Anxiously awaiting Fall

I found this on Pinterest and HAD TO reblog it. It just looks too good to pass up. I think when we go grocery shopping I will buy a can of pumpkin and the pumpkin spice to make it.

There it is. Isn’t it gorgeous? Sigh. Oh, how I love thee Pumpkin Spice Latte. Warm and yummy. Definitely pumpkin-y, But not too pumpkin-ish. Cinnamon. Whipped cream. What’s not to love? Even my kids do (and they despise coffee).

One teensy problem- I only go to Starbucks when I happen to have a gift card to “spend.” Which is seldom in the fall. And that happens to be the only time Starbucks offers the delicacy known as pumpkin spice latte.

It soon became apparent that the only way some pumpkin spice would cross my palate would be if I made it myself. After searching for a recipe that closely resembles it and combining several, this is what I came up with.

Just Like Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte:
Makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute – adjust to taste
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup strong brewed coffee (or 1/4 cup of espresso if you have an espresso machine)

Directions:
In a saucepan stir together milk, pumpkin and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds or until foamy. I don’t usually bother with the blender and just whip the mixture really well with a wire whisk.

Pour into a large mug or two mugs if you decide to share. Add the coffee or espresso on top. 

Optional: (But don’t even think about skipping this step. I mean it). Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

Food is not my friend!

For the past four days or so I have been so hungry! I mean like starving. I'll eat something and then want more and nothing ever really satisfies me. I know this can be a symptom of PMS and I am due next weeks so this could be what it is but it's making me kind of nervous. It's the only symptom I have so what the hell! I tend to WebMD the shit out of everything so I am staying away from that site. I just hope when my period comes, it goes away.

Onto another topic, I found the cutest thing ever today online. It's a baby camera and an assistant onesie. Perfect for Aubrey when she's older. I'm not calling myself a photographer because it drives me crazy that so many people say this when they are in fact not one! I mean if you like taking pictures like myself, great! But do not call yourself a photographer.

100 days until Halloween

So I have always been into paranormal things and the unknown. The thought of it was always just so creep and fascinating so needless to say that Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Heck, I even got married on Halloween! My mother used to always tell my sisters and cousins ghost stories of things she claimed to have saw in the house I grew up in and whether or not ghosts exist, I am a believer.

Since I was little I have always watched horror movies and shows on TV about the paranormal. I remember when I was a child my family used to have the most kick-ass Halloween parties ever!

I remember having all of these kids over and doing traditional Halloween party things and then at the end of the night, all of us kids piling up in the back of a truck and riding through the huge cemetery in Orange at night. It would scare me so bad as a kid but it was so much fun. Seriously, my best childhood memory. I'll never forget those parties and all of the fun, scary times we all had! I wish we could do it again and have another one and go to that same cemetery at night!

With that being said, I am getting very anxious about the arrival of Halloween and even just Fall in general. This Halloween will be my first wedding anniversary, Aubrey's first Halloween and I plan on doing some really awesome things this fall. I have made a list so far of places around Virginia that are part of "Haunted Virginia."

Witch's Pond, Stafford VA 22554: A trail off Telegraph Road will lead to a place called Witch's Pond. There is a sacrifice table there that was used in the 1700's. There have been numerous sightings of a mysterious woman on the lake near the table. The sacrifice table has letters written on it in Latin. This place is said to be private but if you are brave enough here is a map. Map to Witch's Pond

Exchange Hotel, Gordonsville, VA 22942: The Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel is a museum containing exhibitions on the history of Gordonsville as a railroad town, the elegance of the Exchange Hotel and its transformation and remarkable history as the Gordonsville Receiving Hospital with its medical and Civil War artifacts. There have been numerous reports of apparitions as well as the many unexplained sounds described by past visitors. For more information you can visit their website at Exchange Hotel

Old Towne Inn, Manassas VA 20110: A spirit named "Miss Lucy" is said to like to play pranks such as turning on faucets, messing up the beds and unplugging appliances. She haunts room 52, but roams from 50-54. For more information or to reserve a room you can visit their website. Old Towne Inn

Alexandria’s Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour, Alexandria VA 22314: You’ll follow an 18th century costumed guide by lantern light through the charming streets of Alexandria’s historic district known as Old Town. On this entertaining tour you’ll hear ghost stories, legends and folklore. You will also hear about unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge. For more information you can visit, Alexandria Ghost Tours

Looking forward to visiting these places soon!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

Today was Aubrey's first 4th of course so we headed down to Madison to my grandparents to celebrate with my family. We had a small family cookout and then set off fireworks after. We thought for sure that the cops would be called because my Uncle travels every year to Pennsylvania to get the mortar fireworks and this year he went all out! The fireworks were probably the biggest I have ever seen, well aside from public firework displays. They were so loud that my Mom took Aubrey inside for me while I took photos.

I made some desserts, one of which was a hit and the other well, it wasn't touched. He he. I overslept that day and woke up very late and basically had to rush around to make the food for the cookout. I wasn't paying much attention so I accidentally added milk to the instant pudding mix for the watergate salad. You're probably asking yourself, "Aren't you supposed to put milk in pudding mix?" Why, yes! Yes you are but not when you are making watergate salad. This stuff is so good and my grandmother used to make it when we were younger in the Summer so I decided that I would surprise everyone by making it but I failed. It was more like watergate soup and no one ate it so ultimately it made its way down the garbage disposal.

Watergate Salad: Do not add milk to the instant pudding mix like I did! 

1 can  (20 oz.) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

1pkg.  (3.4 oz.) pistachio flavored instant pudding

1 cup mminiature marshmallows

1/2 cup  chopped pecans

1-1/2cups  whipped topping

Combine first 4 ingredients in large bowl and then stir in the cool whip. Refrigerate 1 hour. 

The second dessert I made that was a success was called Star Spangled Pie! I didn't think everyone would like it because it didn't look as great as the picture I had seen but again, I made this in a hurry. Obviously, it tasted OK! 

Star Spangled Pie: Take your time if you want it to look pretty! 

1 1/4 cups Keebler® Chips Deluxe® Rainbow Bite Size cookies

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened*
1/3 cup sugar

1 tub (8 oz.) frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

1 graham cracker crust. Any brand.
Red, white and blue sprinkles

Chop cookies and set aside. In a small mixing bowl beat cream cheese on medium speed of electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until combined. Fold in cookies and whipped topping and the spread in crust. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or until set. Garnish with sprinkles. Store in refrigerator.

*NOTE: Soften cream cheese in microwave at high for 15 to 20 seconds.

All in all a pretty good 4th! I also took some great pictures. I wont post them all because I took a lot but I'll post some of my favorites.