Favorite Ingredient Friday ~ Hot Pizza Sauce Dip

HOSTED by OVERWHELMED by JOY

HOT PIZZA SAUCE DIP

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
1 can (8 ounces) pizza sauce
2 tablespoons green onion slices

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cream cheese and Italian seasoning, spread onto bottom of 8" mini baker stoneware pan. In a small bowl combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese mixture over cream cheese mixture. Spread the pizza sauce over the mozzarella cheese mixture: sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese mixture. Top with green onion. Bake 15-18 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with sliced French bread or fresh vegetables for dipping. Yield - 14 servings

GARDEN TOMATO SALSA
6 cups chopped tomatoes
i bunch cilantro, chopped fine
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped fine
Juice of 1 lime*
4 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons olive oil
jalapeno, minced to taste

Toss all together and chill 24-48 hours before serving. You end up with about 7 1/2 cups of salsa.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

♥

Monday Musings

My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician.
And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference.

~Harry S Truman
(American 33rd President of the United States, 1884-1972)

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Menu Plan Monday

MONDAY ~ Chicken Marsala & Salad
TUESDAY ~ CORN*
WEDNESDAY ~ Roast Chicken with glazed baby carrots & Salad
THURSDAY ~ Meatloaf and Broccoli Cheddar Rice
FRIDAY ~ Pizza
SATURDAY ~ Grilled Hot Dogs & Baked Beans
SUNDAY ~ Pork Roast with Garlic Smashers

*Clean Out Refrigerator Night ~ I found this over at Home Ec 101 and thought it was a great acronym that needed sharing.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Tasty Thursday hosted by Pumpkin Patch, Watchin' What We Eat hosted by Lorie at Honey I Shrank Myself and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Give Me 5 Monday ~ Intentions

Theme ~ Things you will/ should be intentional about:

1. Catch-up on letter writing
2. Finish at least 3 of the 4 books I have started to clear the clutter
   
3. Treadmill
4. Finishing the office organization
5. Do all paperwork due
   

An Award from the Queen

Sweet Tammy over at Queen Size Funny Bone gave me this award.
It's new and original and I love it.
Here are my awards:

I get my cooking inspirations from many places, and I learn about new techniques, tutorials, challenges, and products from way too many sites to mention and most are not blogs, but I do follow a few meme's that help me use what I've learned so I pass this award on to them:

Kathryn @ Overwhelmed With Joy with Favorite Ingredient Friday
Sandra @ Diary of a Stay at Home Mom with Slow Cooking Thursday
Meredith @ Mercedes Rocks with Scrumptious Sunday
Laura @ I'm an Organizing Junkie with Menu Plan Monday

Fortunately I like to read and always learn something new every time I visit these ladies in particular so I'm also passing this award to Barbara at Candy Hearts & Paper Flowers, Michelle at Scribbit ~ Motherhood in Alaska, Lisa at Confessions of an Apron Queen, Penelope at the Cafe at the End of the Universe, Misty at Misty's Words, Diana at Forgetfulone and Joy at Joy of Desserts. These ladies inspire me in sooooooo many ways and help to be clutter free, organized, cozy, on budget, full of crafty ideas and productive. So grab your award and pass it on to those special someones who teach you just by reading their blog.

Autumn Test

I found this test over at Small Reflections.

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You embrace change. You love change. You see change as a rebirth. You find abundance to be the most comforting thing in the world. You love shopping and having nice things.Your ideal day is spontaneous and surprising. You like to play things by ear, and you always end up doing something interesting. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

Sunday Scribblings ~ Forbidden

This week's theme is FORBIDDEN in honor of Banned Books Week. I had forgotten all about Banned Books Week until my niece asked for help with an English assignment, "Why would someone want to write a fiction book about the Great Depression?" Grapes of Wrath immediately came to mind and I started to look online for a few links that she could research when I ran across several listing it as a banned book. I had NO IDEA that one of the greatest classics was a banned book at one time and it all started next door so to speak in Bakersfield, California, Kern County.

