Chocolate Butter

As if pumpkin bread is not delicious enough on its own, Hy-Vee is suggesting we slather dark chocolate butter on top! I can't think of a better idea.

1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small saucepan, stir together sugar, cocoa and the water until smooth. Add butter; cook and stir over med-low heat until bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring constantly, for 3 min. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Pour into a small bowl. Cool for 1 hr. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

I am going to make some of this up and keep it refrigerated all Fall to douse all kinds of yummies in.

Cute pumpkin pan is available from Nordic Ware for $19.99.

Welcoming Treat

I snapped this idea off a Woman's Day mag this weekend. I think it is simply a foam wreath covered in black fabric with candy corn hot glued on. How easy is that. I can't wait to decorate for fall and create one of these wreaths. It is rainy here tonight and is making me think of Halloween and trick-or-treaters. This will be a welcoming sight for them on our door! I hope the birds stay away!

New Rug

Just wanted to share my new rug. Now don't worry, I am not going completely Southwestern on you. I just liked this one and it really brightened up our entryway. It is from Jackalope, a great shopping destination in NM and also CA. http://www.jackalope.com/ Come visit and we just might have to make a trip there.

Summer Spread

With home grown tomatoes and basil ripening everywhere right now, it seems like the perfect time to share this great recipe from Kraft. I took it as an app for a dinner party last week and it was a huge hit. It is quick to put together too!

Warm Italiano Spread

1 pkg cream cheese

1/4 cup pesto

1 tomato, chopped

1/4 cup shredded motz cheese

Triscuit Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil Crackers or sliced baguette

Heat grill to medium heat. Place cream cheese block on a square of foil. Top with pesto, tomatoes and shredded cheese. Fold up and seal sides of foil to form a little packet.

Place foil packet on grill for 8-10 min, or until cheese is melted.

(I have also heated this in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 min.)

Tasting Party

I am digging the new Tasting Party items from Pier 1! The have some tasty looking recipes here too.

The Perfect Pear

Seems in the summertime I become obsessed with certain fruits and veggies (remember the lemons and zucchinis from last summer ?) Anyway, this summer's flavor is pear. I recently made a yummy pear sangria when my folks were in town, so I thought I would share the recipe. It is easy and super refreshing on a warm evening. It comes from Beso Las Vegas (Eva Longoria Parker's restaurant.)

Combine 2 bottles Sauvignon Blanc (I purchased $3 bottles at Walmart) and 3 cups white cranberry juice, along with 2 tbsp lime juice. Add 1 or 2 thinly sliced pears and 1/2 pint each of blackberries and raspberries. Let the mixture sit overnight before serving in pretty glasses. Garnish with a sprig of mint if you like.

I also scored a great pear shaped glass jar at Goodwill for $.99 a couple of weeks back. Perfect for storing wine corks in our new kitchen!

Greetings from the Southwest!

Inspired by our new surroundings in the Q and our fantastic patio, this week I gave a couple of pieces of our furniture new life by spraying them in a vibrant aqua color. Very Southwestern, huh? Turns out, $18 worth of spray paint can work wonders! I was a little too eager to get started, and forgot to take actual "before" pics. Oops. Oh well, hopefully you can get the effect from the one "before" I do have of the white bench. The wicker chair was white originally as well. Until next time....Adios, amigos!