Fall

Down here in the Deep South, we've finally gone from summer to fall.

Last week started off with still pleasantly warm weather, comfortable enough for flip flops and jeans. This week, however, it's hard to step outside during the afternoon without feeling cold.

Here are a few of my favorite fall recipes;

Mint White Hot Chocolate

2 Cups Milk
2 Cups Half & Half Cream
8 oz. White Chocolate, Chopped
1 tsp. Peppermint Extract
A few drops of Green Food Coloring
Marshmallows (optional, but seriously, why wouldn't you not?)

In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the Milk and Cream over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the White Chocolate, remove from heat and set aside for a few minutes. Add the Peppermint Extract and Food Coloring, whisk until smooth.

Serve Immediately: Serves 4


Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
Author: Dinner at the Zoo

Filling:
1 (8 ounce) Package Cream Cheese, softened
1 Egg
1/3 cup White Sugar
1/3 cup Pumpkin Puree
2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Miniature Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Muffins:
1 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
1 cup White Sugar
1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Milk
1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Miniature Semisweet Chocolate Chips
Cooking Spray

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper cups or coat with cooking spray.
2. Place the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar, pumpkin puree and flour in the bowl of a stand mixer that has been fitted with the paddle attachment.
3. Beat until light and fluffy - the mixture may curdle at first, but it will come together if you continue beating.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips and set aside.
5. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center and add the milk, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full with the batter and top with 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the tops of the muffins. You may end up with extra cream cheese mixture, you can put it in an oven safe dish and bake it alongside the muffins for a cheesecake snack!
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.


Check out Pinterest or your other Favorite Blogs for wonderful recipes - food, crafts, and decorations alike!

Working Through Life

So - it appears as though I've stumbled across another Tuesday.

I swear, I work so much - or so often - that I completely forget what the day of the week is!

.......

Maybe that's why I never seem to have a decent topic. Hmmmmm


Okay okay okay - something positive for this week.

Did I already do a list of writing prompts ..... yes
How about food recipes?


Ooooo! Food!

Thank you Pinterest!

Have fun with some of these delicious ideas taken from our favorite website.


Fruit Smoothie(s) - Alright - the staple of healthy food. These are all great choices for a healthy drink.

Mexican Chicken Soup - partly because I love slightly spicy foods. These is a fantastic recipe, equal parts delicious. Quick, easy, delicious!

Easter Carrot - Here's one that's great for the Easter season. Perfect center piece, or something else.

Lemon Cheesecake - Dessert is the best meal of the day. Plus: lemon + cheesecake = bliss.

Egg Rolls - Gotta love the egg rolls, no good Chinese meal is complete without it.

Three Bean Salad - I know, another Mexican dish. Sue me, it's heritage.

Lemonade - A rather refreshing drink for the upcoming summer months.

Summer Salads - Also in time for the upcoming summer months - SALAD! Who doesn't love a good salad during a rather hot and depressing day?

$5 Dinners - A rather easy sort of way to get things done. Cheap, effective, and awesome.

More Smoothies - You thought the smoothies were over - but there back! More of the best recipes for a cool, delightful, and soothing drink.



Have a great week, and leave a comment, if you feel so inclined. :)

Family - Easter - Mixing it and Enjoying it

This past week I’ve had time to think about all sorts of ideas, things, conversations, and how to become better at what I do. Somehow the topic of “family” seemed to stick. So in honor of family – and Easter this upcoming Sunday! – here are some family (and Easter) tid-bits and recipes.

I don’t know about all of you, but families fight. Everyone does it, it’s nothing new. Here I have a few hard-earned tips from a rather wonderful fighter.

1)      When fighting and you know you’re wrong and don’t want to admit it – ADMIT IT.

a.       Everyone can be wrong. Sometimes it’s you sister, your brother, you mom, your dad – and then 90% it’s you. You are wrong. Yes, it bites, but admitting it means you are closer to getting closure.

