Pumpkins!

Do you like to decorate pumpkins in the fall? First, you have to find the perfect pumpkin. Will yours be round? Short & squatty? Tall and skinny? Light orange, dark orange? White? Please send me a photo of your carving when you’re done. (Kids@BandanaAcres.com) I’d love to post it here.

What if you don’t carve pumpkins, but you like to eat it? Make a fresh pumpkin pie! Or cookies. YUM!

FEAR OF FAILURE

Sometimes, we can be sooo afraid to try something new, that we just won’t. The problem is then, that we won’t do anything at all! Now, I’m not saying you should do just ANYTHING. I wouldn’t want you to do anything wrong or hurtful to anyone, for sure. But, if you want to try to play the piano, and you are able to, then DO IT. If you want to play a certain sport, but you’re not sure if you’ll be good enough. Don’t worry about it, just TRY it. You can always stop if you don’t like it. If your mom asks you to try a new food, TASTE it. Here’s a little picture taken from my book, Rascal’s Trip. The quote is from one of our former presidents: Theodore Roosevelt. Wise words to live by.

AudioBook of the Week

Here’s a cute little story about Scaredy Squirrel. About 6 minutes long. Take a look & listen!

Soft & Moist Cookies!

Pumpkin-Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 can pumpkin

1/2 cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup of nuts (optional)

Directions:

Beat together sugar, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla.

Mix all dry ingredients together and add them to the wet mix.

Blend in raisins (and nuts if you want).

Drop on parchment papered cookie sheets by teaspoonfuls.

Bake in 350º oven for 12 minutes.