Pumpkin Dip

Around this time of year I really enjoy cooking with Pumpkin.  One of my favorite recipes is Pumpkin Dip with Gingersnaps.  It is great for parties served in a hollowed out pumpkin or festive bowl, or great for a lazy day full of relaxing.  Try it out and tell me what you think!

PUMPKIN DIP

2 cups Confectioners’ Sugar

1 (8 oz) package Cream Cheese

1 (15 oz) can Pumpkin

½ tsp Ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice 

Cream together cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, mix well.  Place in an air tight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Makes approximately 3 ½ cups.

Serve with ginger snaps, apple slices or graham crackers.

Beautiful Display

V4 Launch!

As you know by now I am borderline obsessed with Southern Weddings Magazine!  If you ask me its practically the best thing since sliced bread.  Like many other readers I've been anxiously awaiting the next issue coming out and get excited everyday as the countdown on their website gets lower and lower.  Imagine my surprise when on a trip to Target, my other obsession, I was able to purchase Volume 4 earlier than expected!

Today is the official release day!  So if you haven't already, head on over to their website and purchase a copy or take a trip to your favorite store and see if you can pick up a copy today.

So excited to open the magazine in the car!

Another Southern Weddings fan!

Chocolate Melting Cake

This is another fabulous dessert I had during dinner on the cruise.  Being the choco-holic that I am, I couldn't resist ordering it twice!

CHOCOLATE MELTING CAKE

7 ounces semisweet chocolate

7 ounces butter

6 eggs

3 ounces sugar

4 ounces flour

Melt chocolate and butter together.   Mix half of eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes. Add flour. Then add rest of the eggs.  Add egg mix to the melted chocolate mix.  Pour mixture in individual ramekin cups.

Bake in oven at 390 degrees (200 celsius) for 15-20 minutes.

To serve, sprinkle top with powdered sugar and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Rob Smith's 50th Birthday Celebration

A month ago I had the pleasure of attending a 50th Birthday celebration that had been in the planning works for quite some time. 
The party was held in a ballroom at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington Virginia. The staff there was friendly, helpful and awesomely accomodating. The hotel was set in a beautiful location over looking the potomac river and Georgetown University.

Rob was surpised by all the guests that attended. The party lasted into the night, the guest had a great time full of lively dancing music, curtesy of DJ Wiggs, tons of food to try at the many different stations, provided by the marriott, and a beautiful cake provided by Tiffany's Bakery.

Thanks Smith Family for allowing us to take part in this Memorable Milestone!

Strawberry Bisque Soup

This was a fabulous starter that was served on the Carnival Imagination cruise.  I decided to try in on a whim because it sounded so interesting a cold strawberry soup, needless to say I absolutely fell in love.  Soon after I got home I googled it and was overjoyed to find this recipe!  Not only was the soup delicious, but the presentation was beautiful too.  This is a delicious starter that anyone is sure to love!

STRAWBERRY BISQUE SOUP

2 cups frozen strawberries

1 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar

Fresh mint, for flavor and garnish

Puree strawberries, milk, cream and sour cream in blender or food processor until smooth.  Stir in sugar.  Chill 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator before serving

Carnival Imagination

I am very blessed to have experienced an awesome vacation with a very wonderful boyfriend and our very close friends on a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas.  We opted for a beginning of fall 3 day trip to Nassau for our very first trip together.  It was truly perfect filled with tons of rest, relaxation, eating, laughing, shopping and exploring!

Ocean View Room

A wait staff that also entertains during dinner!

Me and Kimili, my boyfriend, just docked in Nassau 

View from the ship

Entire ship from the dock

Banana Boats!

Group photo

Blackberry Cobbler

This yummy recipe comes from Ree Drummond aka the Pioneer Woman.  I happened to catch her show one day coincidentally when I was toying with the idea of baking a peach cobbler.  I am not a baker, and the thought of it really freaks me out for some reason!  The simplicity of this recipe caught me by surprise and I can't wait to try it.  Who knows I may even try it with peaches one day!

 

Blackberry Cobbler from Pioneer Woman Blog

Wish Upon A Wedding

I am a proud board member of Wish Upon A Wedding, a non profit organization that donates dream weddings or vow renewals to couples affected by terminal illnesses or serious life altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. 

The launch of the North Carolina Chapter was celebrated on September 27, 2011 at the Top of the Hill Restaurant in Chapel Hill, NC.  We had a great time celebrating with professionals from the Wedding and Medical communities and with the help of both communities we can't wait to grant our first wedding wish!  Here are some pictures of the beautiful decor, 100% of the event was donated by some pretty amazing vendors!