Thanksgiving Appetizers

Today my friend Kim is kicking off Tried and True Thanksgiving Recipes Week!  Link up your great recipes this week - she's even having a giveaway!  Yummy!  I could probably handle having about 3 Thanksgiving dinners so that I could try all the recipes I like.  I'll just have to settle for one and narrow down the recipes!

The first day is all about Thanksgiving Appetizers.  We always have a few munchies out as family visits before the big meal.  I have learned over the years though to keep the appetizers a little lighter so nobody gets too full.  I've tried a few different things over the years, but have decided to keep it fairly simple this year.

One thing that's a big hit is these:

Lacy Cheddar Crisps

The recipe is very simple:

Lacy Cheddar Crisps
1 and 1/2 cups (6 oz) packaged shredded sharp cheddar cheese*

Adjust oven racks to low and middle positions and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon cheese onto one sheet, then spread into a round with your fingertips so that cheese is more or less in a single layer. Repeat with remaining cheese, keeping cheese disks about 1 inch or so apart. (You should get about 12 wafers on a large sheet.)

Bake until crisps stop bubbling, 9 to 10 minutes, switching sheets after 5 minutes if they appear to be cooking unevenly. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

*The packaged shredded cheese works better than freshly grated since the packaged is less oily.

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I'll have to make a double-batch of those!  They go fast!

I think we'll also have a bowl of this yummy snack mix (that I'm munching on right now):

Crunchy Party Mix

This is a lighter version of a Chex Mix and is actually made in your slow cooker!  Smells soooo good!  You can find the recipe over at my healthier blog (Stop Eating All The Chocolates).

And I think we'll have some cut-up veggies with Ranch Dip.  But I'll just use my recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix to make the dip rather than buying a packet.

Other than that, hubs likes to get some really yummy bread, cut it up and have olive oil, fresh ground pepper and balsamic to dip it in.

That's about it for our Thanksgiving appetizers!  What are your favorite appetizers?  Now get yourself over to Kim's Cooking Blog and link up some yummy appetizer recipes or at least check out her delicious appetizer recipe!

Have a blessed Monday friends!

Would You Like Dessert With That? ~ Pumpkin-Ginger Pie With Golden Marshmallow Topping

This is normally Chocolate Friday, but the first Friday of the month we enjoy Dessert Friday so those poor non-chocolate desserts can have their moment in the spotlight!  :)  I have been sick and am still not feeling great, but I couldn't skip dessert!  So bring your dessert posts to link up today - it'll make me feel better!

Today I'm sharing a pie that we'll be having for Thanksgiving this year.  Don't forget that my friend Kim is having Thanksgiving Tried and True Recipe Week starting Monday!  I thought I would share my dessert a little early, but I'll be linking up at Kim's cooking blog next week.

Notice that this pie has "Golden Marshmallow Topping."  Apparently that does not mean "Flaming Marshmallow Topping" just so you know (maybe you should read my fiery tale)!

I took this pie to a church potluck and it was well-received.  Most importantly, hubby gave it two thumbs up and said to make it again for Thanksgiving.  Thank you once again to my Pillsbury calendar for providing a yummy recipe!

Pumpkin-Ginger Pie With Golden Marshmallow Topping

Crust

1 single pie crust

Streusel

1/2 cup crushed gingersnap cookies

1/4 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons butter, softened

Filling

1 can (15-oz) pumpkin

1 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot (I just used ground ginger)

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, slightly beaten

Topping

2 to 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

1.  Heat oven to 425 degrees F.  Place cookie sheet on middle oven rack.  Prepare pie crust in 9-in. pie plate for a one-crust filled pie.  In small bowl, mix streusel ingredients.  Sprinkle streusel in crust-lined pie plate.  

2.  In large bowl, mix filling ingredients.  Pour into pie crust on top of streusel.  Place pie plate on cookie sheet in oven.  Bake 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temp to 350 degrees F.  Bake 35-45 minutes longer (mine took even longer) or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely on cooling rack, about 3 hours.  

3.  Just before serving, set oven control to broil.  Spread marshmallows evenly over top of pie, completely covering filling.  Broil pie with top about 5 inches from heat about 30 seconds, watching carefully, until marshmallows are lightly browned.  Marshmallows will brown quickly.  Cover and refrigerate any remaining pie. 

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.):  Don't use a cookie sheet.  In step 2, during second bake time, cover edge of crust with foil strips to prevent excessive browning, and bake 35-40 minutes.  Remove foil before Step 3.

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I liked this pie better than a plain pumpkin pie.  Does it sound like one you'll try?  Mmmm...can't wait for Thanksgiving!

Now remember, it's your job to help me feel better by bringing your dessert posts to link up with MckLinky today!  You can use new or old posts, with or without chocolate.  Please bring me some dessert?  I look forward to "trying" them all - LOL!

Have a fabulous Friday!!

I'm linking this up to the Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap today - lots of good recipes there!