One of the most unbelievable things I found were some of the reasons behind the rationals to ban a book. Go look at this list of Banned Books. You'll see that Alice in Wonderland has been banned in China because of the portrayal of Anthropomorphized animals acting on the same level as humans. Black Beauty, Catcher in the Rye, Catch 22, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The very Hungry Caterpillar... are just some of the well known and familiar books on these lists with equally baffling rationals for being banned. The lists go on and on. I'm sure each person or entity had a very 'valid' reason to see a book banned, at least in their mind, but I'm of a mind to allow others to make up their own minds. Not to mention that I believe if you tell someone they are FORBIDDEN to do something that's all the more reason they want to do it.

The Online Books Page, ALA the American Library Association, Explore Banned Books, The Forbidden Library are just some of the places where you can read and learn more.

I found this list over at the Enchanted Hovel and it's a good one to pass on. The books I've read will be in bold.

The following are some of the most challenged/banned books in the U.S. I urge everyone, in honor of banned book week, to post this list on your blog, and mark the ones you have read in bold! Then go out and read one of the other books on the list. Never take your freedom for granted.

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
19. Sex by Madonna - don't judge me, one of my friends used to love Madonna so I checked it out at her house one day. Said friend stopped loving Madonna once she read the book.
20. Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - just starting to read
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

♥

Christmas Preparation & a clean kitchen

I literally spent 2 days cooking! Have I told you I'm going to have a large gang for an extended period of time over the holidays? Well I don't want to spend ALL my time in the kitchen so I planned a 2 day span to do nothing but cook and prepare ready to eat meals. The above pictures are the clean dishes ready to be put away when I got done. It's great to have a clean kitchen again.

The menu plan so far is:

Thursday December 18th ~ *Taco Ring
Friday December 19th ~ *Sweet & Sour Pork
Saturday December 20th ~ *Spaghetti Bolegnese
Sunday December 21st ~ *Everything but the Kitchen Sink Soup
Monday December 22nd ~ *Snow Bound Casserole - (recipe soon)
Tuesday December 23rd ~ *Sweet & Zesty Meatballs
Wednesday December 24th ~ Crab Cakes w/ Remoulade Sauce (recipe soon) & Noel Log
Christmas Day ~ Ham, Holiday Carrots (recipe soon), Cheesey AuGratin Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Parmesan Rolls, Cranberry Sauce (recipe soon), Pumpkin Cheesecake (recipe soon)
Friday December 26th ~ CORN and/or ham sandwiches
Saturday December 27th ~ *Farm Style Chicken & Noodles
Sunday December 28th ~ *Cream of Chicken Rice Soup -(recipe soon)
Monday December 29th ~ *Chili & Chile Cornbread Casserole
Tuesday December 30th ~ Lemon Lime Pepper Chicken
Wednesday December 31st ~ Pot Roast & Veggies
Thursday January 1st ~ Ham and Broccoli Casserole & Buttery Biscuit Rolls (recipes soon)
Friday January 2nd ~ Chicken Fried Chicken w/ Parmesan Potatoes & Peppered Gravy
Saturday January 3rd ~ *Split Pea Soup
Sunday January 4th ~ Italian Macaroni & Cheese (recipe soon)
Monday January 5th ~ OUT

* already prepped and in the freezer

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Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Insight ::Knowledge
2. Irksome ::Annoyances
3. Maybe ::Possibly
4. Confirmation ::Solidified
5. Bib ::Baby
6. Stop! ::Don't!
7. Lobster ::Bisque
8. Boys ::On the Side
   
9. Fire away ::Go Ahead
   
10. Give up ::Oh well!
    

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Lucky Duck I am ~ Book & a an Apron

I recently won 2 different blog giveaways and am such a lucky duck as I can use them together and they arrived just a few hours apart. The Flavor Bible is an awesome book that I'm only 3 pages into, but already love! I won this from Joy over at Joy of Desserts and this awesome Jesse Steele Apron with the most adorable cherries fits like a glove. Lisa over at Confessions of an Apron Queen has the most amazing shop full of both new and vintage aprons. Go visit Rick Rack Attack and take your Christmas list with you, she has something for everyone! Lisa also hosts Vintage Thingie Thursdays.

