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.