Thursdays are my day off.  usually I try to do something interesting…but today, the vog (I’m guessing the word came from volcano + fog?) from the Big Island was all over the island.  It looked as if it was going to rain.  The vog always makes my throat itchy and makes me tired.  So what better way than to stay home and make some baked goods?

This week, I was extra excited about CEiMB schedule, because to be honest, I’m more of a baker than a cook (does that mean I like to follow directions?  I don’t know), and Oddball Mitten had chosen Pumpkin Pie Muffin!

I have a confession to make.  Before this recipe, I did not have any molasses, ground ginger, cloves, or nutmeg.  I know I know…I just said I like baking.  How is this possible?  I just always felt too lazy to go get these and looked for recipes that didn’t call for these spices.  However, no more!  Thanks to this week’s choice, now my pantry is complete.  I feel like I can bake anything now!

I didn’t have pumpkin seeds, so I used Sunflower seeds that I had around.  But they were not peeled, and while cracking them out of their shells, they kept breaking.  So I just crushed and sprinkled them all over!

Muffins Baking in the Oven!

Just like Ellie said in her book, the smell filled the whole place while they were baking in the oven..oh the anticipation!!

Cooling down and filling place with pumpkin pie aroma!

They were really really soft.  Maybe a bit more soft than I had expected.  Should I have left them in the oven a bit more?

But once I got over how soft and airy it was, the taste was just great and I must say, it is absolutely perfect for an autumn breakfast!