Orange You Glad It's Fall?

Fall is upon us and the fall harvest provides wonderful, rich and flavorful options for our meals. I love the varieties of squash available at this time of year and the cozy warmth provided by baking some up. Squash is filled with beta-carotene. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A which is good for vision, healthy skin and immunity. Easy to prepare and versatile, squash is a welcome addition to many of our family meals.

A long time favorite in our household, this pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe has evolved and while still a bit decedent, with the chocolate chips involved, it does have less sugar than the original recipe and the butter has been reduced. I use all whole wheat flour. The muffins freeze well and are still yummy upon reheating. I usually double the recipe so that I have some to freeze - otherwise they disappear way too fast.


Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins


12 standard or 48 mini
1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
a pinch of cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup plain pumpkin (half of a 1 lb. can)
6 Tablespoons butter melted
1 cup chocolate chips (dark chocolate works for me)


Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
Thoroughly mix flour, sugar, spice, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
Break eggs into another bowl add pumpkin and melted butter. Whisk until well blended.
Pour over dry ingredients and fold in just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Scoop batter into lined muffin tins.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until springy to the touch in the center.
Turn onto a rack to cool.

Build a Business & Raise a Family? Can It Be Done? Need A Mentor? Let's Ask Lisa!

Can a stay at home mom committed to the day to day care of young ones and homeschooling really work from home and get anything done? Can or should a homeschooling mom of school age children plus a couple of preschoolers even consider working from home? Or even more challenging can a mom with little charges of any age, stay at home, homeschool her children, run a business from home and better yet make it profitable?

Visit A Baby Moon
Company website.

For me, it has been daunting. Being at home, raising children and homeschooling them took a lot of focused energy. Honestly, I wasn't always as focused as I should have been. As all of that was happening, I volunteered as a La Leche League leader for many years, I began lactation consulting, offered doula and postpartum doula support to new mothers as an extension of my work as a volunteer. I wrote and published the content for the website for that work at A Baby Moon Company. I also began writing this blog. As every mom knows, getting it all done for home and children, attempting to accomplish it all can be overwhelming at times.

For myself, as the last big needs of guiding my kids, as they move out into the world are now complete, I am returning to some dreams that were put on hold. I am truly beginning to focus again on my own big ideas and am plotting out plans to achieve a new set of goals, though there are still plenty of days, when I am overwhelmed with the steps I need to take to achieve those goals.

As I plan and process, I've re-discovered the great benefit of uninterrupted time to actually concentrate on and complete tasks. Moving forward is exhilarating. As one completed project leads to the next, I have also re-discovered the great value of having a few cheerleaders. It is in conversation, discussion and sharing that my enthusiasm is built up. Sharing is motivating. It is in connection that the fire is flamed. I've realized that I need to intentionally set up more of that for myself on an ongoing basis.


For all of the important projects and vocations in life having someone to look to for inspiration,  encouragement and motivation is important. For the achievements listed above and others I didn't include, having a mentor, has been valuable. Whether officially enlisted or otherwise, having a friend, acquaintance or even someone admired from a distance may become the key to taking the next step to keep going.

Learn more about Lisa at
Lisa Tanner Writing

So I began getting coaching for myself to stay inspired and move further along in achieving the goals I'm pursuing. One of the most encouraging voices I have enlisted as support is that of  busy homeschooling mom, Lisa Tanner. She is a friendly bundle of helpful resource; a cheerleader and a to the point source of information and encouragement.

I first found Lisa by reviewing a product she created that addresses the topic of balancing it all as a homeschooling mom. It is hard to believe what Lisa has accomplished while also raising a large family. She is contributing significantly to her family finances while she and her husband are also committed to following God's calling on their lives to do missionary work.

Her course Diapers and Deadlines covers the basics of juggling all the things. It is an encouraging guide with needed reminders and practical step by step suggestions. I enjoyed Lisa's written course (you can read my review on this blog). It was useful and inspiring and I have referred back to it since writing the review, but now I am ready for more.

Well, if she can do all of that it, I thought, I'd better listen to what she has to say and read, consider and follow her plan. Since Lisa also offers individual coaching and mentoring, I decided, I'm in. I have enlisted her as a mentor and coach. Did I mention it has been a wise choice?

Lisa and her family.

Big kids can sometimes take up as much or more time than the little ones and Lisa has reminded me to focus on my family when needed, especially during the big transition times. For example, during this past summer as all three of our young adult children were getting set up in the world to pursue higher education and big dreams.

Now with the big move out of our young adult children accomplished and with Lisa's insights and help creating follow up action plans, I'm finally putting in the consistent daily work of re-evaluating and building on what I've started.

Lisa's respectful listening presence and reassuring voice via a phone call has been one of the best investments into myself during this new season. She has offered a place for me to engage as I sort out my own goals and next steps. Phone calls with Lisa are where I have found encouragement, as well as practical advice for the next tasks and actions I need to take. Please, follow along to see where it will lead.

You can also check out what Lisa has to offer: Guide to Successful Family Writing Time, Teaching Reading Through Play Homeschool Curriclum and her coaching services on her website at Lisa Tanner Writing.