Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

My dad came across this recipe several years ago. While I am not sure if this is the same recipe he used, it is probably pretty close. There is something about adding the pudding that makes these chocolate cookies stay really soft...and really good!

I was hoping that adding the pumpkin spice pudding mix would give it a little pumpkin flavor, but it didn't. There might be an ever so slight taste, but nothing to write home about. The original recipe calls for vanilla pudding mix and there isn't an overwhelming vanilla flavor with those. But I was crossing my fingers that these would have a little special fall flavor.

One thing the pudding mix did was darken the cookie dough. So I guess you could say that they have a seasonal appearance. :)

Even though I was a little disappointed that the pumpkin flavor didn't shine through, the cookies still turned out very delicious. I can't complain about that. 

The recipe that I used came from See Aimee Cook. If you stick with the traditional vanilla pudding or try the pumpkin spice cookie, you can't go wrong with this recipe. It is a definite keeper!

Weekend Links - Books Edition

Here are some great posts I found this week while roaming among the 31 Days blogs.

Reading is great...especially in the cold winter months! I think there is something so comforting about reading a good book under a really soft blanket. It's Our Pinteresting Life is doing their 31 Day series on Getting Cozy. That just sounds wonderful! Last week, they listed some great books to read during the cold fall and winter months.

Debbie from Simple Joys of Home also put together a list of books to read through the colder months. Seeing all these wonderful books makes me want to check out from the world and get lost in another.

If you like non-fiction books, the Deliberate Reader is posting 31 Days of Great Non-Fiction. For a long time I was strictly a fiction reader outside of faith-based books. I have started reading non-fiction and have found that I really enjoy them.

The Taste of Fall

Flavoring my morning coffee is an absolute must. Every year, International Delight comes out with season creamers. Pumpkin Pie Spice is one of my seasonal favorites. There is something about the aroma of the creamer and the taste is definitely all fall! Even though I drink coffee with creamer every day, there is something special when these seasonal flavors come out. My morning coffee becomes a little more special.

Unfortunately, finding it this year has been quite a challenge. It must be a favorite of many people!

Do you have seasonal coffee creamer favorites or do you stick to tried and true flavors?

Been There, Didn't Finish, Loved It!

I changed the title a little bit. I participated in the last study Proverbs 31 Ministries OBS, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Unfortunately, I fizzled out. Keeping up with my personal relationshp with God is a constant struggle for me. I started off very strong with the last study. I worked on it every night and really enjoyed what I was learning, reading the different blogs on the Blog Hop and learning about other women during Tweet It Up Tuesdays.

Then one night, my schedule kept me out late and I didn't work on the study. Then I didn't do it the next night either. But instead of just working at my own pace to continue, which is completely encouraged, I stopped. I said no to God.

Thankfully, God's mercies are new every morning. And I can start fresh again.

Confidence is something I struggle with, even in my relationship with God. The feeling of unworthiness can be overwhelming at times. But God doesn't look at me that way, which is completely baffling. He loves me even though I am covered in the grime and muck of this world. He loves me when I don't believe in myself.

In God's perfect timing, this study is starting when my job security is very shaky. My company was acquired this week and right now I am in limbo as I wait to hear what the future of my position will be. God has a plan for me and I can't forget that. He knew this was coming and knows how it will shake out. I have a constant bubble of nervousness in my stomach. My confidence is pretty low.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for me during this study!

Giving My Thanks

Last week, I shared how I wanted my family to know how thankful I am for their part in my life. This week, I am sharing how I am intending on doing that.

A long, long time ago, more like 10 or 11 years ago, I was really into scrapbooking, stamping, making my own cards and things like that. Then I got out of it because I didn't have the time, I moved away, etc. My mom even sold all of my stuff for me. I didn't think I would ever need it again. WRONG!

This summer when I made the invitations to my sister-in-law's baby shower, the bug bit me again. But this time, I had no supplies. I was off to Michaels, Joann and a local stamp store to buy all new ink pads, paper, paper cutter, punch cutters so I could make these invitations.

I haven't made any cards since, but to remedy that, I want to make cards for each of my family members to include by their plates for Thanksgiving, even my not-quite-two month old niece. I bought my paper and accessory supplies this weekend, but if I don't start working on those cards now, I won't get them done in time. I am what they call a procrastinator. 

In writing these cards, I want my family to know that I don't appreciate them just because they are family and that is what families are supposed to do. I want them to know that I appreciate the things they do even if they don't realize they are doing it. How just by being who they are, I am thankful for their part in influencing my life.

Two years ago, I lost my dad the Friday before Thanksgiving. And with Thanksgiving, those memories come back because we had to jump right in our first holiday season without my dad. Unfortunately, death has a way of putting things into perspective that would never have been seen otherwise. While death isn't a fun thing to think about, it is a part of life and I don't know what the next day, week or year will hold for me or my family. But I never want them to doubt how I feel about them.

How have you shared your thankfulness for the special people in your life?

AppleFest Galore

It was an AppleFest frenzy this past weekend! With my mom in town, we visited two different AppleFests. Even with all the fun, the only thing missing was the cooler temperatures. It is strange to be looking at Halloween and Christmas items in 80 degree weather. And on top of that, it was muggy. Not my favorite combination.

On Friday, we traveled to Franklin, PA, for their annual fest. It was incredible. I have heard about this event from several people including my aunt who goes every year. I like to look around at all the vendors and also get ideas of things I could possibly make. This event definitely did not disappoint. Even on a Friday, people were everywhere.

I have never been to Franklin, but it is a really cute little town. It definitely as that small-town America feel to it. Old buildings with store fronts and big historical houses make up their downtown. The Applefest held in a park in the middle of the town.

Some of these events can be hit or miss with the types of vendors that participate. But the vendors that participated were great! No expecting to find some of these treasures, I took some cards so I could do a little online shopping later. I did make a few purchases. A really cute wood turkey and a painted wooden snowman. 

Saturday, was the annual AppleFest in my parents' hometown of Mars, PA. We usually go not just to see the vendors, but to see family. The morning starts with a pancake breakfast and then a trip around the little downtown area for browsing. I saw more vendors selling apple related food - apple butter, apple dumplings, apple pie.

I haven't been to this event in a few years, but it has definitely grown. Not nearly as big as the one in Franklin, it was still a fun weekend.

My mom and I have even started talking about going next year. All in all, it was a fun weekend filled with autumn-related activities!

Easy Peasy Fall Project

To be honest, I haven't even started to really decorate for fall and it is already getting close to the middle of October. Every time I go into my basement, I see the orange and black rubbermaid tote and think that I really need to at least bring it upstairs so I can start to decorate. It is pretty pathetic.

To help get in the spirit of decorating for this season, I made these really cute and super easy candle displays. It was inspired by a pin on Pinterest, which turns out to just be a picture. But I think the concept is easy to grasp without a step by step tutorial. Start to finish, this took about 5 minutes total.

I used glass vases and candles from Dollar General, which helped keeping this project on the less expensive side of DIY decorating. Let's be honest, some of these inspirations can get pretty pricy. I dumped some corn kernels inside the vase and nestled the candle on the top. You can push it into the kernels a little bit so you don't see the bottom of the candle. And it is done!

I don't know exactly where I am going to put them, but at least it is one more thing I can check off my autumn to-do list!