For Deanna

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) pie shell 1 cup white sugar 1 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup butter 4 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup bourbon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees F).
2.	In a small saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter or margarine. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter or margarine melts and sugar dissolves. Cool slightly.
3.	In a large bowl combine eggs, bourbon, vanilla, and salt. Mix well. Slowly pour sugar mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Pour mixture into pie shell.
4.	Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until set and golden. May be served warm or chilled.

I think this goes without saying, but, I used milk chocolate chips. I had to cook this much longer than it said before it set. I have a pie crust shield that I used to keep the crust for burning while it stayed in the over for at least an extra 20 minutes.

You can find this recipe on Allrecipes.com. (Click Here)

BYU vs. Utah - AKA The Holy War

We have been waiting for this day for a long long time. I was excited and nervous. I didn't know if the Cougars could beat the Utes. The thought of leaving the stadium defeated was depressing. It wasn't how I wanted the season to end.

We got to the stadium early and got the kids some stuff at the Cougar Den. Do you love their new hats/hair?

You should have heard the crowd. It was intense. I would be curious to know how far away you can hear the stadium noise.
The fly-over. If you look closely you will see a B on one and a U on the other.

The game started. There was so much energy and excitement. I love this rivalry!

Max looking a little heated.
As the night wore on it got colder and colder. I lent Megan my deluxe snuggie. I was so ready for the cold (I wore long johns this week) I didn't even need it.
The kids started getting bored. Everyone was standing and they couldn't see very well. What could I do? I broke out my camera to entertain them.
I'm trying to get them excited.
But it wasn't working too well. Emma just wanted the game to be over. She was tired and cold. I don't think the kids are ready for football yet.
The Cougars won in overtime!!!
The stadium emptied onto the field.
There was a great debate. To storm the filed or not. We waited a little while until we thought it would be safe for the kids and then decided to go for it.
Finally we made it!
We got to see a handful of players.

Then we just partied with the rest of the crazy fans.
The kids wanted pictures in the end zone.

Then it was time to go. They were done. I think Paul would have stayed all night if we would have let him.

The traffic was terrible. It took us almost an hour to get out of the field we parked in. We ended up going south and decided to get dinner by the mall. I had never been to Ruby River before.
I ordered a raspberry glazed chicken. I liked it well enough but it was a bit of a weird combination.
Paul got steak and shrimp.
When we finally made it home safely. It was really late. The kids had to go straight to bed. I woke up the next morning with a scratchy throat from yelling so much. It was worth it though!

3rd Annual Black Friday Shopping Adventure

I can't really explain why, but now that I am no longer working retail this is one of my favorite days of the year. I guess it is because I hated to work during the holidays so much. I hated spending time at work when all I wanted was to be with my family. I still have a hatred for the holidays because of my many years in retail. I saw so many ugly things. The spirit of the season was totally lost because of greed. So many people just straight up sucked.

For some reason though, now that no one can dictate when I have to work and when I have to put up with the crazies, I celebrate it by joining the crowds and spending money. I want it known that I treat retail workers like gold while I am shopping. I feel for them but there is a feeling of freedom I get when I go out that is wonderful. I am so thankful that I no longer have to work, especially during the holidays.

This year we were met with several challenges. The last two years we have spent Thanksgiving night at my parent's. Paul and I would wake up and leave the kids sleeping with them. This year that wasn't an option. There was also all the crazy hours to contend with. Some places opened at midnight, others at 3:00 a.m. and then there was the regular 5 & 6 a.m. sales. There was no way I was staying up all night. Paul didn't want to get up early because we would have to wake the kids to take them to his parent's. I got up and showered at 7:30. We woke up the kids and were dropping off them off, in their PJ's by 9:00 a.m.

Andrew didn't want to get up.

It was on.

We started at Smith's Marketplace where we found some good deals.

We appreciated that they were serving donut holes and apple juice. This picture was taken while we were "refueling."

After that we headed to Draper/Sandy. There were amazing deals at Kohl's but the lines were more than we could tolerate.

That morning while Paul was in the shower I took advantage of some of Kohl's early bird specials online. I wanted to buy him a new robe but got leery when I read one size fits most. While we were at the store I asked him to try one on. I thought if it fit I could always go back and place another order. It was just as I thought, Paul isn't most. Apparently most men aren't 6'2" with broad shoulders and long arms LOL! We were giggling so hard.

We hit Target and did some damage there then decided it was time for lunch. We got Pei Wei and then hit the mall. This my fortune from lunch. It looks like a new house is on the way!

After the mall we made our way back to Utah county and went to Costco. We got back to David and Nancy's right before 3:00 p.m.

I am so lucky to have a husband that shops with me. We had a lot fun and accomplished a lot. I can't wait until next year.

Thanksgiving

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Paul's side of the family.

I didn't manage my time well on Wednesday (Since I became one with the leaves I didn't have time to do much of my prep-work) so I had to get up early on Thursday. I was responsible for one batch of rolls, two pies (I brought a Marie Calendar's apple pie and I made a pecan pie from scratch. More on that to come), corn, appetizers and wild rice. For the appetizers I made a veggie tray, spinach dip, deviled eggs and brought an artichoke dip with crackers. I love pre-eats almost more than the actual meal. I was in the kitchen for hours.

We had tons of food and fabulous weather making it great for the kids to be outside. After dinner, while the kids were out running around, the adults shared a special moment. We all took turns telling what they were grateful for. It was especially nice to hear from Paul's grandma Fern. It was touching to see everyone so humbled by their blessings. We are so lucky to live in this time and to have so much. I can't even put into words all the things that I am grateful for or how very blessed I feel. I hope my Heavenly Father knows what's in my heart because I know everything I have is from Him.

David, Fern and Nancy

Two of my greatest blessings.
The kids patiently waiting for the food to be ready.
Paul and I waiting for the food!

David carving our turkey

This is my plate. I am pretty boring. There isn't much I eat at Thanksgiving.

The whole group.

After we got everything cleaned up in the club house we went back to David and Nancy's house for pie. We had a razzleberry (my all time favorite), dutch apple, pumpkin, and the chocolate bourbon pecan pie that I made. Holy cow it was delicious. Paul, Emma and I all loved it. I've decided it will become my signature pie ;) I used to always make the pumpkin, but it's pumpkin. You eat it because it is tradition, not because it is really that good LOL! This pie was good!!! (I will post the recipe later. I found it on Allrecipes.com)
We had a crazy whipped cream. It would not stop coming out of the can. It brought us all a good laugh.

After pie we visited a while longer and then Matt came home with us to watch the Cowboys vs. Raiders and I relaxed. I felt I earned it and I knew I needed to get my energy up for Black Friday. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with loved ones and lots of good food.