Chocolate Pumpkin Witch Cupcake Recipe = Fall Poems in the Northland

I am joining the party over at Fiesta Friday over at The Novice Gardner’s Birthday Party! Where the culinary arts are extraordinary. Happy Birthday!  Cohosts are  Suzanne @apuginthekitchen and Sue @Birgerbird

Fiesta Friday

I was asked to bring a pumpkin bar dessert for an upcoming Halloween neighborhood street party. “There will be no desserts. ” said my friend.  oh gosh almighty when I looked up pumpkin bars the pics (hundreds of them) didn’t inspire. 

Soooo I fretted about baking for people I don’t know and gave myself the option of punting – bring store-bought baked goods. (Okay, it’s a failsafe back-up plan.)

However, as fate would have it; I found a recipe in Country Living Magazine that I skimmed through nervously at the insurance estimate place for my car. (Don’t ask.) How to turn an unfortunate circumstance into a better day? Find an inspirational recipe.

From Country Living Magazine online here is the Chocolate Pumpkin Witch Cupcakes recipe link. I followed the steps to the letter. Yesterday I had two taste testers who gave it the thumbs up! This was a practice run before the big event on Halloween, Feast of All Hallows, Samhain (for any neo- pagans).

http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/chocolate-pumpkin-witch-cupcakes-recipe-clx1014?click=recipe_sr Retrieved October 24, 2014

These Chocolate Pumpkin cupcakes are moist, rich, and the pumpkin is not too much.  Everything worked. This recipe makes a fluffy batter. They are totally cute when finished with witches hat and clever details.  It’s a winner and good enough to eat without frosting. 

Fall Poem

Walk the leaf-strewn streets

CKatt 10-2014

In the morning light

The fresh fall of leaves

Slow spirals

Onto the paths decayed

Leavers, who feel the change

And the chill

Of timing

Float and rest in piles

in artful carelessness.

Colors of brilliant design

Intrigue and beckon.

Stooping to examine

the veined paths of leaf-life

Strikes the sense of

The infinite and finite

within my own Fall.

 

Selecting a few for a pocket,

Orange, red, green and yellow,

Wistful, as imagination sets them on a canvas

To be forever remembered

Bright, alive, beautifully formed

Mortality staved off temporarily.

 

Mushrooms, and golden maples

Lure to a mood of natural mystery

The golden leaves hide a secret

The seeds discreetly drying

Will fall to earth to create

Another masterpiece of trees

The sprout, the leafing out, defying winter

 

A squirrel distracts contemplation

And scampers near, performs a pirouette

Around a pole and jumps away.

I use a squirrel noise I know,

He turns to look at me and pose.

In one click he’s caught in my lens

A city critter, he hops closer

Takes a beggar’s stance so humble

With paws so perfectly placed

Expectant, hopeful and

Following apace, tests connections.

My pockets are filled with leaves

and seeds… I smile.

There is nothing edible to share.

Street-wise he moves on quickly.

Likewise the moment passes

As I continue on my way.

© October 20, 2014 CKatt