Submitted by: 

Ingredients

·       FOR CAKE:

·       2 and ¼ cups flour

·       2 tsp. baking powder

·       1 tsp. baking soda

·       2 tsp. cinnamon

·       1 tsp. ground allspice

·       ¾ tsp. nutmeg

·       ½ tsp. ground ginger

·       ¼ tsp. ground cloves

·       ½ tsp. salt

·       1 and ⅓ cups canned pumpkin

·       ¾ cup buttermilk

·       1 tsp. vanilla

·       1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

·       1 cup granulated sugar

·       ¼ cup brown sugar

·       3 eggs (I use extra-large)

·       FOR FROSTING:

·       ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

·       8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

·       ¾ tsp. vanilla

·       ½ tsp. cinnamon

·       3 cups powdered sugar

·       1 Tbsp. milk

Instructions

1.      Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a Bundt pan (I use a Bundt pan with 10 to 11 cup capacity) with Baker's Joy (or grease and flour). Set aside. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt in a bowl. Set aside. Mix pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla in another bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer and a large bowl), beat the butter and sugars until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs and beat until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour and pumpkin mixtures, alternating (beginning and ending with flour mixture). Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Bake for about 45 minutes (I recommend checking at 40 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (crumbs on the toothpick are okay since it should be moist). Cool about 10 minutes and remove from pan. Let cool. Frost with cinnamon cream cheese frosting (see below) or simply sprinkle with powdered sugar and/or top slices with a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

2.      For Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature) and 8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature) for about 2 minutes on medium speed until fluffy. Mix until completely combined. Add ¾ tsp. vanilla and ½ tsp. cinnamon. Turn to low speed and slowly add 3 cups powdered sugar. Mix another 1 to 2 minutes until combined and fluffy. Add about 1 Tbsp. of milk and mix until combined. Move frosting to a bowl and microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds. This will make spreading/pouring the frosting easier.

Image submitted by Gianna – how gorgeous! 

http://www.cozycakescottage.com/2014/09/09/pumpkin-spice-buttermilk-cake-with-cinnamon-cream-cheese-frosting-with-video/

Sonoma County Library:

encouraging our children to Talk-Sing-Read-Write-Play every day!

Aren’t we always looking for new activities for our little ones? With the weather about to turn, indoor fun will soon be in high demand. While Petaluma has lots of fun play spaces, let’s not forget our amazing public library!

The children’s area is always welcoming - with books, toys, coloring supplies, and encouragement from the library staff for kids to play and be kids. The Sonoma County Library has a vast collection of children's books, housed in the Petaluma branch and/or available for request from the catalog. Our librarians are incredibly helpful in suggesting titles, if you have a topic in mind. Book lists for different ages are available, as well as monthly early literacy calendars with easy, at home activities. 

And the events … we are fortunate to have plenty of fun, free, kids events throughout the year! The weekly story times are age appropriate, engaging, and led by some of the very best of the best children’s librarians. Special events change monthly, offering entertainment to kids of all ages (and parents). 

Shannon, one of Petaluma's children's librarians, keeping our 18-36 month crowd engaged with movement, songs, and stories at Toddler Time on Friday mornings (10:15, with Parent Play Group following). 

Michelle, children's librarian, hosting Preschool Storytime (and Crafts!). Our preschoolers are delighted with her interactive songs, dancing, and stories on Tuesday mornings at 10:15. 

Check out the Sonoma County library website for general information, and a calendar of weekly and special events. 

Main website: https://sonomalibrary.org

Petaluma Regional Library events calendar: https://sonomacounty.libcal.com/calendar?cid=4920&t=m&d=0000-00-00&cal=4920&cm=2627

October Board Member of the Month

Thank you for naming me as Board Member of the month! I joined the PMC board because I wanted to do more for my community and I am very excited to be the Service Project Coordinator. I hope I don’t disappoint. Outside of the board I am the activities coordinator for my two daughters (Olivia 4, and Bridget 2). We stay busy with lots of arts and crafts, visits to the Schultz Research Center, Bay Area Discovery Museum, and the Exploratorium (the girls love taking the ferry into the city!). Before kids I was a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael. My husband and I met there on my first day and he helps me stay connected to that world. I miss it regularly ... dogs are easier to train than children. ;) 

What is your greatest fear? 

Being alone. I can’t imagine living without the people who fill my heart and soul with love, happiness, excitement, and adventure.

When and where were you happiest?

Any time I can create something I am fulfilled. This can take the form of sewing, baking, painting or a project to improve our home. I love making things that make the world a prettier place to be. 

What do you most value in your friends? 

Honesty and a sense of humor! Those most dear to me are people who I can trust wholeheartedly and who can find humor in any situation … or at least laugh with me when things get stressful.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Without question Dr. Binkley is my hero! Without his expertise and talents in the operating room I would not have the life I do today. I met him after a gallbladder removal gone horribly wrong, and he was the one who not only put me back together, but has since become a friend and true support. I am honored to be his friend after all he has done for me. 

Spider Web Art Project

Submitted by: Mallory Loewenthal

Mallory and her kids had a blast doing this craft, and look how beautiful the finished project is! For step by step instructions:

https://letslassothemoon.com/2014/10/08/spider-web-art-project/

Comment to share your own pics and favorite Halloween crafts!

"What are your favorite things about fall?"

The time to start thinking about preschools for our little ones can creep up so fast! In the blink of an eye, our babies turn into toddlers, and then school days are right around the corner. Whether you are just starting the process, already looking at schools, or it’s not quite on your radar yet, the PMC can help. 

Here in Petaluma, we’re lucky to have too many good schools to choose from. This can make the search overwhelming. A great place to start is with the preschool guide located here: https://petalumamothersclub.org/Guides (you must be logged in to access from the Members Only tab). 

The PMC also hosts an annual drop-in Preschool Night, where you can gather more information and meet representatives from many of the schools. Watch your email, facebook, playgroup, and this here blog for more details as we schedule that event in early 2019!

Good luck to all!

Get ready for Halloween (never too early!) with this fun craft - submitted by Stephanie Walsh.

Weave a Spider Web

Materials:

Paper plate (the sturdier the better)

Black yarn or string

Plastic spiders

Scissors

Hot glue (optional for spider placement)

Instructions:

● Cut out the center of the paper plate (adults/ older kiddos) and then cut small notches along the outer rim of your plate. I ended up making 16. These don't have to be exact, just spaced out enough to give your web room to grow.

● Tie a knot in your yarn and coming from the back place it in a notch. Now wrap the yarn around the plate front to back, moving randomly from notch to notch. Older kids will be pretty independent, but it will help if you sit with your tiny crafters to help.

● When your web is finished leave a long tail to tie your spider to. If you want to add other spiders feel free.

Fun night at Rafy's making pizzas! Thankful for their donation to the PMC!