roasted pumpkin seeds recipe

I love carving pumpkins at Halloween time but my favorite part is roasting the pumpkin seeds afterwards! Here is a simple recipe for roasting them.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

• pumpkin seeds, washed
• sea salt
• cooking spray

Spray a cookie sheet with the cooking spray. After washing the pumpkin seeds, dab them with a paper towel to remove the excess water. Spread evenly on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle as much or as little sea salt on the seeds as you would like.

Bake in an oven set at 250 degrees for 40 minutes or until they are completely dry, stirring every 10-15 minutes to be sure they bake evenly.

Let cool and enjoy!

For another version try using this candied pumpkin seeds recipe from Taste of Home... so amazingly delicious!

the most delicious gingersnap cookies ever

I was in the mood for baking this morning so I hunted through some of my recipe books and found a simple cookie recipe that included things I already had at home so no shopping needed! yes!

The recipe I used is from my Better Homes & Gardens book but I found the recipe online here so you can make them too!

They have a crunchy outside and a soft inside. Soooo good!

valentine's day diy roundup

Here are some cute DIYs that I have found that would be perfect for Valentine's Day coming up!


easy valentine's "oreos" by holly of create*loves

valentine twig arrow by carolyn of homework

crayon heart valentines by heather of whipperberry

beeswax heart candles on sticks by margie ooman on poppytalk

amigurumi heart friend by lisa of goodknits

yum: vegetarian dumplings

Because of some minor health issues in our household we have decided to cut back on sodium & meat protein. I have been searching online for some vegetarian meals and I have found some new favorite recipes! I think our favorite so far is this vegetarian dumplings.


(source: ABC.com)

There is no meat and we used a low-sodium vegetable broth from Trader Joe's. So delicious! I have made it twice already but I'm pretty sure I will be making it pretty regularly!

note: I cut this recipe in half. It makes enough for the 2 of us plus some leftovers for the next day.

the yummiest oatmeal cookies recipe

Seth was kind enough to make dinner last night because my energy has been low lately but after dinner I thought I would treat him by making some oatmeal cookies. I have tried a few different recipes for oatmeal cookies but I have never been satisfied with any of them. I found a real simple one in a local recipe book (those kinds are my favorite). I think they turned out amazing! Seth loved them. Here is the recipe if you would like to try them yourself!

The yummiest oatmeal cookies

1 c. Shortening
1 c. Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Cinnamon
3 c. Quick Cooking Oatmeal
1 c. Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 c. Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg

Cream shortening, sugars, eggs, & vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, & nutmeg. Mix well. Add oatmeal. Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Let me know if you try these. They are delicious!!