These past few weeks have been a whirlwind. I’ve packed up, sorted through, cleaned out and donated the past seven years of my life in the “slums of Beverly Hills” to move with my husband to the first place we can truly call ours since we tied the knot five years ago. Now, I’m not too keen on change. I love the holidays because with them comes tradition. And there is comfort in tradition. But, lately I’ve learned that there is also comfort in finally taking a leap that you should have made long ago. A leap that will no doubt be uncomfortable at first, but in the end, you will look back and think…why did I wait so long?

Speaking of traditions, there is one in the South, or maybe it’s more of a custom, to bring your neighbors food when they move into the neighborhood. This is Hollywood, baby, and you’re lucky if your neighbor says hello when you pass them at the mailbox. Or, so I thought. Once we stepped out of our “old life” and into the new, we found our neighbors to be warm and welcoming, and dear friends stopping by for improptu visits (what a concept!). As we all know, nothing brings people closer than sharing a meal. And nothing says love like something fresh out of the oven. Here’s a little fall tradition from my kitchen to yours. Just don’t forget to share them with your neighbors!

Fran’s Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:

11/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 egg

1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottoms of 12 muffin cups (or use muffin cup liners). Mix all ingredients just until flour is moistened. Batter will be lumpy.

Fill muffin cups to 2/3 full. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon sugar on top of each muffin. Bake 18-20 minutes.

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