Pumpkin Spice Spice Baby!

 

Much to the relief of thousands of fans, Trifle Tuesday is back! Hey, I can't control the work team birthday calendar!

But throw in the month of October with some Pumpkin Spice Spice Baby – and you've got a winner!

And this one is sort of fraud since hubby and I have been coughing and dealing with stuffed noses. So no oven was turned on at Blue Jay Drive to create this. Instead here is the latest made-up trifle recipe...

The cake layer was something called Pumpkin Cake Bites, which makes total sense. My pudding layers were one layer of pumpkin spice pudding and the other layer of Cinnabon pudding snack packs.

Yes! This brings out every fall flavor, in my opinion! And yes, all 6 little packs went into one layer.

As for the crunchy layer (which I always require) I took my momma's rolling pin to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag of a combined cookie packet of Pumpkin White Chocolate, Gingerbread Cream Cheese, and Brown Butter Cinnamon Bun cookies. This time, courtesy of Wal-Mart.

Even though I do have some Pumpkin Spice Eggnog in the fridge, I just wasn't willing to sacrifice it for this trifle. But... now you know another option to add to this trifle mix. 

Happy October. And good luck!

Tis the Season... But Which One?

If this is how winter is going to go, I'll take it! Crazy but it is apparently going to be warmer on Christmas than it was for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Again, I'll take it.

The warmer weather created some fog this morning. Pretty anyway.

I guess that the sun burning off the fog is a sign of longer days. Starting now!

Before we get ahead of ourselves on what season it is, know that it IS Advent for sure. Enjoyed a wonderful cantata by our church choir this morning. I miss choir. I wasn't in it this fall since I had too much going on – including some travel. Might resume in January. We'll see.

After church, I was planning to get my car washed. Because that's what you do on spring days. The lines reflected that it was definitely a spring day and everyone had the same idea. Do some Christmas shopping then swing by the car wash. On my third trip to town, I was finally successful in finding a short line!

Not everything was successful, though. I stopped at both McDonald's and Culver's in town just looking for an eggnog shake. In both cases, when they said, "We don't have that," I swung right out of the drive-thru line and was on my merry way.

How can we have car washes like spring and Valentine's stuff on the shelves at Walmart already, but nobody has a stinkin' eggnog shake in this town? Grrrr.

At least I had a photo shoot this afternoon that confirmed it's still the Christmas season...

This little one is a brand new granddaughter to a friend of mine. She was a doll and it really lifted my spirits.

That and the nice weather. And a Hallmark movie. (Don't think for a minute I don't know what season it is!)

The Stockings Were Hung

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through our house... every creature was stirring – including me on my computer mouse.

I suppose if I want everyone in bed when Santa comes, I should set an example and go to bed myself! Not like it was such a busy evening I had to stay up late.

It was a different sort of Christmas Eve schedule compared to the last, oh, 15 or so. Usually it's early church for Carter and me (1 p.m.), then dinner at the in-laws at 4 p.m. and the evening there. This year is worked better for some of the grandchildren (two of four) to do it Friday night instead. So it was our first quiet Christmas Eve with just the three of us.

Carter and I went to church at 1 p.m. since choir sang then. We stopped for our usual eggnog shake afterward but McD's had just closed and they didn't have them at Culver's. So Arby's saved the day with a Andes Mint Shake thing. That'll work. Jim went to church at 6 p.m. and we had pizza for supper after.

Pretty low key. Played some cards today, too, and of course I squeezed in a Hallmark movie or two. We did let Carter open two presents.

Surprised him with a wicked cool Celtics sweatshirt – if I do say so myself.

And he opened the personalized ornament I got for him down at the Fireside Theater when I went to see the Elf musical.

The rest of the gifts – for those of us on the Nice List – will have to wait until morning when some more stockings are filled. For now, I better put out a plate of cookies for Santa and a glass (or bottle) of Michelob Ultra. Apparently that's what he prefers.

Who am I to question him? I want to stay on the Nice List!

Trifle 101: Inside the layers

It's the holi-graze season. Endless treats at the office, topped with evening and weekend events and festivities. Graze away. All food. All festive. All, well mostly all, fattening.

