Gingerbread Brownie Smore's

I had to try out an experimental Gingerbread Smore's Brownie today...HAD to pick up some of those gingerbread marshmallows (that are insanely cute!)...HAD to use the cinnamon graham crackers in the cupboard, HAD to use the brownie mix, and also HAD to use some chocolate bars and dark kisses layin around the house...so here is what came of all of that... my 11 year old step-son even helped  ;) Then of course I HAD to try them but my nose is so stopped up that I couldn't taste them so I didn't go too far with that...thankfully..

 I got the original idea just for smore's brownies from the Genius Picky-Palate...here is her version: http://picky-palate.com/2010/05/31/smores-stuffed-brownies/

Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake Days

Who loves Pumpkin Cheesecake? Well this one I made is Pecan Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake.. I usually just make the pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust but this time I tried to make similar to the one they have at Cheesecake Factory-big difference here (I didn't charge 8 bucks a slice!) :) I would make it again, I think I would make the pecan pie part a little bit sweeter though and perhaps make the cheesecake part just a little smaller because it nearly overpowered the pecan pie part. Oh and make more candied pecans for on top! Yum! Overall though it was delicious according to those that tried it. Tomorrow morning I'm going to get up and make a super yummy pumpkin bread recipe I got and tweaked from a friend. 


I actually went outside tonight and took a 30 minute walk, now I will feel slightly less guilty about all the food that I have and will ingest this week. It is 8:34 and I feel like going to bed, how pitiful is that? Remember I am only 26! I guess working full time, school full time, and 3 kids will do that to you. I am looking forward to being very thankful for all that we have tomorrow, and making and eating some good food with family. Hopefully everyone else will do the same. 

Final thought-There was the sweetest old man at the restaurant we went to for dinner tonight-he wanted to buy the old lady next to him a birthday drink (he got rejected sadly) then he gave our boys $1 coins as he was leaving. Those are the kind of people we need more of in this world. So I will end this with this thought-  I Love old people. ;) 

Headaches and Ice Cream

Today I woke up with an appalling headache. I took an Excedrin tension headache pill and went back to bed after I changed my baby's diaper, gave her a bottle, and left the husband to take care of the rest of the pack. Woke up again about 10AM and headache was still there being oppressive so I ate some breakfast and took another pill. It is now 12:18PM and I have been working on this paper on applied research that is due tonight by midnight. Husband is watching kids again and I am having a brain fart on top of this headache so I figured I would write about it, hey something has to work right??


In other more fun news.. Last night I tried the recipe from Kevinandamanda.com for the homemade ice cream without a machine. Oh man, was it good and easy! I did buy the fat-free sweetened condensed milk and then I put that Betty Crocker Mocha flavoring for cupcakes in the mix, then added a bunch of big pieces of double stuffed Oreos. It was delish (even before freezing it!) Next time though I will use maybe half as much of the mocha flavoring, it was really strong! Thank you Amanda for that idea!! Then after the fact; even though I truly enjoyed using my stand mixer and whipping that whipping cream to stiff peaks, I realized that I could have saved some fat and calories and just bought some Cool Whip! :) It might change the consistency, but something to try for next time... I figure wherever I can cut calories and fat then I probably should! 


I should mention that is a perfect 69 degrees, mostly sunny day here in Nashville. We've got the windows open and breeze blowing in..ahhh! Perfect day for a walk in the park! 

Falling Leaves

The power of falling leaves is amazing; I wonder how many leaves fall in any given Autumn season. Has anyone else wondered that? Even though it makes for messes when tracking leaves into the house, there isn't anything like this beautiful season. How does Autumn seem to have so much power to make one want to bake pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, heck anything with pumpkin in it all the time?! I'm contemplating what new dish I should make with our thanksgiving dinner or if I should keep it "traditional." I would at least like to add one new recipe to try out and see what happens. Any fabulous ideas? 

New to the Blog World

Heya! 


I love reading and looking at good blogs, and almost always have something to say so thought I'd make my own!  My life is crazy, and full of love and laughter and mistakes. :) I love to bake and try new, exciting, and usually easy recipes. I love to take pictures of nearly everything and share them with whoever will pay attention. I've got 3 children at home and my lovely husband who puts up with me everyday. Hope someone enjoys seeing glimpses into my life as much as I do!

Cathy