Pumpkin Days

We're enjoying the fall weather (well, not the last couple days' rain) but the beautiful fall days before this. Our "big" boys are both riding on 2 wheels now and we've enjoyed seeing the fall decorations around the neighborhood and already baked six pumpkins. Today we roasted pumpkin seeds (with Worcestershire, seasoning salt, and butter), baked pumpkin bread, and made pumpkin chili and pumpkin soup (which was very yummy). For lunch we had meatloaf sandwiches on homemade whole wheat bread and southwestern pumpkin soup- I think T had 3 bowls full and still wanted more.

Southwestern Pumpkin Soup

3 cups chicken stock
1cup whipping cream
1 15-oz. can pure pumpkin
3 tbsp. dark brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Chopped Fresh Cilantro for Garnish

Bring chicken stock and whipping cream to a boil in a heavy medium pot. Whisk
in canned pumpkin, brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, coriander and nutmeg. Reduce
heat to medium and simmer until soup thickens slightly and flavors blend, about
15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish
with cheese and cilantro.

James had eye surgery Monday morning- he's been very sleepy with the tons of medicine after the surgery but is glad he won't have to wear glasses anymore. We were really glad my Mom could come up to visit and help us as I chauffeured James to his appointments. We had a great visit to Cape Fear Botanical Garden Saturday morning- beautiful day out and beautiful spot. Nana will probably need to make up for lost sleep when she gets home since boys woke her early each morning.

Here's pics of our bathroom renovation project- we'll start tiling this weekend.

This is the cake K picked out when he won the cake walk- he was so excited!
More bathroom work- James did almost all the work but the boys and I did help a little. I wish I had a pic of all three boys in the tub covered in dust trying to scrape off the horrible wallpaper.
Our family of pumpkins
soon to be pies :)