Texas Pepper Jams: October 2013

Hoorah!

October 2013 has arrived!

A Splendorous, Splendiferous, & Splendacious Month!

It's time to celebrate with Rita of Jewel School Friends in the Home & Hearth Blog Hop about Beads, Jewelry, Home Decor, Food, Family & Friends!!!

October has always been a special month in my life.

#1 I was born in October - Yahoo! :) 53 years ago - Boohoo! :( Time is moving on!

#2 I got married in October - Yeehaw! 32 years ago :) We thought we were so OLD - 21 & 23 yrs!

Oh, to be that young again :)

#3 My daughter was married in October - Woohoo! 9 years ago :) Where has the time gone????

#4 The weather finally gets cooler & the leaves change in October - Yeah! Only in our area not as much as further north.

#5 I'm getting ready for my first jewelry show in November, so I've been working in my "spare" time. Here are a few of the pendants.

#6 Pumpkins become plentiful & can finally be purchased to make yummy Pumpkin Butter - MMgood!

#7 Lastly, here is a pumpkin pie recipe I hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie has never been a favorite of mine until now. I have altered several recipes until I came up with one that is tasty not blah. If any of you try it, I would love your feedback on what you think.

Crust:

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 stick of chilled butter cut into pieces & slightly softened (not quite at room temp)
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Sift flour & powdered sugar together.
Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly either in the mixer, food processor or with a whisk (you choose - I prefer my Kitchen Aid mixer).
Add vanilla & whipping cream until dough clumps.
Form dough up by hand into a nice ball & then flatten. Wrap with Seran Wrap (plastic), place in glass pie pan & chill both for about 15-30 min.
Remove from refrigerator, roll out dough on a floured surface until about 14-inches round.
Place dough in glass 9-inch pie dish. Trim edges.
Line crust edge with foil, bake for about 15 minutes, until crust is pale brown.

Filling:

2 solid packed cups of fresh mashed pumpkin or a 16 oz can of pumpkin
3 Tbsp packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 large eggs
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1-2 Tbsp corn starch or flour

Directions:

Mix brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, vanilla, corn starch until well mixed.
Add in pumpkin, blend until no lumps.
Add in whipping cream & sour cream.
Add in eggs.
Mix well, pour into pie shell.
Bake until filling puffs at the edges and center is almost set, about 45 min. Remove foil from crust, bake another 10 min.
Chill until cold or serve warm.

Topping:

2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Place mixing bowl & whipping cream in freezer for about 10-20 minutes.
Remove, & whisk in sugar until stiff peaks form.
Dollop each piece of pie with "cream"!

NOTE: THIS IS A SWEET PIE!

To reduce sweet, reduce brown sugar to 1-2 Tbsp & sugar to 1/2 cup.
To reduce fat, use half-n-half instead of heavy whipping cream & use reduced fat or no fat sour cream.

I, of course, feel that if you are going to eat sweets, you might as well do it right & enjoy the moment! Then walk, walk, walk or exercise! so you can enjoy another "moment". :)

Now it's time to go blog hopping! Thank you Rita for putting this wonderful hop together! :)

Caroline http:// Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick-Zenith http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Karla Morgan http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com       ME
   Susie Harris http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
    Susan    http://libellulajewelry.com
Mischelle http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Billi http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Jean Yates http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Liz E http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dini Bruinsma http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Elsie Deliz Fonseca http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Pepita www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathleen http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Vera Lynn http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/
Rana Wilson http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/
Lily Vincent http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Janice Hidey (Janimar) http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/
Cory Tompkins http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com
Candida Castleberry www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Cynthia Kent Machata http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca
Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Leah Curtis http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Reno (JenRen) http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Ingrid A. http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Judy Turner www.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Nelly May www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
Tanya McGuire http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/
Ahowin http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Sonya Stille http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Pam http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Carol D. http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Janine http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Toltec Jewels (Rita, our hostess) www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

A few days ago, Hope Smitherman contacted the Znet Shows Design Team for a Key Chain Lightening Round. Ten of us were sent a couple of key chains & two choices of Chinese crystals. This was a FUN lightening round because ......

A little "blingy thing" can jazz up a key chain OR...... a purse, a zipper pull, a fan pull, the rear view mirror in the car or a door to a cabinet.

These two include small Sahara Green Chinese crystals (RS202-120); larger 8x5mm Perennial Flower Chinese crystals (zmx-13-01); and keychain clasps (FJ776-01) from Znet Shows. In addition, I've included copper & brass.

A zipper pull to add a little "bling to a jacket.

A little "bling" for a purse!

or a "blingy" key chain!

Now that you've seen my newest "blingy things" check out the other 9 Design Team's creations coming soon to ZnetShows' blogspot.