Loaded Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies

Happy Halloween!

I made these cookies over the weekend.  Thanks to the added moisture from the pumpkin, they are a bit softer than typical oatmeal cookies.

I loaded them up with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, but you could substitute chocolate or butterscotch chips, chopped nuts or raisins.  Whatever you prefer.  Or you could kick up the pumpkin flavor a notch and add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice!

Weekend In Ogunquit

With Caitie home for her fall break a couple of weeks ago, we decided to take off for a few days for a much-needed mini-break.

Okay.  Maybe it wasn't beach weather, but it was still nice to hang out by the ocean.

Bundled up against the autumn chill, we took a walk along the Marginal Way.  Caitie was the only one who had the foresight to bring gloves.  Erin's coffee kept her warm.  I kinda froze.

We marveled at all the daring souls who climbed the boulders to leave stacks of rocks and pebbles.

All libraries should look as charming as this one does.

Wandering down to Perkins Cove.

Apple Cider Sangria

Caitie came home last Friday for her fall break.  We haven't seen her since August!   It was so nice to have her home, if only for six days.  

We went to Ogunquit for the weekend--I'll save that for another post--but when we returned I asked her to let me know if there was anything in particular she would like me to make for her while she was home.  She requested a couple of old favorites, chicken pot pie for dinner on Monday, and broccoli soup with cheddar cheese on Tuesday.

Also, in the spirit of the fall season, she wanted to try some Apple Cider Sangria.  I know I've mentioned my love of "umbrella drinks" in previous posts, but sangria runs a close second.

If I can't have a frozen fruity concoction, I favor frolicking with a full-flavored sangria flooded with fruit.  Repeat that three times.

Then go and make yourself some lovely sangria.

Dogs: Past, Present and Future

Today's post was originally all about my little southern boy.

That's right, Gus is a Georgia boy.  Atlanta, to be precise.

Gus is our first rescue puppy.  And our first non-golden retriever.  

But as I started writing about Gus, I kept making references to Rosie and Gracie, the dogs I had before Gus.     After many editing attempts, trying to keep to the subject of Gus, I decided to just start from the beginning.

We've had two goldens.

First, there was Rosie.  

Why did I get a golden retriever?  I wanted a dog, a big dog.  I didn't care what kind of dog, as long as it was big.

I don't know if Mr. Terrific wanted a dog.  I didn't ask him.  I did know that he liked golden retrievers.  I logically came to the conclusion that getting a golden retriever would fulfill my wish for a big dog, and that there would be no protests from my husband because the dog would be the breed that he loved most.

Rosie was awesome.  When she was a year old, Caitie was born.

Rosie didn't seem to mind.

Then came Sean.  Great!  Two playmates.  And then Erin came along.

Three was never a crowd as far as Rosie was concerned.