Pumpkin + Cheese = Happy

A little happy was needed  here...

I have been battling some inner ear issues since August and hasn't allowed much computer or creative time since my head feels like it has been in a vice! But, I think I am rounding a corner now ...hopefully! It has been ridiculously busy here with the little guy, soccer, karate, scouts... I don't now how we did it with the four others way back! Joel Jr. graduated to his yellow belt in karate and is having fun during is first go at soccer. He seems to have this tactic on the field of what I call his "Brave Heart battle cry" which he lets out as he charges down the field  like in the movie (and I cringe) and scares everyone away from the ball. I'm pretty sure the other parents are not appreciating it...we are working on better skills on the field. We did get a little chuckle out of it..that's what happens when your on the 5th kid. The older kids think I should paint his face blue like the Scottish warriors!
However, it has been a lovely fall here in New Jersey. My heirloom dahlias are still blooming and kitty is enjoying the deck and the sunshine. One thing I  could manage was comfort food during my malaise. Hey... I figured it would make me feel better...I'm convincing myself it worked! Note...I doubled the cake mixture...if you choose not too adjust pan size accordingly, you can also you a loaf pan.


Pumpkin Cheese Streusel Cake.
For the cake:

• 1 15 oz.can pumpkin pie filling
• 1/2 cup oil 
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 brown sugar
• 1 3/4 cup flour 
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 tsp. salt 

For the cream cheese filling

• 1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese softened
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 cup flour

For the Streusal topping 

• 1 stick melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• pinch of salt

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl set aside. Mix wet ingredients together in a large bowl and then add the dry ingredients. Spread into a  greased 9 by 13 baking pan. Mix the cream cheese filling ingredients together. Add to cake in dollops and them swirl it in.
Bake at 350 for about for about 50 min. While it is baking make your streusal topping again just mixing it all together. After 50 minutes remove cake from the oven and sprinkle the topping and cook for another 10 minutes. Keep checking as everyone's oven is different. So cook till a toothpick comes out clean when poked into the cake.

I also made some pillows for a bench at the foot of  our drive. I got some outdoor fabric from Jo Ann's on sale. I love them!

I hope you are having a beautiful fall as well. Are you baking? What is your favorite fall baking treat ? Next post I have some projects to share. I am also working on a new crochet pattern to share for the holidays! I am loving it so far!

Be well,
Ming

Summer Celebrations...

We had a good kick off to summer on the solstice...Summer grilling...Summer gardens and Summer birthdays...

Can you say cheese ...yes, the smile above is my oldest daughter Arianna who turned the big 21..and all she wanted was a Carvel ice cream cake and a party with the family ...no bar hopping for her..some of her freinds were a bit bummed about this!!
Can you also say Burrata Cheese...that creamy mozzarella with the gooey center, Oh Yeah ...now that is some good stuff ! It is now my favorite food at the moment.
We are having so much fun with the World Cup and what the menu will be for the games. This Saturday's menu was olive tapenade with Labneh cheese which is a Mediterranean  Kefir yogurt cheese, grilled veggies drizzled with 18 yr old balsamic vinegar and pasta with onions, zucchini, peas and cherry tomatoes sauteed at a very high heat...it was something I saw on Anthony Bourdains's Parts Unknown when he was in Israel. Its very good, just a nice quality olive oil, the veggies and I added some Sweet Marjoram and high heat and just keep them moving....Yum! It is my new go to way to cook veggies.
Sunday's menu was pizza on the grill. my favorite dough recipe comes from the book The Italian Baker. I highly recommend this book by Carol Field.
I did not do a good job at wintering my heirloom Dahlia bulbs so I had to reorder from D.Landreth seed company. They are my favorite Heirloom seed house. I love them cause they are a small business..I love their selection and I love just how nice they are...every time I order it is the most pleasant experience. If you garden I highly recommend checking them out. Now I got to get those babies in the ground!
The summer blooms are all starting to put on their show in the garden and indoors my orchid is just a blossoming more and more.
The Crafts...the fabric is for a needle book swap...it has some English paper piecing and cross stitch monogram. right now the whole Lavender, Crimson and Honey colored fabrics are making me swoon! I am finishing it up tomorrow and then onto the crochet tutorials for you I swear!!!

How has your summer begun?

Sping, Sprang, Sprung...

Oh May what happened??? I had such high hopes! April was going so smooth I was ahead of schedule with the spring cleaning and the garden....than  BAM!! We got hit with Strep throat (the week I was helping to coordinate Teacher Appreciation week!) Mothers Day in bed, not necessarily a negative... though first I made an great fritatta (recipe below) then caught up on some stitching. Then the little big man's 7th birthday...a massive Pokemon party. Then a visit with family...Sebastian was back in town YAY! What a sweetheart he is. Memorial day was three days of catch up with the yard and garden. We are almost caught up. I know.. I know...  I  promised that crochet pattern ...it's coming...our computer isn't being very nice to me lately.

So here is what its all looked like lately...

So Spring Sprang and now its Sprung...88 and humid today with thunderstorms ...the spring blossoms are gone Lilies of the Valley, Dogwood and Cherry trees all gone...  summer lilies and roses are pushing through. I'm ready for it now ...I think ! We definitely needed this rain as the tree pollen as been so thick.

 I made this Pumpkin bread for Teachers Appreciation... It gets an A+!  I added a Lemon kissed cream cheese glaze that I made up which certainly didn't hurt !

15 first graders, yeah that got out of control real fast! Thank god for my older kids who saved the day with a scavenger hunt and Pokemon bingo.Thanks to Pinterest too with all the great Pokemon party ideas. We had an ice cream sunday bar, pizza and tie dyed t-shirts. The party got an A+ as well.

Another A+ to my dear blogger friend Andi, who sent me the wonderful teas and a delicious yarn. How did she know that was my most favorite color and that I love Kombucha tea!? Now that's just good Karma!

 A beautiful sock is just waiting to be cast on with this.

I am behind but I just love the Once Upon a Time Sampler.It is turning out to be just adorable and a lot of fun but I must be more diligent in working on it!

Hermione sock is just about done. I have been true to my word and have not started on any other socks until this was finished...for I know myself and would just end up with numerous half finished socks on needles!

The Mother's Day Fritatta

• 6 eggs and 1/4 cup milk S&P mix together set aside
• In a skillet add 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp butter melt on medium heat
• slice 4-5 baby bella mushrooms chop, 1/4 cup sweet onion chopped , 4-5 cherry tomatoes sliced & a heavy handful of Arugula or any other green you favor dd to pan and saute still they soften..add egg mixture
• 1/3 cup Italian Fontina cheese sprinkle on top 
• cook on stove top for a few minutes and then transfer skillet ( make sure it is oven safe) to oven at 350 till it fluffs up and sets about 20 minutes. Enjoy.
• a note about Italian Fontina...Swiss or Italian ...Its a bit mild and nutty and creamy and oh so delicious! If you cant find it regular Fontina wont disappoint.:-).

And how cute are these kids!!!! Ahh so sweet they make my heart sing<3

Oh and Hello Mr. Tree Frog thank you for the little night time visit.

I think on my last post I left you saying that I was talking the hubby into going to NYC for the day ... We did and it was wonderful ! You can see the pictures on  Instagram  now . 

Have a wonderful week and I will get working on that pattern now as it is a cosy day here with a nice soft rain falling. A perfect covered porch day...or a perfect making strawberry jam day too as they are in season here. All in all things are pretty good if these are my decisions to make today.

Be well,

Ming