We ♥ the Pumpkin Patch!

It has been a VERY looooooong couple of days around here. I will most likely be blogging about that soon. But I don't have the time, the energy, or the focus it takes to do much more than upload a few {adorable} photos. For the time being, anyway.

As you probably guessed, we went to the pumpkin patch this week! I ♥ the pumpkin patch. It is an outing I look forward to all year. I love Fall. The gorgeous leaves, the bales of hay, sunflowers {awwww, I just love those happy flowers!}, pumpkins, and apple cider. Ooooh, I love this time of year!

We set out for the patch on Wednesday. My mom came along and we met up with our dear dear homeschooling friends, the Kishpaughs. My dad even stopped by for some of the fun!

There was a gorgeous store with beautiful decorations, delicious treats, and the best apple cider you've ever tasted. Seriously, it's that good. I could have spent hours in that store.

But alas, the slides and swings and mazes were calling.

Kam made good friends with Amanda's youngest. Aren't they the cutest?

This little guy {Billy the Kid, if you must know his name} received much attention from the kiddos.

Kam LOVED the swings. She's not so sure about the swings we have at home, but these ones? She loved them. {And can we not talk about the fact that she does not even slightly resemble a baby anymore? Mmkay.}

Kenners liked the swings too.

And the slides were a favorite. But not for Kam. Lesson learned.

Yep, I'd say everyone had a pretty good time.

How about y'all? Any of you been to the pumpkin patch yet?

The Smells of Autumn

Alternately titled: What to make with all those stinkin' overly ripe bananas!

Around here, when the weather starts changing, there are other changes to look forward to as well. The jeans and sweaters get hauled out of storage. The candles, that have been put away for the summer, get brought out and burned. The house gets a bit of a Fall makeover. And the oven gets quite a work-out.

We love to bake, and some of our favorites are Quick breads.

On this drizzly Saturday morning, I thought I'd share a new Banana-Bread Recipe with y'all in case you're looking for a little warm-me-up comfort food.

This recipe is a little bit of Better Homes & Gardens, with a dash of Betty Crocker, and lots of Your Truly added in to truly make it my own.

Go on, grab your apron and mixing bowls!

{Edited to add the vanilla! How could I forget the vanilla???}

Banana-Bread a la Liz

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups Flour

1 1/2 tsps. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Cinnamon

1/8 tsp. Nutmeg

2 Eggs

1 1/2 cups Mashed Bananas

1 1/4 cups Sugar

1/2 cup Butter {softened}

1 Tbsp. Vanilla {I personally think every baked good should contain vanilla. Mmmm}

Streusel Ingredients:

{Trust me, this is a must. It's super yummy!}

Oats, about 1/2 cup

{I used a packet of Quaker instant oatmeal in Cinnamon Roll, and can I say YUM, but feel free to use whichever Quick Cooking Oats you have}

1/3 cup Flour

1/3 cup Brown Sugar

2 Tbsps. Butter

Now that you have all the ingredients, let's get started. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease the bottom of two loaf pans. We used one loaf pan and two minis because, well, it's just more fun to have a personal-size banana bread!

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another until both are well combined. Add the dry to the wet and combine. Mix up the Streusel Ingredients. Pour batter into pans, sprinkle with streusel, and bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. And Voila!

Anyone else have some great recipes up their sleeve for these cooler days/nights ahead? I'd love to hear! Link up your own if you'd like, so we can all share!