Adventures in Drool: Always more love

Happy Halloween droolers!

We survived the hurricane, but because of a lost internet connection at the house, I am giving you a Halloween blog post instead of a Monday post. I hope you will not be disappointed.

With Hurricane Sandy and nor'easter Sandy finally finished, it's time to take stock of what remains. Here in Delaware, roads remain closed in some areas because the high winds and waters pushed a lot of sand around. In other areas, roads remain flooded. Some roads are much worse since the storm, even broken up in places.

Luckily, we survived. For the most part, people were smart. They stayed home. They hugged their loved ones and they stayed safe. Thank goodness for that.

With our active little Droolface, we were tasked with entertainment-duty for the duration of the storm. We did a lot of singing, some dancing and a lot of chasing him around the house. It was fun, and it made me realize how lucky we are.

Time to count our blessings.

Having a happy, healthy family is one of the most important things in life. It is more important than money, fast cars, and yes, definitely more important than work.

Spend time with that family and you will really learn what life is about.

Parenting is an education, both for the parents and for the child. I am constantly learning which types of parenting work best for my family. And, I am constantly trying to be a kinder, happier mommy. No one likes a mommy who is angry and always stressed about getting things done on time.

Stop and smell the roses is something my dad always said, but it's really true. Take the time to be there for your family.

Often I look at Droolface and just can't believe how much I love a single human being. But, there's always more love to give...

And, now for a Halloween treat!

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup white sugar

¾ cup dark brown sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brown the butter until fragrant and toasted. Let solidify until it has the consistency of softened butter. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt; set aside.

In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of browned butter, dark brown sugar and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonful’s; flatten slightly.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies.

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 cups sifted powdered sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Combine the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl using a paddle attachment or you can use a hand held mixer. You want to combine the two ingredients but not overmix. Add in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice.

Slowly add in the powdered sugar on low speed. Once it starts to combine, increase the speed. Use your spatula to scrap down the sides in order to ensure that all of the ingredients are mixed well together.

Sandwich about 1 tablespoon of frosting between two cookies. Keep refrigerated.

Yields 18-20 whoopie pies

Recipe originally created and post by Rachel Conners of www.bakerita.com

Origial post can be found at http://www.bakerita.com/?p=996