Ode to Pumpkin

Dearest Pumpkin,  I adore thee...sooo many delicious goodies you are a major part of.   The pies, the cakes, the delicious pumpkin rolls...ahhh you amaze me!  Every year I try to come up with something new...I just adore pumpkin.    I wish I could buy fifty cans of puree at a time just so I could have pumpkin pie in my refrigerator every single day! 

                                                           McCormick's Pumpkin Trifle :)

                       And what about these AMAZING cuppies from RecipeGirl.com?!!

                                                    Who doesn't love a tasty pumpkin roll??

**Here is an amazing idea for pumpkin pancakes that can be whipped up from your favorite pancake mix!

Prepare mix according to package directions, but HALF the liquid you add.  Replace the liquid you omitted with double that amount of pumpkin puree, and to that, add 1/2 to 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice.  Cook pancakes as usual.  To make them extra special, you can prepare a PRALINE topping!

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla extract
Boil sugar, half and half and butter for approx 4 minutes, until color changes to a thickened gold "goo".  Remove from heat, add vanilla (careful as this may fizz up a bit but will calm down very quickly) and finally add the pecans.  Allow to cool slightly, and spoon generously over pancakes.  YUMMY!!!!!!!

    I heard there could be a pumpkin shortage again this year...I better get to the store and stock up!  I can't leave my best pie ingredient out in the cold!