Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

Birthday Muffins {Recipe: Simple Pumpkin Muffins}

Pumpkin Muffins

Today is my 38th birthday.

For my birthday I woke up and made muffins. Not fancy muffins. Not whole grain, unprocessed, good for you muffins. Plain and simple pumpkin muffins that use a boxed cake mix.

I’ve felt like life has been so out of control lately… that I have been out of control…so I wanted to get up and start my 38th birthday with something simple, while enjoying that fleeting moment of “I got up and baked my kids muffins for breakfast” mom success. That feeling lasted about two and a half seconds, then things went back to feeling out of control.

I am bound and determined that 38 is going to be my year. I am going to find the me that seems to have vanished a few years ago with the birth of my fourth baby. I’m going to return to being organized, develop more patience, and have more fun. All in all, I just want to feel like me again… not this raging crazy person that seems to have inhabited my body.

Birthday’s are a good thing, right? They give us a chance to reevaluate where we’ve been and plan the direction we are going to choose for the year to come. My choice has been made and 38 is going to be a great year. Hope you’ll stay along for the ride.

Recipe: Simple Pumpkin Muffins (as given to me by my friend Ashley)

  • 1 Spice Cake Mix
  • 1 16 ounce can pumpkin
  • 1 cup water
  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Place the dry cake mix, pumpkin and water in a large mixing bowl. Mix until well incorporated.
  3. Pour the batter into muffin tins sprayed with Pam.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpicks in the center come out clean.

 

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    5. Tina {Mommy's Kitchen} says

      Happy Birthday Kristen. I made these a couple weeks back and added butterscotch chips and a light cream cheese frosting. I know its not low cal, but they were so good. I myself love them plain with just butterscotch or cinnamon chips.

    8. Lisa says

      Happy Birthday, dearest Kristen! Birthdays ARE a good thing! (I’m secretly still celebrating mine, ha!) May your wishes come true!!!
      You make 38 look great, btw! 🙂
      Happy happy happy birthday!!!

    10. Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says

      Happy Birthday! Good luck finding the you that has vanished. I think I’m getting closer to that each month PPD does take something away (hopefully only for a while though!)
      I make cookies the same way – except a large can of pumpkin, no water, and toss in some chocolate chips. I’m definitely going to try these muffins ;).

    11. Natalie says

      Sweet Kristen, you are good and perfect in every way…just the way God made you. Never, ever forget that. I know that being a mom…especially a mom to 4…is challenging. And, you, my friend, are doing a fantastic job! I so hope that 38 is your year, but, honestly, I cannot imagine you being anymore wonderful than you are right now!

    12. Cookin' Canuck says

      Happy Birthday, Kristen! I know this has been a tough year for you and I hope with all my heart that this year to come is filled with joy and laughter.

    15. Shaina says

      “I’m going to return to being organized, develop more patience, and have more fun. All in all, I just want to feel like me again… not this raging crazy person that seems to have inhabited my body.”

      Do you remember our conversation at Thermador? That’s what this reminds me of. I’m so right there with you, grasping at finding myself again. A big, long hug and a slice of cake for you today, dear. It’s your day. Embrace it.

      xoxo

    17. Wenderly says

      Happy Birthday sweet friend. We all feel that *crazy* feeling from time to time. At least I do. You aren’t alone. *Cheers* to a new year full of new beginnings…the first step starts within that mindset. You’re already on your way! xo

    18. Amanda says

      Sweet Kristen. I am sorry that you are feeling overwhelmed. I wish I could come over and relieve some of your burden. You are much loved and appreciated and I hope the rest of your birthday is just fabulous. 🙂

    19. Amy says

      Happy Birthday to you!

      I hope this year brings you much happiness, peace and regular naps. ; )

      These are yum muffins. AND they’re low points too.

    25. Pat Wogan says

      I hope you take time to read all of these comments! You are a resilient person and you are so loved and blessed. In fact, there used to be a saying, “Lord, give me the strength to endure my blessings!” Remember, the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time…! Love you, and this is the first day of the rest of your life. ( I am just full of platitudes, aren’t I?)

    26. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

      Maybe part of reclaiming you will be in making a simple box mix of muffins for your family and giving yourself just a bit more time to work on the other stuff. The ‘you’ stuff. I think we pressure ourselves WAY too much and our families really won’t mind (and I wonder if kids would even notice) a muffin mix…it’s still being made by mom and that’s all that counts. They have you. Happy Birthday and how about a ‘YOU go girl!’

    27. TheFromagette says

      Happy Birthday! Hmm, those muffins may be made with a boxed mix, but I love that there’s tons of pumpkin and no added fat – yum. You are off to a great start!!

