Chunky Monkey One Ripe Banana Muffins -Use it up...

If we buy bananas we know one thing for sure, they can ripen quickly. And as Halloween approaches, we also might have some leftover candy to use up... May I suggest a small (or large) batch of Chunky Monkey One Ripe Banana Muffins. They are surprisingly good and call for minimal ingredients. The banana simply gets mashed with a fork, and I mixed the batter with that fork too. Paper cupcake liners help make clean-up easy. This is a nice recipe to use up that last one ripe banana folks:@)

This is a variation of two recipes previously posted, One Banana Muffins and Chunky Monkey Jiffy Mix Corn Muffins. Even easier, buy a banana muffin mix and add a peanut butter cup:@)

Speaking of monkeys...

I bought a new coffee mug for the office:@)

Yep, that about sums things up.

One Ripe Banana Chunky Monkey Muffins

One large banana

1/4 C sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 Tblsp butter, melted

1/2 C A/P flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch salt-optional -I used salted butter instead

One unwrapped miniature peanut butter cup for each muffin

1. Mash banana in medium bowl.
2. Stir in sugar, egg and butter.
3. Add flour and baking powder, mix well.
4. Pour into paper lined muffin tin. Plan on about 5-6 muffins.
5. Add peanut butter cup to each muffin, slightly push down.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool and enjoy!

Let's use it up and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie dia de los muertos Lollypop Holder -Halloween

I wanted to use a dollar store Plastic Skull as a Lollypop Holder and decided to mix a Barbie Halloween party idea with dia de los muertos... I allowed myself to spend $5, skull, two headbands and the groovy eyelashes:@) BTW, if you have the patience for false eyelashes or extenders, God bless... Goggly eyes and Sharpies were from my craft stash. The face art can be as elaborate as desired, stickers and rhinestones are a couple good ideas. Turns out these skulls may be a bit too ghoulish to properly get the Barbie vibe... But I do think it's a fun idea, especially for a Day of the Dead party.

I drilled holes into the plastic to hold the lollypops, a small Dremel size bit worked well. Then hot glued the skull to a plate so it would stand securely. 

Wrapped candies (preferably) scattered around the plate would complete the look, or maybe create a Halloween charcuterie tray with the skull as the centerpiece... (Best perhaps without the hair.)

🎃Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Savory Sports Team Logo-Willing a Phillies Win... & Quick Turkey Shepard's Pie

As we all know, the term 'fan' is just short for fanatic. And we can be a little extra cra-cra here in Philly... After a soul crushing loss on Saturday, I decided desperate times deserved desperate measures... We were having a Turkey Shepard's Pie for dinner on Sunday so I cut a logo out of paper, laid it on the smoothed out mashed potatoes and gave it a liberal dusting of paprika. I like to think I had a little something to do with the win! You are welcome Philadelphia:@)

A fan has to do,

what a fan has to do:@)

As for the recipe, I really don't have one. This is a toss in what you have meal, great for Thanksgiving leftovers. Don't have enough gravy? Sub some green bean casserole. Want a smaller amount? Make it in a pie dish, or loaf pan for two. Anything goes:@)

Easy Turkey Shepard's Pie

Half medium Onion, diced

Stalk of celery, chopped

1-2 Tblsp butter

Cooked turkey, cubed, as much as you'd like

12 oz frozen mixed vegetables, thawed, drain any liquid

very small sweet potato, cooked, peeled, diced-optional

2 C gravy

Poultry seasoning to taste

S&P to taste

Mashed potatoes, enough to cover top

Dots of butter and sprinkle of paprika for top-optional-I didn't use butter because of logo

1. Cook onion and celery in butter until begins to soften.
2. Mix everything except mashed potatoes, pour into 9x13 baking dish.
3. Spread mashed potatoes over top.
4. Dot top with butter and sprinkle of paprika if using.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes or until heated through.

⚾Eat well and

GO PHILS!!!

QVC Tech Gifts Under $40 and Free Shipping...

The biggest thing I wanted to mention today 10/6/24 is, there is free shipping on everything on both QVC and HSN. So if there's something you want or need, that might help:@) Now, I am not a techy person, I'm glad I can learn the things I need to just get by... But, the holidays are approaching folks, and I wanted to mention a couple things in case you're looking for gift ideas... The first are these Groovz Earbuds. Everyone acknowledges they aren't the ones in the white box, but, these have good reviews and at $35 your heart won't skip a beat if one gets lost. They are wireless and come with a charging case and gift box. Check them out to see what colors are left.

Another idea that would be good for anyone (especially guys) are these Stone Wireless Chargers. Rather contemporary looking and sleek.

And I'll add these Personal Safety Alarms to my little tech round-up... There are several brands and varieties. Some rechargeable, most with lights, some have pepper spray. A great idea to help keep loved ones safe.

