Pumpkin Oatmeal Harvest Cookies and a Sweater

I am a die-hard fall fanatic. I love living in a state where we fully experience all the seasons, and with the humidity and heat here in WV the summer I'm always ready for a little break come September. I've recently become aware that not everyone loves fall, which I can't fully grasp. Honestly, I'm really having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I get that winter isn't everyone's favorite season, and fall means winter's on the way, but come on! Pumpkin! Leaves! Cider! Pumpkin! Apples! Football! Pumpkin! 

I made some really super cookies this weekend and had to share the recipe. I used a basic pumpkin oatmeal cookie recipe, made a few changes, and added a few goodies. It was one of those rare, perfect accidents and I'm really happy with how they turned out. We went canoeing Friday afternoon and devoured the entire container. That was probably because the 4-5 mile trip turned out to be more like 10 miles and we were starving.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Harvest Cookies

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup pumpkin

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Dry ingredients:

1/2 cup flour

2 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

Add-ins:

1/2 cup Craisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350*

Using a mixer, combine butter, sugars and pumpkin. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined well. 

In a separate bowl, either sift or whisk together flour and additional dry ingredients (but not add-ins). 

Add dry ingredients to wet, then gently fold in the add-ins. 

Place rounded scoops of dough (1-2 tablespoons) on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes.

Fall also means serious knitting time. I decided I wanted to knit a sweater for myself this year (for the first time) and chose Jane Richmond's Oatmeal Pullover. It's a good beginner pattern, I think, and it's going so quickly in this Rowanspun Chunky that it's practically knitting itself. Now all the kids have decided they need sweaters too. Wouldn't the Weasley sweaters be cute for the boys?! 

Inspired by my friend, hair stylist, and photographer, Erica, I took some back-lit photos the other day. This was my first try and it was so satisfying. This is my kitchen window - my favorite spot in my favorite room. The morning light is glorious. I used washi tape to attach a little leaf watercolor made by one of the kids to an olive wood cutting board. I also have my favorite Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin candle but it's different this year - I can hardly smell it! Boo. 

I hope you're enjoying the harvest season wherever you are.