Delicious Pumpkin Muffins

I have made these muffins twice in the last week- once for my table at Bible study on Tuesdays and once for mine and Jeremy's pumpkin day.  Jeremy usually hates muffins because he hates all things with a dry texture, but these muffins are super moist and he loves them!  They are definitely on the "keeper" list of recipes.  Here is the recipe:

Moist Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1.2 tsp. salt
• 4 tbsp. butter, cut into pieces
• 1 heaping cup of pumpkin puree
• 1/2 c. evaporated milk
• 1 whole egg
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Topping:

• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease 12 muffin tins or add muffin liners
• Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
• Cut in butter with a pastry blender until it fully incorporated (or a fork, or I used a blade of a blender)
• In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg, and vanilla. 
• Pour pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture.  Fold gently until mixture is combined.
• Pour into greased muffin pan- fill about 1/2 full
• Sprinkle with topping mixture
• Bake for 25 minutes
• Allow to cool for15 min in pan, and then remove to cool. 
• Optional: Ice with a cream cheese icing

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Day!

Jeremy and I had a "pumpkin day" today and we had such a good time.  To start the day off, we went to Daybreak Restaurant here in Lynchburg and had pumpkin pancakes!  One of my favorite things about fall is pumpkin pancakes. 

After pancakes, we headed to a nearby nursery to pick up a pumpkin.  There were lots of different colors and varieties of pumpkins and gourds.  Here are a few of my favorites...

The gourds below are called snake gourds- they were so long and twisty!

The knucklehead pumpkins reminded me of my daddy- he always calls people "knuckleheads" :)

Later tonight we came to my apartment and carved my pumpkin that I bought- I decided to do a lighthouse jack-o-lantern.  I couldn't find a printable stencil online so we free handed it.  Not sure that anybody else could tell that it is a lighthouse, but I like it! :) 

We roasted the pumpkin seeds...yummy yummy, and then made pumpkin muffins!  I'll post tomorrow with the recipe, they are fantastic and moist. 

Loved spending time with my husband-to-be, and loved the pumpkin themed day!

Seeking Him

In yesterday's Bible study at Thomas Road, Beth Moore made a statement that stuck out to me.  She said, "Show me a godly woman, and I'll show you a woman who sought godliness". 

Over and over again God is teaching me that to become more like Him, to become a godly woman, to be a godly wife, I have to put forth the effort. 

I need to dig deeper into the treasure of the Word.  May I never forget the joy with which the Word fills my soul.  I need to continually be in a state of prayer.  May I never forget the amazing privilege it is to have direct access to my Savior. 

Jeremiah 29:1 "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all of you heart".

Dave Ramsey Materials

Last week I received the package I ordered from Dave Ramsey's website and am super excited about it!  Below is the package I bought for Jeremy and I.  It includes 2 books, a workbook, and budgeting software.  I also had a coupon code for another free book called "More Than Enough".  Dave Ramsey's budgeting and financial tv and radio shows as well as books have been so popular lately, and Jeremy and I have heard so many couples suggest his stuff to help with finances as a newly married couple.  We are excited to have the resources and are looking forward to wading our way through it all!  We got everything for about $35!
http://www.daveramsey.com/store/specials/dave-ramsey-baby-step-bundle/prodbsb.html

Blogs I Love- Family and Ministry

The final post in this series of blogs I love is blogs about family and ministry.  These are blogs were moms and wives share about their family and their ministries.  I love getting tips and wisdom from these blogs!

Family and Ministry Blogs

Feathers in Our Nest- This is one of the few blogs where I actually know the writer in "real life".  Aliesha was the Spiritual Life Director on my hall my freshmen year at Liberty.  Her and her husband Tad just had a baby girl Vera and I love reading about their family, getting her receipes, etc.
http://feathersinournest.blogspot.com/


The Homespun Heart- A homemaker and homeschooler, this blogger has great posts on godly living, parenting, crafts, etc. 
http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/


The Preacher's Wife- This is the blog of Holly Furtick, pastor Steven Furtick's wife.  She spoke at several youth events when I was in high school and really made an impact on me. Now her and her husband are making an impact on the city of Charlotte, NC and beyond. 
 