♥

Camera Critters ~ Sweet Whiskey Sour

Hosted by Misty

I took these a few weeks ago when the weather was still warm and I was baking that day so had the door open (yeah I know we need a storm/screen door here still). My sweet little girl does NOT like to be relegated outside! She waits patiently, well sort of patiently for me to click my tongue which is her signal to come back inside.

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Fall always leads to Winter ~ BRRRRRRRR!

Gail better known as Tismee2 over at Squared Off asks "I'd love to know what it is you do to feel cosy when the weather turns cold. Although for some of you in more topical climes, I suppose you just put on a shirt - LOL!"

To use her verbage, it's time to get out the winter woolies once again here too. It's a bit nippy here too as last night's low was 27 degrees and the high was 47 degrees.

I finally ran the furnace this week whether I wanted to or not for the first time of the season and then had to promptly clean the whole house top to bottom for all the summer dust.

In case you are wondering where the cute little graphic came from.... she got it from the University of New Brunswick, Canada website. It's guidance for international students who are going there to study. Like her I didn't realize a sled was part of the 'things to pack' list though!

So, to answer her question, what do I do to make life more comfy for me during the winter?

• I change to my wool socks and those are usually worn over my cotton ones since I don't react well to the wool back do like to keep my toes warm.
• All of my coats have a pair of gloves in the pockets along with a scarf around the neck.
• I have a winter coat in the car boot, oops I mean backseat of the truck - in case it's colder than I thought somewhere.
• I turn the heat on for a bit as soon I get up.
• I wear boots rather than tennis shoes.
• I have sachets, oops I mean packets of hot chocolate in the house.
• The fridge contains lots of root vegetables for soups and stews instead of salad
• I wear an ARMY sweatshirt inside and out-all day like a comfort blanket!
• In preparation of Lake Effect snow, the window and door screens have been replaced with storm windows and there are snow shovels at every door in preparation of the impending inevitability and the firewood is beginning to stack up for the wood burner.
  

♥

Scrumptious Sunday ~ National Pork Month ~ Traditional Carnitas - YUMMY!

Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks
CARNITAS (my most favorite way to make this recipe)

2-3 pound boneless pork roast with fat
1 can Old El Paso verde enchilada sauce
1 large onion, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced, Jar
sea salt
white pepper

• Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees.
  
• Lightly spray your baking dish with PURE.
• GENEROUSLY salt and pepper both sides of your roast. Put in the baking dish.
• Cover the roast with the onion pieces.
  
• Whisk the minced garlic into your enchilada sauce.
• Pour over the onions and roast to coat well.
• Cover loosely with foil.
• Bake for 3 hours or until fork tender.
• Remove to cutting board with a juice well.
• Shred the meat and return to pan with the juices.
• Increase heat to 325 degrees.
  
• Cook uncovered 30 minutes until tops are slightly crispy.
• Turn the meat and bake another 30 minutes. There should be virtually no juices left.
• Serve with warm tortillas, guacamole and salsa.

This makes enough for 4 large burritos. It is a lot of time and work so I usually double everything and then portion out for freezer packs.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Tasty Thursday hosted by Pumpkin Patch, Watchin' What We Eat hosted by Lorie at Honey I Shrank Myself and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. October is one of my favorite months with the beginning of fall.
2. The current state of the economy and political manipulation scare me!
3. Leaves are falling all around, it's BEAUTIFUL.
4. My favorite horror movie is The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock because truly scares me.
5. Hubby = good memories.
6. It was a dark and stormy night when I first watched The Birds, probably why it scared me so much.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to snuggling in with hubby for a good movie, tomorrow my plans include errands and Sunday, I want to quilt and watch football!

♥

Aloha Friday ~ Coffee

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

QUESTION:
What is your favorite flavored coffee?
(spiked or not)

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Recipe Box Swap collides with Favorite Ingredient Friday ~ Sandwich Edition ~ Monte Cristo Sandwiches with Homemade Raspeberry Jam

You know how much I enjoy finding and trying new recipes. Imagine how happy I was when I found yet another meme for recipes. It is hosted by Randi @ I Have To Say. This month's edition features Lunchtime Favorites.

