Earlier this year, my son and I raked down a part of a hill on our property, clearing the area and tilling the soil. Then we planted a little packet of seeds. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I am really not one to attempt to grow from seed. And pumpkins? The last time I attempted that nothing happened. At all.

So, when the leaves began to appear a few weeks later, I was psyched, but cautious. Now, months later, those small leaves have grown into large, long vines that creep across our lawn. And near the ends of the vines? Pumpkins. About six of them. I was in shock when I saw the first one. And now, there are so many and they are so big … it’s amazing to watch. The plants seem to grow by leaps and bounds nightly.

But watching pumpkins grow isn’t the only wonderful thing that comes from these lovely orange globes. There is something awesome about cooking with a puree of pumpkin. It adds a warmth and richness to so many dishes – both sweet and savory. Don’t worry if you don’t want to roast your own pumpkin. Canned puree is inexpensive and perfect for recipes.

Here are some of the awesome pumpkin recipes from around the web:

- Pumpkin Pancakes at Sarah’s Cucina Bella

- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes at Sarah’s Cucina Bella

- Pumpkin Cupcakes with Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting at Sarah’s Cucina Bella

- Iced Pumpkin Cookies at Sarah’s Cucina Bella

- Pumpkin Coconut Muffins at Sarah’s Cucina Bella

- Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes at Pinch My Salt

- Chiffon Pumpkin Pie at Simply Recipes

- Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Butter at Whistlestop Cafe

- Pumpkin Samosas at Kirby Von Scrumptious
Photo credit: bekahboo42 from morguefile.com

Last week we brought you some cookbook giveaways going on around the web today we bring some goodies  for the kitchen!

The Speedy Gourmet Curious Chef 6-Piece Cookie Set (10/17)

Ice Fairy’s Treasure Chest Rubbermaid All-In-One 20-Piece Food Storage Set (10/18)

Baby Loving Mama Halloween Baking Set by Wilton giveaway (10/22)

Sweeps 4 Bloggers Somersault Snack Packs (10/23)

Cake Blast 2 Yoplait Kids Prize Pack (10/29)

Simply Sweet Home Happy Find Apron giveaway (10/29)

Comfort Joy Designs Carolyn’s Kitchen Apron givewawy (11/19)

For the past year, I have been hearing about Mad Men everywhere. The Emmy-winning retro-set show has developed a hardcore following. Honestly, I haven’t seen it yet, but I am planning to check it out soon … hopefully Netflix will help.

Over at Real Moms Guide, they are taking Mad Men-love to the next level by dreaming up Mad Men-inspired baby names and some baby name ideas direct from the hit show.

Are you a Mad Men fan? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Yesterday, my youngest two boys and I visited a local riverfront park. My intention? To let them run off some steam and allow the outdoor air to absorb some of their shouting and yelling and general energy-slash-chaos.

I admit it: I’ve been cranky lately. We still haven’t completely adjusted to the start of the school year. I feel like I’m always slightly sleep-deprived and running just a bit behind. The boys have been more on edge than usual, bickering, instigating fights and whiningwhiningwhining. And with the weather getting chillier, we haven’t been getting out enough. I always mean to, but when I’m already overwhelmed and tired, the thought of heading out on a chilly day is sometimes more than I can bear.

But tonight, I figured we’d go to the park and the boys would do their screaming and yelling on the swings and slides. At least then it wouldn’t be bouncing off the walls directly back into my ears.

As it turned out, the boys wanted nothing to do with the slides and swings. Why would they, when there were LOGS to climb on?

Hundreds and hundreds of yards of logs, laid end-to-end. And then there were STONES, huge stones you could jump on and over, as far as a five-year-old’s eye could see.

We were there for well over an hour, and the boys played on the logs and stones the entire time. I got out my camera and followed along behind…silently. For once, it was nice not to have to hear the sound of my own voice.

There were some accidents…

And a booboo or two…

But for the most part, the boys played cooperatively and peacefully and enthusiastically together, leaping and climbing from log to log, and from stone to stone.

Until they reached the end …

When we headed back to the car, pink-cheeked and out of breath, we were all noticeably more relaxed and happy than we’d been just a couple hours before. Once again, I was reminded how much we all—kids and grown-ups alike—need that time outside to be at our best.

And sometimes? Forget fancy toys and playground equipment! Tonight, I was reminded just how fun some logs and stones can be.

Have you and your kids discovered some simple outdoor pleasures lately? Post in the comments below!

This year for Halloween, I decided I wasn’t going to add to the candy overload when making up little goody bags for my son’s classmates. After all, they’re already getting so many sugary sweets on their trick-or-treat treks, and there seems to be cupcakes with orange and lack sprinkles at every turn. I figured the other moms would appreciate a glucose break.

