Livin' the Dream in Lima

It's no secret that scones are my favorite breakfast treat. Give me a big fluffy scone from Great Harvest any day of the week, and I'm a happy girl. (Never mind the sugar crash that comes 2 hours later...) I'm always on the look-out for new flavors to try, and when I saw this maple-oatmeal scone recipe, I just had to make it. I even splurged on real  maple syrup! (Not the fake pancake syrup... sorry Mrs. Butterworth, you don't quite cut it for genuine maple flavor.)  These are crisp on the outside and light and flaky on the inside, with a subtle maple flavor. The oats give them a bit of heartiness, and the pecans a nice buttery crunch. Walnuts would be just as good, I'm sure. These delicious scones are perfect for fall, so hurry up and make them before the dreaded S-word comes! (Although I'm really looking forward to some snow... I'm in desperate need of a snow day. And there's something quite magical about running through freshly fallen sn...

Time for this week's pumpkin recipe! Despite a full week of parent/teacher conferences (and cupcake baking), I did  actually get a pumpkin recipe made. This is the second to last week before Thanksgiving, so only one more recipe after this. That is, until next year... I came up with today's recipe after seeing a recipe for Browned Butter Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats and another recipe for Golden Graham S'mores Bars .  First of all, I love  rice krispie treats. Just love. Such crispy, marshmallowy goodness. Made even better with the addition of peanut butter and/or chocolate. (But not those nasty processed ones in the metallic blue wrappers, ewww.) Last year, I made Cake Batter Rice Krispies and Oreo Rice Krispies for my students on the last day of school, and I think I was more excited than they were. These rice krispies have are the perfect  'adult' rice krispie treat for fall. They're sweet and just a bit spicy, thanks to the cinnamon, clo...

This week is parent/teacher conference week. At my school, we have conferences on Monday and Wednesday night until 7pm. Which makes for a long  day. (Kudos to anyone who works 12 hour shifts regularly; I couldn't do it.) As a high school teacher, it can be difficult to get parents to come in for conferences. Something about those magical teenage years.... hmmmm. Some teachers will give out extra credit to kids whose parents come in for conferences, but I don't roll that way. At least in that exact manner. Instead of bribing parents to come in with extra credit points, I bribe them with cupcakes. My students know my love for baking, so I told them all that if they showed up for conferences with their mom or dad, they would get a treat. (Along with mom or dad.) For last night's conferences, I made a new flavor - Butterfinger.  I had picked up some fun-size Butterfinger bars on super-clearance after Halloween and was determined to create something with them. ...

So yesterday, I mentioned that I raced a 10km. It was the first annual Kewpee 10km , held by the Bean Town YMCA. The race was held in the afternoon - and the weather was beautiful. 60s & sunny, but quite a bit of wind.  Ready, set, GO! Since the race was in its first year, it was not organized very well. No one really knew exactly what time it started (some time between 2 & 2:30.) The map was nearly impossible to decipher, and I even live  in the neighborhood that the race ran through. I can't imagine if I'd have driven from out of town to run it! I wouldn't have had a clue.  There was a loop that we were supposed to run through the park that was particularly confusing. (Everyone kept saying "just follow the people in front of you.") A beautiful day outside. However, in a super small race, there isn't always somebody in front of you! After the first two miles, I was the lead female, and third overall in the race. I bet you can see where ...

Man, it has been a whirlwind of a weekend! My parents came into town for a visit, and to help us work on our house. (Big news there... that seems to be the only thing we do when they come to town!) So, naturally, on Saturday my mom and I got out of town. We left the men to deal with the home improvement projects and went to one of our favorite places within 100 miles of the Bean Town - Easton Town Center ! A girly day full of shopping, catching up, and eating was just what we needed. Unfortunately, we forgot the camera at home, so you will have to live vicariously through the images I have found on Google. We started the day off at Crate and Barrel . Which was completely decked out for Christmas. Wheeee! I picked up a few more Christmas plates to match the set we got for Christmas last year from my Business Man's parents. Don't you just want to come over for dinner now? Haha... we aren't using them just quite yet. Not until after Thanksgiving. [ Source ] It to...

Sigh. It is Thursday, and I have no pumpkin recipe. It's been a very long week at school, and it completely slipped my mind.  After an impromptu 11-mile treadmill run (what?! love those runs!), I spent the evening tidying up and cleaning our house with my Business Man's help. Now, why would we clean on a random Thursday night? We're having visitors this weekend! My mom & dad are coming out to the Bean Town to visit. And I'm very excited. On Saturday, my mom & I are planning a 'Girls Day Out', including Christmas shopping and other fun activities. Just what I need. While the boys stay home and work on the house, haha. So, in an effort to post something  pumpkin-y today, I had the genius idea to go to Dairy Queen for pumpkin pie blizzards. (When do I ever not  want to go to DQ?) And, I have to get my fix in because they close November 18 for the season. So, I drove all the way to the DQ that is across town (because the one nearest to us alre...

Today is November 1st. That means one thing, and one thing only - time to get ready for Christmas ! I can now 'officially' listen to Christmas music (Michael Buble's new album is awesome!), plan Christmas festivities, make Christmas gifts, and bake to my heart's content. Since the Christmas season is the baking season, I thought I'd share with you a list of baked goods/food items on my Baking Bucket List. These are recipes/methods that I find a bit intimidating (or that I just have never had the chance to make) that I would like to tackle sooner or later. (But sooner, really.) Since the months of November and December gives me even more  excuses to bake, hopefully I'll get to try some of these over the next several weeks! Doughnuts. From scratch. Deep-fried and all. I've had my eye on this recipe for Apple Cider Doughnuts for quite some time now. The hot oil scares me. From Sweet Pea's Kitchen Bourbon Pecan Pie Brownies. I've had thi...