Every room that I went in was filled with PUMPKIN PIE!!!!

On Thanksgiving my sister made the MOST INCREDIBLE pumpkin pie I have ever tasted.  I've always liked pumpkin pie and felt like I was searching for a pumpkin pie with crust that didn't taste like cardboard.  WELL the search is O-V-E-R. 

I made this pie for (1) annual girls Christmas party and (2) Mike and it was a HUGE hit.  I thought I would share the recipe with you so you can impress your friends at your next holiday party.

ENJOY....and thank you KC for sharing this with all of us.

For the pie:

1 29 oz. can, pure pumpkin
1 5 oz. can evaporated milk
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp cinnamon

For the crust:

1 box Pillsbury yellow cake mix (with pudding in the mix)
2 sticks butter
2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350
Line two 9" pie pans with wax paper.
Mix together pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, salt and cinnamon.  Pour into pans and make even.

 

 

Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over both pies.  Put pecans through food processor to finely chop and evenly distribute over cake mix.  Melt one stick of butter at a time and pour on top of pecans.

 Bake for 1 hr., let cool and chill.  Place upside down and cut.  Add a dollop of whipped cream and drizzle warm caramel sauce.

 

 This pie is so easy to make and WILL be a huge hit at any holiday party.

Now playing...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays by *NSYNC

(The cheesiest music pick I have posted yet!)

 

10 years later... A high school reunion.

I frequently hear people stress about their high school reunions and complain about not wanting to go... I however, am NOT one of those people.  I was very excited to visit with old friends and spend time with my best girlfriends back in good old Burlingame. 

I am lucky to have made some of my closest girlfriends at the beautiful Burlingame High School.  We have remained incredibly close since we graduated 10 years ago.  (For those who don't know about how important these ladies are to me  you can read up in my post Relationships: High School Girlfriends). 

Within the walls of this beautiful (now) 88 year old building, I shared countless laughs, tears, and memories with some of the most remarkable individuals.  And so, 10 years passed and it was time to reunite and catch up!  Unfortunately, most of my close girlfriends could not attend BUT Miss V, Cristina, Rachel, and I attended on behalf of all the "Cheerleaders." 

We caught up with old classmates...

 

Partied with best friends...

 

 

 

 

And found that in the past 10 years, besides "growing-up," somethings never really change...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most importantly, we loved every minute of it!

Now playing... Country Grammar by Nelly

 

30 days of thanks...28, 29, & 30

My last three days of thanks!

28. I am thankful for my iPhone.  It does so many amazing things and helps me when I am lost or need more information.  If you don't have an iPhone, I strongly suggest you get one...it is life changing.

29. I am thankful for my vacuum cleaner.  It sounds lame but honestly, it has made my home a much cleaner place.  It cleans very well and I love that it doesn't have a bag because it makes for an easy clean!  I have a cat that sheds so a good vacuum cleaner is very important.  If you are in the market for a new one I suggest the Dyson Ball! 

30. I am thankful for funny and entertaining commercials.  I do have DVR but every once in a while I have to watch live TV and hate suffering through boring commercials.  Advertisements have to be catchy and entertaining or television watchers will tune out.  I mean if you are going to interrupt our show at least make us laugh!!  Here is one of my old favorites.

Now playing...I have you to thank by Gavin DeGraw

 

30 days of thanks...24, 25, 26, & 27.

My thanks for the 24th, 25th, 26th, & 27th days of November.

24.  I am thankful for a beautiful Thanksgiving.

25.  I am thankful that I had a very enjoyable time at my 10 year high school reunion.  It is nice to catch up with old classmates, spend time with my closest friends in the world, and go back to Burlingame for a night to bring back old memories.  I had a wonderful time and I was happy to come home to my house and proud of have accomplished since high school. There will be a post soon detailing more of the events of the night...

26.  I am thankful that it is finally an acceptable time to put up my Christmas decorations!  I wait all year long to put them up and dread taking them down.  Well folks, the time is here again!  I am not going to post any pictures yet but lets just say it is pretty festive in this lil condo!

27.  I am thankful for the Dollar Store.  I have really found some great buys there!  Especially on holiday items.  For example, I found these cute little tins for $1 each!  They are the prefect way to pack tasty treats to give as gifts.  I suggest you take a look at a Dollar Store near you and see what there is to offer!

Now playing...Something Like That by Tim McGraw

 

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I simply love Christmas.  I am filled with joy and happiness.  I spend more time with friends and family and even have a few weeks off work.  Here are a few things that I am looking forward to this holiday season....

Mike and I will have our own little tree.  I plan on collecting little boxes and wrapping them to put under our tree to make it look more festive.  Because I have a curious kitty I don't like to put actual presents under the tree this year.

Miss V posted this cute idea on her page and I think I will actually wrap my presents this way!  So cute!

Christmas time means BAKING!!  I look forward to making some old favorites....

My dad's famous sugar cookies

Freshly baked gingerbread.

And trying new recipes...

I also, look forward to snow...

And watching the sledding disasters at Spooner.  Lawn chairs and a beer is all I need to settle in for TONS of laughs.

And building gingerbread houses...

But most of all Santa, I look forward to the happiness and joy that is around during the holidays.  Homes are decorated, snow is falling, nights are longer, and there is a magical feeling in the air.  No matter how old I get, I still have a giddy feeling on Christmas morning and get chocked up when I see my nephew watch you pack the final items in our stockings.

Now playing...All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

All my love to you this holiday season.

Giving thanks

Thursday was a fabulous day to give thanks and spend time with those I love most. 

I went out to my parents house early to hangout and around 4:00 our family and friends filled the house.  Mike came for a while but had to go to Antioch to spend time with his family and pick up his relatives... He was only there for a little while but it was nice that he could meet more of my family and hang out for a bit.  Many family members were there, though due to traveling and time we missed a few relatives.  Nonetheless we still ate, laughed, and watched football!

This year my brother-in-law fried a turkey and my mom cooked a turkey in the oven.  Though they were both very tasty, I have to give major props to AJ for a absolutely delicious bird.  Fried turkey is amazing.  Next year we will fry two turkeys!

Also, my sister made the most delicious pumpkin pie I have ever tasted.  I am going to make it soon so I will take pictures and post them with the recipe so you can make the pie for yourself...you'll LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

I wrapped up my night by watching a movie and having a slumber party at my sister's house...it's tradition and it is always fun.  All and all I had a very happy thanksgiving.  I am very grateful for my loving and supportive family, boyfriend, and friends.  I just love this time of year. 


I hope you had a wonderful day and made sure give thanks to all the wonderful people and for the great things in your life.

Now playing... Love of my Life by Erykah Badu