If you want to do your part, why not do a trifle? You can get a bowl at Wal-Mart or many fine retailers. A friend of mine was seeking some ideas today and I thought, why not make some of my top-secret seasonal sensations public?

I have never made two exactly the same. I'm a experimental mixologist. But here are a few of my Christmas-time favorites:

Eggnog Gingerbread Trifle

For crumbled cake layer: Mix up a spice cake mix as directed. Add and mix in 1 Tb molasses and 1 tsp nutmeg. For pudding layer: Mix it with eggnog instead of milk. Third layer is whipped cream. I topped mine with top with Craisins and Ginger Snap cookies.

Chocolate Candy Cane Trifle

Delicious layers of crumbled chocolate cake baked with a hint of peppermint (extract or oil), white chocolate pudding, delicately crushed Milano chocolate peppermint cookies, and extra creamy non-dairy whipped topping.

Chocolate-Peppermint Trifle

A slightly different take with many of the same flavors. The chocolate layer consists of crumbled brownies I baked with Andes Peppermint Baking Chips mixed in. The pink/red layer above that is cheesecake pudding, mixed with some eggnog and a few drops of red food coloring strictly for presentation purposes.

Next layer up is crushed Keebler Peppermint Stripe Cookies (the holiday version of their famous Fudge Stripe Cookies). Topped with a thin layer of whipped cream to divide the colors. (I have heard they do have Peppermint Cool Whip but I could not locate any. Without it, I think it's just minty enough. Not overwhelming.)

Thin Mint Trifle

And now for the "other mint" of the season. There's so many ways you can do this. I baked my cake with mint chips – I think I got them at Fleet Farm, which surprisingly has everything for creative bakers. Other layers are crushed Thin Mints (which you can buy generically year-round) and either cheesecake flavored or white chocolate flavored pudding (with green food coloring for presentation, of course). Plus whipped cream. Top with the chips and Andes Mints.

Pumpkin Spice Eggnog Trifle

If you can't let go of the pumpkin spice season... For crumbled cake layers, I baked a yellow cake mix but added 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix for flavor. This was a really light flavor though, so you probably could go with 2 teaspoons or a tablespoon. For pudding layers, I used Pumpkin Spice instant pudding with some Pumpkin Spice Eggnog mixed in with the milk. (For serious Spice Girls only.) Layer further with whipped cream.

Who's hungry? This'll get you started! Happy holi-graze!

The Perfect Union

Dearly Beloved, we're gathered here today to join together two of my favorites...

Yes! This exists! My pumpkin spice AND eggnog. Together as ONE!!

Oh my gosh. I have to make sure I stop at the Feltz Family Farms and Dairy Store in Plover. They had this on their Facebook page and I will probably have to make a lunchtime trip there tomorrow. I just don't know how long I can stay away.

And I know there are haters of both of those flavors on their own. Sorry, folks. I think this could be a good one. I mean I'm drinking Pumpkin Spice protein shakes for breakfast so this has to be just as healthy, right? It has the word Dairy on the label, I see.

For the record, the Feltz Dairy Store has never steered us wrong before. Lots of great stuff there – and wonderful owners, of course. Stop in. Even if pumpkin is not your thing, they have great cheese, brats and all those Wisconsin favorites! Did I mention ice cream?

Any of those things and my tummy are a perfect union. Until weigh-in day.

But let's live for today! Cheers.

S.T.D. (Seasonal Transition Disorder)

It's uncanny how we flip the calendar from October to November and we go straight from Jack-O-Lanterns to Jack Frost. In one fell swoop, it's goodbye, Halloween; hello, Christmas.

Or in MY world, the transition from Pumpkin Spice to Eggnog – so aptly illustrated in my front yard this afternoon.

Yup. Flipping the calendar also meant jumping from fall to winter. I realize plenty of people have gotten snow already but nothing we've gotten has stuck the landing. Until today. It did not make the roads slippery or anything (yet), but it did make me in the mood for Christmas (I have 4 Hallmark movies DVR'd already) and baking and, yes, eggnog.

Did you know there is even a Pumpkin Spice Eggnog? That is probably delicious but oh so fattening! I still have Halloween candy left after getting only 5 trick-or-treaters last night, so I better ease into this seasonal transition.

