DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte

My latest obsession is the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. It's not just pretty good, it's damn delicious. I decided to try my own version at home and it turned out pretty good!

First I heat up some milk. Then I use my fancy Switzerland Caotina Blanc which is a white hot chocolate.

Then I throw in some instant coffee grounds to taste.

Then I put in a few dashes of Pumpkin Pie Spice. Oh Goodness!

Then I inhale the amazing smell of Fall and Christmas. Ahhh pure bliss.

Vanilla Beans

I have been waiting for my order to arrive for a little over 2 weeks now, and yesterday they finally arrived!

My Indian organic vanilla beans arrived to my door in a little cloth pouch.

This was new to me. My address was just written on the front with ballpoint pen ink.

I could smell the beans through the cloth. Oh boy, I was definately in for a treat. I had ordered 50 of them. They came wrapped in bubble wrap and a plastic bag wrapped snuggly around the group of pods.

I have read about various places to store vanilla beans in and decided to go with an extra large mason jar.

The beans I bought were A+ grade that were 7 to 8 inches long, so they are nice size.

Ahhh my beans at last, tucked away for a years worth of baking and ice cream making.



Beer-Batter Cheese Bread

This is one of my favorite go to recipies for a quick easy bread. The ingredients are usually all in the cupboard or fridge and it only uses one bowl while making- easy cleanup! I actually got started on this bread by going to a Tastefully Simple party and ended up buying an overpriced mix to make this. I looked in my trusty Cooks Country cookbook and found this recipie. It is the exact same I swear. It is super delicious-hope you enjoy it.

Beer-Batter Cheese Bread

1 cup shredded cheese of your choice (Use a block of cheese and shread it yourself people)

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 Tablespoons white sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/4 cups of a light bodied beer (Budweiser, Budlight, Busch light, etc...)

3 Tablespoons of melted butter for dough

1 Tablespoon of melted butter for on the top

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease your loaf pan.

Combine in a bowl the shredded cheese, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir. Pour the beer into a measuring cup and wait for the foam to go down so the measurement can be accurate.

Dump in the beer and 3 Tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until it is well combined.

Put the batter into the greased loaf pan and even out the batter with a spatula. Get another Tablespoon of butter and melt it down then pour over top.

Put it into the oven and bake for a total of 40 to 45 min depending on your oven. A toothpick should be inserted and come out clean, that is when you will know it is done. About 20 minutes into the cooking I like to rotate the pan so it bakes evenly. After it is done make sure to cool it and keep it in an airtight container. This bread is excellent served a little warm.

Cat Nap Positions

For the past 3 days I have been busy doing homework at my parent's house, soon to be ours, in the sun room. This is the best room of the house and apparently the cats think so too. I do homework on the couch while Be Bop sleeps on the chair. I think he is going to need a chiropractor after this weeks naps. Okay I will grant that this is pretty cute with the pillow and all.
This is Monday's position.




This is Tuesday's position...





This is today's position...










Oh my.

Location:Holy Cross, Iowa