Call me Betty Crocker

 After all my whining and procrastination I finally had a productive day on Thursday. I baked my heart out AND the tree got decorated. There is still more baking to do but getting started gives me the gumption to keep it up....I hope.

I baked a linzer bars [raspberry], a batch of pumpkin muffins [with chocolate chips and pecans] and made some pretzels dipped in caramel with chocolate drizzeled over them. The muffins have looked better in years past, but they taste good.

The lead picture you wonder....I mentioned in post awhile back that our electric canopener went missing. Don't know how but it is gone. I bought a hand opener and it broke in days. At Target last week I got a more expensive one, Kitchenaid no less [like my mixer that I love] and the thing is crap. I opened one can of pumpkin and then the next one I fought with for 20 minutes and that is all I was able to open it. I pryed what I could of the lid off and scooped out the pumpkin. Santa want to bring me one that works please.

Raspberry Linzer Bars

Pumpkin Muffins

Carmel dipped pretzels with chocolate

The laptop was with me the whole time, in the kitchen, so I twittered away as I cooked. I love twitter, someone to keep you company without getting in the way.

My daughters took care of decorating the tree and it turned out beautiful. They moved furniture, and vacuumed behind the couch [which hasn't seen daylight since last Christmas] Since I have a "thing" for snowmen we decided to decorate with the snowmen ornaments I have collected over the years. To fill in we hung our favorites and some new glittery ornaments. I of course supervised and pointed out the bare areas of the tree that needing filling.

Gingerbread man

Hi Santa

My friends know me. I have a new martini glass for the tree..see the shaker behind it.

Cute snowman... yes that is a New England Patriots candy can ornament

Oldest decorating the tree

Youngest hamming it up

The finished tree. The stockings are all handmade by my mother.

As promised here is a recipe... for the pumpkin muffins. It is from my friend Patty at work who passed it along to me years ago. I am so disorganized I have had to call her every year for the recipe....this year I had it clipped to the fridge door where I put it last year, I wonder if she missed me calling her? [she is also the inspiration for the pretzels as she gave me some in a goody bag this year]

Pumpkin Muffins

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup oil
4 eggs
 2 cans pumpkin
3 cups flour
 1/2  tsp baking powder
 1 tsp baking soda
 1/2 tsp salt
 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
 1 tsp nutmeg
 1 cup chopped pecans (I prefer them finely chopped)
 1 cup MINI chocolate chips

Combine sugar and oil, add eggs and beat.

Stir in pumpkin

 Sift dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture [I did not do this and the muffins seem "flatter" than in previous years, not sure it is related but will sift next time]

Add pecans and chips..stir.

Fill cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. [I find you need the longer time]

Suggestions.. of course paper liners in the cupcake pans are easier. I make a dozen large muffins and a bazillion little ones. The smaller ones are great to give away [can give more per person]

And the mini chocolate chips are a must. I used the regular ones once and even in the big muffins there wasn't enough chocolate per muffin. I also make some before adding the nuts since the kids prefer no nuts.

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My Rob Thomas concert is tonight, finally. [Carolina Liar and One Republic are opening] Unfortunately neither of my midwest friends can make the reschuded date and the youngest has a party tonight. So if anyone is in the Uncasville, CT area and wants to go to the show email me.
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Read my daughters blog.. Something about nothing and Everything else She is funny and follow her on twitter. @schleyguy