Connie’s Neighborhood

It goes without saying....

Definite

I definitely disapprove....

Thanks to Emeril for the amazing recipe. Don't get it twisted. It was goooood. =) Rabbit is what's up.

I keep resetting the white balance.....

White ??

But everything's still white....

I have to wonder what life would be like for us if my husband had gotten a job that he applied for in Jersey. I also wonder what it would be like if he had ended up with a philadelphia job, for which he also applied. I may have still been living in Salem. I may have moved to another bigger apartment. Who knows....

How will you use technology or the Internet to help you plan and prepare this year’s Thanksgiving feast?
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Well, I dont get to have Tday dinner this year as I would normally, so the only way it will help is coordinating with other people to see where they will be. :( I like cooking for the big holidays. I get all excited and my expertise comes shining through. It's the only time I really showcase most of my cooking talent in one shot.

It's been awhile since I posted a recipe on the blog..I think this is due to the fact that my kitchen is still under remodel and I am only reheating food from our temporary kitchen in the garage (i.e. microwave & toaster oven getting lots of action).

To wake me from my food prison, I thought this recipe sounded yummy and perfect for the fall season.  If you have a chance to make it, please let me know how it tastes ;o)

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Pumpkin Crumb Cakes
from The Kitchn
makes one 13x9 cake or 18 individual cakes

Dry Mix
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder

Cake Batter
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 dry mix

Pumpkin Filling
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup dark brown sugar
2/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Crumb Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon water
1/2 dry mixture (see above)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Heat the oven to 350°F. Sift together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder for the dry mix.

Beat the butter until whipped and creamy and then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Beat in about half of the dry mix of flour and sugar. Set aside.

Whip together the eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, brown sugar and spices for the pumpkin filling. Set aside.

Mix the rest of the dry mix with a stick of butter, an extra half cup of flour, and the spices. Add a tablespoon of water and mix with fingers until loose and crumbly.

To make a full pan of crumb cake, grease a 9x13 baking pan and pat the dough into the bottom. Pour the pumpkin filling over top and sprinkle the crumb topping over it. To make individual cakes instead, repeat using 4-ounce paper souffle cups. After they are baked, let the individual cups cool for an hour then cut the paper cups away with scissors for individual cakes.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until the filling is set inside. Let cool for at least an hour before slicing.

Dang! New York gets cold quick! I need my winter jacket already. The orlando vacations I was looking into are surely looking really really good about now! I was planning the trip for next year, but now would be a GREAT time to go south for the winter. Just walking out onto the balcony is enough to send you back under the covers for another month. The wind cuts like a few swords aimed right at your vital organs. Scary lol.

What was your favorite class in high school? (And no, lunch doesn't count.) 

I would have to say Journalism was my absolute favorite class. I had thought to make journalism into my career, but GOD had other plans for me. I still use many of the skills I learned in journalism and advertising with our ministries and businesses today, but if I had pursued those avenues my life would be much different now. Not better, mind you, but different.

Choir was not really a class, as it was the joy of my life. It was more like an ego requirement so that I could get in good with the teacher who was also the drama instructor and be able to showcase my talents in both arenas, which I did.