I know Mr. Deck Chair isn't ready for it, either.

And I sent College Boy a picture of his car and he kindly requested we keep this white stuff to ourselves. Fine. We will.

I'll also keep my medication for my Seasonal Transition Disorder to myself!

Thanks for having my back (hips and love handles), Dr. Schwan.

Changeover

Sometimes things come along when we're not even looking for them. Today it was eggnog popping up at Wal-Mart when I am still latte deep in the Pumpkin Spice season.

Several weeks ago it was a new job opportunity popping up with a flavor much more suited to my taste.

So yes, two and a half years as a proposal writer at Renaissance Learning concluded yesterday – well technically this Friday but I am using up my last vacation days. Next up is a communications writer in the marketing department at Sentry Insurance.

I may be the only geek pumped up about going from the Ed Tech field to Insurance – but for me, it means going from somewhat rigid, technical writing to more creative writing. More in my wheelhouse. What the heck, I'm almost 50. I should have some fun with what I am doing.

Granted, the people I worked with were a lot of fun. But you can't stay at a job because of the people only.

I did say tearful goodbyes to most of my department yesterday but waited until a dinner date tonight to say "so long" and "see you soon" to my two walking-venting-laughing-crying buddies Nicki and Colleen. I will really miss not having them as part of my daily grind!

However, I do know at least half a dozen people at Sentry including 4 in the marketing department. So I am feeling pretty good – great, actually – about that!

In the meantime, I am off for 10 days and am hoping to conquer some de-cluttering and fall cleaning tasks. Hubby is in Vegas for work so I should try to do something noticeable. I don't think the new tans lines from bonding with Mr. Deck Chair today will count.

Yup, still summer in my book. Go away, eggnog. I will love you when the time is right.

Go Ahead, Punk-in

It might sound like the mantra of a crazy person, but there really are a lot of Pumpkin Spice options this time of year. To add to Forrest and Bubba's list above, this season I have also tried pumpkin spice coffee (non-latte), pumpkin spice cereal, pumpkin spice ice cream, pumpkin spice eggnog, pumpkin spice pudding and pumpkin spice Pop Tarts.

To name a few. I just, well, like pumpkin spice!

And apparently I am not alone. Did you know today is National Pumpkin Day? Go ahead, Punk. Mock me now!

Maybe this "holiday" was designed to praise the pumpkin and fall harvest. But it has morphed into all sorts of pumpkin possibilities – and they probably all have their own "day" as well.

I don't always observe random holidays, but when I do, baking is required.

I whipped up a Pumpkin Spice Trifle last night. Wasn't sure would go well together but as an experienced mix-ologist, this is what I came up with, from the bottom up...

Layers 1 and 4: Baked a yellow cake mix but added 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix for flavor. This was a really light flavor though, so you probably could go with 2 teaspoons or a tablespoon. After it cooled completely, I crumbled it up for the two layers.

Layers 2 and 5: Pumpkin Spice instant pudding with some Pumpkin Spice Eggnog mixed in with the milk.

Layer 3 and 6: Planned on Cool Whip only for both layers but I was short on pudding for top layer so mixed pudding with the Cool Whip.

Very top: Dollop of Cool Whip and a Maple Leaf Sandwich Cookie. Found those at Aldi. Nice visual touch but they taste like Maple (duh) and that doesn't go with Pumpkin. Trust me on this. So I will find a different use for the rest of the package. (Maybe cookies with a side of bacon?)

And that is that.

Brought it to work today and didn't even have crumbs to bring home, so I guess it turned out OK! Plus we had a bigger group in our department since 3 team members who normally work offsite are in town today and tomorrow for meetings. We had dessert first, then went out to eat for dinner after work.

Probably a good plan to sweeten them up since tomorrow is National Cranky Co-Workers Day!

Made for Each Other

Do you know what this is a picture of? I'd like to call it the best of both of my worlds – pumpkin spice AND eggnog! Wow.

I bet it tastes beyond yummy. But I have resisted the purchase so far. OK. Only 24 hours but give me some credit for sounding for a moment like I have will power.

Instead I imagine enjoying this creamy pumpkin spice drink that I could probably drink as a meal, based on calories. Nope. Didn't ruin the moment by checking that out! In fact, I just stared longingly through the glass of the dairy case at Wal-Mart and snapped a quick photo.

