Okay, for all of you pumpkin lovers, here is the cookie recipe. My sister-in-law found it for me online. I think it is a Libby's recipe. (clicking on the link below will take you to many other wonderful pumpkin recipes as well! Let me know if you find something truly great!) This is only the recipe for the cookies themselves. I found a recipe for the creamcheese frosting out of one of my old cookbooks. (and when I say, old, I'm talkin' old Betty Crocker books I was given when I first got married!) Sorry, but I will have to post the frosting recipe seperately.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
Grease baking sheets.COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking power, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.

The Great Pumpkin

One of nature’s greatest gifts to us is the pumpkin! I literally look forward all year long to the arrival of it in the grocery stores, and on the restaurant menus. I usually start bugging our local restauranteur at this time of year to bring on the pumpkin crème brulee that is one of their specialties. I think I make them crazy. So in order to squash (ha ha) my pumpkin cravings, I baked these absolutely dee-licious pumpkin cookies yesterday. (photo below) They were so moist and yummy with the cream cheese frosting on top. My neighbors were so happy when I rang their door and delivered them a plate full! It’s always good to spread the love. (and the calories!)

So because of my love for pumpkins, when I found out that there is an annual Pumpkin Festival in Half Moon Bay, California, I simply had to go. (Of course that was just an excuse for me and my husband to visit San Francisco. One of our favorite cities.) The photo on top was taken at a pumpkin farm on the way to the festival. I can hardly resist the desire to sip on some hot cider as I gaze lovingly at these beauties.
-M

p.s. If you too would love to partake of some pumpkin creme brulee, you really must visit the Blue Adobe Grille in Mesa. You will not be dissappointed! Be sure to call first, I don't think they normally start making it 'til October, but I am trying! http://blueadobegrille.com

It's that time again!

September is Christmas card ordering month and it seems to creep up on us every year! Hopefully all of you have your photos ready, and if not, pick a card and create your photo based on the colors of the card. This year, in lieu of the traditional 10% off that our vendors are offering, M & Co. is going even farther to offer you 20% off your personalized Christmas card orders! And that's not all... we are offering 20% off all in-store boxed Christmas cards as well! We thought it was a good way to spread some pre-holiday cheer!

-M.

I have been out of town or the last 3 weekends! And even though all of the trips have been fantastic, it is good to be home and get back into the swing of things. While I was out of town last weekend, my sister surprised me by decorating the store with all of our Christmas goodies! How grand is that!!? So the store is looking great, the temperature is dropping, and in general I think we are all feeling much happier. We have definitely noticed the store getting busier! Yay! We love to see everyone.

Here are a couple of photos from our trip to Oregon. We flew in and out of Portland and drove around from there, so the photos are from various areas. I love downtown Portland. Especially the NobHill area. There are tons of quaint restaurants and shops. If I could only get used to the rain, it might be a place to consider... Anyway, we stopped at a farmers market in Eugene where I actually tasted my first fresh Boysenberry! Absolutely delicious! (did I mention I am an Arizona native?) From Eugene we drove to Bend, and what a beautiful drive that was. We found a lodge that I am dying to stay at called Sutter Lake. From Bend we drove all the way back to the coast and checked out Cannon Beach. We are definitely going back to vacation some day.

All of this, was just one of the weekends we were gone. No wonder I am tired. I will try to post more photos as soon as I can get my act together!

-M.

(You gotta love Turkey Man!)

Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year! I love the colors, the cooler weather, and baking, baking, baking! So it is with the utmost enthusiasm that we are setting up the store to welcome in the upcoming holidays. We have our Fall and Halloween up and Christmas will be out shortly. (Don’t forget that September is Christmas card ordering month)

-M.

p.s. our Halloween collectibles are 25% off!

Something Blue

Just looking at these photos puts me in a happy place! Who wouldn’t love to attend an event decked out like this?! (yes, this is a shameless attempt to get invited to a fabulous soiree!) I came across these photos while visiting http://blueorchidblog.com/. (if you want to read a truly fascinating blog, you really must check it out!) I love how beautiful photos and images can transport you to another place and hope these make you equally as happy.

-M.

Also, for those of you who love to get the latest and greatest on children's parties, don't miss the class Kristin (Domestic Bliss) and I will be teaching at Blissful Living Studio http://blissfullivingstudio.com/shop this Saturday the 16th from 2 to 4pm. We will be sharing great ideas on how to host and plan the perfect party!

-M.

p.s. Did I mention that I am totally obsessed with the Olympics?! My husband and I are loving every minute of it!