Works-For-Me-Wednesday: Hosting Holiday Meals

Today's WFMW has a theme: holiday/entertaining tips.  I have hosted the Thanksgiving meal for several years and have learned a few things along the way.

Here are a few random tips if you are hosting a big holiday meal:

 ~ Plan the whole meal well ahead of time.  Schedule when to make each dish.  Consider what things can be made ahead and think about how long each thing takes to make.  Work backward from the time you want to eat to decide when to start each dish.

 ~ Purchase disposable containers so you can send leftovers home with your guests and they don't have to worry about returning any dishes.

 ~ Set the table(s) ahead of time.  That way when the food is ready, you can just set it out and call everybody over.

~ Be flexible about what time you plan to eat.  Give guests a general idea of the time, but don't be too specific.  It's SO hard to get everything ready at the same time!

 ~ If you have appetizers for early guests, keep them light.  You don't want everybody to be already full when sitting down to a fabulous big meal.

 ~ Skip the green salad and maybe even the rolls!  For my family at least, there are so many wonderful dishes being served that nobody wants to fill up on salad or bread.  I finally stopped serving salad and am considering stopping the rolls because they go uneaten and we end up with too many left over.

 ~ Jot down notes for your next big meal.  Were you wrong on any timing?  What dishes were a hit and what was hardly eaten?  Were you missing anything?  What worked well?  Seriously - write it down.  I always think I'll remember next year, but I don't!  :)

Are you hosting a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal?  What tips do you have?

For more Works-For-Me-Wednesday posts, stop by We Are THAT Family!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

I Lit A Pie On Fire - How Was Your Day?

I decided to start this week off just telling what's going on around here - aren't you glad you stopped by?  :)

Yes, I did light a pie on fire Sunday morning.  Perhaps the time change wasn't a good thing for me!  I had spent Saturday evening making food for our Church Potluck (Potato Goulash, Caesar CousCous, Chocolate Cherry Cobbler, and Pumpkin-Ginger Pie).  The Pumpkin-Ginger pie called for a broiled marshmallow topping which I decided to do Sunday morning.  I put the pie on the very top shelf under the broiler and peeked at it a couple times.  Looked again and just saw flames!!  Well, I immediately turned off the broiler and turned on an exhaust fan, but then I just stared at the flaming pie - I did not know what to do with it!  It was a very sad kitchen moment for me.  I called my hubby, who came in, pulled the shelf out and blew the flames right out.  Happy ending?  Only the top of the thick layer of marshmallows was burned, so I was able to take it all off and start over - uh, on a lower shelf.  Turned out great!  Don't worry - if you catch on fire in my kitchen, I'm pretty sure I'll figure out a way to put it out...I think!  :)

Speaking of kitchens, and food - minus the smoky smell - (is that not a great segue - LOL) - did you know that my friend Kim at Homesteader's Heart is having a Tried and True Thanksgiving Recipes Week next week (November 9-13)?  Yum!  It will be hosted on her cooking blog - What's Cooking At My House.  Get your yummy posts ready to link up!  Here's the schedule: Monday - Appetizers, Tuesday - Sides, Wednesday - Main Dish, Thursday - Dessert, Friday - Thanksgiving Traditions.  See you there!   

A note for tomorrow - there won't be a Tea For Two-sday post.  I think I have to give the tea posts a break for a while.  I've been posting about tea almost every Tuesday for over 18 months!  You can look through some of the past Tea posts by clicking on Tea for Two-sday in the label cloud on my sidebar.

I hope all of you have a fabulous day today  - a non-flaming pie kind of day!

Hugs to you my friends! 

Review: Michael Buble - Crazy Love

Hope you're having a great weekend!  Another CD review - can't help it when I get sent such fantastic CDs!

One 2 One Network sent me the new Michael Buble CD to review, and WOW!  I love it!  Of course, I already loved Michael Buble.  He has a fantastic voice and a great crooner jazzy style, but manages to come across as young and modern at the same time.  Michael has been around for several years and is a multi-Grammy winning artist.

Michael's new album, Crazy Love, is a collection of different types of love songs.  I do really enjoy the whole album!  One of my favorites is his song - Haven't Met You Yet.  It's upbeat and a little different from the other songs.  Go see the video now and tell me what you think!  I also really like the bonus track, Whatever It Takes.  But honestly, I enjoy the all the songs.

Here's a listing of the songs on the album:

1. Cry Me A River
2. All Of Me
3. Georgia On My Mind
4. Crazy Love
5. Haven't Met You Yet
6. All I Do Is Dream Of You
7. Hold On
8. Heartache Tonight
9. You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
10. Baby (You've Got What It Takes)
11. At This Moment
12. Stardust
13. Whatever It Takes (bonus track)

Have you listened to this album yet?  If you don't have it and want to purchase it, click here.  You can get more info about Michael Buble at his website.  I would absolutely love to see him in concert, so I'll be watching those dates!


Disclosure:  One 2 One Network sent me this CD for free and asked me to give an honest review on my blog.  I received no other compensation for this review.  As always, my opinions are my own!