    28. Melissa says

      Mmmmm!! Simple yet delicious!! I’m gonna make some this weekend!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL DAY!!

    29. Phyllis Clark says

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY! God made you the way that you are and that is why you are so wonderful. Love and embrace your life. Relax and enjoy the ride.

    30. Jen at The Three Little Piglets says

      It will get better – I felt the same way after my third was born. There were whole days that went by when I realized I hadn’t even looked in a mirror I was so crazy. Now they’re all in school, I started culinary school, and I feel like my life if right where it should be. Wishing you peace and so many blessings this year! Happy Birthday!

    31. Evelyn Cucchiara says

      Happy Birthday! Mine is next week…….

      And don’t worry – the you you remember is still in there, just waiting for the right moment to come out. My youngest of 3 boys is now 12, and life has been much calmer now for the past few years.

      So hang in there and try to squeeze a bit of time for yourself every so often!

    34. Elle Hyson says

      Kristen my dear, Happy Birthday a date late as the email came today – things will be much better as the year goes on, take it from the old lady. Chin up, shoulders back and delight in all your blessings.

    35. Deborah says

      I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Kristen!! I had my 34th last month, and made many of the same resolutions. This is going to be a great year!!

    37. Laurie says

      Of course I read this after our chat while walking to the parade, and I agree, this is going to be your year! You are a wonderful mom, wife, sister, daughter and friend, and I’m wishing for nothing but the best for you and your family in the year, and years, to come! Happy Birthday!!

    38. patsyk says

      I have these same muffins on my to-do list! Nothing wrong with something simple and delicious – with a few key convenience ingredients thrown in! 😉

      You will have the best year ever, I am sure of it!

    39. Sammie Q says

      Happy Birthday to someone who brings me joy every day. You bring delight to someone you will probably never meet. What a blessing that is. Have a great day.

    40. Jennifer @ Mother Thyme says

      Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! I just LOVE this recipe. I wish I had some spice cake mix in the pantry right now I would whip up a batch to have tomorrow morning with my coffee! I got spice cake mix on my grocery list now, so I’ll be making these soon! Enjoy your day!!

    43. Chase says

      Happy birthday to you! Your family is truly blessed to have you. I agree that it’s good to look back and reevaluate your life. I’m wishing you good health and more success on whatever you do. Thank you for the extra muffin recipe. It’s look delicious! 🙂

    45. camille says

      Happy birthday – I know I’m a mite belated here but like you said, it’s your YEAR, so why be beholden to one special DAY? I hope this year is everything you could hope for.

    50. Tracy says

      I love to read your blog and I love that you are out of control 🙂 makes me feel better……..lol. I am on same hunt, so if you find pointers that help patience or organization or whatever– please pass along. I started off by adding you to my google reader 🙂 I need a few other fun blogs to follow daily– ones that will lighten my day and do whatever else i need for that day 🙂

    53. backcountrybelle says

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY! yesterday!

      Love your post! We all need to find ourselves at some point in our lives. Life is funny how goes in so many different directions, but when we are grounded and on track with our kids, organization, work, and God, things flow so much better.

      Wishing you the best!

    60. Carol says

      Happy Birthday….enjoy your blog. Good luck in your endeavors this year but remember you are already LIVING everyday and the unorganized, blah blah blah-you is still wonderful!!!!! You are motivational and the recipes are great too. Don’t change too much, please.

    61. Love2Create says

      happy belated birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day.

      Wow, reading your post reminded me of myself….i’ve been feeling the same way…super overwhelmed and unorganized..i feel if i could just get my house in order, everything else will fall into place…still working on it 🙁 hang in there and I hope all turns out for you!!!

      and yes, this year is your year! Keep telling yourself that everyday and it will work…the mind is a powerful thing!

    65. Sandy @Southwestgirl says

      Happy Late B-Day! You are a step closer at the best B-Day EVER yet to come. No! Wait! Don’t hang-up on me. The big 4-0 was the best B-Day ever.
      All grown-up, no need to do anything I don’t feel passionate about… you get the idea. It was the perfect answer to my “feeling out of control” stage.
      38 can be your best year, just pull back and do what you love most and make no apology for what you can’t do.
      Sorry, too much information?

    67. JoAnne says

      Hi. I just stumbled across your blog and wanted to say thank-you for some great inspiration! I really related to this post about patience and having a great year. Not too long ago I was in a similar situation and was asking the universe to send patience my way. My patience (or lack thereof) seemed to get worse the more I asked for it! And then one day I realized…you can’t have patience without the opportunity to practice it! Since then, those moments when you really have to dig deep to keep it together have been a little easier to handle.
      I hope you have a great year and thanks for inspiring others.
      JoAnne

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