Whatever Girlfriends

OK, girls.  They tell me it is cool here in Florida so it is time to fix chili.  Seriously, lots of folks are seriously saying it's cool/cold and they are fixing chili.  I, personally, have not noticed cool weather.  I am still in flip flops and shorts.  No sweaters, no fleece, no boots.....no cool weather.  But I decided to go with the flow and make some chili!!  I found a new recipe and it is good!   Pumpkin Black Bean Turkey Chili Saute: 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper 3 minced garlic cloves 2 TBSP butter or margarine 2 TBSP oil Stir in: 1 1/2 tsp oregano 1 1/2 - 2 tsp ground cumin (I omitted this by accident and it was still good.) 2 tsp chili powder Cook for on low while you brown 1 lb ground turkey sausage OR 1 lb ground turkey meat. Transfer all to crockpot. Stir in: 2 15 oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained 16 oz can pumpkin 14 1/2 oz. diced tomatoes 3 cups chicken broth ...

Today was a really nice day and I did several fun activities and I would like to tell you about them!  First I went to Wally World in search of a fun pumpkin like item.  And Jack Pot!  I found something great!  I want to send something to Mark Marky who is away at college and to my wild and crazy grandson.  Look and see what you think!!! I used a permanent marker to make the face on the pastic container and put  mailing an address label on the back and then wrapped it with clear packing tape.  Monday I will take them to the post office.  Fun! Crock Pot Story Everyone has a Crock Pot, right?  I have been without one for about 4 months.  My latest one broke - the control knob broke off and a leg broke off.  It really did not cook all that well, so it was time to chunk it.  I have had a Crock Pot since the day I was married.  In fact, funniest thing, we had 16 Crock Pots!  I guess 1977 was the year of the Crock...

Even in Florida - fall is here.  We have a little color and nice cool weather.  And I can still enjoy the beach!!!  Love it!  Thank you, God, for such wonderful pleasures of this life. Just a splash of color leaves.  Is the old pitcher gorgeous?  It belongs to my friend, Debbie Lanning.  When she was moving it was in her "not taking with me" pile.  I figure I can use it until she decidess she wants it back - then she has to come get it!!!!!  grin Hank made me the candle box out of an old pallet.  I love it.  Sometimes I put  little sprigs of berries in it. Again, just adding some leaves and pinecones and small handmade wreaths.   I added some fall flowers to a pottery vase Mark made in school last year.   Love the teal color with the fall flowers! On my buffet is a plate I found at a Bible Book store years ago, the strainer my grandmother used to make applesauce with, and more leaves! ...

It was tea party time!  About 10 new friends came over and we had tea and cookies.  It was a a nice evening of laughing and visiting.   I want to share the recipes though.  They were good and easy - my favorite kind of recipes! On the top plate: Peanut Butter Cup Browies 1 box brownie mix 1/2 cup peanut butter chips 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter Preheat oven to 350.  Spray or grease 40 mini muffin cups.  Prepare boxed brownie mix as directed on box.  Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups (about 1 heaping teaspoon.)  Bake 10-12 minutes or until top is set and toothpick inserted into center comes out slightly wet.  After brownies are out of oven, wiat for centers to fall.  This will happen as cooling.  If not, then tap with back of teaspoon to make hole for peanut butter. Place peanut butter in small microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for 45 seconds then sti...

Who does not love pound cake??!!  This is a good and easy recipe.   1 1/2 cups butter (no substitues) room temperature 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature 2 1/3 cups sugar 6 eggs, room temperature 3 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and cream cheese.  Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually add flour; beat just until blended.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan.  Bake 300 for 1 1/2 hours or until cake tests done.  Cool in pan 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack.  Cool completely.   Good stuff!  

Red Velvet Triffle Kinda good!  I will share this recipe with you.  It is one my mother-in-law used to make.  Only her recipe was pound cake and vanilla pudding.  And that is really good.  But I decided to try a different combination and I must say - yum! Here is the easy recipe: One Red Velvet cake mix - Mix and bake as directed on the box. Three boxes of Cream Cheese Pudding - Mix according to directions on the box. One large carton of whipped cream. Mix and bake Red Velvet cake mix in 9X12 pan.  Let cool.  Cut cake in square pieces.  Mix pudding, one box at a time.  Place several pieces of cake in bottom of triffle bowl.  Pour one box of mixed pudding on top of the cake.  Next put a layer of whipped topping.  Then do another layer of cake, another mixed box of pudding, more whipped topping.  Do three layers of each - cake, pudding, and ending in whipped topping.  Refridgerate over night. ...

Do you like Key Lime Pie?  If so, it is certain you will like these cupcakes!  This is what you need: Cupcakes: 1 box lemon cake mix 1 box (4-serving size) lime gelatin 3/4 cup water 1/3 cup lime juice 1/3 cup vegetable oil 3 eggs Heat oven to 350 Place paper baking cups in each of 24 regular size muffin cups.   Mix cupcake ingredients listed above on low then on medium, scraping bowl occasionally.  Pour into baking cups and bake 19-24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Glaze 1 cup powdered sugar 2 1/2 tablespoons Key Lime juice In small bowl mix powdered sugar and lime juice and stir until smooth. With a toothpick, poke 3 -4 holes in cupcakes then put some glaze on top of cupcake. Frosting 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, room temp 1/4 cup butter or marg, room temp 1 tsp vanilla 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until lig...