You won't believe me..

When I tell you these are the easiest muffins in the world.  When I tell you these are really moist and tasty.  When I tell you they have only 2 ingredients.  AND when I tell you they are extremely low fat, have no cholesterol and lots of fiber and protein.  BUT they taste good, really good.  It's true.  I wouldn't lie.  Even if you can't bake, you can bake these.  They are simple, really simple.  Just try them. 

They aren't the prettiest muffins in the world but who cares, right?  I mean we are just going to eat them.  The great thing is you can change the flavor whenever you feel like it.  The chocolate are a favorite for us.  They taste kinda like a brownie.  So here's the recipe...ENJOY!!

Super Simple Muffins

1 box cake mix, any flavor (although really, I wouldn't use strawberry)

1 - 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

Mix them together, scoop batter into greased or lined muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.  Batter will be thick.  If you really want to you can throw in an egg or two to the batter and this will lighten them up some but I don't.  We love them.

In the picture above, on the left I used a chocolate cake mix, on the right I used a spice cake mix.

Letting go...(a little bit!)

I'll be the first to say it..I can admit it...I'm one of those moms.  I have some trouble letting go.  I want my kids to be individuals, to a point... Well, I'm working on it.  There is something about having your kids getting older that is so enjoyable but so sad at the same time.  My little boys are growing up and my mother's heart is aching.  I remember feeling them move inside me, Cameron my acrobat, never still, always kicking, making me crave Subway footlongs and PB&J sandwiches.  Peyton pretty still and relaxed most days, but Oh boy, did that child ever have the hiccups.  I remember as soon as I'd lay down to sleep he'd start hiccuping inside my belly, a weird and rhythmic tapping.  He made me crave anything sour, which is odd for me because normally it's sweets all the way!  After they were born I remember that smell..when I'd give them a bath and snuggle them in warm pajamas and then sniff their feather soft hair.  So sweet, remembering almost makes me cry.  So many nights spent rocking them to sleep, feeling their warm tiny bodies snuggled so perfectly in my arms.  After Peyton was born I'd settle in the chair with him in one arm and Cameron in the other.  My heart was so full I felt it would burst.  They still love to cuddle together and will often yell "group hug!!" and come running for a snuggle.  Although now if they were both in my lap I think my legs would break.  These kids are getting HUGE!! 

Recently Cameron has really had a thing about being independent.  This is hard for me.  Peyton was strong willed since birth.  That child has always been so individual, knowing exactly what he wanted, from clothing to hair.  Never caring what anyone thought, he loves corduroy pants, pinstripes, and ties and bowties.  He loves to dress up.  HE wants his hair to be long, maybe a ponytail even...This has not bothered me at all.  I don't know why, it should.  After all he is my younger one, my baby.  It should bother me that he wants to grow up too quickly, make his own choices, and not care about what mom thinks.  It doesn't though.

But Cameron, that is a whole different story.  He has never really cared about what he wore as long as it was comfortable.  He hates to dress up and has some sensory issues with different fabrics and fasteners.  He has always been my t-shirt and jeans or sweatpants kid.  He never cared about how his hair looked or how I cut it (usually the same buzz cut every time).  We really haven't dealt with much peer pressure either since he is home schooled.  Until recently.  He is a man!  At least that's what he thinks.  He wants to do things alone, mom.  Meaning without ME.  How dare he want to grow up.  I am just not ready for it.  So for the past month I have been digging in my heels.  NO WAY, SON.  You are not going to get a mohawk.  Why not?  Because I said so!! (and because I cut your hair) Hahahaha!  He has been persistent, I will give him that.  He has asked me every day.  I have said no every day.  Well almost every day.  I didn't want him to look like a delinquent.  Really he's a very nice boy, he should look like it.  Yes, I know it's stereotyping and I was wrong, I'll admit it.  I really want him to be an individual, I do.  And he wasn't asking for a tattoo or a weird piercing, right?? SO...

I bit the bullet.  I did it.  He couldn't be more proud.   He just loves his new hairdo.  I have to admit it, I like it too.  He really does look good with it.  On Sunday, he got all dressed for church and we spiked it again.  He got so many nice compliments.  And you know what???  He's still the same old Cameron.  I learned a lesson, and I think just to be sure I got it, God taught me one too.  We went out Saturday evening to the store.  Cam was getting a few looks and I was cringing inside.  Part of me wanted to say, "He's really a nice boy... really".  I kept my jaw shut though.  Then when we got done, we went out to the car.  Of course as soon as we got out there the boys had to go to the bathroom, so I took them back in while Jared loaded the car.  Cameron got done first and asked if he could go out to the car awhile.  I said yes (actually I said, "OK, but don't run, or talk to any strangers, and look before you cross the parking lot")   So off he went.  As me and Peyton were walking back to the car I noticed a woman talking to Jared.  I thought it was someone we knew.  It wasn't, she was just telling Jared how we should be proud of our son.  Turns out as Cameron was coming out of the store, this woman's mother was going in with a cast on her arm.  Cameron held the doors for her and got her a cart.  I was so proud of him...and a little bit humbled too.  Thank you God, I needed that :)    
Oh, Cameron did ask to get his ear pierced.  What did I say..?   "Sure, but you do know they use a piercing GUN for that,  right?"   He hasn't asked again. HA!

These Cookies Should Come With a Warning...

Really, a warning that says once you make them, you'll dream about them..at least I do.  But maybe I'm just weird.  Maybe normal people don't dream about cookies.  But if they did I bet they would dream about these cookies.  I love them.  I would trade my kids for them.  Well, not really but I may be tempted some days. 

They look so innocent and unassuming on the outside.  But then, oh then, you bite into them and BANG....

Peanut butter, sweet creamy peanut butter.  And chocolate. Oooh baby, lots of chocolate.  Any time I make these they last about a day in our house.  I guess the love of peanut butter and chocolate is in our genes or something.  They taste like a cookie that had babies with a peanut butter cup.  They are kind of a pain to make, lots of rolling and forming and such.  They are so worth it though.  If you like chocolate and peanut butter then do yourself a favor and try these.  You won't regret it.  If you don't like chocolate and peanut butter then, well, you're very odd and I feel very sad for you...Just kidding.  So here's the recipe..ENJOY!!

Reese's Cookies

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

For the filling:

1/2 cup peanut butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, and the baking soda, set aside.  In a large bowl cream together the butter, peanut butter, and sugars.  Add the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix well.  Beat in the flour mixture.  Shape dough into balls about 1 1/4 inches in size.  I used a medium cookie scoop for mine.  Then in a medium bowl, beat together the peanut butter and powdered sugar.  This will be crumbly, don't worry!!  Now shape this mixture into balls about 3/4 inch in size.  You should have about 34-36 of each size ball.  Now, flatten a chocolate ball into a small disk.  Place a peanut butter ball in the center and form dough around it to cover it completely.  Roll back into a ball shape and then place on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten each slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 or 9 minutes.  Let cool on sheets for about 2 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool.