Hello October

Hello October, my favorite of all months. With your falling leaves and pumpkins. Bring on the wonderful squash and the cinnamon smells. Around our house pumpkin is one of our favorite foods. But that is probably because I only prepare pumpkin in October, November, and December. I refuse to use it outside of those months. It makes our pumpkin dishes special. Seasonal. Sicily calls October "pumpkin day". (Yes, we're still working on the difference between day and month.) So to kick off "pumpkin day" we are off to make what we call "Analiese's favorite pumpkin muffins" because they are her favorite. Clever name, right? I thought I'd share the recipe so that you can enjoy pumpkin day too. Happy October everyone!

Analiese's Favorite Pumpkin Muffins

2 c flour 
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
3/4 c packed light brown sugar
1/2 c whole milk
1 c pumpkin puree
4 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla (opt.0

Preheat oven to 375.  Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, 
cloves, nutmeg, and salt into a medium mixing bowl.
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, pumpkin,
 melted butter, and vanilla.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet and 
mix just until incorporated being careful
not to over mix (or will get to stiff).  Divide into muffin cups. 
Bake until golden: 16 min. for mini muffins; 22 to 25 min for regular 
muffins

O hushed October morning mild
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall
Tomorrows wind, if it be wild,
should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day to us seem less brief.
Hearts not adverse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.

-Robert Frost, October