PUMPKIN-SPICE CRACK.....oh d-lish!

Hey everyone....hope all is well and you're ready for the weekend. I recently posted pics of this "pumpkin-spice crack" without the recipe. Well.....it was because I was still in the testing process. Needless to say....I've probably gained a "few pounds" but I believe it's time to share :-) I did make another batch using less butter and I feel it was a bit better.....I did spread it a little thinner....made it a bit more crunchy....other then that....it still came out wonderful (I think anyway). I received some emails about subbing out white choc instead of dark choc and why I added the pumpkin puree. I honestly hate to admit this....I added the pumpkin puree to add a bit healthy twist to my all time favorite holiday candy. Plus I'm a pumpkin spice everything kinda gal :-) Anyway, let me know if you put your own spin on this recipe....I'll be happy to try yours :-)
Oh....it's Friday....and that means pizza night in my house....I'll be doing a twist on my favorite pepperoni pizza....wish me luck and will share if all goes well :-) Enjoy your weekend!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com
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Here's all you do....

Pre-heat oven to 350*
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
Lay 1 -2 pkgs (sleeves) of graham crackers (broken in half)

In a non-stick sauce pan (I keep one just for candy) melt following stirring constantly until sides break away over medium heat
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup pumpkin puree ( I use Libbys 100% pure pumpkin)
3/4 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice ( or to taste)
pinch of salt

Once all is heated & pulls away from sides of pan (be careful...it's hot)
then pour over graham crackers and spread evenly ( I tried spreading thin and thick....works either way) thin is a bit more crunchy and heavier spread is more chewy....don't think you can go wrong :-)
Place in pre-heated oven for about 4-5 minutes (watch carefully....ovens vary)
Remove from oven & turn oven off
Top with your favorite candies....I sprinkled the following. Didn't measure out, just had fun!
*Dark-chocolate chips
*Butter scotch morsels
*Bits of Brickle
* Candy corn
Seriously, I think you could add nuts...pretzels....candy...whatever your family likes :-)
Return back to over for about 4-5 mins or until slightly melted

Let cool....and you can flash freeze if you need it to set up.
I freeze for about 10 minutes....then place on a plate and into a freezer bag before giving as gifts....that way friends can freeze until ready to eat :-)
Enjoy!

"Today, I realized I'm a Pioneer Woman Snob" :-)....Can't help myself....I love her products!

Hey everyone...hope all is going well. I had to share this 'cause sometimes you don't realize how much you like someone or something until this happens. This week I was making a birthday cake and I whisked the batter using my faithful hand whisk and the thing decided to break on me. I was "too lazy" to break out my hand mixer for such a small task :-) So yesterday while shopping I thought "what a great time" to add to my "Pioneer Woman" collection. Well this morning while making cornbread, I used my new whisk....I was so excited and was whisking away and stopped....where is my sweet little butterfly.....where is my pioneer woman logo....how can this be....I have so much of her cooking items and yes I'm abscessed and it's because her products are "wonderful"....I guess I'll survive for now anyway :-)
***Update....while washing my whisk...."I found her logo"....it helps to wear glasses :-)
Honestly...all kidding aside....she has great products if you haven't already tried them!!!!

Well stay tuned 'cause while my cornbread was cooking (recipe for casserole coming soon) I was able to work on making my "Pumpkin-Spice-Crack" a tad-bit healthier....(pic below)….it's setting up now as we speak and if all goes well I'll be sharing this one as well. I will admit, I tasted it and if it doesn't fully set-up....well let's just say a bowl of ice cream will come into play :-)
Enjoy your day & talk soon :-)

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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"THIS IS WHAT I WANTED...and THIS IS WHAT I DID"

Hey everyone....I hope all is going well. I've been trying to get some blog posts caught up & if you know me, I've got a huge project started on my "quilting blog." As a designer, if I don't have a project that I'm working on I will seriously go nuts. Recently I've been working on some designs for me & have to admit it's more fun helping others. I've been blessed with being able to design for clients homes and have the "eye" to save them money along the way. Lately I've been enjoying being able to consult with people and do what I love....quilting and sewing. I've designed for so many years and sometimes it's just nice to give back to others. As we all have seen, all the do-it-yourself shows and tips have saved us money. Well, I have to admit, I was pretty happy with what I did below. I fell in love with the first design from a magazine but the cost was just not in the budget. I've been re-doing the "guest-room" on a slim budget and needed end tables. If you've priced end tables lately you'll understand where I'm coming from! They are so tiny and so expensive for great quality.
Our town church had a "rummage sale" & a dear friend knew that I was looking for end tables. Well, she called and said hey I found these for 40 bucks. Well I said....still not bad, eighty for two great quality end tables, similar to the design I wanted. Then she said..."No, 40 for both." I don't know how you type happy feet....hands flopping and changing clothes to get to the sale but you got the idea! She was so sweet and they held them until I arrived. Oh my gosh, I was so excited. Great quality and a great deal. Win...win as my grandson would say!
So here's where it did get tricky....I wanted antique casters on the legs....again,,,if you've priced antique casters lately you'll understand what I did. I went to local hardware store and they had the copper casters "reasonably priced". Next step copper spray paint for the handles. Done! Then sand paper to ruff up the edges to give them the "rustic look" I wanted. Done! Needed two baskets for "what nots" to store in". Hmm....oh "borrowed" them from my craft closet :-) Then their was that sweet lamp...again, those are so expensive so I "opt out" and just use the lamp that I originally had. Personally speaking....I feel that I "copied" the original design pretty well & less then half the cost!
I've had some guests visit and stay the night and they loved what I did. One friend is trying to find a bargain herself. Sometimes we just need to realize that it's not all about the look but how we feel when we accomplish something. At least with me anyway! :-) :-) :-)
If you have some tips to share please email me....

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest

See ya on the next project :-)

CATS FUN-FRIDAY TIP...."BALANCING HOUSEWORK & SEWING"

Hey everyone....hope all is well. I had to share this tip on my quilting blog of balancing our "necessary chores" as they say with our other "necessary projects." So pop on over to my quilting blog to see how I've learned to "balance" these two together. I hope this tip helps and please share if you have some tips as well. IF you're like me, there's never enough time in the day but we all need to get things done so I hope this helps. Have a great weekend!

Blessed Cooking from my Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com