Happy Halloween!!!

In honor of Halloween: "A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness." ~Elsa Schiaparelli

Can you believe it is already time for Halloween again?!? (Unfortunately, I only had like 6 trick-or-treaters!)

Costumed co-workers at CHoR-Fredericksburg Therapy Center

Sam as a moose wall hanging, Stacey as an angel, and Carolyn as a Hershey's Kiss

Karen and Abby as Jem and the Holograms

(I was supposed to join them as one of the Misfits but came down with a nasty cold and took Friday off.)

That means that Thanksgiving, (my birthday), and Christmas are right around the corner! YAY :)

Fudge Spoon Pie=Heaven in a bowl

I love chocolate! In any form, any way, it is delicious! And, the following recipe is sure to satisfy any chocolate craving that may come along....

My family discovered this recipe when I was in high school and has been enjoying it ever since! It is a dessert that is called 'pie' but is much too rich and gooey to slice like a pie. It is also subtly sweet and chocolately so it is not overpowering, like a brownie, but *gasp*, better! I like to scoop it out like a cobbler and top it with vanilla ice cream. (A glass of ice cold milk will do as well, if you don't have any ice cream on hand!) 

Fudge Spoon Pie

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 (1 oz) square unsweetened chocolate

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp vanilla extract (I leave out if I don't have it)

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Ice cream

Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar, flour, and vanilla extract. Quickly beat in eggs (so that they do not scramble). Pour batter into a greased 8-in. square pan. Bake at 325* for ~20 minutes (do not overbake because you want it to be gooey). I recommend checking after ~18 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream. Yield: 9 servings.

YUMMY! :)

Country Line Dancing

This post isn't about food or cooking at all, but about healthy living.

As anyone who knows me knows, I love to find hidden gems. Whether it is a cool coffee shop to hang out in, a quaint restaurant, or a beautiful natural spot, I love to find them.

Rappahannock River from City Dock

Pretty tree near my house

Beautiful fall day!

I also enjoy finding local activities in which to get involved. One of my co-workers, Stacey, and another friend, April told me about weekly country line dancing that takes place in Fredericksburg. Of course, I wanted to do it! I (finally) went 2 weeks ago and am hooked...I think it will now be our weekly girl's night! :)

Click here for more info: http://www.fburgcountrydance.com/.

Let's two-step ya'll :)

Lasagna and babies

Two of my co-workers have recently had adorable baby boys. Congratulations to Laura and Shawn on their first child, Rhyan Christopher.

Congratulations also to Katie and Michael on their third, Baylor Cage.

I made them all my (famous) lasagna. It is a delicious, simple, and healthy dish that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters!


Click here for the recipe! (I use ricotta cheese instead of cottage.)

Pictures to come soon :)

Fall is in the air

I was down in Greenville, NC visiting Taylor this weekend and we decided to go pumpkin picking. We had a great time and here are a few pictures of our adventures! 

Here are the pumpkins that I picked. They are now displayed on my front porch!

Pretty fall tree near my house in VA!

Pumpkins Galore!

Since the weather has (finally) become more fall-feeling lately, I was inspired to bake some pumpkin bread. I got the recipe from a friend of Taylor's family who makes probably the best I have ever had. So I tried my hand at it. I doubt that it was quite as amazing as what she makes but I think it tasted pretty darn good! :)

Here is the recipe:

3 1/3 cups plain flour


2 tsp. baking soda


1 ½ tsp salt


3 tsp cinnamon


1 ½ tsp ginger


3 cups sugar



Sift all the above ingredients together.



1 cup Canola oil


4 eggs


2/3 cup water


2 cups pumpkin



Mix all together. Pour into greased/floured loaf pans. Makes 2 regular loaves.

Bake for 1 hour in 350* oven.

So yummy! :)

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER!

After much searching, I think I have found the BEST recipe for chocolate chip cookies. It is called 'Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookies' and I totally agree!

1.5 cups butter or margarine, softened
1.25 cups granulated sugar
1.25 cups packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla (though I leave out sometimes if I don't have it and they are just as delicious!)
2 eggs
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (sometimes I use 1 cup whole wheat flour for a more hearty taste)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bag (24 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (4 cups)

Heat oven to 350* F. In large bowl, beat butter, sugars, vanilla, and eggs on medium speed until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips.

On ungreased cookie sheet, drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart (I use a scoop from Pampered Chef). Flatten slightly.

Bake 11 to 13 minutes for until light brown. Cool 1-2 minutes on pan, remove to cooling rack.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Yummy! :)

Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival

Some girl friends and I went to the 20th annual Wine Festival in Fredericksburg at the Old Mill Park on Saturday.

There were many local wineries there, several of our favorites:

*Hartwood Winery: We especially liked the Viognier and the Rappahannock Red. The first was fruity and light, I could probably drink a whole bottle of it without thinking, haha. Though I am not a red wine drinker at all, the Rappahannock Red was amazing. It was fruity and can be served chilled or room temperature. This winery is located northwest of Fredericksburg. Click here for more information on their wines.


*Lake Anna Winery: They have some really good sweet wines among others (though the sweet ones were my favorites!). Click here for information on this winery near Fredericksburg.

For more information on the Wine Festival, click here.

Drink up :)

Hard Times Require Furious Dancing

It has been a while....life got busy but don't worry, I'm back!


I spent last weekend in DC with two of my best (and oldest) friends, Morgan and Matt. We had a fabulous time-went to the W Hotel for drinks, saw sights around the city, went shopping, and of course, ate amazing food. Here are a few of my favorites:


*Homemade Pizza-it is not homemade, in fact, but is delicious anyways. Matt tricked us by telling us he was making pizza but it was actually from this place. I highly recommend it!


*Tabaq Bistro-small portions to encourage sampling, a funky bar and lounge area, and a cool rooftop dining experience. Absolutely wonderful. Check it out here.


*Busboys and Poets-a neat bookstore/restaurant/fair trade market/gathering place. The low tables, couches and comfy chairs, and casual feel make this a wonderful place for eating, meeting, and hanging out. Very cool spot. http://www.busboysandpoets.com/


*Teaism-Anyone that knows me knows that I love tea. This is a cool tea house with delicious food (though I only had the Chocolate Salty Oat Cookie). If I lived in DC, I would probably be here every day! Check it out: Teaism




Also, as for the title of this post, it is a book that I saw when we had brunch at Busboys and Poets....I think it adequately sums up the techno-rave dance party that we went to on Saturday night....LOL!


That's all for now :)