Friday, October 2, 2015

Autumn Happenings





I can hardly believe it's October.  For me the most glorious of months!  August and September have been very dry months for us.  October promises to be quite different in that department!  Most of the east coast is getting a lot of rain this weekend.  We're thankful that Hurricane Joaquin is staying away so far.  The creeks and rivers are filling to capacity or more.  It's interesting that with our weather lately it's an all or nothing event.




The oak tree out front has continued to drop almost all of its leaves.  We will continue to watch this tree and hope it will recover from whatever its problem is.  Meanwhile we are seeing the change of colors on the dogwood trees.  They always seem to be the most colorful first.




The hawks have been quite busy recently.  I'm so glad they send a warning call when they fly around!  Grayden and I were talking about the fact they send out the warning.  One would think they would be quiet with their hunting.  I think it's God's way of protecting the small critters.  The small birds and squirrels always scatter when they hear the call.  This is not scientific so don't quote me as an expert!




The lunar eclipse was interesting for us as it was quite cloudy.  We were able to see little bits of it as the clouds raced by until there was no visible sign of the moon at all.  I am always filled with awe at the wonder of the heavens!

I decided to move my sewing machine up into the office.  After our son moved out years ago, I made his room into my craft/sewing room.  It stayed that way for years.  Now that our grandson lives here it is his room.  So my sewing machine was moved to the downstairs family room.  I must admit I haven't used it much while it was downstairs.  Hopefully I will be motivated to use it more in the office.

I made the most interesting peanut butter cookies this week.  Many of you have probably already made them.  They are gluten free if that makes any difference to you.  They are easy to make and are quite yummy.




Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup of sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.  You can make these by hand--no need to pull out the mixer.  Shape into small one inch balls--I made 20.  Place on parchment or silpat lined cookie sheet.  Flaten with a criss-cross pattern with a fork.  Bake in a 325 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Let cool and firm in pan for another 10 to 15 minutes.  Remove to cooling rack.




These no flour cookies were a hit in our home.  Happy October! ♥

28 comments:

  1. Oh! Peanut Butter Cookies, I have not made for years but just love them. They look soooo good Martha Ellen. Do you ever coat them in a little chocolate too? Naughty, but nice.
    Great photographs, and as you know I'm with you all the way on October being the most glorious of all months.
    Wasn't the moon spectacular? So pleased you got to see it, many didn't.
    I hear you about the hawk. Our sparrow hawks don't make a noise, the poor little birds don't stand a chance. It can be so distressing, and nature is cruel. Such a beautiful photo you shared
    ~~~Deb xoxo

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    1. Deb, your comment about the chocolate made me laugh! My husband (the chocolate nut) said the same thing!
      What we did see of the moon was amazing. Your photos of the eclipse were gorgeous! This world we live in never ceases to amaze me!
      Have a lovely weekend my friend. xoxo ♥

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  2. One of my favorite cookies! I didn't get to see the moon as we've been really cloudy and rainy for over a week:-( Your photos show me what I missed, XOXO

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    1. Susan, this is the first time I've made the flourless peanut butter cookie. You've had a lot more rain than we've had. We need it badly, so I can't complain. Enjoy your weekend, Susan! xoxo ♥

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  3. The peanut butter cookies look delicious! I will have to try them as they would be low carb I think! I see you love this time of year and are welcoming the rain as we are after such a dry hot summer. I hope you enjoy this weekend! Rain and all.

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    1. Dotsie, these cookies are good but they do have sugar. It is wonderful to have the rain! Have a cosy weekend! ♥

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  4. That is interesting about the hawk's cry. So you're still getting lots of rain? Hope it quits soon. Enough is enough. I have tried those cookies and they are very good for not having any flour.

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    1. Vee, we are in a lull in the rain for now. Looking at the doppler radar map more is on the way. We are under a flood watch. I'm so thankful we live up high from the river. ♥

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  5. Thank you for the recipe! My company has had to stay an extra week until their vehicle is repaired so I'm running out of quick and easy things to make for dessert. This sounds quite good and I have the ingredients on hand. Not venturing too far with the prediction of lots of rain.