Then bought some healthy Oikos Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt, which I now proclaim to be the best I've tasted this fall, edging my sample of Chobani and Yoplait so far. By the time I've taste-tested them all, it will be Halloween!

Something tells me that Pumpkin Spice and Autumn (way into December) were made for each other.

Just like Pumpkin Spice and Robyn. Eggnog and Robyn. Eggnog and Hallmark Christmas movies. Hallmark and Robyn.

It's a delicious, I mean vicious, cycle!

Let it begin.

Shake It Off

The good news is that the snow quit sometime in the middle of the night so the plows actually had time to go through our neighborhood before we got up.

The bad news is that when hubby went to snowblow the newest layer since last night, the snowblower died. As in a cable broke and we will have to pray for no more snow for a few days at least. Not the time to say "Just shake it off," so I bit my tongue and meekly asked for a ride to work.

Roads were not great. Did OK in the CRV but my little hybrid would have been all over the place, so it was nice to have an escort right to the door at work!

Work got a little crazy. I can't just shake it off sometimes. So I indulge in chocolate and feel worse before I feel better.

Did reward myself with non-food tonight by going to the Assumption girls basketball game with Jim. Thought it was going to be a close game since Abbotsford has a similar record. Not sure who they've been playing, but our lady Royals beat them something like 70-22. Crazy. A quick game, though, so that means I'll get to bed at a decent time tonight.

On the way home, Jim swung through the McDonald's drive-thru and an Eggnog Shake fell right into my lap. Not sure how that happened. I had to drink it, of course, since it was – for the record – my first McD's Eggnog Shake of the season! I swear.

Probably should swear it was my last, too, since I will not be able to shake it off my hips anytime soon. I will have to dig into my memory bank of Zumba moves to at least give it a try.

Now if I could only shake off the memories of how good it tasted. M-m-m-m...

Grown-Up Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Austins! I did not do a long or creative letter this year – just this photo card of Carter in Germany, looking out over the Bavarian Alps from Hitler's Eagle's Nest of all places. I felt it could symbolize peace anywhere. And we hope you found it!

Our household was actually peaceful this morning. The beauty of having "older," almost-grown-up kids under your roof is that no one is up at the crack of dawn looking for Santa's presents. Instead we got to sleep in until 8:30 or so. And just when hubby left for church, Casey and Carter got up.

No opening presents unless we're all here so I made them waffles (with yummy Vermont syrup) in my new "cheap holiday sale" waffle maker! Took a few tries, but I got the hang of it. No one went away hungry so that's good. And it wasted enough time until Jim got back home.

Kitty was anxious to see what was in her stocking, so we let her open her present first. Oh, look a ball...

Whoa.... Catnip!!!

"No one lays a hand on MY catnip!"

Was Carter really this good?? While it might look like he was spoiled, Santa wrapped each item separately so that it looked like a lot. Since Carter only has 6 months of high school left, he wanted some "grown-up" gifts, mainly clothes that don't have to adhere to the school dress code.

So here's a shirt he can wear at college. Any college, I guess.

Casey got a few shirts, including one for the Vikings and one for the Cubs.

Meanwhile, Jim got a Reds shirt. Yup, there's no family loyalty when it comes to baseball. We're all on different bandwagons.

Casey got some gift cards, too. Always interesting to take pictures of that! This one's for Granite Peak, where he can go snowboarding.

 Carter got some wireless light-up speaker that he had to have!

Our next-door neighbors dropped by with this awesome gift for Jim. Mick and Niki made the sign, but it was "from" their dogs Murphy and Charlie. Since Jim works in a home office, he walks the "boys" every day. Such thoughtful dogs!

 

Speaking of thoughtful... Look at the cool shirt I got! Apparently Jim bought it before the game last week and had to hide it in his jacket the whole time. Good thing I was distracted by the great game!

After presents, the living room was filled with wrapping paper and empty boxes, and the guys settled down to watch the Hallmark Channel. Wait... what? OK, they watched John Wayne and I went down to the basement and watched the Hallmark Channel. (Gotta love Photoshop, though!)