2)      Take a Break

a.       Take five mintues, or even ten. Gather your temper so that you can return to the situation with a level head.

3)      Know when to accept Truce.

a.       There can be arguments in which no one wins. That’s a given.

4)      Hug.

a.       This is something my dad always made us do. Whenever we argued he always made us hug when it was over. That way, no matter the argument, it always ended with a hug.

Some on to some fun Easter recipes I found on Pinterest – links via Pinterest. (I don’t get paid for any of these name drops.)

1)      Easter Marshmallow Bark http://www.butterwithasideofbread.com/2013/02/easter-marshmallow-bark.html

a.       I cannot wait to try this out! It looks super fun, delicious, and easy to make!

2)      Easter Oreo Bark http://lilluna.com/easter-oreo-bark/

a.       Similar to the first one, but with Oreos! Who doesn’t love oreos?

3)      Carrot Cake – an Easter favorite! http://www.cookingclassy.com/2012/01/best-ever-carrot-cake/

a.       This is one of the best things to have to an Easter dinner. Well, after dinner. J

4)      Easter Fruit Pizza http://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/easter/a41803/easter-dessert-fruit-pizza/

a.       So, a rather simple, delectable easy make. Really delicious too.

A few, simple tips for a fixing a family feud, and finding food for them on Easter. Enjoy your Easter weekend folks!

Love - Lust - Nope

Okay – so we’re in the wonderful month of pink and red; hearts and chocolate; wine and roses.

Unless, like me, you are single with no chance of (or much cares for that matter) of getting into the whole dating game by the time Singles Awareness, er, I mean Valentine’s Day rolls around.

With only 12 days to prepare (well, 11 for any men out there reading this) there’s dozens of things to help with either preparing to have a wonderful night out, or a wonderful night in.

This post will be for those who plan to spend this night home. Alone.

Candles in the window

All kids aside, there are plenty of things to help keep your spirits up while all of your non-single friends are out at fancy restaurants, drinking wine – or champagne if your beau is super fancy.

Here I will list a few things to do, at home while cuddling with your favorite bottle of bubbly.

1.   

     1.    Netflix

This one is obvious. So obvious I had to add it.

This time of year there’s going to be lots of lovey-dovey flicks to watch on the Flix. I would recommend the following:

“Desk Set”, with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. A wonderful old-fashioned flick (in color) with tons of wit and sarcasm.

“High Society”, Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Sinatra, ‘nuff said.

“How to Marry a Million”, Betty Garble, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe.

All three of these are in color, but are old fashioned, clean with wonderful endings and lots of fluff.

22.       Fancy Dinner for One

You don’t have to go out to have a fancy meal. There are lots of recipes on the internet. 

Seriously. 

Have you seen Pinterest?

Far too many on there to count. Because of that, it’s super easy to find and plan the perfect meal (okay, all you dating people. You can use this one too.)

With all the ease of cooking and baking at home, it will taste just like one of those super fancy restaurants. The plus side, if you’re cooking for one, you can make for “two” and have super delicious leftovers the next day. (While your other friends are doing the walk of shame.)

33.       Have a girls night in.

Now I know Galantine’s Day is on the 13^th.

But what if you spread the love over two nights, instead of one? On the 13^th gather your friends at for a night out on the town. Grab some drinks, a fancy dinner, but the 14^th?

Stay in, watch a few movies, order in some pizza. Oo, better yet – have a chocolate bar!

And, no, I don’t mean a small, 12 piece individual wrapped bar.

I mean, lay out a chocolate spread: chocolate sauce, individual wrapped chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate soda, chocolate ice cream.

The chocolate is endless!

Is anyone else craving chocolate . . . . ?

45.       Sleep

If you can’t beat it – sleep through it.

While some of these may not be for everyone, there are plenty of single activities around that you can get yourself involved in. Doing a book blub date night – try an action novel.

Whether or not you’re going out or staying in, there are plenty of things to avoid doing on this wonderful Singles Awareness Day.