Pumpkin Juice

A couple years ago, we visited Universal Studios in Florida. While we were in the Harry Potter section, we sampled some Pumpkin Juice. At first, I will admit I was a little hesitant even though I am a fan of pumpkin. It tasted sweet like fruit juice. The drink did contain more apple juice than pumpkin. Since I have a few Trick or Treaters, I figured I would sneak in a little more Vitamin C and A with the plethora of candy they are about to receive.

Pumpkin Juice
18 oz. cold water
12 oz. apple juice concentrate
11.5 oz. white grape juice
1/2 cup puree pumpkin
1/4 cup puree peaches

1. In a large pitcher, mix all the ingredients.
2. Chill before serving.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago............................I made Lobster Chowder.
Two years ago..........................I made Chicken Stir Fry. (What we have on Halloween Night for the vegetables. )

Did you already know...............
-In June 1990, Universal Studios Resorts opened.
-In June 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens. 
-Currently, Universal Studios are expanding the Harry Potter section which is scheduled to open next year.

Pirate cookies

Have you picked out your costume yet? Are you going to be a princess, superhero, or maybe a pirate? I am going as Dr. Seuss's Thing One in which I like to call myself Wild Thing One. My niece requested some pirate cookies which I happily obliged. These aren't too scary to eat. The kids liked to help decorate which always make it fun.

Pirate Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Red Royal Icing
White Royal Icing
Black Royal Icing

Directions:

1. Make a red circle about 1/2 inch from the edge.
2. Take half of the red icing and add 1/2 tsp of water to thin it out.
3. Flood the red circle with the thinned out icing. Allow to set for at least one hour.
4. Once the red icing has set, take the white icing and pipe the shape of a light bulb onto the top 1/3 section of the cookie
5. Below the light bulb shape, pipe a letter "X" underneath. 
6. At the edge of each "X", add a little circle.
7. Take about 1/3 of the white icing and add a little water to think it out. 
8. Flood the inside of the light bulb shape. Allow to set for at least one hour.
9. Once the white icing has set, add 3 dots to form the two eyes and nose.
10. Add a couple of lines for the mouth. 
11. Add some black icing for decorations and other decorations like an eye patch. Allow to set before serving.

Cookies created by Jen of Sweet Morris. Cookie recipe and icing found at the links.

One year ago.......................I made Chocolate Brownie Cookies.
Two years ago.....................I made Mummy Cake Pops. (Check them out!)

Did you already know.........
-Between 1700 to 1725, the Caribbean had numerous of pirate attacks.
-The famous Black Beard would make put fuses in his hat so he appeared to be on fire to intimidate the ships he was attacking.
-Not all pirates were men during that time, Anne Bony and Mary Read were two female pirates who fought with the men. They were captured but were saved from the death penalty due to pregnancy.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..............matey!

Chili Mac

Recently, I had some unexpected time off from work so I decided to paint my our bedroom. Since I love the color blue, it was agreed the room would be blue. It didn't matter two other rooms in our house are blue too. Of course, the rooms are all different shades of blue. My husband didn't argue about the color our room that I picked. While we were painting, I accidentally touched the wet wall with my hair. I am talented like that. I turned to my husband and asked him if I actually had paint in my hair. He told me yes so I told him that he could call me Marge Simpson from now on. Don't worry I wasn't painting in the kind of dress she wears. If I had, I would have had paint on the dress too!

Zombie Brains aka Chili Mac
1 lb ground hamburger
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
6 oz. dry pasta
1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes
1 (15 0z.) can kidney beans, drained
1 (8 3/4 oz.) can sweet corn, drained
1 (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth 
2 cups water
1 cup shredded Colby cheese

Directions:

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat for about 5 minutes. 
2. Add the onion, red pepper, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. Stir well.
4. Add the uncooked noodles, tomatoes, kidney beans, corn, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir well.
5. Add the 4 cups chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender. If needed, add more water.
7. Sprinkle cheese on top before serving.

Recipe adapted from 1998 Cooking Light magazine.

One year ago.............................I made Alien Cupcakes.
Two years ago...........................I made Vanilla Buttermilk Cupcakes.

Did you already know.........................
-The Simpsons have been on the air for 24 seasons.
-It is the longest running animated series on television.
-Mrs. Nancy Cartwright is the voice for Bart Simpson.

Doggie Cupcakes

My sister makes these great cupcakes and sends them into niece's classroom. She also shares with us. Isn't she so nice? My sister even let me share them with you. My son thought these were great because he thought it gave him an excuse to play with his dessert. He didn't play with them long before gobbling them up.

Doggie Cupcakes
12 cooled cupcakes
1 can of frosting
food dye
12 large marshmallows
12 red jelly beans
miniature chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Dye the frosting the desired color. Set aside.
2. Take a marshmallow and cut off 1/4 inch thick off.
3. Cut the 1/4 inch into half. Set aside for the muzzle.
4. Cut the other half into 4 pieces. Shape the pieces into the shape of ears.
5. Frost the cupcake or pipe the frosting onto the cupcake for a more hairy look.
6. Cover the nose section with frosting and place onto the cupcake.
7. While the nose sets, frost the ear pieces and place the ears onto the cupcakes near the edge and above the muzzle piece.
8. With some frosting or chocolate chips, create two eyes. 
9. Place a red jelly bean or a miniature chocolate chip for the nose.

Recipe adapted from Hello, Cupcake! cookbook.

One year ago...........................I made Peanut Butter Cookies.
Two years ago.........................I made Onion Dip.

Did you already know................
-A dog's muzzle is also a snout.
-The most popular registered breed of dog is the Labrador.
-Dogs sweat glands are located near their foot pads.

Snail Cookies

The snails are coming. The snails are coming. Alright, these snails aren't very fast. They are pretty tasty. The kids had no problems eating these snails. The snails are made up of two types of cookies and chocolate.

Snail Cookies aka Sugar Cookies
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
a couple of drops of food coloring, optional
1 box of Pirouline cookies
10 chocolate candies wrapped in eyeball wrappers.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Add one egg at a time. Mix until incorporated.
5. Add the vanilla extract and the food coloring. Mix until incorporated.
6. Bake about 10 minutes and the cookies until the edges are golden. 
7. After a minute, transfer the cookies to a wire rack.
8. Stick one Pirouline cookie in the center of the sugar cookie and allow to cool completely. 
9. Place 1 chocolate on top of each Pirouline cookie to make a snails eye.

 Sugar Cookie adapted from Martha Stewart's Cookies cookbook. 

One year ago.................................I made Pretzel Dogs.
Two years ago...............................I made Chicken Enchiladas.

Did you already know....................
-Most snails have four tentacles- 2 for sight and 2 for smell.
-Snails are nocturnal creatures.
-In the winter, snails hibernate in the soil.