Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

So this is one of the FIRST pumpkin dishes that I make every fall season (and it doesn't have a hint of pumpkin spice to it). It's a savory pumpkin pasta dish with a creamy pasta sauce that's just delicious.

Now, I love all things pumpkin spice as much as the next girl, but the special thing about this particular comfort food is that the kids love it because you are serving them a creamy, cheesy pasta dish. Moms love it because you have successfully incorporated a really healthy vegetable into that dish (and if you didn't want to tell them that you did it, well, you really wouldn't have to).

The pumpkin in this dish is not an overwhelming pumpkin flavor at all. It just adds fiber, vitamins A and E, and some antioxidants - which since the beginning of fall is also the beginning of cold and flu season, makes this recipe a go-to mom favorite!

The cheeses and the pumpkin blend together well with the nutmeg, and you can add as much heat as you want with the red pepper! And as an added bonus, you can make the whole dish in about 30 minutes or less. What's not to love about that?

Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

16 oz. rigatoni or penne pasta

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 stick butter

1 cup milk

1 cup pumpkin puree*

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

ground nutmeg to taste

1. Cook pasta to package directions.
2. While pasta is cooking, place cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter, and milk in a large saucepan. Cook on low heat until cream cheese is melted, stirring frequently. Add pumpkin* and spices. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.
3. Add sauce to pasta and toss lightly. Serve topped with additional nutmeg or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Note: if you DID take it upon yourself to make your own pumpkin puree, of course this will be frozen and you will need to thaw it before making the recipe.

Bargain Hunters Unite!

So, today, Emmers and I went on an excursion:

This is actually a favorite of all of the Harris gals.  It is called Eplus Thrift and is located downtown in the 'Boro.  They have great stuff.  Just last Saturday, Donna and I were rumaging around, and I found a honey of a deal on some great folding chairs!

That gold is definitely a 70s color, but boy have they held up well--no stains or tears or anything.  We needed some chairs for our dining table, and we can always use extras for company.  These came from a church, so they fold up and there's even a compartment underneath them.  They are just all around neat.  I bought two, and then, after trying them out for a couple of days, we decided to get some more.  Today, we set out to do just that, and arrived 15 minutes too late!  To quote an old man rolling up to the newly opened Lil' Caesar's yesterday, also in the 'Boro (with a line around the block), "That's just a shame!"

No matter, we did find an early Christmas present for someone:

We rode this steal all the way out of the store to the car!

Phew!  Being pushed around town on a tricyle all day really tuckers a tiny, chubby baby out!

The Pink One

I have to admit I've always thought comedians who dress in drag for their movies are really stretching it, and actually, it is probably that very reason that I've never really been a fan of Martin Lawrence or Robin Williams as women.  However, Tyler Perry got it right in "Madea's Big Happy Family", though he doesn't get a lot of credit from critics when it comes to Madea.

"Madea's Big Happy Family" is one of mine and Charlotte's faves, and although Madea has appeared in other movies, this one had just the right mix of cast and funnies.  Even though Tyler Perry does like to tackle big subject matters in his movies, this one was pretty lighthearted.

Anyhoo, Madea's wording, I guess I should say, is particularly funny, and it's something that she shares with Daddy.  They both tend to add extra letters and vowels to words.  Of course, Daddy does it in fun, and he's never even seen Madea, but I'm surprised Baby Emmers isn't in constant confusion as Daddy likes to point out the cow(els) in our back yard or the mon(t)ey in his pocket.

Generally, all the Harris girls have maintained an exceptional grasp on our vocabulary despite Daddy's colorful lingo until I go to an atm, that is.  For the longest time my brain wanted to call it an atm-ma.  Then there was Charlotte's prentzel!

Nope!  Try Pencil!

Then, the other morning Emmers topped us all.

It's a Pink One!  It certainly is, Baby Emmers, it certainly is.

The Hands-Down BEST version of 'Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Did you know that the song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" was written all the way back in 1944?  Wow!  And it has been recorded and sung by so many duets, it will make your head spin.  I love this song, really no matter who sings it.  It's just a fun and playful tune.  But, the absolute BEST version of this song is undoubtedly the version recorded by a rather unlikely pair, none other than the great Dolly Parton and Mr. Rod Stewart.  They recorded their famous version back in 2004, not so long ago compared to the longevity of the song itself. 

Here are a few other fun facts about the song:

The lyrics in this duet are designed to be heard as a conversation between two people, marked as "mouse" and "wolf" on the printed score. Every line in the song features a statement from the "mouse" followed by a response from the "wolf". Usually the "wolf" part is sung by a male and the "mouse" by a female. Though the song does not specifically reference any holiday, it is often regarded as a Christmas song due to the lyrics' depiction of a snowy backdrop, as well as the cozy interior setting that is described by the "wolf" character.

