Fall-Time Oatmeal and Pumpkin Love

A few weeks ago I set my Facebook status as “Forget chocolate, I want to get pumpkin wasted!!” and since it is officially fall, it is now time to do just that. (If you haven’t seen the movie “Grownups” you probably did not get the reference from that quote…go watch it and get back to me). I like to change-up my favorite foods each season based on what produce is available. In the summer, I wrote a post about Summertime Oatmeal, and now that fall is here it is time my daily oatmeal receives a fall time makeover. Enter the food of the season: Pumpkin!

Oatmeal + Pureed Pumpkin

I warn you, this is not attractive food, but it is delicious.

INGREDIENTS:

• Oatmeal
• Pumpkin (canned or pureed, fresh)
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:

• Add pumpkin to oatmeal (I usually do 1/3 cup pumpkin to 1/2 cup oatmeal. Adjust as desired)
• Add water and cook according to directions on oatmeal package
• Add in cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.
• Enjoy!

Not Pretty – Still Yummy!

Yesterday I got the chance to follow-up my breakfast of pumpkin oatmeal with a trip to the pumpkin patch! It seems that since the semester started I have spent my weekends sitting on the couch or at my desk doing work all day and night, so I decided I needed to take a break and make some time to do something enjoyable this weekend. I am so glad I did! I visited Joe’s Tree Farm in Newport, VA where they are currently in pumpkin season!

I wandered the property, checking out the Christmas trees (note to self, return here in the winter), and the two pumpkin patches.

Love it here

Pumpkin Patch

 

How cute are these pumpkin snowmen?

When I got back in from the fields, I treated myself to a lunchtime breakfast that Beyond Homemade (one of my favorite stands at the Farmer’s Market) was there making. Whole-wheat pancakes with pumpkin butter and pumpkin spice syrup. YUMM!

Seriously Delicious!

I also purchased a jar of Joe’s Trees Pumpkin Butter and a loaf of Beyond Homemade’s Pumpkin Popcorn Bread to bring home. 🙂

“I Wanna Get Pumpkin Wasted” hehe

I followed up my pumpkin fest with a little hike along a nearby segment of the Appalachian Trail. These ladders were set up to help hikers climb over all of the fences!

I am certainly glad I allowed myself some “fun time” this weekend, because all work and no play is no way to live!

What did you do this weekend? Do you change-up your “go to” meals with the seasons? Have you ever tried pumpkin in your oatmeal? And most importantly, what is your favorite way to eat pumpkin?