Crazy Christmas Tree Hat!!!

Hi all!  This is my latest labor of love!  So, this is for all of you who need a little help getting that holiday spirit!  Look how festive my hubby looks even while doing business on his cell phone!  It's comfy and cozy, and sure to bring a smile to everyone you see!  I even wrote the pattern down this time, so it'll be up for sale in my etsy shop soon!  Happy Holidays eveyone!!!

Dreamy Chocolate Pie!

For my food assignments for Thanksgiving this year, I am making the rolls (as usual), one pan of yams, and two pies; one chocolate and one white chocolate coconut.  The two pies are my kids favorites, so they're a must have on Thanksgiving!

I thought I would share with you here the recipe for the chocolate pie.  I just finished it, so it's all ready to go!  It's one of those make ahead recipes that tastes soooo good and is soooo easy!  It's a pretty humble picture, I know, but decorating it with whipped cream and chocolate shavings shouldn't be done until it's almost serving time, or until you plate it up, in my opinion.  So I guess my point is, don't let the picture fool you, it's the best chocolate pie ever!  It's smooth and creamy and very rich!  I do have a word of caution though.  If you plan on having a pie with some tartness to it, like lemon or lime, please eat the chocolate first.  The tartness of the other pie will completely ruin your palate for the smooth richness of the chocolate.......for a short time.

Dreamy Chocolate Mousse Pie

Heat until melted:
1 large milk chocolate hershey bar (or enough small ones to equal  7-8 oz)
25 large marshmallows
1/2 cup milk

Cool completely and fold in:
1/2 pint cream that has been whipped

Put in prepared crust and refrigerate until ready to serve!  And yes, use a premade one from the store.  You don't have to worry about the dishes after and it has it's own lid that will protect the top from any mishaps or eager fingers!

Awesome pumpkin bread!

My favorite pumpkin bread recipe ever is out of a the Lion House Christmas cookbook.  It stays moist and is soooo yummy!  Irresistible at my house! I love it as it is.  My sister has to have nuts in hers, and when I make it for my friend, she has to have chocolate chips added.  Make it how you like it.  If you're looking for a great pumpkin bread recipe, give this one a try!

Lion House Pumpkin Bread
1 1/3 cups oil                                                1 tsp cinnamon
5 eggs                                                          1 tsp nutmeg
16 oz pumpkin puree                                     1 tsp baking soda
2 c flour                                                        2 pkg vanilla pudding mix
2 c sugar                                                           (3 oz each)
1 tsp salt                                                       1 c chopped nuts
                                                                         or chocolate chips, opt


Mix oil, eggs and pumpkin.  Beat well.  Mix dry ingredients with a whisk in a separate bowl.  Add to pumpkin mixture and mix until incorporated.  Add pudding mixes and nuts or chocolate chips if desired.  Mix thoroughly and pour in greased and floured loaf pans of desired size.  The recipe is designed for 2 large loaves.  I make 4 smaller ones.  If making large loaves, bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Reduce the cooking time for smaller loaves.  I baked the smaller ones for about 30 minutes in my oven, checking for doneness with a toothpick.  Cool for 5 - 10 minutes in pans, then remove the bread from the pans and allow to cool.  Enjoy!!!

New scarves for the holiday gift show

I've been crocheting like mad the last week or so.  I'll be participating in the Logan Holiday Gift Show at the Riverwoods Conference Center in Logan on Friday and Saturday November 6th and 7th.  I will have a booth with Elliettebaby who makes darling baby clothing and super cute hooded towels and bath mitts.  I will be selling hats, scarves, baby sweaters, potscrubbers, and a few other miscellaneous items.  My cute neighbor was able to model for me this afternoon, so I took some pictures of some of the scarves I will have available there.  If you're looking for something specific, I will also be taking orders for custom items!