And in case you want to follow along, here are the lyrics:

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside

I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside

This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in

So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry

And my father will be pacing the floor - Just listen to the fireplace roar

Now really I'd better scurry - Sweetheart, what's your hurry

Well maybe just a half a drink more - Just put some record on while I pour

All the neighbors might think - But baby, it's bad out there

Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there

Oh I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now

To break this spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell

I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move a little closer

At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride

I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out

Ohh, but it's cold outside

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside

The answer is no - But baby, it's cold outside out there

Oh this welcome has been - So lucky that you dropped in

So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm

My sister will be suspicious - God, your lips look so delicious

My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore

Oh my maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Oh baby you're so delicious

Well maybe just one little kiss more - Never such a blizzard before

Oh I've got to go home - You'll freeze out there

Say, lend me a comb - It's up to your knees out there

You've really been grand - I swell when you touch my hand

But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me

Oh,there's bound to be talk tomorrow - Making my lifelong sorrow

Well at least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died

But I really can't stay - Get over that old out

Baby it's cold outside

Hey, I gotta get out of here

Come on, baby

Come on what?

Just give me five minutes more

You're sure ???, don't you

Okay, okay, okay, okay

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

Enjoy!

Banana Pudding

This recipe is Daddy's favorite. (I was going to say one of Daddy's favorites, but who am I kidding?) The "pudding" in this recipe is more of a fluffy custard than the pudding bases you'll see in some banana puddings. It is divine!

Daddy's Favorite Banana Pudding:

1 5.1 oz. box instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix

1 14 oz. can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1 cup water

16 oz. container Cool Whip

16 oz. carton sour cream

2 12 oz. boxes Nilla wafers

7 large bananas, cut into rounds

1. Mix pudding and pie filling mix, Eagle brand milk, and water together. Let set for one hour.
2. Add Cool Whip and sour cream and mix well.
3. In a large, deep sided casserole dish, layer Nilla wafers, bananas, and Cool Whip mixture. 
4. Repeat layers, ending with Cool Whip mixture.
5. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Notes: 

This recipe makes a very large banana pudding, so make sure to use a very large (2 1/2 quart) dish to accommodate it.

Otherwise, I have been known to split it between two dishes and you can do the same (one to give away or serve and one to keep all for yourself - but don't tell anyone!).

If you want to be super-fancy, you could always make individual servings in parfait dishes or even small Mason jars!

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

I confess, I MUST BE the Beastie Boys' type because I'm crafty - well not THAT kind of crafty, but crafty nonetheless. In fact, all of us Harris sisters have been known to wield a glue gun when it suits us - it's true that we are crafty like ice is cold. These are a few Christmas ornaments that we've made over the years that still come out year after year to decorate the tree.

Perfect for those ever-popular candy/cookie kitchen trees:

Sugarplum Ornament:

Clear glass ornaments

White or iridescent glitter

White ribbon

Craft picks with candy striped baubles (must be small enough to fit through the opening of the ornament)

Card stock with Visions of Sugarplums Printout

Hole punch

Wire

1. Print "And visions of sugarplums danced in their heads" on card stock, cut to size, and punch a hole in the upper left corner. Set aside.
2. Cut some candy striped baubles from the craft picks. Leave longer stems on two of the baubles.
3. Remove the top from the ornament and fill the ornament with glitter and candy striped baubles.
4. Replace the top of the ornament.
5. Twist longer stems of the two remaining baubles into loops. Thread them onto wire and twist the wire around the ornament top, creating spirals with the tails for a decorative effect.
6. Cut a length of ribbon and thread the card on it. Tie the ribbon around the top of the ornament, making sure the card is facing the front of the ornament.

And this one is perfect for the arrival of a newborn baby:

Note to Santa Ornament:

Picture frame ornament of your choice

Digital photo of your new baby

The following text

1. Insert a photo of your newborn (preferably sleeping) into a note that says the following "Santa and Reindeer, please tiptoe quietly because Baby (insert baby name here) is soundly sleeping."
2. Make sure to sign and date it.

Guardian Angel Feather Ornament:

Clear glass ornament

White or iridescent glitter

White feather

Card stock with Guardian Angel Feather Ornament Printout

Hole punch
Ribbon

1. Print Guardian Angel poem on card stock, cut to size, and punch a hole in the upper left corner. Set aside.
2. Remove top of ornament and fill ornament with glitter and feather.
3. Replace the top of the ornament.
4. Cut a length of ribbon and thread the card on it. Tie the ribbon around the top of the ornament, making sure the card is facing the front of the ornament.

