Pumpkin Pie from Scratch

I'm feeling particularly restless today.

It likely has A LOT to do with adjusting to reality after an amazing four-day weekend out of town visiting my favorite people on this earth.

It gets harder and harder to leave every time. So yesterday and today have felt a little...off since coming back to The City.

But enough with the sadness! Let's talk about PIE.

Mmmmmm....pie.

Are you burned out on pumpkin yet? Because this recipe is actually pretty cool.

Right before Halloween, while we were buying our pumpkin, The Mister asked if we could get a second pumpkin to make a pie from scratch. I've never had ANY experience whatsoever in this, but it's possible, people! We did a little research and, with some guidance from the farmer's market lady, bought a "cheddar pumpkin."

(Other pumpkins for this are better known as "pie pumpkins," but our local folks recommended the cheddar.)

We had to dig a little bit, but we finally found a great recipe at pickyourown.org that was surprisingly easy - nowhere near as intimidating as it seemed.

Once you clean the pumpkin on the outside, you'll have to slice it in half and clean the insides before you cook the rind.

You can cook it in the microwave if you're pressed for time, but I recommend baking it because there will be no doubt when it's done.

Plus sometimes microwaves freak me out.

I'm weird. I know. I've accepted it.

Cooked pumpkin!

My advice, though? DEFINITELY use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the insides. This is SO MUCH EASIER (and faster! and more efficient!) than using a large spoon like I used to do. It really took all of three minutes to clean out the entire pumpkin.

The pumpkin rind - post-scooping!

Also, while this tasted great, I prefer my pumpkin pie a little sweeter, so I would recommend using more vanilla than called for, and possibly more sugar. I didn't have any evaporated milk on hand, so I used sweetened condensed milk, so that could have possibly been what made the difference.

The pumpkin "meat"

I hope you enjoy this - our little kitchen smelled great as it baked. It's a great way to kick off the holidays :)

P.S. If you wanna be REALLY scandalous...try drizzling that beauty with condensed milk right before you dig in. No regrets!

"From Scratch" Pumpkin Pie

from PickYourOwn.org

Makes 2 pies

What You'll Need:

1 pie pumpkin (we used a cheddar pumpkin)

2 frozen (or homemade) pie crusts

1 cup of sugar

1.5 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves*

1 tsp ground allspice*

1/2 tsp ginger*

1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
4 large eggs (Makes a lighter, fluffy pie. For a more dense pie, use just 3 eggs)
1.5 cans of evaporated milk
Optional: Whipped cream

*I used just over 3 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice instead of these ingredients, as the original recipe listed as a replacement.

What You'll Do:

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Wash pumpkin thoroughly in cool or warm water. Cut in half using a serrated knife (a smooth knife could be dangerous) and clean out the insides with an ice cream scoop. Once clean, lay each half face-down on the baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Stick a fork in each half to see if it's soft, and if not then bake longer (up to 90 minutes).

Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out the soft insides of the pumpkin until just the rind (or now soft "peeling") is left. Once cooled, use a hand (immersion) blender, hand mixer, or regular blender and blend until smooth.

Combine the remaining ingredients (minus the whipped cream) with about 3 cups of the pumpkin meat and mix until smooth and evenly blended. Pour into pie crusts and bake at 425 for 15 minutes, then turn heat down to 350 for around 45 minutes. You'll know the pie is done when you can stick a butter knife into the center and it comes out clean.

Let the pie cool then serve warm with whipped cream.

My Favorite Things - Thanksgiving Edition

And we're off!!!

Thanksgiving is just a few short days away, and I'm loving that our Holiday Season has officially started here in The City!

It's been cold and rainy for the past few days and, although I'm not a "cold weather person," I'm completely okay with a little chill in the air for the holidays.

But by January 1st at noon, however, I'm ready for my 70 + degree weather.

Aaaahhh...one day!

To kick off the holiday week, here are a few of my favorite things that I'll be obsessed with over the holidays. Or at least until I do another "Favorite Things" post. Which could come as early as next week.

