A Very Happy Thanksgiving!

I didn't go home to Arizona for Thanksgiving, but I did spend it with an amazing group of people that I love like family.

Since I didn't go home, I made sure to send some love in the form of a homemade Thanksgiving card.

I made one for my parents...

One for my brother, his wife and my adorable nephew...

And one for my grandma!

Thanksgiving is such a food based holiday, so of course I made a few things. :)

I made the meal starter - my spicy corn chowder - and man was it a hit!  

I had made a double batch the night before turkey day because I wanted to make sure I had more than enough.  Good thing I did because EVERY drop was gone.  

Corn taken off 12 ears

And the finished soup!

I had multiple people ask me for the recipe while eating it and again before leaving.  It's not my recipe - I can't take any credit, but it can be found here. Enjoy! 

And of course I made a dessert to bring to Thanksgiving dinner as well.  

I hadn't made them before, but as soon as I heard about them I knew I wanted to make them. They sounded so absolutly amazing and I couldn't wait to share them with everyone.  

What am I talking about? I'm talking about OREO TRUFFLES. I didn't make them exactly like pictured, but I did make them very similar. I had to add my own twist. :)

Before being covered in white chocolate.

After being covered with white chocolate 

and drizzled with semi sweet chocolate!!!

Oreo Truffles?!?!?  YES! Oreos on their own are great, but these are little balls are pure heaven. Super rich, but super tasty.  

Since it's the holidays, I wrapped a bunch up to take to dinner and a few other smaller containers filled for neighbors.  

I hope you all had an amazing day filled family and friends. Here's a few photos of my Thanksgiving! 

The Thanksgiving Table

Roses and Sunflowers

Great friends who are like my family! 

Taking a picture of Rachel taking a picture of me! :) 

The turkey! 

It was so moist - I haven't had turkey this good in a log time!

And finally...the fire we sat around after stuffing ourselves.  

Carmel Kiss Brownie Bites

Last week, on the whim, I decided to make brownies to take into work. It was a short week due to the holiday, but I thought - hey, why not! 

Instead of traditional brownies, I put the batter into miniature muffin cups AND put a caramel kiss upside down in each cup.

They ended up being better than I'd imagined and people seemed to love them.  I personally got to enjoy them right out of the oven when everything was still hot and gooey, but they were amazing even a few days later. 

I love the holidays and love the baking and cooking that goest along with the holidays even more! Get ready coworkers, friends and family! :) 

The FIRST Snap Pea Harvest!

I've been slacking on posting this...sorry! :(

I have to admit that I tried the FIRST snap pea from my garden a few weeks ago.  

OH MAN IT WAS AMAZING!!! So crisp, so sweat, so juicy, so fresh! I want an endless supply - maybe next year I'll make a snap pea barrier around my balcony.  Lots of tastiness AND more privacy...

I wanted the harvest to be a big deal - because the snap peas were that amazing, but due to me being busy (and a little lazy) I waited too long to post for it to live up to the hype.

Nonetheless, they were the best snap pea I've ever eaten and NO, I'm not just saying that because they're the fruits of my labor. :) 

Fall Garden - 11 Weeks

I didn't think I was going to be able to post the update this week because it was forecast to rain all weekend, but it ended up only raining on Saturday.  We got quite a bit of rain so I didn't have to water either day! I love when nature waters my garden for me.

The snap peas are doing SO well. I don't see many new flowers, but the weather has been very odd recently so we'll just have to see what happens.  I have tasted them - YUMMMMM! Also, I apologize that the harvest post about them hasn't been posted as promised - life and work are getting in the way, but it WILL be posted over the upcoming holiday break. 

The transplanted spinach is doing well with the others in the container.

And the beets and carrots continue to grow bigger and stronger each day.  

The tomatoes that were on the plant are almost tie-dye looking so I'm afraid to eat them. I'm almost positive it's the end for that huge plant. It grew SO big and gave me so much since May. Six months of happiness - with a few snags along the way with caterpillars.

The jalapeno plant on the other hand continues to grow and produce new little peppers.  I can't wait until some are big enough to use again!  

All the herbs are doing great and are getting bigger and bigger.  The transplanted thyme seems to be taking to the container, but not really growing any bigger yet.  

Basil

Flat Leaf Parsley

Thyme

Mint

Rosemary

And there is a new addition.  After I got rid of the garlic chives a few weeks ago, I wanted to get another plant.  It was always in the back of my mind.  I got one late last weekend and transplanted it into the newly empty yellow planter.  I have yet to use them - they are a different variety - but I'm excited for the newest addition.  

Fall Garden - 10 Weeks

I'm loving my garden! I really really am. :)

Not only do I have new things that I planted just for my Fall Garden, but I have things I planted way back in May that are still growin' strong and producing things for me to enjoy! 

Jalapeno Plants

Tomato Plant

The few herbs I still have left are doing great too!  The Mint is just going crazy and the Basil is still quite a monster. And my Rosemary has never been so big and bushy! 

Basil

Mint

The mint is taking over...it's even growing out the SIDE!

Upright Rosemary

Flat Leaf Parsley

Thyme

Scallions

The Cilantro, even after attempting to trim it back and revive it, I'm sad to report is no longer with us. RIP Cilantro plant #2. I guess this is a sign that I'm not supposed to grow Cilantro. I don't use it that much either so I don't think I'll be attempting it a third time.

The carrots and beets continue to do well and get stronger every day. Their greens are getting thicker and heartier as the time passes.  I can't wait to see what's under that dirt when they're done growing though.  

Beets

Carrots

And the Spinach, my tasty green that's filled with iron, how I love thee! 

I transplanted the sole spinach plant from the yellow planter to join the other five in the container. Originally there wasn't room, but with the Cilantro's departure, there suddenly became space...

The tiny new to the container plant.

Oh and I can't forget my ahem, favorite "crop", my Snap Peas.  There are still a ton of flowers appearing and a bunch of little peas.  I think I'll be enjoying my first pea very soon!  Check back for an update on that.