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    1. Cathy, these cookies come together very easy. They are good for a little something sweet. I imagine you are getting the same deluge we are. Have a safe weekend. ♥

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  6. Those cookies look like a fun weekend project. The grands are coming tonight for Oktoberfest and I bet they'd love these! Hope your new sewing machine location proves to be inspirational. Mine is in a closet. Not inspirational. Love your hawk photo. I too am in awe of our amazing and generous creator!

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    1. Judy, it would be fun to make these cookies with the grands. Oktoberfest sounds like fun.
      Yes I'm hoping inspiration comes. I stand in awe over our creation and our Creator! Enjoy your fun sounding weekend! ♥

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  7. Oh- you would tempt me with these cookies today, wouldn't you? lol I am on a NO SUGAR kick for 30 days. What a wonderful picture of the moon..and I love your flag. That bird blends right into its surroundings, doesn't it? Have a great weekend- xo Diana

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    1. Diana, I'm so sorry! You are a better woman than me! No really I know you are going to do well.
      If I hadn't heard and seen the hawk fly onto the branch, I would have totally missed him.
      Enjoy you weekend. xoxo ♥

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  8. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada! You have a lovely blog and your header is precious! Your photos are lovely and the peanut butter cookies look delicious and the recipe is so short and easy. Thank you so much for sharing. :)

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, Linda. I hope you will try these easy cookies. I'm coming over to visit with you! ♥

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  9. The moon was a big feature this week. I like how we all stopped to look at the sky and all saw different things.
    Amalia
    xo

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  10. Hi Martha! Oh, I saw that moon and wasn't it something? I did not know that about the hawks. We have lots of them around here too and I'll try to pay better attention. Fall is going to be so beautiful again this year. Last year was our first time to see the gorgeousness of fall in upstate New York! Those cookies looks great and how did you know my favorite was peanut butter? :) Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Shelia, I know you are going to enjoy Fall in your new home. It's truly my favorite time of year. Enjoy your evening! ♥

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  11. too cloudy to see here but thought about it. p.nut butter my favorite. beautiful hawk...love to see them.
    typing w/1hand. sorry.

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    1. Sandra, what has happened to you? Typing with one hand sounds like a problem. So sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself! ♥

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  12. Those peanut butter cookies look yummy, Martha Ellen. I wish I had one to go with my tea right now. : ) Interesting stuff about the hawk. I see them around here sometimes, and they stand tall and always so alert. I wish some of the rain would come our way. We need it so badly in California.

    Thank you for the birthday wishes for Jess today.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, I wish I had some of these cookies right now as they are gone! It would be nice to share a cup of tea with you and one of these cookies.
      I wish I could send you rain. I feel so badly for you. Hopefully autumn rains will fall soon. ♥

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  13. Happy October, Martha Ellen! It looks like you have been enjoying the beauty of nature during this special time of year. Moving your sewing machine sounds like a great idea! Sometimes just having a new place to create can be so inspiring. As the garden slows down, we will have more time for creative, crafty fun! I spent all day Sunday in my paper crafting studio making cards. Tomorrow will be a day in the garden! Have a great week, my dear! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

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    1. Dawn, I'm hoping that inspiration will come to me with my sewing of crafts, etc. Cosy weather and working on a project sounds good to me. I'm sure you are creating lovely cards in your studio. We worked in the yard yesterday picking up a wheel barrow full of sticks after the welcome rains fell. Have a great week filled with inspiration! ♥

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  14. Nothing reminds me of childhood so much as peanut butter cookie making with my mom. After the older brother and sis headed off to school, mom would say. "Let's make cookies!" She would set me upon the counter and it was my job to crisscross the raw cookie with a fork. Gosh, you just brought such a sweet memory back to me!

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    1. Jeri, I'm so glad a sweet memory came to surface. I love that when it happens to me! Enjoy your day! ♥

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