Girlfriend Ornament:

Solid color ornament in color of your choice

Paint pen in contrasting color

Marabou boa

Scissors

Hot glue gun

Ribbon

1. Use the paint pen to write descriptors that fit your girlfriends' personalities. Some suggestions include: diva, jingle belle, vixen, glamazon, rock star, etc.
2. Cut lengths of marabou that are the correct size to fit around the ornament top. Hot glue to the top of the ornament.
3. Thread a ribbon through the ornament as a hanger.

And for all you Beastie Boys fans who have been thinking about this since sentence #1, here you go:

You're welcome.

Linking to My Salvaged Treasures Christmas in July Link Party.

A Little Post-Thanksgiving Window Shopping

After a super-busy Thanksgiving, we decided to completely skip the madness that always comes with Black Friday, and just take a leisurely family stroll through the streets of Downtown Franklin last Saturday.  The stores were bustling and decorated beautifully for Christmas.  The sidewalks were busy with families and pups out for an afternoon of fun.  All the restaurants and bakeries were lively with activity.  The weather was perfectly nippy.  Oh, it was a lovely time.  My favorite little shop was even serving cookies and mimosas!  (I knew they were my favorite for a reason.)

Walk with me now through the streets of Downtown Franklin, and let me introduce you to the wonderful sights of our hometown at Christmas.  There's definitely a feeling of Christmas in the air.

The streets are already decked out with garland and flags for all the street posts.  Someone even got pretty cute and livened up the wall above this park bench.  I can see a couple or two stopping for a cute picture here.  :)

The storefronts are all gussied up.  This is another favorite shop, Lulu's.  They are so cute and creative with their window displays always.

And just before you enter, their clapboard greeting reminds shoppers of their duty to dazzle. 

Their trees inside the shop are decked out with old fashioned paper ornaments and handmade greeting cards.  And I loved their display of "pretty papers".  Made me want to croon an old Christmas tune.  :)

Next, we HAD to visit my all-time favorite shop, Avec Moi.  Yes, this is the one serving mimosas. They know how to keep their customers happy!  

I also went ga-ga over this alarm clock.  I can totally see myself setting this to go off early on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought!  Maybe he will bring me this clock!!  Hint, hint, Santa, if you are reading this.  And yes, I have it on good authority that Santa does in fact read this blog.  ;)

Our final stop of the day is a new candy store that just opened.  It's called Honey's Vintage Sweets, and they were super adorable, and definitely gussied up for Christmas.  We had hot chocolate as we perused the isles of candies and sweet treats.  This shop had me humming "Marshmallow World".  :)

Did we get much shopping done this day?  Actually, not a lot.  Some, but nothing major.  But sometimes taking in the sights and being part of a lively holiday crowd is just plenty to put you in the holiday spirit.  It worked for us.  I'm totally ready for Christmas now!

Deck Them Halls and All That Stuff!

As we set out to deck our halls, we began with a cup of holiday cheer:

Charlotte  was a little worried when she saw no Swiss Miss box.  However, my homemade brew hit the spot and warmed us all up for an eventful night.

Thankfully, we have a small tree, so it was up in a flash leaving time for my dueling 'Mad Hatters' (backstory here) to act, well, mad:

I nabbed Santy Claus from Daddy's house and gave him a home in my kitchen:

And here's our front porch, gussied up:

Ta-da!

Striped Summer Bag

As always, I'm a day late and a dollar short considering (newsflash!) it is no longer summer. This is mainly because while I am perfectly adept at whipping up crocheted creations at lightning-fast speed, when it comes to lining them, I drag my feet.

So, this little number has only recently been lined and will have to wait until next summer to see some use:

And you would think that lining is a terribly difficult thing (it's not, but taking out and setting up the sewing machine is!). Here's a closeup of the lining material I chose:

The bag itself is a modification of this free crochet pattern: Zig Zag Bag Pattern. My modifications were as follows.

Striped Summer Bag Modifications

I used Lily Sugar and Cream yarn and an H sized hook. I omitted the zig zag pattern completely and created stripes in the following order:

Hot Pink

Chain & rounds 1-7

Warm Brown

Next 4 rounds

Rose

Next 4 rounds

Tangerine

Next 3 rounds

Cream

Next 3 rounds

Hot Pink

Next 3 rounds

Warm Brown

Next 2 rounds*

I also omitted the drawstring because I chose to line the bag and I thought that because the drawstring wouldn't go through the lining, the bag would just bunch up.