Do you have this CD yet or have you heard it?  What did you think?


Have a wonderful weekend friends!

Would You Like Chocolate With That? ~ The Nutella Challenge: Nutella Bites

 

Yay - it's Chocolate Friday!!  First, I have to thank all my awesome readers and friends for so much great input and support this week!  I loved all the feedback on Monday about what age to leave a child home alone and then your sweet comments and thoughts on yesterday's post.  You all are the BEST!  And you deserve some yummy chocolate, so here it is!

As you know, I'm a part of the Nutella Challenge at bell'alimento and that means I need to come up with a Nutella recipe once a month for a few months.  Very stressful for me - the recipe Follower!  I managed to come up with Mini Nutella Cheesecakes and Nutella Popcorn so far.  I actually squeaked out another successful Nutella creation!  Whew!

And since I created the recipe all by myself, I think this definitely qualifies for Do It Yourself Day over at A Soft Place To Land!  Go link up your projects!  And I'm linking it to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam where you can find lots of yummy recipes!

I present you with Nutella Bites!  Er, I may have sampled several a few to make sure that they were good enough for you.  :)

No, I don't mean bites from the jar, but I must say, when you put a bunch of Nutella in a cute little measuring cup like this - it makes you want to just grab a spoon and eat it!

Choose your favorite coating for the Nutella Bites.  I used crushed pretzels and crumbled toasted almond slices.  The crushed pretzels are my fave because of the salty/sweet combo, but after more sampling, it should be noted that the pretzel bits can get a little stale after a couple of days (they probably won't last that long though).  You could try other coatings - maybe coconut or hazelnuts?

These are the almond-coated bites.

And here are the pretzel-coated bites.

Yum.

Nutella Bites

1/2  cup Nutella

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 cup coarsely crushed pretzels (if eating in less than 2 days) or other coating of choice

Mix first 4 ingredients together until well-mixed.  Shape into 1-inch size balls.  Dip in crushed pretzels or coating of choice until well-coated.  Can shape into balls first or chill first.  Hard to shape when soft, but coat easily.  Easy to shape after chilled, but harder to coat.  Chill to firm and store in refrigerator.  Best eaten after sitting at room temp for a few minutes to soften slightly.  Makes 24 balls...or it would if you didn't sample too much.  :)  The recipe can be easily doubled.

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What do you think of that?  I hope you get to try them!  Keep me posted on great coatings you use!  You can find more great Nutella recipes at bell' alimento!

Now if you wouldn't mind - please share some chocolate today!  Go get any old or new chocolate post and come back to link it up with MckLinky below!  Click here if you need more info or take a look at the linked up posts from last week!  Bring on the chocolate!  Please?

Have a wonderful chocolate-filled day!

I'm linking this up to the Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap!

Break Even or Blog Less?

Today, dear readers, I am looking for your ideas, thoughts, and insights.  I have come to a sort of "crossroads" with my blog.  I need to find a way to make a few dollars from or through blogging (or maybe Etsy) in order to reimburse my time and expenses ~or~ I need to cut back some on the blogging.

I work hard on my blog (as I know you do too!).  I take time to think about and plan (most of the time) my posts and it takes me a while to write them out and edit as necessary.  My theme weeks take a lot of planning ahead to make recipes and take photos so I can keep them pretty and fun.  Since I usually post at least one recipe a week, that requires a lot of baking and cooking and several photos to get the "right shot."  And there's the usual bloggy maintenance and promotion, of course.  I also spend my own money on some of the giveaways (like the Fall Fruits Festival) and the shipping.

Though my blog is a hobby that I really enjoy, I do feel (and hubs heartily agrees) that I have come to a point where I need to be reimbursed for some of my time and expenses (giveaways) in order to justify continuing at the same pace.  Now I am not looking to get rich here - LOL!!  If I could figure out a way to make even $50 a month, that would do it and I would be delighted!  If I can't do that, I may have to cut out a couple days a week so that blogging truly stays in the "hobby" category rather than slipping into the "job" category.

I have had some ideas and would like to hear what you think and any ideas you might have!  Here are some of my ideas:

• Offer inexpensive ad packages (including button display, blog post, and twitter promotion) to companies that I personally feel good about.
• Join an ad network or networks.
• Do paid admin work or get paid to write posts/columns for another blog or site.
• Start an Etsy shop selling some of my homemade goodies.

What do you think?  Any thoughts on any of those ideas?  I would love your input and any other ideas you might have!

Have any of you come to this point before on your blogs?  What did you do?

Hmmm...that was kind of a serious post.  I think you should be rewarded with chocolate!  Stop by tomorrow for Chocolate Friday and I'll share my latest Nutella Challenge recipe creation!  Link up your chocolate posts too so there's plenty of chocolate to go around!

Thanks for putting up with my post today and I look forward to your feedback!  Hugs to all!

I'm linking this up to Your Life, Your Blog at Real Life - link up your own post and get a chance to catch up with everybody else!