It's Fall!!

September 6th...the day Fall has arrived at the Eschbach home!  Also known as...the day I could no longer keep myself from baking something with pumpkin  :)  I have my spiced cider and vanilla candle burning, the caramel apple hand soap is at the sink.  I ADORE fall!  I love the cooler weather, scarves, steaming lattes (pumpkin, of course), baking, crockpots filled with soup, cider pressing, football, and everywhere you go smelling like cinnamon.  I'm not a huge fan of rain, but I'll take it for the dry, sunny, crisp days that Fall also brings.  My husband thinks I'm crazy...he's a major summer fan.  And it's ok if you think I'm crazy too.  But I bet you'd change your mind if you were about to enjoy one of these goodies with me...

Fresh baked pumpkin cookies!  I'll probably make a cinnamon icing for these but they are TO DIE for with cream cheese frosting!

I've decided that everything I bake for the next month I am going to double so I can stock up my freezer with goodness! 

Here are a few other things I can't wait to make!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup  I tried this out last year, but the cinnamon flavor was a little overpowering.  It's definitely worth another try though...anything that can save me from a $4.50 trip to Starbucks!

Pumpkin Scones  This recipe claims to be a copycat of Starbucks so I'll definitely give it a try!

Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Lattes  This one deserves a crowd, so I'll probably try it out for my upcoming NoonDay show that I'm hosting!

Pumpkin Cheesecake  This was my very first cheesecake I ever made, for Thanksgiving last year.  There might have even been some "this is the best cheesecake I've ever had" comments.  Wish I could take credit...it's all Paula Deen :)

Biscotti  LOVE homemade biscotti!  This is a recipe I've tried before, but I'm looking forward to finding a pumpkin one! 

Ok, this list is getting disgustingly long.  Any favorite fall recipes you'd like to share?? 

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

This is the real deal.  Definitely not low fat, so if you're on a diet, look away!  My grandma was famous in our family for her homemade macaroni and cheese.  My mom would make her recipe for our birthday dinners.  And any time we got to spend the night at grandma and grandpa's, we could count on having mac and cheese.  It's so special to get to make something for my own family that has so many memories attached to it.  Disclaimer: this is one of those recipes that doesn't have exact measurements for the sauce.  You just need to taste as you go and decide how cheesy you want it. 

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

16 oz package of small elbow macaroni noodles
2 T butter
2 T flour
Dry mustard
2 cups milk
Medium or sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper

Cook noodles according to package.  I don't have a big enough casserole dish to use all of the noodles, but I like to have a bit extra to give my kiddos with some spaghetti sauce.  Drain cooked noodles and pour into a casserole dish. 

For the sauce:
Melt butter in a large sauce pan.  Add flour and a dash of dry mustard and mix well with a wire whisk.  Add milk slowly and stir until bubbly and starting to thicken.  This is the "wing it" part.  Add slices of cheese to the sauce and stir to combine.  I would add about 6-8 thick slices, then taste.  If it's cheesy enough, season with salt and pepper. 

Pour sauce over cooked noodles and stir to combine.  Add a handful of grated cheese to the top, then bake at 350 for 20 minutes or so, until bubbly and cheese on top is melted.  This is an easy recipe to make ahead and keep in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.  Baking time will be a little longer if it is cold, though. 

Enjoy! 

Turning Three

We've had a great weekend celebrating Calvin's third birthday.  This was the first birthday celebration that really felt like it was about him.  Let's admit it...the first couple are about us parents.  This year, I knew he would be excited about the decorations, and he would know there was something different and special about this day.  He was so excited and surprised by the decorations I put up after he went to bed.  And we spent the day doing all of his favorite things!  He is such a special little guy.  Such a great sense of humor.  Loves to laugh.  Loves to be around anyone who will listen to his constant chatter.  So sweet to everyone and gives tons of hugs and kisses.  Loves to help mommy around the house and daddy when he's working outside.  A little cautious, just like his mama, but when he sets his mind to it, he's quite the adventurer.  Our lives are so blessed by this little boy. 

Birthday hugs with my babies!

 

Mickey Mouse Pancakes and hot cocoa!

 

Fun at the park

 

Playing trains with daddy

Homemade birthday pizza while watching a movie

 

For his birthday party, we went pretty mellow.  Just grandparents and uncles over for a BBQ and trip to the park.  Calvin is so loved by his family and we are so blessed to have both sides close by.  He got some pretty awesome gifts.  A giant helicopter and matchbox cars, a playdough set, and an art set (with glitter glue, which I am very excited about!)

Grandma and grandpa Harley

Grandma and grandpa E