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH
2-3 tablespoons butter
powdered sugar
for each sandwich you will need:
2 slices thick Potato bread
1 slice roasted turkey
1 slice swiss cheese
1 slice smoked or baked ham
BATTER (enough for 2 sandwiches)
1/2 cup milk
1 JUMBO egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup self rising flour

• Assemble sandwiches with the cheese between the 2 pieces of meat.
• Cut into halves or quarters.
• Whisk together the milk and egg. Add the seasonings. Add the flour last.
• Melt butter on griddle.
  
• Dip each sandwich piece in batter coating well.
• Fry each sandwich until crisp. Make sure to turn onto each side and edge to grill batter well.
• Cool on paper towels.
  
• Dust with powdered sugar.
  
• Serve with fresh raspberry jam.

Half the battle of making this sandwich is finding a good quality and tasty turkey and ham. The other half is actually using your fingers to dip the sandwich pieces in the batter.

RASPBERRY JAM

8 cups raspberries
6 cups sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon orange peel
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 package unflavored gelatin

• Combine fruit, sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon and orange peel in a stock pot.
• Bring to a full rolling boil - stirring constantly. Let boil 1 full minute.
• Remove from heat and stir in gelatin.
• Skim any foam.
• Pour into sterilized jars.
• Water bath process 15 minutes.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Thursday 13 ~ Things I would never move again

This list is of things that looking in retrospect should have been given to charity and purchased new on this end of our major cross country move for this investment house. Unless you are 100% attached to an item - get rid of it!

1. Couch
2. Living room chairs
3. Entertainment center
   
4. Microwave
5. Books, books and more books
6. Office Chair
7. Tupperware
   
8. Mattresses
9. Garden Tools
10. Throw Rugs
11. Everyday Dishes
12. Excess electronics
13. Paintings
    

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Dates to Remember

I borrowed this from Joy of Desserts.
It's a great list to pass on.
I know I'll do my best to live up to it!

October is National Dessert Month, here in the United States!
As a matter of fact, October is full of sweet dates.
Here's a list if you're looking for excuses to eat some yummy treats.
So which ones will YOU be celebrating?

October is:

* Cookbook Month
* Gourmet Adventures Month
* National Apple Month
* National Applejack Month
* National Caramel Month
* National Cookie Month
* National Kitchen Month
* National Popcorn Popping Month

Then, there's:

* National Caramel Custard Day (Oct. 3)
* National Apple Betty Day (Oct. 5)
* National Frappe Day (Oct. 7)
* National Fluffernutter Day (Oct. 8)
* National Angel Food Cake Day (Oct. 10)
* National Dessert Day (Oct. 14)
* National Chocolate Cupcake Day (Oct. 18)
* National Brandied Fruit Day (Oct. 20)
* National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day (Oct. 21)
* U.K. National Apple Day (Oct. 21)
* National Nut Day (Oct. 22)
* National Boston Cream Pie Day (Oct. 23) I just did one yesterday Boston Cream Pie
* National Chocolate Day (Oct. 28)
* National Candy Corn Day (Oct. 30)
* National Caramel Apple Day (Oct. 31)
♥

Very Vintage Christmas Swap

Heidi Ann is hosting a great A Very Vintage Christmas Swap over at Foxgloves, Fabric & Folly.
~Go check it out~

♥

Just Stirrin' Something Up ~ Boston Cream Pie

When I was a little girl Boston Cream Pie was my FAVORITE Sunday dinner dessert and my grandma made it for me regularly until I was about 10 years old and then Sunday dinners as we knew them stopped on a regular basis. Since then I have craved Boston Cream Pie on a regular basis and finally have resurrected her recipe.

According to about.com, Boston Cream Pie is "Not a pie, but not your average cake, Boston Cream Pie is one of the city’s signature recipes. A descendant of pudding-cake pie, the Boston cream pie is considered to be the creation of French chef Sanzian of the Parker House Hotel (now the Omni Parker House). In 1996 the Boston Cream Pie was named the official dessert of Massachusetts. Use this recipe to make one yourself, and find out what makes the Boston Cream Pie such an enduring favorite."