Or tomorrow.


I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!!!!



one. My first Tervis cup. It's huge and holds a TON of water. And it's State themed. Appropriate seeing as how I married a State graduate. #HailState

two. THIS version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser. It's the best version yet. So serious. Is there anything these guys can't sing? I'd like to think "no." Aaaahhh harmony.



three. Michael Buble's newest Christmas album, "Christmas." Crazy good.

four. THIS. I didn't think ANYTHING could EVER beat Thin Mint. But oh my. Myyyy oh my....Coffee Mate has done it again.

five. Kitchen experiments! Cold weather has caused all sorts of new recipes to pop up in my kitchen -- all of which will come soon!

P.S. Last night I worked out with Jillian Michaels and her Six Week Six Pack workout. Let me tell you, it is INTENSE. I am sore all over. That is NOT one of my favorite things. The workout, however, is actually pretty good!

Party Planning 101: Part Deux

I am officially hungry. WHY I choose to search the Internets for pictures of delicious party food in the weeee hours of the morning, I'll never understand.

But I did have coffee a little earlier, so maybe I do understand.

REGARDLESS!

For me, the most exciting part about throwing a party (regardless of occasion) is choosing the menu. I mean, apart from all the partying-with-loved-ones thing. That's pretty exciting too actually.

I love parties, I love to cook, and I love to eat. Therefore, I must make myself love to exercise. But that's beside the point.

Food tends to be a large focus of any party. But don't let its importance intimidate you. While catering is great and saves you lots of time, it can be expensive and hard to come by during the holidays. It takes work, but if you strategize, then catering your own party can actually be fun.

Your menu depends on your atmostphere. If you're planning a nice sit-down dinner for a smaller crowd, you might go the traditional route and opt for something like spaghetti and meatballs with a nice salad and warm, crusty french bread. Let's face it, spaghetti is one of those rare things that, the more you make, the better it tastes.

What I've found, though, is that finger foods go a long way. In the past, my parties have included a lot of games and mingling. Finger foods are great for this type of atmosphere; that way, your guests can keep nibbling throughout the night and you don't have to clear the table until much, much later!

Let's get started on your party menu, shall we? Note the inspiration board. Fancy.

Note: None of these pictures are mine. Check my Pinterest page and Google images ;)

• Kelly from Just a Taste has a fantastic recipe for this Guacamole Bruschetta. I love guacamole and I love bruschetta. Genius.

• You can't go wrong with Piggies in Blankets -- it's a staple at any party that I throw. If you're like me, and a little grossed out by pork dogs, try the turkey ones. I actually prefer the taste of the turkey ones, and I'm convinced that they're at least a wee bit better for you!

• Finger sandwiches - also a staple and always a hit. So easy to make and much cheaper than ordering out for sandwiches. Just prep these babies about an hour before the party (or more if you have room to store them in your fridge!) and you're good to go. Wham, bam, thank you m'am.

• Why not mix tradition up a little? I came across this black eyed pea salad on Delish and can't wait to try it out. However, I'm thinking of mixing it up a little, and instead of the yellow peppers, maybe throw in a little mango? Kind of like a twist on mango salsa, yes? Let me know if any of you have other ideas for this dish!

Other ideas:

• Guacamole and chips (or tiny toasts!)
• Party BBQ sausages and meatballs - we've ALL seen them in crock pots at every party!
• Chex Mix - get creative and make your own!
• Rotel dip -- yummm
• Veggie tray - guilt-free and healthy! Perfect for nibbling :)
• Chili, gumbo, chowder, or basically any kind of soup.
• Red beans & rice - These can be put in the crock pot that morning and be ready by the time your party starts!
• Twice Baked Potatoes - The Pioneer Woman has a fantastic recipe on her site, an even better one in her cookbook!
• Taco Bar - I know from experience this is in fact affordable and delicious!

NOTE: This actually IS mine! Thank you dear iPhone!

If you prefer an outdoor party and are up for a bonfire, roasting hot dogs is a great way to get guests mingling and eating. Be sure to have the chips and drinks on hand though!

