Pumpkin Pie Bar picture

Found an excuse to make these again. Just as tasty - and this time I remembered to get a picture before they were all gone.  I intentionally added 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts instead of the 1 cup called for in the original recipe.  Really like the nuttiness of the bottom crust and streusel-like topping.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

For our family dinner Sunday  I was to bring dessert.  I came across a couple of pumpkin recipes I thought I'd try - after all it was Halloween.  One was Pumpkin Brownies.  They were okay but I probably won't make them again.  The other was Pumpkin Pie Bars.  They didn't have a bit of chocolate in them but oh my were they good!  They are definitely on my preferred recipe list!  Thought I'd share. 

Pumpkin Pie Bars by Eagle Brand

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup finely chopped nuts (Pecans are a good choice SL)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, nuts, sugars and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add butter, mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of the mixture. Pat remaining mixture on bottom of greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
2. Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, allspice and salt; mix well. Pour evenly over crust. Mix reserved crumbs with 1 tablespoon flour. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

I used probably 1 ½ cups of pecans – really tasted good.  In my haste to get these put together for dinner Sunday, I forgot to add the flour to the crumb topping.

I served whipped cream with these bars.

For a picture you'll need to go to http://www.eaglebrand.com/recipes/details/?RecipeId=4029&categoryIndex=-1 - I couldn't figure out how to get the picture - we finished the pan before I thought to get a picture.  Hmmm, maybe I need to make another batch.

"Backsplash"

Richard has been diligent in tiling our kitchen walls when not working, filling church assignments or some such.
Today the last tile was put in place - except for the decorative mosaic that is being attempted (the printed design pattern was inserted into the "hole"). The dark caulking was put between the wall tile and counters and between the dark decorative tiles (actually designed for use as a chair rail). Grouting remains to be done once the tile has been in place 24 hours.

We've called it the backsplash for so long but now that it is close to being completed perhaps it would be more accurate to label it kitchen wall. What ever you want to label it, it is GORGEOUS!

Over the stove.

 

The baking corner   

 Area over dishwasher (color is off)

Next up on the "to - do list" is to install the vent over the stove - almost hate to cover up any of the beautiful wall. But it will be nice to get the boxes emptied and recycled.


While Richard has been working on the kitchen I've been working on the family room changing things around and getting rid of some furniture. Pictures of that when I'm closer to completing that task.

Backsplash started!

Dashing through the house
With trowel and tile in hand,
Creating is my spouse,
A backsplash oh so grand.
First a row set straight,
Then the tile vine:
Oh this pattern is ornate,
Each rhombus is in line!

Looking good, looking good,
Looking oh so grand!
Oh what fun it is to see
The kitchen we have planned!

A Functioning Kitchen

Tuesday was a red letter day in our kitchen remodeling. Our LG HI-MACS(r) Volcanics Solid Surface counters were installed. We chose a color called "Dorado." Once Gecko Solid Surface Solutions had installed the counters and left, Richard and I took out the broom closet cabinet to replace the foot that had been bent when the broom cabinet was put back after the corner counter had been put in place - counter wouldn't go in unless it was cut or we took the cabinet out. The latter was an obvious answer for us. We had to do it right away as the installers had glued the counter to the cabinet and we had to remove and replace before the glue dried.
Richard next tackled the kitchen faucet and sink drains. He was just about to go to the store to get needed parts when the plumber showed up and was able to install the gas line and stove. That evening Richard finished the sink plumbing with a minor problem - one sink basket didn't seal completely. So we put a bucket under the sink and called it good until he could work on it again.
Thanks to some internet research the next day Richard was able to get it sealed and we had a fully functioning sink.
One of the things I've discovered about this gas cooktop is that the setting right after ignition is "hi." "Low" is at the opposite end of the dial so you can't ever extinguish the flame when trying to simmer a pot.

I like the faucet - though I have to learn how to best use it. I am learning (as the water splashes out of the sink) that you really don't need to turn it all the way on to get a full flow. The one we installed is a single handle faucet.

And the display cabinet.

We waited until the counters were installed before putting on the doors and putting my cup and saucer collection in their new home. I was also able to find a home for Grandma Murtle Cowles' pitcher and Great-grandma Shaw's sugar bowl.

Countertops

Here they are!

Installed but not without some difficulty. Had to remove broom closet so they could fit the corner piece in. When moving the broom closet back in place the back leg twisted so we had to take closet back out, replace leg and then reinstall. Also a problem with the sink install. Some damage to the false sink drawer which they will replace. Such is life and building.

But it looks good and everything I hoped for. Love the wide countertop. Richard is taking care of plumbing the sink this afternoon. Plumber might be here this afternoon to take care of the stove.

Away in the Drawers

Away in the drawers, we’re finding good homes
For plates and the fry pans, and fine cooking tomes.
The whisks and the flour are all put away.
Soon boxes will not be the job of the day.

Drawer pulls and door pulls are now screwed in tight,
A functioning kitchen is coming to light.
Toe kicks and moldings are next to be seen,
Then tile backsplashes to look so pristine.

On Tuesday the counter tops are to be laid,
On cabinets that Richard’s so carefully made.
An arctic white sink is included too;
How good life will be in our kitchen so new.