Casey left in mid-afternoon and I decided it was nice enough to go for a walk. My phone said it was 30 degrees but felt like 35. Hmmm.... So on Christmas we get a heat index? Either way, I put on my warm hat and ventured out and had my phone playing Christmas music in my pocket.

This is why, when I saw the cows, I thought of song lyrics and had to take a picture. I call this a Christmas carol "mashup"... The cattle are lowing while I am walking in a winter wonderland.

I know. Too much eggnog.

Too much everything. I can stay full for a day! Certainly wasn't going to exert myself too much. Christmas day is a guilt-free, couch-potato kind of lazy day. Just sit around, checking out photos from celebrations near and far, and counting another year of blessings.

Merry Christmas and peace to you and yours!

Holiday Cheer

I giggled out loud when I saw this today because, naturally, this is the worst time of year to even think of losing weight or cutting back on calories – no matter what your goals were back in January.

Well, for me anyway.

I thought, yep, I have more progress to make, but no, I am not going to miss out on holiday cheer – in all its forms, from cool treats to cookies.

First I figured I would enjoy my first (and maybe last) Eggnog Shake from McDonald's for the season. I told a co-worker I was going to head there for lunch but when she mentioned she was going to run to the cheese factory in Rudolph, I decided to join her instead. Cheese is good but we all know they have some spectacular ice cream there.

If you want to talk about Christmas cheer, it was at Dairy State Cheese. First, the parking lot was full and it was packed inside, with long lines at all three registers. Guess everyone is going to spread Christmas cheer in the form of cheese this year. Secondly, while waiting in line for ice cream, the couple ahead of me paid for mine. Wow, merry Christmas to me! Either I looked desperate for my favorite treat or the true spirit of Christmas is still alive.

I believe.

The fun part – the important part – will be paying it forward as soon as possible. Since I only had one quick stop on my way home from work, the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet. It will.

I encourage you all to do the same. If only we had more people concerned about giving than receiving. That would push cheer up to a whole new level.

I like that idea. Between the free ice cream, a chance to finally open our Christmas cards AND view a Hallmark movie tonight, I am inspired to make it happen.

Wishing you much Christmas cheer in the days to come!

A Nod to the Nog

Went to the AHS girls basketball game this evening. They won by more than a dozen points in a marathon game

Not marathon as in overtime. But marathon as in more than 40-some fouls called so the second half was excruciatingly slow. Like stop-and-go rush hour traffic.

Needless to say, I am home with less than 8 hours between me and kickboxing class. So I must hit the hay and leave you with this truism of the day...

You know it! Power to the 'Noggers!!

Waiting for Santa Claws

While checking out the South Wood County Humane Society Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, I spotted a cute little stocking that reminded me of our kitty.

Last night I caught Sylvester having a conversation with her new friend. Of course, the stocking could never be as pretty as our princess, but it might qualify as an ugly step-sister.

Naturally, we wonder if Santa Claws, er Claus, will think she's been a good girl this year. I think that even though hubby groaned first thing this morning that kitty came to bed and woke him up an hour early, he would say she's been purr-fect.

She's about the only one counting down to Christmas around here. This is the first year in forever that we don't have an advent calendar of some sort in the house. Also the first year in three that we haven't been selling them either. Could be a coincidence.

I'm having issues embracing the fact that it is December 8 already. When I was on more of a regular work schedule in publishing, I kept better track of time. Now, I look at the a calendar and can't believe we're celebrating my family's Christmas in less than 2 weeks and it's just a little more than 2 weeks until Christmas Eve.

Don't remind you, right?

I don't have a single card sent and can't find my address label files. I know they were saved on a thumb drive/ flash drive, but... I have plugged in 10 flash drives so far with no success. I hope it's on the 11th, once I find it. Or maybe it's the 12 flash drives of Christmas.

To put myself in the holiday mood for this quest, I have the house smelling like gingerbread. I baked a "gingerbread cake" so I can make my Eggnog Gingerbread Trifle for work tomorrow. At least I know where my trifle bowl is. I think I got it around the time I was doing Christmas cards last year. Maybe I should check the box for a flash drive.

Otherwise I'll have to ask Santa Claws for help. The question is, have I been good enough?

