Pumpkin snickerdoodles

Oh how I love a soft and chewy cookie with an aroma SO WONDERFUL that I bet my neighbor sniffed the lingering smell and tried bottling it up in a jar to be whiffed for later. (Kinda wierd, I know. But you'd understand if you smelled it too!) This here, is one of my new favorite Fall cookies. (Or a cookie recipe for whenever the heck you want to bake a scrumptious cookie). 

Here we have a brilliant concoction: 

when pumpkin met (+) snickerdoodle, and reproduced 

(=) perfection.

Just FYI: These cookies make a big batch. JUST WARNING. That warning has yet to stop me though...

I found these cookies from one of my favorite blogs, Cooking Classy. Love em!

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Yield: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 
• 3 1/2 tsp cornstarch 
• 1 tsp cream of tartar 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 + 1/8 tsp salt 
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger 
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice 
• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 
• 1 large egg yolk 
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree 
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

For rolling

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice for 20 seconds, set aside. 
2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar (not until pale and fluffy, just to combined. Occasionally scrape down sides and bottom of bowl throughout entire mixing process if not using a paddle attachment that constantly scrapes bowl while mixing). 
3. Mix in egg yolk, then mix in pumpkin and vanilla extract. 
4. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients then mix until combined. 
5. Divide dough in half and place each half in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill 45 minutes to 1 hour (dough should be slightly sticky so the cinnamon sugar will stick when rolling but they should be manageable to roll in the palms of your hands). 
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 10 minutes of refrigeration. 
7. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon. 
8. Scoop dough out 2 even tablespoons at a time (run the measuring spoon against side and edge of bowl so it will slightly deflate the dough while also giving an equal tbsp, twice per ball) and shape into a ball, roll dough ball in cinnamon sugar mixture to evenly coat then transfer to Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets spacing cookies 2-inches apart. 
9. Bake in preheated oven 12 - 14 minutes (they should look just slightly under-baked as they'll cook slightly once removed from oven). 
10. Cool on baking sheet about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Recipe source: Cooking Classy

mexican lasagna

Ben and I love our Mexican food. I can pretty much throw anything together with some tortilla, meat, cheese, onion and cilantro and we'll be licking our fingers. 

We have been saving our pennies lately because we are both on the job hunt with lots of money going out for school and our various bills, so I made this delicious dinner with whatever I could find in our pantry/refrigerator. It was a winner. I call it: Mexican lasagna.

I started off by browning some turkey with onion (I prefer turkey over beef but feel free to use beef if you like). After it was cooked, I added one taco seasoning packet (low sodium). I had about half a bag of frozen corn, so I added that to the bunch as well!

Next I went to work on the tortillas. We have the tortillas that come raw, so I had to fry them up (personally, I think they taste so much better, but normal tortillas work fine!). I cut them into strips so it would be easier to layer.

After my rice was done cooking in the rice cooker, I started to layer. I mixed a 16 oz jar of salsa with 1/4 cup of cream cheese (sour cream would taste wonderful as well, but I didn't have any on hand!). To start, I sprayed the pan with pam (or any non-stick cooking spray), and put a small amount of my salsa mixture on the bottom of the pan. I then layered some tortillas. Afterwards, I added more of my salsa mixture, rice, and then my meat/onion/corn mixture. Finally I add some cheese, I used cheddar because it was all I had, but I would prefer a Mexican blend for next time. I repeated these steps once more (creating two full layers), and to finish off, I topped it off with one more layer of tortillas, sauce and cheese. 

And there you have it! A delicious meal and I didn't even have to go to the grocery store! 

Mexican Lasagna
Printable version
Recipe by Nicia Johnson - Just a Nibble

Prep time: 20
Cook time: 30
Total time: 50
Ingredients

• 6 Raw, taco-sized flour tortillas
• 16 oz Jar salsa
• 1/4 C Cream cheese (or sour cream)
• 1 C White or brown rice
• 1 lb Ground turkey (or beef)
• 2 C Mexican cheese blend
• 1/2 Onion
• 8 oz Frozen corn
• 1 can Black beans
• 1 package Taco seasoning mix, low sodium (I use McCormick's)

Cooking Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Add 1 cup of rice and 1 1/2 cups water to rice cooker and cook.
3. Spray large pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat to medium-heat.
4. Fry tortillas until they are cooked on both sides, cut into strips and set aside.
5. Mix jar of salsa with 1/4 cup of cream cheese (or sour cream), set aside.
6. Open can of black beans, set aside.
7. Dice onions, and add onions and turkey to your existing pan.
8. Once meat is cooked thoroughly, drain fat and add taco seasoning (use the package's instructions).
9. Add frozen corn to meat mixture and stir to de-thaw.
10. Spray medium sized baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
11. Spread 2 Tbsp salsa mixture over the bottom of your pan (add more if necessary).
12. Add the first layer of tortillas, followed by the salsa mixture, rice, beans, meat mixture, and cheese.
13. And the second layer of tortillas, followed by the salsa mixture, rice, beans, meat mixture, and cheese.
14. Add one last tortilla layer, finish with the rest of your salsa mixture on top and a layer of cheese.
15. Cook covered in the oven for 25 minutes, remove cover, and cook for 5 more minutes.

Enjoy!

north logan pumpkin walk

For the past 32 years, North Logan, Utah, has put on their annual "Pumpkin Walk" at the end of October. What is a pumpkin walk, you ask? They are displays with different themes, made of pumpkins. Some of them use several other props, but there are others, like this Dumbo below, that are made entirely of pumpkins and gourds! I was in awe at the detail and artwork that went into these displays. What a fun way to kick off Fall!

"The Great Pumpkin Adventure"

All the kids were loving this Lego Movie display! They did an amazing job.

Most people know how much I love Disney, so you can imagine how stoked I was when I found the 'Snow White' display. Amazing.

Mary is always the cutest! So fitting to have her in front of this darling Snoopy display!

Okay, I had to. Duck Dynasty display!! So funny. I was dying. I never knew what Duck Dynasty was until I married into the Johnson family, it is pretty great.

THE LITTLE RASCALS! What a throwback to my childhood! The cutest.

Here is a broad view of the trail from one side. Logan is actually pretty beautiful. Especially before the snow (or 'white stuff' as my Mother-in-law calls it) comes. The snow is pretty, but the cold is not.

The very hungry caterpillar after he turns into a butterfly! I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have read this book, both in my childhood and throughout my many years of being a nanny. Loved seeing this display!

The original Mickey Mouse! Made entirely of pumpkins. Two of my favorite things, Mickey and pumpkins.

The whole gang is here! Not going to lie, this one just really made me miss Disneyland. Like, really, really bad. Did I mention I was there only 3 months ago? I have issues.

Superman! The people who do these things are pretty talented. I was seriously impressed.

Because I cannot take serious photos. 

Mary in front of Mary Poppins! Hahah! This was one of their greatest displays.

Mary and I in front of the Disney gang. (:

Mary and her cute niece and nephew in front of the 'Arthur' display! Who knew that this show was still around? 

Jeff and Mary with their niece and nephew in front of The Muppets display. Precious!

Jeff and Mary! Enjoying our beautiful Fall weather! 

Okay, so now that you have seen all of these photos. You now know that this is definitely something you should experience at least once! 

Best time in Logan? Most definitely the Fall.