Lemon poppy seed scones

I'm renaming this blog, And the Scone....

These are super-flaky, light and fluffy, and crispy in all the right places. I recommend not overworking the dough (don't knead it so long that it all sticks together - let it crumble a bit as you pat it into place); the envelope-fold is crucial for flakiness and so is patting. No rolling pins! Also, try lining your pan with foil -shiny side up. I did this instead of my usual parchment lining, and I felt like the bottoms of the scones were crispier for it.

Spiced pumpkin seeds

I made these several weeks ago to garnish butternut squash soup, and they'd do just as well atop pretty much any fall dish. Or with your morning yogurt & granola? Plus, they make a tasty snack all by themselves and with garam masala (quite possibly my favorite spice blend), your house is gonna smell great.

I will admit to buying pumpkin seeds in the bulk section. But you can make use of your jack-o-lantern innards, too. You're gonna want to rinse then simmer those fresh seeds in salted water (about 2 c. water for every 1/2 c. of seeds) for about 10 minutes, then drain and proceed.

Oven-roasted sweet potatoes

Served over rice with crumbled bacon.

Well over a month. Wow. Well, I'm keeping it simple as I dip my toes back into the blogging world. It doesn't get much easier than this!

And I won't bore you with all the details of what's been keeping me busy.

Okay, maybe I will just a little (it's all good stuff):

I got to spend a child-free (Thanks Gma & Gpa!!) weekend in Chicago with this guy:

On the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier.

...for a really fun wedding (Thanks and CONGRATS Caroline & Steve!!):

Don't ask how many gin & tonics I'd had at this point ;)

I've been crafty as all get-out...

Pattern here.

Re-usable sandwich & snack bags from this online tutorial.

A cardigan I knit.

And of course, the kids started school! They're doing great. Second grade, kindergarten and nursery school. (I can barely say that out loud.)

Now, on to the super-simple recipe. Quick -- before another month passes me by!