My Domestic Christmas List

The delay in motivation today was not due to oversleeping, but rather my procrastination prowess.

For the record, I did get up before 8 a.m. because I had to get Carter up and out the door to volunteer at the humane society's Christmas bazaar. I had the tree up last night and brought up all the "trimmings" last night, too, so I could jump right on that first item on my To Do List.

Unfortunately, the first string of lights I grabbed didn't work. How do lights burn out in storage? I am sure they worked when I un-trimmed the tree last year or I wouldn't have packed them! I don't have extra miniature white lights around so this required a trip to town. Well, shower first so I looked presentable.

As long as I am going into town, I might as well stop at that bazaar, I thought. So I did. And there were so many people there that I was standing in line longer than I was shopping. Carter spent 4 or 5 hours helping carry heavy items to people's cars. They probably could have used 2 of him with that crowd. All I got was a little decoration or two and some homemade fudge.

I took the fudge over to Jim's aunt and uncle's house a few blocks from there. Had a nice visit and enjoyed an eggnog muffin and some yummy cookies fresh out of the oven. Oh yes, my timing was perfect!

While I was there, a friend texted me about going to a movie, but I passed and vowed to get motivated. So from the Austins, I went to Wal-Mart to get the lights and a few other things. I made it back home at the stroke of 12 noon. Uff da. There goes the day!

Got busy right away on the tree (the wreath from wonderful Arndts' Trees was already up, thankfully). It's not as fun decking the halls by myself, but I enjoyed putting up new ornaments.

Got these fellas last year. Aren't they cute?

And look at this sweet sweater! Not an ugly sweater at all, in my opinion.

The finished results. Yes, it is a "skinny tree" and yes, there are presents underneath already!

After the trimming, I dusted and vacuumed, then took a 2-mile run in my "spring" running gear. It got up to 47 degrees, I think! Nice.

After that and a second shower, I did round 2 of cleaning, basically wiping everything down with Clorox wipes to kill sick germs. The crud I had and gave to Jim has lingered enough that he went to the doctor to get meds yesterday and Carter needed cough drops today. Not good.

While Jim whipped up some homemade chicken noodle soup, I decided to start wrapping presents. Actually, I really just wanted to sit and watch a Hallmark movie, but figured I better multi-task. You know you've bought too many presents when it takes TWO Hallmark movies to get them wrapped!

Not that I rushed things.

At least my Christmas To Do list is mostly checked off. Just have the biggie – some sort of card or letter to magically come to mind. I'll tackle that tomorrow and hopefully more of my non-holiday tasks.

Somehow I've got to work on things I can tie into more movie time. I'm just thinking productivity, that's all.

Size May Matter

I think I need one of those adjustable beds. Like the hospital kind but for people who hopefully aren't so sick they need a hospital. Then I could sit up and possibly get some sleep at night instead of all the sinus drainage leading to cough, cough, coughing. Needless to say, I did not get up early. I did not go to kickboxing class.

While I was at work, two co-workers stopped in after visits to the doctor. One had strep throat. The other had some congestion and cough crud like I had. Since I was told by numerous blog readers that I shouldn't mess around with a sinus infection and I should get antibiotics sooner rather than later, I figured I might as well make it 3 for 3 in our department and head over to the clinic on my lunch hour.

I did not know half the population of Wisconsin Rapids would be there! Well, not half. But about a dozen in the waiting room – all but 2 wearing those lovely "germ masks" to keep our coughs to ourselves. Obviously something going around!

At one point during my hour wait to get in, a woman comes out with her granddaughter and remarks, "Wow, everybody's got a mask on today!"

The girl responds, "That's because they're all dying!"

Nice. That's encouraging, isn't it?

Finally got in and found out the backup was due to only one doctor on duty since the other called in sick. Wow, even doctors get sick! Based on the waiting room full of masked crusaders, I can see why.

So the good doctor examined me and confirmed a sinus infection and prescribed some antibiotics for me.

When the pill is bigger than your head, it's gotta work, right? The really are pretty big so hopefully size does matter and they help!

I have to take them for 10 days. Pretty sure they would be easier to swallow if I had, say, an Eggnog Shake to go with them... Let me know when you spot those in town. I'm I can count on my readers to keep me in the know!

Thanks!