Obviously there are tons of things to look at and search for. Power banks and charges, screen cleaners, carrying cases... I just wanted to mention a few items that would work equally well for all age groups.

Let's cross a few names off the gift list and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

I thought it might be fun to a add a little fall flavor to my favorite Ghirardelli cookie recipe, and these Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies disappeared pretty quickly. How much pumpkin spice to use? Well, say it with me now... You know your crowd. Love pumpkin spice? Add 2 tsp. Spice mix a little old? Add 2 tsp (and please replace it. I feel pumpkin spice loses it's potency a lot faster then other spices). Otherwise, cut back a bit to just add a hint of warmth. This is really just a nice excuse to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and in my world that's comforting, and never a bad thing:@)

Want to really amp up the flavor? Use all chocolate chips then add a drizzle of melted white chocolate to the tops. Immediately sprinkle with pumpkin spice while it's still wet so the spices stick.

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 C butter, softened
3/4 C sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 - 2 tsp pumpkin spice
2 1/4 C A/P flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (if using unsalted butter)
up to 2 C of chocolate chips-I mixed white and semi-sweet

1. Cream butter and sugars.
2. Add eggs, vanilla, pumpkin spice, mix well.
3. Add flour, baking soda and salt (if using). Mix until just incorporated.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets, about 2" apart.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Remove to cooling rack.

Enjoy a cookie and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Inspirational Friday

 

Have a great weekend:@)

Savory Pumpkin Cream Cheese Chip Dip

This Savory Pumpkin Cream Cheese Chip Dip was different and a good way to use up some leftover canned pumpkin. It seems that unless we are making a pie, recipes don't use a whole can of pumpkin puree. While this calls for storing the dip in the refrigerator until serving time, I do recommend bringing it out a little early to allow the cream cheese to soften a bit for dipping potato chips. And we do want hearty chips with ridges:@) Recipe is easily cut in half.

Leftovers? 

Great schmeared on a bagel:@)

Savory Pumpkin Cream Cheese Chip Dip-from here

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 C shredded cheddar

1/2 C pumpkin puree

1/4 C pecans, toasted and chopped

4-6 strips of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Mix everything together, can use electric beater or spoon.
2. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Serve with chips.

Let's use up all that extra pumpkin, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

October 1st at Cousin Rube's Farm -Barbie Diorama

As with most nurseries, early fall is all about pumpkins at Peace and Pancakes Farm. It also means cooler weather and heartier appetites for the -all you can eat- pancake breakfasts on the weekends:@) This helps draw in big crowds as everyone stops by to pick up their prized pumpkin, and anticipates Rube's Halloween decorations and events. Barbie decides she'd like this huge beauty for the front yard...

So the guys rolled it onto a blanket to carry it to the Jeep... And Ken thought he was only going out for a nice breakfast:@) He sure hopes someone is around to help unload it when they get home😉

Jack-O-Lanterns have a long history and have been carved from many things. I've included a little background below... One of the guys grew habaneros and brought some of the peppers into the office. This lone little orange one was left on the counter in the kitchen, so I brought it home to draw a silly face with a Sharpie, and knew it would be a great size for some Barbie pictures:@)

Looks like two pumpkins are coming home after all:@)

Barbie says, 

that's one spicy jack-o-lantern😂

Wikipedia:

A jack-o'-lantern (or jack o'lantern) is a carved lantern, most commonly made from a pumpkin, or formerly a root vegetable such as a mangelwurzel (beet), rutabaga or turnip. Jack-o'-lanterns are associated with the Halloween holiday. Its name comes from the phenomenon of strange lights flickering over peat bogs, called jack-o'-lanterns (also known as, will-o'-the-wisps). It is suggested that the name also has ties to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a drunkard who bargains with Satan and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way.

🎃Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Dyed Popcorn Candy Corn Gift

Here's one more thing to add to my candy corn round-up post of the other day... I've made several colorful DIY dyed popcorn projects and have to say, this Candy Corn Popcorn is kinda cute. I suggest using white kernels as the colors are brighter. My orange layer started with yellow pop corn and red dye, but I think white might be better. I happened to have some disposable icing bags and decided to use the cone shape as a wink and nod to the traditional candy corn shape. The popcorn would be cute simply layered in a jar too, folks will get the idea. Now, in a perfect world I would have had orange and yellow ribbon... But this is my reality, so I used what I had:@)

They make nice little Halloween

 non-candy gift packs:

I've also made an 

Orange and Green Dyed Popcorn here.

📌My Popcorn for all Seasons Pinterest Board here.

Dyed Popcorn

1. Place kernels in sandwich baggie. Add drops of liquid food coloring and smoosh around until desired color is achieved. Paste dyes do not work as well as the drops.
2. Allow kernels to completely dry. You might want to pour onto cookie sheet in single layer to dry.
3. Package as desired.

Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)