Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Thanksgiving Recipe

My favorite Holiday is just 3 weeks away. Oh, how I love Thanksgiving! There is nothing better than spending time with great family over great food. I thought, since this is my favorite holiday I will share Thanksgiving recipes with you over the next 3 weeks. My goal is for you to find something you like, try it, and come back and tell all about how your family and friends raved over it for hours....crowning you queen/king of the kitchen! Caution....don't blame me if they try to convince you to make it every holiday...lol

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping


Ingredients:
  • 1 can(s) (15-ounce) pumpkin puree, equal to 1 3/4 cups
  • 8 whole(s) graham crackers, broken
  • 1/2 cup(s) pecans, 2 ounces
  • 1 tablespoon(s) light brown sugar
  • 5 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, melted plus more for greasing the pan
  • 1 1/2 cup(s) (14 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon(s) salt
  • 1 teaspoon(s) cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground allspice
  • 5 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup(s) heavy cream, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
  • Whipped Cream, for serving
  • Pecan Praline Topping, for serving

Directions
  1. Set a rack over a baking sheet and line the rack with 2 layers of paper towels. Spread the pumpkin puree over the paper towels and let drain for 2 hours, until the puree is fairly dry.
  2. Preheat the oven to 500°F. Butter the bottom and side of a 9-inch springform pan. In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until finely ground. Add the pecans and brown sugar and pulse until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse just until incorporated. Press the crumbs onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for about 8 minutes, just until it is fragrant and lightly browned. Let the crust cool completely.
  3. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the cream cheese until it is very smooth. In a small bowl, whisk the sugar with the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. With the machine on, add the spiced sugar to the cream cheese and beat until creamy, scraping the bottom and side of the bowl. Carefully add the drained pumpkin puree and beat until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl between each addition. Beat in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and vanilla until the cheesecake mixture is smooth.
  4. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust and bake for 12 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 225°F and bake the cheesecake for about 3 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 150°F; the center will be very jiggly but not liquidy. Let the cheesecake cool on a rack, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  5. Run a hot knife around the cheesecake and loosen the springform ring. Carefully remove the ring and transfer the cake to a plate. Using a warm knife, cut the cake into wedges and serve with the Pecan Praline Topping and whipped cream.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Engagement Photo Props


WILL YOU MARRY ME?? SHE SAID YES!! I DO!!....These are some of the most heartfelt words that a Man and Woman longs to hear. So why not share your story through props in your engagement photos. I love photography, capturing those priceless moments that only pictures can transcribe. The details, the smiles, the gestures, the posture.....BUT THE CREATIVITY gets me every time. Engagement photos are now being taken to new heights! The trends are phenomenal!

The & sign is genius! 
It symbolizes the forever of two that will eventually become one. Click here to see other creative ways to use this prop.
This one comes in different sizes. Click here for prices.
Click here to see the & sign in a different texture.

Wedding Date Props!
Your wedding date will always be a special day in your life. To look back at your pictures and see your wedding date displayed and  taking front stage over the other 364 days of the year will make you smile every time. 

Click here to get more details about this bold display.
Click here if you like the design of this date.
Click here to see a vast variety of wedding prop signage.

Banner Props!!

Click here if you are interested in this banner.
Click here to see the details of this bright banner.
Click here to see more details about this banner style.

Mr. & Mrs. Props!!

Click here for more options

Where ever you take your engagement photos just remember to make sure it reflects You! You can incorporate your careers, 1st date location, hobbies, where you 1st met, and even your favorite places to visit. If you choose your props wisely you can even use them in your wedding photos.

I would love to see your engagement photos and I am sure others would too! Submit them to me and I will be happy to share.












Sunday, October 23, 2011

Wizard of Oz Party!!


OMG!!!! I am a kid's party fanatic! My mouth is still hanging open at this Wizard of Oz Party I found over at Kara's Party Ideas. I loved this movie as a kid. I would watch it over, and over and over again. Who ever created this party was just genius in the way every little detail reflected this movie to perfection. When I saw this party I just knew I had to share it with you!!! I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did.


Please believe me when I say the pictures did not stop here. Please click here to see more pictures that captured every little detail of this fabulous party. It's the small details that have the most bang and this party pulled out all the stops!!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Cake Pops!!!

