Sunday, October 24, 2010

Ohhh my!! It's time for Pumpkin Pie!

After traveling the past couple weeks, it's so nice to be able to spend the weekend at home. Today has been very relaxing. I slept in MUCH later than normal and then just lounged around for awhile. After spending some time out on the deck admiring the scenery and cool Fall air, I decided that I MUST bake a pumpkin pie. There was no getting around it!

 I have to say that pumpkin pie is probably one of my most favorite pies! The combination of cinnamon, cloves and ginger is amazing! And of course, the pumpkin! I could eat pumpkin most days if given the opportunity! It's so versatile. I try to limit myself to pumpkin during fall only. That way it seems more like a treat and indulgence. I don't get tired of it that way!

So I spent this evening baking my first pumpkin pie of the season. The recipe I used is the classic pumpkin pie recipe from the back of the Libby's pumpkin can. It's so wonderful,  I just don't see a reason to alter it. The pie turned out beautifully!!



Classic Pumpkin Pie
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
Whipped cream (optional)

Combine sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture into the large bowl. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

Pour mixture into pie shell.

Bake in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Source: Libby's

Stay tuned for my attempt at homemade pumpkin spice latte!

Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Bailey

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Branson Vacation

Whew! These past few week have been a whirlwind of activity! My family took our yearly trip to Branson a couple weeks ago. We couldn't have asked for better weather! It was a perfect 80 degrees the entire weekend, with just a slight breeze and ample sun! I wish I would have gotten more pictures! Both my sister and I brought our boyfriends with us this time, which is the first time any of us brought a non-family member along. It went pretty smoothly though.

We did all the traditional things we do in Branson: visit the fish hatchery, go to the ice cream shop up in the mountains, go to old downtown, and of course, shopping at the outlet malls. In the evenings we just hung outside on the deck talking and having a good ol' time! We played a few rounds of nark nark, which is pretty much team solitaire on speed, and a few games of dominoes!

It was my first time playing "real" dominoes. I played against the boys (aka - my boyfriend and my brother) and I beat both of them (by A LOT)! They called it beginner's luck, but I called it the obvious result of playing a numbers game with an accountant :)

It is so nice to have these family traditions. I can't wait to someday take my own children there! It's funny how just a few years ago I *hated* going to some of those attractions. It was just brutal going to the fish hatchery, and utterly annoying going down to the waterfront. But now I can see that I was just a moody teenager with an attitude! I know you're thinking "You with an attitude - not a chance!" HAHA But it's true. Oh how the tables turn when you start to "grow up"!

I planned to post pictures of the trip, but I've been traveling for work ever since I got back from Branson. AND I forgot to bring the right cord with me to upload photos. So I will post the Branson photos this weekend when I get back home!

I have some exciting posts coming up. Well, I'm excited about them at least! Hopefully you will enjoy. Stayed tuned! Oh and I PROMISE I won't wait so long to post! Like I said, it's been a crazy few weeks!

Sincerely,
Bailey