Neglection

YES, I do realize that my poor blog has been neglected and left bare of new posts lately. I know that each and every one of my followers eagerly awaits a new post every day (I'm pretty sure that I imagine that, but let's pretend that it's the truth. Just for now.).
I have not lost the blogging spirit.
I have not stopped taking pictures.
I have not died.
I have not taken a world wide exploration with only a backpack.
I HAVE finished school. (Clapping and cheering). Because I have wanted to say that for awhile, let me repeat that. I HAVE FINISHED SCHOOL.
That is, a small part of what I hope my schooling consists of. But I have finished for now and I don't know what the next part will be right now, SO... I will blog lots more often. And I will take lots more pictures. And I will post lots more recipes. And I will learn how to play the piano better. And I will read some good books that have been stacking up waiting for me. And I will go to California THIS week to visit friends. I really will.
Over and out.

Spiced Pumpkin Mousse

I love pumpkin. Anything and all things pumpkin. Pumpkin is what fall tastes like. This Mousse is a snap to prepare and it serves 8 -10 (depending on how much of it you can stand to share heh heh).

SPICED PUMPKIN MOUSSE

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1/4 c cold water

1 - 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin

3/4 c packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

dash of salt

1 1/2 c chilled heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

Sprinkle gelatin over water in a saucepan and let it soften for a minute. Bring it to a bare simmer and stir until it is dissolved. Stir together gelatin, pumpkin, spices, brown sugar, and salt in large bowl.

Beat whipping cream and vanilla until stiff and fold into pumpkin mixture, gently but thoroughly. Spoon into cups, glasses, or bowls of your choice, chill until it is set, at least 2 hours.

Garnish with a dallop of whipped cream, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, or (my favorite) a chocolate covered ginger snap cookie. Or all of the above. Or make up your own toppings and let me know how it tastes :).

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving started with 8 of us here at home...

Sticking oranges with cloves is one of my favorite things.

Dad and Mom, Curt, Laura, Roger, Kara, Garrett, and my invisible self

A walk down to the river...

This is the newest member of Roger and Kara's family - Camry the English Mastiff. Check out those paws.

Pumpkin Mousse, Oatmeal Coconut pie, Chocolate pie, Pecan pie, Buttermilk Pie, Pumpkin pie, and Pumpkin cheesecake. I think we went a little overboard.

Then we headed over to Uncle Tom and Aunt Jo's that afternoon...

Aunt Mel, Haley, Shelby, and Aunt Jo

Reese looking just like Tracy. Poor girl, those glasses were so strong that she kept going cross-eyed.

Brock

... and a game of Mexican Train

Chili Cook-Off 2011

Chili Cook-Off 2011 - Nautical Theme

Macy Neil and Abby King

Brenton and Devenni King

Marcail Woodall

LuAnne Woods - one of the Adult costume winners

Haley Baker

Laura and Yours Truly Arrgg.

Derek Zelder - one of the teenage cosutme winners

The Beach Boys

Scuba Diver Paxton - one of the children costume winners

Stan and Kendra Jones

Eric and Ariel (Aubrey)

Cap'n Hook - Beau Woods

Lobster fisherman - Eric, Harper, and Leighton Bishop

Susie Jones and Kylie McWhorter

That there is the scavenger hunt WINNING TEAM. Yep.

A good time was had by me.

Italiano

Monthly Dinner at Johnn and Lois' lovely home. Menu consisted of -

Homemade Meatballs and Sauce

Homemade Spaghetti

Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli

Bleu Cheese Ravioli w/ Sweet Onion Butter Sauce

Ceasar Salad

Focaccia Bread w/ Olive Oil and Vinegarette Dipping

Strawberry Tiramisu Cups (with a side of heaven) for dessert

We had a few technical difficulties with the homeade pasta. Sticking together and such. Lois and I debating whether to serve it or trash it.

We served it. Lasagna style.

Johnn's pasta drying before turning into spaghetti noodles

Lots of kidos this evening...

Like I said, lots of kids. Some taller than others.

Some taller than the whole table...

Some sitting on little green high chairs for baby dolls...

Yummm.

Weekend Wanderings...

Spent the weekend at my sister's house and it was just us and the boys, due to Girl's Camp stealing Caitlin and Brad. So we started the weekend off with brownies and ice cream (can't go wrong with that)... and I peek into the kitchen after Brant has had several helpings of ice cream to find THIS -

Don't bother putting it in a bowl when you can eat straight out of the container. Saving motions, of course.

AND - I have recently learned that Brant's name is spelled BrantLY and NOT BrantLEY like I've been spelling it for the past four years. How do you know someone for four years and not know how their name is spelled? I'm ashamed.

Braden took me on an adventure. Or we might've gotten locked out of the house and AND had to go on an adventure. To the tree house -

Heights are not my thing.

Bird traps are.

Little boys trying to show off are not. Especially that high off the ground.

Braden - "Aunt Kristen, look at me!"

Myself - "WHAA- cough, cough, well well, thats nice. Now slowly, gently, grab hold of that branch and make your way back into the tree house..."

Braden - "Oh, we do this all the time, it's not dangerous"

Myself - "Well, obviously it IS or you wouldn't be trying to convince me that it's not. You're making me nervous, get over here."

Braden - "Wheeeee, I love swinging with just one hand!!!"

Myself, broken out in a sweat, my fingers already on the 9-1-1 buttons on my phone.

Oh my goodness, that did not make me smile.

Marching on. To Trinity Park and then the IMAX theater with lots of Braden and Brantly's friends -

To learn about the Hubble Telescope

Verrry interesting. After all that floating around in space, I feel like a germ. So tiny and invisible (anndddd dangerous muhahaha juuust kidding). And lots of prompted discussion on whether there is life out there other than just us humans on earth. I say no because I like to believe that God made such a vast and incredible universe to SHOW us what He can do and how much he loves and cares for us individually, so tiny and invisible and germy.

The End