pumpkin lush pie

Let fall commence!

In college, my chocolate version of this tasty dessert was my go to. When I discovered pumpkin pudding last year, I transformed my recipe and the outcome was scrumptious.

Pumpkin Lush Pie

2 packages of pumpkin pudding mix
1 graham cracker crust, extra filling
1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 cup of milk
1 package of whipped topping
nutmeg to sprinkle on top

For the first layer, mix cream cheese, 1 cup of whipped topping and powdered sugar. Add the powdered sugar as you go to avoid bathing in it. You could also add more or less sugar based on your preferences. Once the first layer is mixed, spread in the bottom of the graham cracker crust.

For the second layer, combine the pumpkin pudding mix and milk until thickens. I gradually add the milk to obtain my desired consistency. Sometimes I add a little less milk. Once this layer is mixed, spread over cream cheese layer.

Finally, use the remaining whipped topping to cover pumpkin layer. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Chill for 1-2 hours and then serve.

Note: You could use any pudding flavors you like year round.

This recipe is so easy to pull together and quite tasty! Enjoy.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Holidays at the Espinolas

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite Tampa families generously hosted  a few of us for a dinner party at their home. The night was full of scrumptious food and lots of laughter! Jen and Wayne are excellent hosts that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They also excel in creating delicious dishes for us to enjoy!

For the holiday party, Jen and Wayne brought their A game in the kitchen. For appetizers, we enjoyed bacon wrapped scallops (a personal favorite) and a crostini topped with a chicken and cheese mixture. Of course, no party is complete without a signature drink. We sipped on buttertinis and sparkling wine.

The dinner menu was nothing short of YUMMY! The meal began with this fabulous Roasted Pear with Blue Cheese salad. This starter would be an excellent addition to any dinner party you are planning or an excellent choice for a dinner for one special.

Our fabulous hostess in her kitchen

Before: Pears with Blue Cheese

After: Great starter to any meal

We also feasted on ham, mashed potatoes, rolls with a herbed butter, and fresh green beans. We topped the meal off with a buttery shot and tiramisu trifle for dessert.

Our host bringing out the after dinner delight

I cannot describe how amazing this was!

As a parting gift, we all received a Christmas Pickle. The tradition is that when decorating the tree, you hide a pickle ornament in your tree. On Christmas, everyone searches for the mystery pickle. The one who finds the pickle receives a special gift and good fortune for the year ahead.

I enjoy all of the fellowship with friends and family that comes with the holidays. This event was certainly a highlight of my season. I hope you enjoyed good food and great times with your friends and family!

A special thank you to the Espinola Family for their hospitality and allowing me to blog about the special event!

Independence Day Celebration

Happy Fourth of July!

I celebrated a day early with Momma and Doug in Dunedin. We feasted on mahi and fresh cucumber, tomato, feta, and mint salad. The feta was so fresh and delicious that I ate a big ole piece all by itself. Yum!

Then we wandered down to Jollimon's Grill to enjoy sangria and fresh key lime pie. There was a fabulous Irish band that played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. It was such a treat! To complete the night, we enjoyed some early fireworks with a finale to God Bless the USA.

A great night and great celebration for the country we love so dearly! I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Decorating for Christmas

When I was little my step mom began purchasing us an ornament each year which served as our Christmas Eve gift. I have an ornament for almost every year of my life that represents something I was interested in then, from scuba diving to being rodeo queen.  When I went to college, my Momma purchased my first bulbs of blues and silver which still adorn my tree. With all of the meaning behind my ornaments, I always feel a bit nostalgic about decorating my Christmas tree. I have had a hesitancy about decorating my tree an anything but these ornaments but I have decided that it is time to transition into ornaments that I buy for myself - I'm thinking owls and jewel tones. I may be a family of one but I still think it is important to start your own holiday traditions. I could never get rid of these ornaments so I will be displaying them in a large vase in future years. With the changing of traditions on my tree, I felt especially excited to decorate the tree this year.

Everyone has a process they use to decorate. I start by pulling out the tree and getting all of the branches ready. Then I lay out my ornaments to survey what will go on the tree this year. Some of my ornaments that would be prime time for the cats to break, I display in a vase. Once all of the ornaments are laid out, I test the lights. I strand the tree and then the fun begins. This year, I simplified and only put up a few ornaments. I even broke the rule and put up my tree before Thanksgiving because I am going home on the 17th and I wanted to be able to enjoy it for a bit.

I begin shopping for Christmas super early because I hate the crowds as the holiday grows closer so I am usually done by Thanksgiving. This year is no exception, although I still have a few lingering things. Wrapping presents is the most fun for me - there is nothing like getting a pretty present! I did a twist on Christmas colors and went with Green, Pink, and Red with white for bows. I got the cutest paper at Pier One and these little accent berries at Hobby Lobby (for a steal I might add). For a couple of years now, I have flown home for Christmas and have not been able to decorate my presents all that nice so I really got excited about wrapping this year.

Presents under the tree!



How cute is this paper?



Hope you are all enjoying the twinkle of your trees! Tonight, I'll be enjoying mine with a delicious cup of hot chocolate.