Kramer cookie weekend- coconut macaroons

I must say- I have super talented friends!  Very recently I've received 3 different batches of cookies from 3 amazing ladies.  I want to showcase them in their own posts, because... well, they deserve it!

First up- Miriam Paska- Queen of the macaroon!

I worked with Miriam over the year, and  always marveled at all the crafty and yummy things she comes up with!  She recently approached me with a batch of macaroons that she wanted me to photograph. Eeeeeeee!  I was so excited because a) I LOVE photographing food, and b) because I got to eat them afterward!  For this photo shoot I was actually home in PA, so I got the help of mom and Caitlin to make these pictures perfect! I love the look of the curtains in my parent's living room, and the plates my mom had were adorable.  Also- we chowed down on these goodies after I was finished shooting, and they. were. amazing!  Let me know if you're interesting in purchasing some of Miriam's amazing cookies, and I'll put you in touch with her!

What do you think?!

pumpkin oat muffins

well, it's officially fall, and nothing says fall to me like pumpkin!  i've been looking around for a pumpkin recipe that isn't 1,000 calories like the muffins at dunkin donuts.  This recipe on SparkRecipe is delicious, moist, and actually good for you! 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 

1 cup oats 

1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar 

1/2 cup walnuts
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 pumpkin pie spice 

1 cup pumpkin (I added a few more tablespoons, because I was REALLY into pumpkin that day)
3/4 cup fat free milk 

1 egg slightly beaten
1/3 cup canola oil

 

here they are... the two stars of the show

 this is basically all you need for some awesome muffins!

 get those dry ingredients together... i dumped in the nuts too, but the recipe says to add them later...

 make sure you get real pumpkin, and not the fake stuff... it's SO bad for you, and this tasted SO yummy!

 add wet to dry...

 fill up some muffin tins, and if you have a friend like Ashley Thiry, use her princess cupcake liners and be happy!

 they come out of the oven and it's hard to wait for them to cool- they smell so good!  here's mine chilling on a windowsill...

stack them all up, and enjoy!