A Pumpkin Muffin & Playdough Picnic

“O taste and see that the LORD is good.”
Psalm 34:8 (NASB)

I was almost offended when Starbucks began selling their popular Pumpkin Spice lattes in August, but once the calendar turned to September my thoughts turned to pumpkin muffins and my dear Aunt Margaret.

Aunt Margaret was my Mama’s oldest sister and one of the two women who influenced and encouraged my love for baking. My Granny Muir baked scratch biscuits, cobblers, and the best pound cake ever, but Aunt Margaret’s specialties included banana bread, blueberry buckle, and pumpkin apple walnut muffins. Her baking skills were only exceeded by her generosity in sharing recipes and gifting baked goods. Many mornings Aunt Margaret baked a chocolate pound cake just to share a half cake with a neighbor while putting the other half in her freezer to be used as needed. “As needed” meant the next time a friend, neighbor, or family member had a crisis and needed help.

During my Daddy’s last hospital stay just before he died, it was Aunt Margaret who showed up in the ICU waiting room with a cookie tin of her famous Pumpkin Apple Walnut Muffins. Those muffins didn’t just bring carbs; they brought encouragement and comfort.

When Aunt Margaret began to suffer dementia, her daughter decided it best to move her to Florida and live in her home for Aunt M’s final years. Just before her move, I received a letter from Aunt Margaret. Tucked inside the envelope lay a fifty-dollar bill and two recipe cards. Her note read, “I want you to use this and buy something for yourself that you will use to remember me.”

She had no way of knowing how much her words and gift meant. I had longed for a beautiful Arthur Court cake serving set but lacked the funds to purchase it. Aunt Margaret’s fifty dollar gift covered the exact cost of the cake server. Every time I use it, I remember Aunt M.

Food is my love language, and baking brings me joy when I have time to do it.  Saturday afternoon while my husband attended a college football game, I baked Aunt Margaret’s pumpkin muffins and banana bread while I listened to college football games. My efforts produced not only sweet products, but also sweet memories.

Sunday afternoon Bruce and I hosted Birdie James and Poppie for a couple of hours to give their Mama a much-needed respite. Football season brings long hours, not just for coaches, but for their wives and families as well.  When the girls arrived, Birdie James first words were, “I want playdough!” Retrieving the requested playdough, I suggested a picnic outside.

I threw a tablecloth on a patio table, and we took our pumpkin muffins and playdough outside. We had a comfortable Sunday afternoon with a gentle breeze, cooler temperatures, and less humidity than our recent sweltering August days. We practiced good manners by saying, “Please” and “Thank you!” and putting napkins in our laps. We listened to birds singing in the trees and airplanes flying overhead, practicing language skills with both two-year-old Birdie James and one-year-old Poppie. We didn’t spend a dime, but those two hours with our granddaughters were priceless!

Yesterday as I sat outside with our pumpkin muffins and playdough, I didn’t just taste the delicious muffins or remember my beloved Aunt Margaret; instead, I tasted God’s goodness and faithfulness. These girls continue to bring such joy after years and years of prayers.

Following Aunt M’s example, by Sunday night I had gifted all but five of my muffins. I’m also following her lead by sharing our recipe:

Aunt Margaret’s Pumpkin Apple Walnut Muffins

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon soda

  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten

  • ½ cup Wesson oil

  • 1 cup pumpkin

  • 2 cups chopped apples

Topping

  • 2 tablespoons flour

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

  • 4 tablespoons butter melted

  • ½ cup walnuts chopped (I prefer pecans!)

Combine dry ingredients. Combine oil, pumpkin, and eggs, mixing well. Add dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Stir in apples. Spread toppings evenly on bread or muffins. For bread, pour into 2 prepared bread loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes until bread is firm. For muffins, bake about 20 minutes. Makes 2 loaves of bread or approximately 24 muffins. Store in airtight container. May be frozen.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good! Psalm 34:8 (NASB)

Enjoy!

Christian LivingDonna EvansHospitality, generation to generation, generosity, God's Goodness