autumn – Gracious Rain

October 1, 2025October 24, 2025

Molasses Crinkle Cookies

We’ve made these cookies before Halloween every year…

since I was an itty, bitty kid.

My mom used to make them bigger and even flatter so that we could decorate them like pumpkins–with candy corn and life savers.

I even did it a couple of times like that when my kids were little but to be honest..

I like them better without the…ummm…toppings.

And while I’m being brutally honest here, I’ll tell you another thing.

I like them…

almost…

burned.

Almost.

Some like them soft, but for me–

it’s all about the crunch.

Molasses Crinkles

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup butter

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

Cream together, then add:

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. ginger

2 tsp. baking soda

If you chill the dough for about an hour before baking, they will be easier to handle. Roll 1 inch dough balls in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Leave on pan a few minutes before moving to cooling rack.

Molasses Crinkles...

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
¾ cup butter
¼ cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. baking soda

Instructions

Cream together the first four ingredients, then add all the rest of the dry ingredients.
Roll 1 inch dough balls in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Leave on pan a few minutes before moving to cooling rack.

September 26, 2025October 23, 2025

Welcome to my official Birthday party…in the canyon…that I love almost as much as these awesome people.

But not quite.

In truth, as much as I love the canyon…

I actually love these people…

a billion…

times…

more.

Ok, a trillion.

Easy.

Now that we’ve established how much I love my sweet family, I still have to say…

look at this beautiful scenery!!

Even with the sleepy girl, haha.

The canyon in the fall is the most beautiful place with the changing leaves…

the chilly river…

and the gorgeous mountains.

And all I have to do is sit here and love it all.

Which is amazingly easy.

Families are forever and I’m so grateful.

October 4, 2024November 24, 2024

A Moment On Memory Lane Puzzle

Whenever it’s that lovely time when leaves start to change and fall–from late September to Thanksgiving, I simply adore getting out puzzles that show how it’s suppose to look outside….you know, in my fantasy world.

It’s been warmer here than usual for this time of year, so our leaves are starting to change–but no actual falling yet.

But I don’t really mind because I just whip out a puzzle that helps me feel the crisp, chilly air…

kids playing in piles of leaves…

all the little things…

that are easy to miss…

until we slow down a bit and let it all just happen around us.

Happy Fall everyone!!

September 2, 2024September 17, 2024

Peach Leather

Ok, it’s best to start with the plain and simple facts. I LOVE peaches. I’ve picked them from my own tree when my kids were little and turned them into a million jars, canned for winter. I’ve made jam, and sauces and everything else you can think of.

Everything that is…except leather.

No idea why I’ve never tried it, but as it turns out–it was pretty easy–and SO much better for you than the rubbery, store bought kind.

You simply wash and cut up 4 cups of raw peaches. You can peel them if you like, but I didn’t because I love the extra flavor, nutrients and fiber.

In a medium saucepan, add 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup honey or sugar and peaches. Let the fruit mixture simmer about 10 minutes, or until the fruit is soft.

I even used my snooty raw Utah honey, instead of sugar.

Extra points for me. Haha.

Whirl it in 2 cup batches, in the blender.

Next, spread evenly on a silicone mat on a 18 x 13 sheet pan.

Bake in the over for 6-10 hours–or until dry-ish to the touch.

When completely cooled, peel the leather off the mat and roll from long end to long end. If you want a bigger roll up, just roll it from short end to short end.

I love the smaller pieces that you get this way. They are perfect for little ones and if you want more–just take two!

We wrapped them in that sticky cling film–and seriously, they keep beautifully this way! We are still eating some from last year.

They taste so good and make the house smell like Autumn heaven.

Just what we need this time of year.

Autumn heaven.

Peach Leather

wash and cut up 4 cups of raw peaches. You can peel them if you like, but I didn't because I love the extra flavor, nutrients and fiber. In a medium saucepan, add ½ cup water, ⅓ cup honey or sugar and peaches. Let the fruit mixture simmer about 10 minutes, or until the fruit is soft.

: Launi

Ingredients

4 cups peaches cut up
½ cup water
⅓ cup honey

Instructions

Wash and cut up 4 cups of raw peaches. You can peel them if you like, but I didn't because I love the extra flavor, nutrients and fiber.
In a medium saucepan, add ½ cup water, ⅓ cup honey or sugar and peaches.
Let the fruit mixture simmer about 10 minutes, or until the fruit is soft.
Whirl it in 2 cup batches, in the blender.
Next, spread evenly on a silicone mat on a 18 x 13 sheet pan.
Bake in the over for 6-10 hours--or until dry-ish to the touch.
When completely cooled, peel the leather off the mat and roll from long end to long end. If you want a bigger roll up, just roll it from short end to short end.
We wrapped them in that sticky cling film--and seriously, they keep beautifully this way!