Pot luck dinners are also fun. Everyone has their own version of "party food," and many people have that "one dish" that they can make like no one else...if you're planning ahead of time, draw names to see who will bring a dessert, who will bring an entree, a drink, etc., then enjoy the delicious results :)

For some of you realllly crazy cats whose parties won't be starting until MUCH later, think about a breakfast party. I'm thinking pancakes, eggs, beignets, whatever you prefer! (I've made beignets from simple $1.00 pancake mix out of the box and they turned out delicious)

From Epicurious.com

Then again, I have some very fond memories of nights where the only menu was pizza. It's all completely up to you.

While food can be an important part of your soiree, it doesn't have to be the star of the show. What matters is that you enjoy your time with your guests and celebrate the occasion.

The main thing to remember in building your menu is that you don't have to make this an "all you can eat" buffet. Don't overwhelm yourself with having to make LOTS of amounts of LOTS of dishes. Choose a few dishes that you enjoy making and that fit your budget, then stick with those to feed your posse'.

Is it okay that I said posse'?

Party Planning 101: Part One

Hello my name is Lisa, and I have a crush on Pinterest.

A little late to the game, yes. But I've been so hooked on it lately for all things party-planning. Technically, I'm not throwing a New Year's Eve bash this year, but as I said in my last post I have such a fun time planning parties and events and such. NYE always seems like the perfect time to throw a fun party with family and friends, or even to schedule a nice reunion with old friends from back home.

As fun as a party sounds, I think the plan for this year is simple: a calm evening at home involving a bonfire and fireworks with family, The Boy, and nice cup of homemade hot chocolate (recipe will come in 2013! YAY!).

However, for those of you spontaneous folks who DO want throw a party this NYE - or any party at any other time in the future - here are a few party-planning tips I've learned through the years.

Theme.
Once you've made your guest list, pick a fun theme to incorporate throughout the party. You can work this into the decorations, the food, the attire, whatever you choose. If you're a planner and make preperations in advance, invitations are always a great idea to give your guests a heads-up of the theme and dress of the event (formal, casual, etc.). You won't necessarily have to state the theme on your invite, but I've found it fun to apply your theme to the design.

If you're buying rather than designing invites, there are some great designs out there that will likely give you some inspiration. Remember, this is YOUR party, make it personal and put your own spin on it!

Check out these invites I found via Pinterest...classy :)

Pink invite via Zazzle
Formal Invite via Southern Fried Paper
Fun invite via SBVintageAndDesign

If you're spontaneous, though, a simple phone call will work just fine!

A theme can be anything from period costumes (Downton Abbey, anyone?), a "Who Dunnit?" mystery theme, or something as simple as "Happy New Year!" and "Silver and White," making your color scheme very easy.

Don't fret if you're lacking in the theme department, though. A few years ago I hosted a NYE/reunion party for my old friends from high school. Basically, the day before, my mom and I raided a party store and found all sorts of tinsel, banners, even a NYE ball to drop on the cheap and just had fun with it! Our Christmas decorations were still up, so it was already a festive atmosphere. Trust me, your theme (or lack thereof) will NOT make or break your party. I'm a party-planning nerd, so I get into these things!

Decorations.
Oh, these are FUN. Decorations can be anything from extravagant to simple and still work with your theme. Bonus: They don't have to empty your wallet to look fun and fancy!

I've found that various party supply stores will have all you need and more, and if you catch them at the right time they can actually be pretty affordable. (HINT: Buy next year's NYE Party decor as soon as 2013 hits the calendar, ha! Clearance sales rock.) However, basic party supplies and DIY projects can go a long way.

Here are more Pinterest finds (NONE of these photos are mine, so check my page for all of the sources!)

