Pumpkin and punkins!

I don't know if you are allowed to be "nesting" at 23 weeks, but all I want to do lately is be in my kitchen cooking or baking, preferably baking.  While I love baking and definitely turn out some awesome pies for the holidays, I usually refrain from doing so as baking = eating which for DH and I = gaining weight.  I have the metabolism of a...snail? turtle? I smell food and gain weight.  But, with Baby Boy on the way, I allow myself a few more treats.  I'm still exercising 4 times a week so I think I'm allowed to splurge. 

I also want to share these wonderful recipes with y'all! 

First, pumpkin blondies.  So wonderfully light and fluffy, even though there are 2 sticks of butter in them.  Here's the recipe.  I actually took a picture but I don't have my camera accessible right now, so the picture will have to wait.  I actually recommend more white chocolate chips.  This will make them less fluffy and more decadent, so you choose.  I also did not add butterscotch chips or nuts, and I substituted half brown sugar for half of the white sugar. 

Second, pumpkin bread (notice a theme here?!).  This recipe makes two beautiful loaves. I gave some to my mom and half a loaf to SIL and BIL when I brought them dinner tonight.  I can't help her with 3 am feedings, but I sure can send her food to give her the strength to keep going!  For this recipe, I also made some alterations.  I didn't want to use the whole 1 1/2 C of olive oil, so I substituted 1/2 C of olive oil for 1/2 C of unsweetened applesauce.  This also gave the bread a lovely texture.  I also only used 1 C of sugar as I didn't want the bread to be overwhelmingly sweet.  Honestly, I probably could have used even less sugar and the recipe still would've turned out great.  Last alteration...I used dark chocolate chips (60% cacao) again to cut down on sweetness (and don't they say dark chocolate is good for you?!)  Tonight I will enjoy this bread (again) with a nice cup of decaf coffee. 

And last recipe for today, honey sesame crockpot chicken.  I'm trying to use my crockpot more in an effort to prepare for Baby's arrival.  I think the only sane way to juggle grad school and a newborn AND still being a good wife for hubs is to use the crockpot, or at least make storable meals.  I decided to make this for SIL and BIL and that way, I was helping them out but also (selfishly I guess) preparing dinner for DH and I too.  CRAZY EASY recipe and delish--according to my taste tester.  This does take a whole bottle of honey, though, so be prepared.  We happened to have sesame seeds in the pantry, and I think I will toast them tomorrow before I serve this up for dinner. 

In the theme of pumpkin, I want to leave y'all with a picture of the newest lil' punkin on the block! My darling niece, Elyse Adela.  My SILs took newborn pics of her yesterday. Isn't she just perfect?!

And my punkin, 23 weeks (my arm is not this big in person...must remind myself to STOP posing with arm like that!) And yes, still rockin' the heels.




On my way to a friend's wedding