• CAKE
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 5 JUMBO eggs
• 1/4 cup cake flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk
  CUSTARD***
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 cup flour
• scant 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  
• 1 1/4 cup whole milk
• 3 JUMBO egg yolks
  
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  GLAZE
  
• 5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

CAKE
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9 1/2-inch springform baking pan. I use a square one to make pieces easier to cut.

Combine the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Cream together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each one.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cream of tartar and salt. Combine with the creamed mixture and add the milk.

Pour batter into the prepared pan*. Bake in the middle of the oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack.

CUSTARD
Combine the cornstarch, sugar, milk, eggs, cream, vanilla extract, and salt in a saucepan. Whisk until smooth.

Bring the custard to a boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly. Continuing to whisk, let the custard boil for two minutes.

Remove from heat, and whisk in the butter. Set custard aside to cool, continuing to whisk occasionally.

GLAZE
In a double boiler, melt together the chocolate, butter and salt, stirring until smooth.

BUILDING THE PERFECT PIE
Remove the cake from the pan and cut it in half horizontally with a long serrated knife.

Place one half of the cake on a plate with the cut side facing up. Top with custard.

Place the other half of the cake on top, with the cut side down.

Coat the top of the cake with glaze allowing it to drip down the sides.

*I like to use my square spring form pan for a couple of reasons; it make cutting pieces a lot easier since the slices when it is cut as a pie tend to try and fall over and my serving plate is rectangular in shape.

***The traditional custard substitutes in this recipe for a pineapple custard which is what we like to do.

♥

September Pay it Forward Book Exchange Winner & October Book up for grabs

hosted by Overwhelmed with Joy
September's winner is:

Timestamp: 2008-09-30 14:39:45 UTC

#11 Sweet Sue

I have up for grabs Weight Watchers Winner's Circle cook book. You can read more about it here.

Here are the guidelines from Overwhelmed with Joy:

Most all of us love to read and get “new-to-us” books, right? And if you’re anything like me, you love winning things (what a rush), not to mention getting fun stuff in the mail! So here’s what this book exchange is all about:

1) On the first Monday of each month I'll pick a couple of books to give away to two lucky readers (you don’t have to have a blog to enter). It may be a book that I’ve purchased new or used, or it may be a book that someone has shared with me that I really like. It’ll probably be a paperback, just to make things easier, but no guarantees.

2) Details on how you can enter to win will be listed in each monthly post.

3) If you’re the lucky winner of the book giveaway and you have your own blog I ask that you, in turn, host a drawing to give that book away for free to one of your readers, after you’ve had a chance to read it (let’s say, within a month after you’ve received the book). If you mail the book out using the media/book rate that the post office offers it’s pretty inexpensive. If you're a non-blogger who has won the book, please consider donating the book to your local library or shelter after you're done with it.

4) If you’re really motivated and want to host your own Pay It Forward giveaway at any time during the month, grab the PIF button above to use on your own blog post and link back to my original Pay It Forward Post. Be sure to let me know about your giveaway so I can add your link on my original PIF post directing my readers your way! I'd appreciate it if you would not use Mr. Linky on your blog and require that your readers post about your Pay It Forward book exchange on their blogs to be eligible to win your book. If you'd just ask your readers to leave you a comment on your post to be entered to win, and then direct them to my blog to review the master list of other Pay It Forward giveaways, that would be much appreciated and I think less confusing for all participating!

So there you have it, the Pay It Forward Book Exchange, designed to encourage people to read, to share good books, to possibly get you out of your reading comfort zone, and to get fun stuff in the mail instead of just bills!

Snowflakes & Sparkles Christmas Swap

Holly is hosting a great Christmas Swap over at Mommy Holly.
~Go check it out~

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The Revival of Common Courtesy ~ Travel & Tipping

Traveling is stressful enough in today's world without enduring delays, crowds, lines, security check points, etc... So, why add to it? One of the easiest things you can do is to prepare in ADVANCE by making reservations for flights, hotels, rental cars, etc... DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! In today's world there is a ton of competition for your business as well as many discount business available to you.

Remember one thing though, many times you get what you pay for, so don't be bashful when making reserva