It’s been a challenge coming up with items beyond pumpkin pencils and little ghost and bat erasers, but if you look around, you can find some cute things. At supermarkets and drug stores in my area, I found mini Disney-themed markers and notepads, Halloween tattoos, spider rings, foam stickers, and small cans of Play-Doh. What’s cool is that these all came as multipacks and were really low cost — way cheaper than if I bought massive bags of candy.

Along those lines, I must say that I was very impressed with the variety of trick or treat goodies that my son received around my neighborhood last year. One couple gave out apple juice and small bottles of water to the kids thirsty from walking — what a great idea! Another woman kept unopened value meal toys from fast food restaurants all year long and gave those out as her treat. I also liked the fact that some people had pretzels, raisins, or mini granola bars that we used for school snacks for the couple of weeks following Halloween.

The point is that as a mom, I appreciate when people think outside the candy bag and add some variety to the giant pile of SweeTarts and Tootsie Rolls. This year, I’m going to try to do my part, too.

Moms, what type of treats are you giving out, and how do you feel about non-candy treats?

Do you have a busy night? I do. It’s Wednesdays. My son has preschool, which inevitably lets out 10 minutes late, followed just 20 minutes later by soccer practice. And on alternating weeks, my daughter also has preschool in the mornings. It makes for a lot of running around.

I’ve made a few modifications to make the day go easier. Instead of running home to change clothes after school, my son changes either at school (in the bathroom) or in the car. That small change means that we are on time — or even early — for soccer practice, and that is always a good thing.

But the part of the day that stresses me the most isn’t the running around; it’s the dinner. After being so busy (I should add that I also work at home … and have to work on Wednesdays), I just don’t want to cook. So dinner needs to be simple and quick. I don’t have it in me to do anything else.

The easiest thing I could do would be to order take out. But I try to avoid that — Take out can be so calorie-filled and that doesn’t jive with my healthy lifestyle and the work I am putting into dropping the baby weight.

So, homemade and quick? What could possibly fit that bill?

Some of my favorites:

- tacos with rice on the side

- homemade cheeseburger with French fries and salad

- carbonara pasta with bread and a salad

- broiled sirloin steak with green beans and rice

So, if you happen to be caught in one of those I’m-So-Busy nights, slow down and breathe. Making a fast dinner can be easy … and whatever you decide, you aren’t alone. Moms all over are facing similar situations.

What do you make when you are short on time? Share in the comments below!

This week we’re helping you out in the kitchen and featuring some cookbook giveaways that are going on around the web! Good luck and let them know we sent you ;)

Home Ec 101 The Taste of Home Cookbook giveaway (10/9)

Sarcastic Mom Secret Recipes for the Modern Wife giveaway (10/10)

Women Living Well Once-A-Month Cooking Family Favorites giveaway (10/10)

5 Minutes for Mom Family Feasts for $75 a Week giveaway (10/11)

Revenge of the Book Nerds Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Cookbook giveaway (10/15)

Owlhaven 3 copies of Family Feasts for $75 a Week giveaway (10/26)

The Crispy Cook The Pennypincher’s Book of Fine Food giveaway (10/31)

And although not cookbook related, don’t forget to check out our Mott’s Back to School Sweepstakes going on at our Facebook page!

As parents get more and more conscious of food safety, it’s natural that they want to look into alternatives to the traditional sweet treats that have always been passed out for Halloween. The good news? The alternatives go beyond pennies and oranges.

In fact, you can have your organic and ethical sweets – and eat them too.

Check out Real Moms Guide for a guide to greener Halloween treat alternatives.

Head on over to our Facebook page for the chance to win some great Back to School gear from Mott’s!

Grand Prize: $100 Target gift card, backpack, school supplies and Mott’s product.
2nd Prize: Lunch box, tote bag and Mott’s product
3rd Prize: Mott’s coupons

Autumn is definitely here. Even though today was sunny and almost warm, there’s a crispness in the air and a crackle underfoot as the first of the leaves begin to accumulate on the ground.

This time of year is my favorite (with late spring being a close runner-up). I was thinking today about how much time my mother and I spent outdoors at this time of year when I was a kid, and the sights, tastes and smells that instantly take me back. I love that some of those same sights, tastes and smells will one day bring my children back to the time we spend together at this time of year.

Here are some of my instant autumn memory-triggers:

Sights:
the brilliant golds, reds, and oranges of leaves changing color on the trees
piles of bumpy, ugly gourds
soft fuzzy sweaters

Smells:
a fresh Mcintosh apple
pumpkin guts
spiced cider
leaves on the ground. (Oh I love that smell!)

Tastes:
that first taste of the first McIntosh apple of the season
warm homemade applesauce (I sometimes cheat and make it by heating up jarred applesauce on the stovetop and adding spices)
pumpkin pie

What sounds, smells, tastes, or sights instantly remind you of the fall? Are you making a point to make your childhood autumn memories into great autumn memories for your kids, too?

Photo credit: bowlingranny from morguefile.com