Remembering Kelly

When Ari and Matt picked me up from the airport last week, this is the big boy I saw.  He said his name was "Farmer Jones;" taken from a story he reads at his Montessori school.  Kelly's little boy is growing up and full of the energy his mother had when she was a little girl.  Ari and I decided to honor her birthday today by doing some crafting and baking. 

Kelly loved pumpkin and always asked me for a pumpkin pie for her birthday.  Well, we didn't exactly make pumpkin pie, but we did take one of her other favorite recipes and make it more seasonal.  Snickerdoodles are a family favorite that my mother made for us, but I gave it a twist by using Pumpkin Pie Spice mixed with the sugar instead of just the usual cinnamon.  Ari agreed that this was a good change!

I was here last October for Kelly's birthday and did make her favorite pumpkin pie.  She said to me, "Mom, what if this is my last birthday!"  Something I couldn't face then or now, but I decided to make this a happy occasion because Kelly looked forward to birthdays.  Our family and anyone of her friends can tell you how she sent little gifts, sometimes cookies, just to let them know she was thinking of them on their special day. 

I remember when she was born, 6 weeks early due to an automobile accident we were involved in, and weighing only 3 pounds 13 ounces, but it was those big brown eyes that caught your sight.  We told our oldest daughter, Erin, she had a little sister and her reply was, "I'd rather have a Slurpee!"  That changed after Kelly came home four weeks later and their bond was formed.  They actually shared the unique fact of opposite birthdays--August 10 (8/10) and October 8 (10/8).  They were also 2 years, 2 months, 2 days, and 2 hours apart!

So, sweet daughter, today I'm remembering all the good things, the people you touched, and spending the day with your boys.  I miss you and wish we had had more birthdays to celebrate with you, but I know you continue to watch over all of us, especially your little Farmer Jones! Love you xoxo


Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

1 c shortening (I use Crisco-butter flavored)
1 1/2 c granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt


1/2 c granulated sugar
1 1/2 T Pumpkin Pie Spice


Preheat oven 375F-degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment or use a Silpat.


In the KitchenAid, using the paddle attachment, beat shortening and sugar together thoroughly.

Add the eggs, one at a time and beat again to mix.  Then, add vanilla and beat until fluffy.  Finally, add the dry ingredients and beat until, as Ari says, "Mimi, it's dough!"

Shape dough into  balls, the size of walnuts and roll into the sugar/Pumpkin Pie Spice mixture.
Place on baking sheet, allowing about 2 inches in between.

I used a fork to do a criss-cross pattern on the cookies to flatten them slightly, but if you want softer cookies don't do this step.  Bake in preheated oven 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Tomorrow, we're off to the orchard to pick apples, find a pumpkin and come home and make a pie; a tradition that Matt and Kelly started for her birthday and we'll continue with Ari.  Tradition and memories...that's what a family is made up of.  Enjoy!