cool weather, down comforter, scarves

These are the things bringing me joy the past few days. I think our fall weather has finally arrived. Last week we were still getting into the 90's and it wasn't feeling very fall-ish. But I'm in full fall mood swing and baking everything pumpkin that comes my way.

Last night I made a pumpkin pie with ice cream, it is very delicious. I've also enjoyed many pumpkin cookies, pumpkin coffees, and soon pumpkin muffins. The thing I learned this weekend about cooking with pie pumpkins is this:

If I were on iron chef and the ingredient was pie pumpkin I would loose because it would take me the entire time to cut the darn things open and pick up the seeds off the kitchen floor.

Enough said. My favorite season has arrived in AZ!

Pumpkin Muffins

Since I keep mentioning this lovely food item I'm giving you the recipe because one of the reasons they are so fabulous is because they are SO easy! I don't have a recipe card for them because you can easily keep it in your mind:

Pumpkin Muffins
1 can of pumpkin filling
1 can of water
1 box of spice cake mix
1/2 package of chocolate chips (optional - i make both with and without)

Mix all ingredients together and fill muffin tins with mix. Bake at 375* F for about 25-30 minutes or until you can remove a toothpick without any mix on it.

Enjoy!