• Check out that first beauty. What is it about an outdoor setting at night with candles? It's just radiant and can really set the mood for a get-together, no matter the size. This setting wouldn't be terribly expensive, depending on how many candles and the types that you want to use. Wal-Mart sells them in packs of 50, and even Sam's sells these in bulk - both at very reasonable prices. If you don't have votives, try out clear jars (like empty baby food jars, without the label), or use candles of different sizes in various-sized jars. Don't be afraid to experiment!
• The second picture is a great example of the "Silver and White" theme I mentioned earlier. Simple touches like white and silver balloons with curled string can add a fun effect. Bonus points for clear balloons with confetti in them - festive, yes?!
• Mason jars. Aaaah, the mason jars. If you grew up in the South, you grew up using a mason jar in some fashion. For me, my grandmother met us at the door with one of these guys filled with ice and cold Coca-Cola. If you're weaving gold into your theme/color scheme, this would be fun touch, whether for your drinks or just decoration. You could use them as holders for straws, forks, party horns, etc.
  
  I'm not a huge fan of the completely painted look in this picture, so for my imaginary party I would most likely leave the jar clear and tie a wide glittery or festive ribbon around the center, or cover the lid in either paint or glitter that matched my color scheme. (I'm a bit of a fan of glitter ;) )
• Oh, these votives. I heart these little lovelies. There's a short description of how to create these on Pinterest, but I found this tutorial to be really helpful. A seemingly small addition to your decor that will have a great effect. (P.S. I REALLY like glitter! :) )

HEY LOOK HOW LONG THIS POST IS!!!!!

Ohhhh how I love parties! And glitter! Did I mention that already?

Next post is coming soon, and will involve the best parts!!! Food and desserts! Fun fun fun!

Ciao bellas!

Melt....

A Time to Celebrate

Hellooooo there!

Hope all of you had the MERRIEST of Christmases! I'm so thankful for this time of year and the time I've been able to spend with my family this past week. Our whole family was able to be together this year for Christmas, and the older I get the more thankful I am when that happens. It's such a special time of year, and as fun and exciting as traveling and parties can be, for me there's no better place to be than at home on Christmas :)

What a year, right? I say this every year, but this year seems to have FLOWN by. Where did 2012 go? It really does feel like it was only a few weeks ago that we were ringing in 2012, wondering what the year would hold. There's been a lot of happy and a lot of sad, but by the grace of God we have made it y'all. What a year!

So since 2013 is all of...72(ish) hours away (!!!!), I believe it's time to CELEBRATE! Who's got some exciting plans in the works?

Every year I'm RIDICULOUSLY  tempted to throw a fancy-schmancy bash at my parents' home. I love the idea of wearing high heels and glitter and sequins as I dance and mingle with my friends from back home, and this year is no different. However, usually something falls into place and we usually find ourselves at my grandparents' house watching the kids light fireworks until the wee hours of the morning. No regrets here. Pure memories :)

Those who know me well know that one of my hobbies is throwing parties and entertaining. Throughout my time living at home, my parents graciously allowed me to throw various parties year after year, usually with the same circle of friends. Even after we all left for college, we continued to gather at my parents' house for quite the reunion.

Throughout the years, there were Luaus...

{picture to come soon; digital cameras were not around then!}

 

 

Fiestas...

(the guys refused to take a picture that night ;) )

Christmases...



 

Birthdays...

 

Late-night dance parties...

 

 

...and many other parties, whether spur-of-the-moment or planned weeks in advance. I love everything about throwing parties --- the planning, the food, the decorations, the themes, the prep work, the outfits...need I go on? ;)

 

Last year, I had a grand idea of trying to throw together a party around noon on New Year's Eve. (I'm all for spontaneity ;) HA!) As soon as the idea came to me, I IMMEDIATELY started texting all of my friends that I had hoped were in town: "Party? My parents' place? Tonight? Happy New Year!" Although a few of them actually were in town, later that night I found myself having the best New Year's Eve yet, sitting by a bonfire at my grandparents' house, watching fireworks, texting a certain someone and drinking my grandmother's hot chocolate. Pure magic ;)

 

So who knows what this year will hold! I'm looking forward to see.

 

Be sure to check out tomorrow's post...it's going to be a fun one! I'm in full party-planning mode and can't wait to share! :)

 

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?