are the same idea... but SO. MUCH. BETTER.

I leave things like this for my boss. yep.

Easy Pumpkin Muffins

• 1 Yellow cake mix
• 1 15 ounce can Pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon (heaping)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon (or less) ground Cloves
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with adorable paper liners. In large bowl, mix cake mix, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla until smooth. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes (until a toothpick can be inserted into the middle of a muffin and comes out completely clean). Enjoy!
*Note- You can even jazz the muffins up by adding chocolate chips!

The End.

W has been known to sneak downstairs early in the morning, find a stool, climb up on top of the counter, and eat several before anyone else is up! If you add the chocolate chips, it becomes pretty obvious who's been sneaking muffins! That tip was free. You're welcome.

cavity free candy corn

Keep it simple.

It's almost the first official day of fall. Already, the PSL (pumpkin spice latte) is being served, leaves are changing colors, temperatures are dropping, and everyone is stocking up on candy.

Yes. I did just use candy as a segue.

Check out those glue sticks

This year, I decided to make my own healthy, cavity free version of a traditional fall favorite-- candy corn. I found this on pinterst and made a few tweaks to make it work for me.

Cavity Free Candy Corn 

• Orange, yellow, white, and black construction paper
• 3 plastic bowls
• Glue sticks
• A white crayon

Such straight lines!

 First, tear up the yellow, orange, and white construction paper into small pieces. Size and shape do not matter. Place them into the plastic bowls. (While it is easier to tear several pieces of paper at a time, take the time to tear each piece separately. It will be difficult to separate them later and will make it more difficult when the kids are trying to glue the pieces onto paper).  
Next, draw a rounded triangle on the black construction paper using the white crayon. (It is easier for kids to see than pencil).
Then, divide the rounded triangle into three horizontal sections. (Reading ready kids might enjoy writing where each color goes to practice spelling and reading).
Finally, Place glue on one section at a time and glue the corresponding construction paper pieces. It's easier for kids to work on one color at a time. (We started at the bottom and worked our way up). The object is to cover as much of the dark paper as possible.

Aren't they cute?!

E is almost 6 and thought it was like a super cool jigsaw puzzle trying to get the crazy torn pieces to fit together and cover up space without leaving gaps. W is 3 and had fun grabbing little handfuls of paper and slapping them on the paper. Both were occupied for quite a while and their parents were thrilled!

Left to Right- E age 6, W age 3, Me age unknown.

 TADA! 
A healthy candy corn "recipe!"

apples and spice and everything nice

Confession- I'm not much of a morning person and I'm even less of an oatmeal gal. But occasionally, I like to do something nice for my family. Like make breakfast for mom on Mother's day. (Yeah, I make it to family breakfast on Mother's day and Christmas.) I found something on pinterest that lets me do something nice for my family and not have to get up early! Apple cinnamon crockpot oatmeal! I really dislike oatmeal, but this is good stuff and super easy!
 

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 

You will need:

• 2-3 sliced and diced apples (you don't have to peel them)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (I use less)
• 1 heaping tsp cinnamon (seriously, HEAPING)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 heaping cups oatmeal (yes, heaping again)
• 4 cups water
• a crockpot

Prince keeping me company during my random late night cooking escapades

While the original recipe says to just throw in the apples, they don't get cooked enough for some members of my family...AHEM. So first, place all the apples in a skillet with 1/2 cup water and cook on med-hi heat until soft. Then, place the cooked apples (and what's left of the water) in the bottom of the crockpot. Next, pour in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Place the 2 cups of oatmeal on top of this. Finally, pour in 4 cups of water. Do NOT stir. For some reason this step is important. Cook on low overnight for 8-9 hours. Don't forget to plug in the crockpot! Stir well before serving.


I usually make this around 10:30 or 11 pm and it is ready in time for the early risers by 7 AM. If you are not getting up with the birds, leave a note out with direction on when the oatmeal will be ready and a reminder to stir before serving. And the great thing is, you can keep it on warm for a while and so it's still hot when everyone else wakes up (whenever that may be).