Whittaker Woman- the blog of the wife of Carlos Whittaker, an up and coming Christian music singer.  I LOVE her family night ideas!
http://whittakerwoman.typepad.com/

Wedding Inspiration Board

Here is a sneak peak into the wedding planning!  This is an inspiration board of ideas and plans for the wedding.  The theme is elegant beach casual.  I'm so excited about it!

Blogs I Love- Frugal Living

In continuation of yesterday's post, I am sharing some of my favorite blogs with you again today.  Today's blogs are all about frugal living.  This includes couponing blogs and free sample blogs.  I was floored when I was first introducted to the "coupon game" probably about 2 years ago.  The fact that I have been able to leave a store with $70 worth of stuff for $5 because of coupons is amazing!  I have not been couponing much lately just because of all the work and time that can go into it, but when Jeremy and I get married, I plan to really get back into it to help us stay within our budgets.  A few things that I still do and will continue to do is always match up your meal planning for the week with what is on sale at grocery stores, and check for online coupons before I leave for the store.  You can even upload coupons onto your shoppers card at a lot of stores.  Some day I'll do a series on couponing, but for now here are my blogs that inspire frugal living. 

Blogs About Frugal Living

Southern Savers- My #1 choice for couponing!  This girl is awesome!  Each week she matches up store ads with available coupons and has a list that you can choose which deals you want and print it out.  Incredibly helpful and makes couponing so much easier! 
http://www.southernsavers.com/


Coupon Mom- Coupon Mom is what really got me started on couponing.  She has a couple of great e-books on the couponing game and explains how to coupon at grocery stores, drug stores, etc.  In depth and very helpful. She always has the best coupon database.
http://www.couponmom.com/

Money Saving Mom- This mom started couponing to in order to help save money to pay for their house in cash, and they did it!  Such an amazing story.  Now she highlights daily deals, coupon deals, budgeting tips, etc. 
http://moneysavingmom.com/


Free Sample Freak- This blog is all about free samples!  I have gotten SOOO many free samples from reading her blog!  If you start requesting free samples I suggest that you open an "junk e-mail" account on gmail or something.  You always have to give out your email and address and stuff.  Honestly, I don't receive junk mail via snail mail but you will usually be signed up for the company's e-newsletter or something when you sign up for free samples.  I love this site because I love free stuff!
http://freesamplefreak.com/



Groupon Girl- I just found this blog this week but already love it!  Groupon is a daily deals site and Groupon Girl finds all the best nationwide deals off the site and posts them.  I'm checking this out daily for Christmas gifts!

Hope you enjoy these sites and they can help you live frugally as well!

Blogs I Love- Home and Decorating

It's only been within the last year that I really got into the whole blog scene. I read some really amazing blogs by women who share about ministry, saving money, their families, and their homes.  I have gotten so much inspration from them, and reading their stories has made me want to start my own blog! 
I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you! Today I'll share my favorite Home and Decorating blogs.  I'll do a couple of seperate posts for different kinds of blogs.

Blogs about Home and Decorating

Nesting Place- this is one of the first blogs I began reading and I have found so many other great blogs through the Nester's "Bird Watching".  I'm in love with the colors she uses in her home!  Her living room is below.
http://www.thenester.com/

The Lettered Cottage- this is a blog of a couple who has redone their home and made it into a beautiful cottage!  They restyle homes and are actually getting pretty famous.  They've been in several magazines and are in the process of possibly doing a tv show.  I love their style- beachy vintage cottage.  My favorite room is their kitchen- you've got to check out that makeover!
http://theletteredcottage.net/

Dreamy Whites- this blog gives me that french country inspiration. Beautiful shabby chic vintage style.  Her entire house is beautiful, so crisp clean and white!  Her bedroom is pictured below. 
  http://dreamywhites.blogspot.com/

Pretties and Posies- this is a fairly new blog to me but I am in love with the sweet style and real comfort her home screams.  She also shares about her girls and family, love it!  Her master bedroom is at the top of my inspiration list for mine and Jeremy's future bedroom!

http://prettiesandposies.blogspot.com/

A Few More..

http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/

http://homeandharmony.blogspot.com/

http://www.abeachcottage.com/

http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com/

http://theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/

More to come later!