Do you know those times when you just wanna be with your mom?
I do.
And I got the best Halloween present ever this year. MY MOM!
I picked her up at the airport late last night just so we could spend our favorite holiday wearing cat ears and eating candy together. Kidding. But the candy part sounds about right.
Halloween feels like a good time for me to admit that I’ve never really been one to make holiday themed treats. Or I guess I should say cutesy holiday themed treats. You’re shocked, I know. Like the black and white cupcakes with a spooky/beautiful spiderweb pattern? I just… I don’t. I don’t and I won’t.
I will just be forever in awe of you who make our world pretty.
I actually do like to do the seasonal thing, like cozy pumpkin or squash or apple foods in the fall, except this year there’s that one tiny thing: I moved to the other side of the world, so my seasonal produce meter got significantly goofed up. Or maybe it’s my local produce meter. Anyways.
Then the saddest thing ever happened when “fall” rolled around in the Philippines: NO PUMPKIN.
They tell me it will be in stores close to Thanksgiving, but it was close to Thanksgiving about 20 weeks ago and I still haven’t seen it in my beloved little international aisle. {scowl}
Here’s my top ten tribute to fall foods – from the old glory days when I used to eat cream cheese frosted pumpkin desserts, and the current days when I’m stuffing my face with buttery squash-sauced pasta. Foooood.
Pumpkin Dip for Gingersnaps – for parties!
Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese with Caramelized Onion, Bacon, and Apples – healthy. for real.
Maple Glazed Pumpkin Muffins – cozy Saturdays at home.
Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars – OMG, make now.
Healthy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – fork –> mouth –> repeat.
Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Glaze – with a yellow cake mix, duh!
Classic Homemade Applesauce – recipe from Grandma. xoxo.
Healthy Bacon and Pumpkin Pasta – hello there bacon.
White Cheddar Mac n’ Cheese with Squash and Toasted Walnuts – my go-to fall dinner.
Baked Gingerbread Mini Donuts – please make that glaze.
And Squash Lentil Curry – oh wait. I haven’t shared that with you yet, I’ve only made it one million times. It’s comingggg.
I vow to get my hands on a can of pumpkin and make you my mom’s super easy and buttery and yummy pumpkin dessert before pumpkin season ends. Wait, does pumpkin season have an end date?
Good, I didn’t think so.
I hope you’re all eating something delicious today! If it’s cutesy, I’m rolling my eyes at you. And/or I’m jealous of your craftiness and please show me pictures.
What a great list of recipes. I love them all!!!
Enjoy some quality time with your Mom! How special!
This all sounds delicious! I don’t do the cutsie treats either, but they’re fun to look at everyone elses! Happy Halloween!
Have a great time with your Mom, you guys really look like each other!
You’re killing me with that butternut squash pasta!
What a lovely tribute to scrumptious fall dishes! Nicely done.
Enjoy your visit with your Mom.
What a fabulous autumn collection! Just made a pumpkin pasta last night and you have me asking myself: why did I NOT add bacon?? lol.
Have such a wonderful time with your Mom. And there will be plenty of pumpkin waiting for you when you return home!
So many yummy treats! Can’t wait for the squash lentil curry. Your red lentil curry is one of my favorites. Just finished the most recent batch of leftovers yesterday!
Great to see that you have your mom in town…family is really important!
What a great list of recipes…i wanna try them all..
Woah. Those pecan pie bars look awesome! Bummer about the pumpkin, but at least you have your mama with you now! That must feel wonderful having her there 🙂
I am more of a seasonal flavors person rather than the cutesy decor too, it’s ok.
Awwww, that’s so great that your mom joined you out there for a little bit! And that round-up looks fabulous. I seriously need to make each and every one of them!
So much yumminess just flew before my eyes. I want to try them all! Hope some pumpkin comes your way soon. 🙂 Enjoy this time with your mom!
What a beautiful collection of recipes!
My gosh I just drooled 10 times! Those recipes look amazing!
Can’t wait to see your squash lentil curry! Your fall favorites are completely mouthwatering….you have some seriously awesome taste! Keep it coming!
Those pecan bars are happening at my house this weekend. DROOLING!
I’m kind of proud of myself for this unusually crafty cupcake.
I’m usually not really a Halloweenie kind of girl, either, but I did my best this year.
Enjoy the time with your Momma!
How cute! I love those!!
This is a great post! So many beautiful photos and great ideas.
These look so good! I’m so sorry that you can’t find pumpkin:( I’d be glad to send you some…let me know.
I made a roasted veggie mac and cheese pasta that was similar to your butternut squash one and loved it! I’ll have to try it with the bacon, onion and apple. yum.
Be blessed and feel yourself to be so . . . .
It would be weird to go into stores and farms and not find pumpkin this time of year. Hopefully you will get it in soon and be able to make some of your favorite fall comfort foods. That Fall mac and cheese looked really interesting.
Oh Yay! Enjoy every single second with your Mom!
I don’t have a barking dog noise issue but I do have a stupid wild turkey stalking my house who likes to start calling at O’Dark Thirty that wakes me up and also creeps me out….that’s kinda the same, right??
I’m sending you Hugs, cuz being sleep deprived just sucks….
That’s great that you get to spend some time with your mom!! All of these recipes sound wonderful!
ahhhh….a visit from mom is always the best!
Awww… I miss my mom! She’s a 7 hour car ride away from us. 🙁 Have a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing your fall recipes. There are plenty of yummy things other than chocolate! Me and my silly chocolate allergy… Now I am itching to make something with pumpkin! 🙂
This really is a yum-yum blog. Just looking at the photos of all these fine meals makes my mouth water. Can’t even pick a favorite – they all look good. I like the fact that these fall favorites actually all come in the typical fall colors: red, brown, orange and yellow.