Cake Pop's have been taking parties by storm! Leaving guests in awe and leaving the baking shelves on empty. They are light, pretty desserts for your next party without all the mess. They make great favors for kid parties, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers and even weddings! They are also fun to make and decorate with your children or friends! They are very economical so if you don't get them quite right the first time...TRY AGAIN!

Cake Pops for Kid Parties!!

Click herehere, and  here for more!!

Baby Shower Cake Pops!!

To see more of these awesome cake pops check out  BakeMyDayGF and SugarParlour

Bridal Shower Cake Pops!!

click herehere and here for pricing and more ideas!

Wedding Cake Pops!!


Wedding Pop Resources:
SimplyDevineDesserts
PoppiesCakePops
Smilingrose


Bake them, Taste them, You're going to love them!!! Then come back and tell me how it went!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Winter Wedding Centerpieces!!!


The Winter is approaching fast! Typically people consider the wedding season to be over with but PLEASE don't count it out just yet. Every little girl dreams of her wedding day, sunshine, no rain....perfect weather. Then, there is the little girl that dreams of a Winter Wonderland.....all white, fresh snowflakes, crisp air, and purity. So for those little girls who dare to dream and for the woman who are making their dreams reality....I say to you Congrats! Enjoy your winter wedding, Princess!

See the winter white with a hint of green? You can add any accent color of your choice to those crisp white linens and your wedding will be talked about for years to come! My favorite color is purple and I can see it bouncing off those white walls now!

The branches are the key element to these centerpieces. They bring the feel of nature indoors. What a warm cozy feeling! The best part about these are that you can do them yourself!

If you are looking for centerpieces with some height....HERE YOU GO! These absolutely blew me away! I think when it's time for me to renew my vows I'm going Winter Glam....HOOKED!
Can you say Bling!?! This has got be me the most beautiful idea yet. This centerpiece is easy to imitate yourself. Tree branches, beads, and feathers....Now we have a WINTER DIVA PRINCESS..love it!






Sunday, October 16, 2011

Pumpkin and Pie, Oh My!!!

If you love pumpkin and love to eat in season you are in luck!!! Check out this sweet treat found on Betty Crocker. It's not too late to try this out for your Halloween gather! You can even store it away til Thanksgiving or a week night dinner dessert. Try it out and come back and tell me all about it!

Filling

1
package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2
cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1
egg
3
tablespoons sugar
1
teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4
teaspoon ground nutmeg
Brownies
1
box Betty Crocker® Premium Brownies Ultimate Fudge
1/4
cup vegetable oil
2
tablespoons water
1
egg


  • 1Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray. In small bowl, beat all filling ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Set aside.
  • 2Make brownie batter as directed on box, using 1/4 cup oil, 2 tablespoons water and the egg. Spread 3/4 of the batter in pan. Spoon filling by tablespoonfuls evenly over batter. Spoon remaining brownie batter over filling. Cut through batter several times with knife for marbled design.
  • 3Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted 1 inch from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.
I love chocolate and I love brownies.....so excited to try this recipe! It's at the top of my list!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Calling All Super Hero's!!!!


Once upon a time there was a Grandma who loved her Grandson so very much. She would do anything to make all his Birthday wishes come true, so she decided to give him the best party ever! She asked the soon to be 6-year-old what he wanted his party theme to be.......and you know what he screamed "I want a Super Hero Party"!! So soon after this awesome Granny called me to put this party in motion and I was elated with the theme! For this Superhero party we went with Superman, Batman, and Iron Man. Enjoy!

Theses were homemade centerpieces and a sword was placed at each place setting for the party guest!



THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!!
Little Kaniah dressed as Super Girl!
The backdrop was made from comic book pages. The sweet table contained sand pails for each guest to carry their treats home in, Superhero books, Superhero puzzles, Superhero wash clothes and lots of sweets!
The Happy Birthday picture Back drop!

What's a party without the snacks? Superhero's have to eat too!

THE END


Party Resources:
Dollar Tree - Comic Books, Superhero puzzles and books
Big Lots - Superhero masks
Michael's - Sand buckets