Autumn Coffee Mugs

I don't know where my sister came up with the idea, but she always had a cup sitting on her shelf that she always seemed to push back to the back of the cupboard whenever I came over for coffee. I asked her once about it, because frankly it was  ONE UGLY CUP.  I didn't come out and say to her that it was an "ugly cup" but pointed out that it was rather interesting and that I had never seen her use it! She laughed and picked up the cup and brought it to the table.

"This is my ugly cup", she grinned "and I only put it out when I'm mad at Fred.  "That lets him know that he has ticked me off for something or other. If he finds it sitting at his place setting, he knows that he had better come up with a very good explanation! I have had soooo much fun with that cup," she laughed wickedly."

That sounds just like my sister lol!

At the moment, I have a cupboard full of mugs that we used for summer. To be quite honest, I'm kind of tired of looking at them and to be honest, a lot of them have somehow developed chips. How that happens I don't know, unless I stop washing them in the dishwasher?? Anyway, the temps are dropping and I want nothing more than a hot mug of coffee in the afternoon... in a pretty cup. It just makes coffee tastes that much nicer. Here's a few that I found for you!

They are now saying that coffee is actually good for you!! I certainly didn't see that coming. I guess all things in moderation!

As I'm writing this, fall is all around us and that means chilly days and lots of rain. I enjoy nothing more than to curl up with a good book by the fire... yes, it is that chilly and sip a good latte.

Unfortunately, my own latte can't compare to Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice  or Eggnog Latte, so in the next few months,  if you are out on a Friday afternoon and you spot a Starbucks... look inside. You just might see me in there looking extremely pleased with myself lol!

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup flour 

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ginger and cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 6 ounce bag chocolate chips

1/2 cup icing sugar

2 tablespoons milk

 Cream the butter and the sugar until fluffy. Now beat in the eggs and then set aside. Combine the dry ingredients and then add to the butter/sugar mixture alternately with the pumpkin. Be sure to stir well to incorporate all the ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts... we tend to toss in about twice as much as is called for, but it's up to you lol. The ingredient list above is reserved in our eyes.  Spoon mixture into a well buttered loaf pan (5x9) and if you want to sprinkle more walnuts over the top... go for it. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour and then allow to cool. I use a long strand of uncooked spaghetti to test for doneness.  Stir the Icing sugar, milk and a little nutmeg and cinnamon to form your icing and then drizzle over the loaf.