I used this free bag lining tutorial and it came out perfectly: How to Sew a Lining for a Crocheted Bag.

Note: After lining the bag, I attached the handles with a round of single crochet in warm brown.

Meet My Arch Nemesis . . .

Saran Wrap

And to not seem brand loyal, I also despise Cling Wrap:

Let me explain. I find that these plastic wrap products do not actually HELP you in your kitchen endeavors. In fact, I have actually gotten so frustrated with plastic wrap in the past that I have thrown a roll across the aforementioned kitchen in an attempt to vent said frustration.

And wouldn't you know it, when we started helping put away the Thanksgiving leftovers at Daddy's house today, we had exactly 3.25 inches of aluminum foil left on the roll. Daddy dug around and produced a roll of Saran Wrap as a solution. 

Misty and I looked at each other with a mixture of fear, contempt, and indignation. We proceeded to put away the leftovers, but it took two grown women with the supervision of their Daddy an inordinate amount of time to do it. (Truth be told, I was quite proud that neither of us threw the Saran Wrap, although we did mention it.)

And for all of you mathematicians out there, I found this handy graph to express these feelings:

They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, I feel exceptionally strong today after fighting a roll of plastic wrap and winning!

Happy (hopefully Saran Wrap-free) Thanksgiving!

Cake and Chicken!

Of course, no Thanksgiving can be complete without the congealed cranberry sauce! 

Howard has to have this every year.  Even though I make a cranberry salad that was always the highlight of my Thanksgiving growing up.  Unfortunately, Charlotte wasn't here this year to see him jiggle it out of the can.  (That would be the highlight of  her Thanksgiving every year.)  

The baby was very peckish before dinner, and Howard made the mistake of giving her some turkey as he was  carving.  It was all downhill from there!  She proceeded to circle the table pointing and saying, "Chicken! Chicken!"  Howard gave her a deviled egg and I let her lick the cream cheese wrapper as we were finishing up, but as soon as I brought out the cornbread, she wheeled her chair over to it, climbed up, and nabbed a piece, all while proclaiming, "Cake! Cake!"  I, then, let her hold the turkey as I was taking pics.  As you can see, she was pretty mesmerized.

To wrap up our Thanksgiving Day festivities, here's a little diddy Johnny Cash performed on a Thanksgiving episode of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", my fave:

So, in review, I am thankful for Johnny Cash, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", cake and chicken!

These Are Days You'll Remember

Whilst in a marathon cooking session yesterday, I realized that I hadn't heard a peep out of the boys in quite some time. Now, I don't know about you, but in my house, this is cause for concern - what they lack in size, they make up for in cunning.

Anyhoot, after some investigating, I found that Aidyn (the seven-year-old) was reading to Jaxon (the four-year-old) and had been for a while. They had gone through a whole stack of books!

So, all that to say, if every recipe doesn't turn out to be the perfection you had hoped it would today, or if you don't get every deal you were hoping for this week, or if all of your halls aren't decked by the end of the week, or if your family drives you a little bit crazy and you're thinking that 10,000 Maniacs might be an apt description for them, slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the little things that are going right. After all, these are days you'll remember.

Happy Thanksgiving, from my maniacs to yours! (And, add this to your Thanksgiving Playlist while you're at it.)

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

These are the days, ohh

These are days, you'll remember

Never before and never since, I promise

Will the whole world be warm as this and as you feel it

You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky

It's true that you are touched by something

That will grow and bloom in you

These are days, you'll remember

When May is rushing over you with desire

To be part of the miracles you see in every hour

You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky

It's true that you are touched by something

That will grow and bloom in you

These are the days you might fill with laughter until you break

These days you might feel a shaft of light make its way across your face

When you do you'll know how it was meant to be

See the signs and know their meaning

It's true, you'll know how it was meant to be

Hear the signs and know they're speaking to you, to you

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

I moustache you a question...

Just where did this moustache trend jump off anyway?  As usual, we were in the know pretty early on:

Charlotte and Emma sported staches for Charlotte's birthday party back in January.

I've also found staches (pretty easily) to donate to Charlotte's goody box at school.  Not only the ones that you wear on your face, mind you, but also rings.  I certainly would have wanted one when I was 10!

Then I came across this the other day, and I have to say it kinda made my day.  ;-)

(Watch out, Howard!  This is coming your way on your next birthday!)

Who knew?  The meaning of Yin and Yang is actually moustache.

So, here is my theory on the dawning of this particular era.  Rewind two years.  I am pregnant with baby Emmers and watching a lot of People's Court:

Yep!

Though we can't count this guy totally out:

Daddy is now growing a beard!  So, maybe I should stock up on a few of these.