Progress hasn’t been real visible this week – with the exception of pulls on drawers and doors.If you were to open those drawers and doors you’d see I spent the week filling them. The box of boxes helped me remember I WAS making progress.

This cabinet is wonderful BUT I think every drawer glide was screwed in at least twice. We didn’t account for the door hinges the first time we placed the glides. Time for plan B. Plan B was great except we hadn’t allowed for the hinge part that attaches to the door to clear the drawers. Three drawers had to be moved. Third time was the charm.

We had a pot luck family dinner at our house last night. Even with temporary sink and counters and retrieving knives from the storage shed and without the cook top, the kitchen was comfortably up to the task. I think I’m going to enjoy our new kitchen as much as I hoped.

Abby and Marshall helped assemble an ice cream sandwich cake.
It was fun but licking the spoons was the best part.

You CAN have too much of a good thing!

Deck the Kitchen

Deck the kitchen with cabinet hardware,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
“Tis what gives the kitchen flair,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Though it’s been a lengthy process
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Now we can see daily progress
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

The to-do list grows much shorter
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tile the backsplash for the baker
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Add the trim to make it look fine
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Oh the lights do add their own shine
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

YES! the counter is on order
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Now’s the time to stash the clutter.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
This new kitchen’ll be a winner.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Here’s Some Pix!

Oh the weather outside is broiling,

But the kitchen’s still not cooking,

And since we’ve no fancy tricks,

Here’s some pix! Here’s some pix! Here’s some pix!

Looking south. Note the temporary kitchen sink – YEAH!

The oven & serving storage area – and the pantry & dishes cupboard

Baking and prep areas (from family room looking southwest)

Think light over baking was up in last pictures but light over peninsula was just put up tonight. Now to find the light we took down from the old breakfast area and want to put up in the pantry/oven area. No doubt it’s in one of my infamous “safe” places!

Progress Not Pictured

Countertop selected and ordered – measurements for template will be taken Friday morning.

Cardboard boxes removed from family room – some in recycle, some waiting for empty recycle bin, and some in garage to use to protect floors when they install the counter.

Majority of drawers lined and some things have found a home – though perhaps temporary.

Finished electrical wiring for peninsula area.

Family room floor cleaned and chairs back in family room.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen,
Ev’rywhere you turn
Take a look at the cabinet drawers, as empty as can be
But soon they’ll have the tools a cook must use.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen
Cabinets ev’rywhere
But the prettiest sight to see is the cooking that will be
Done in our own place.

I AM a Shaw descendent. The first ingredient to find a home was the container of cocoa. :)

How Many Butterflies Do You See?

There were over a dozen butterflies visiting this bush this afternoon – too hot to stick around to count more.

Perhaps the following close up makes them a little easier to see.

See I’m not entirely obsessed with the kitchen.

The Last Shall Be First

Sometimes it seems like we are working hard and not getting very far. Then all of a sudden it’s looking like a kitchen!

The original plan was to finish the sink/peninsula area first and then the west wall and then the south wall. Guess what got done first!

From the family room looking south. The broom closet is on the left (and it has broom, mop etc. already in it). This is the baking/snacking area. Waiting on countertops before we put in all the drawers or doors. But have to get ALL the cabinets installed first.

From family room looking west. Note the two tall cabinets on each side of the picture. They are waiting the installation of the ovens so they can be put in place. The one on the right goes next to the oven cabinet and completes the west wall. The one on the left is the first cabinet on the sink/peninsula run.

From family room looking northwest. The cooktop cabinet is in the center. The tall cabinet on the right will house the ovens which are sitting on the floor in front of the cabinet. The installation of the last three cabinets and the oven is waiting on the electrician who should be coming this morning to complete the wiring he started several weeks ago and waiting until we got to this point to come back and finish the job.

(That’s Richard – the master builder - in the bottom left corner.)

Last night we purchased tile for the back splash. Even found most of it on clearance! Now we can get the accent pieces I fell in love with.

Off to build another cabinet or two.

Do You See What I See?

Said Grammy to her friends everywhere,
Do you see what I see?
Off in the corner over there,
Do you see what I see?
A BOX, a Box!
Assembly makes us glad;
For a kitchen’s soon to be had
For a kitchen’s soon to be had.

TILED!

Richard has been very hard at work getting the tile laid.
What doesn't show up well in the picture is all the careful cuts he made where the floor meets the wall.
We did a diagonal pattern in the "alley" part of the kitchen (it will have 24" deep floor cabinets on each side leaving about 40" of floor space) as it was felt the brick pattern would emphasis how long and narrow the room is.
Grouting should be completed Monday. We are getting there.

He finished just in time for him to shower and get ready for the stake youth dance tonight, for which we were two of the chaperones from our ward. He took me out to dinner after the dance because there wasn't time before the dance.

Progress We Can SEE!

The ceiling in the family room and kitchen is textured and painted.
[We could even uncover the ceiling fan light now. Plastic will probably be left up until all the sheet rock, tape and floating are completed. (Do you know how far sheet rock dust can go!)]

The old vinyl tile is gone and the black adhesive removed. (The Armstrong tile's surface didn't hold up very well but it certainly stuck well to the floor!) All that remains of the kitchen sink is the hot and cold water pipes. A history of water leaks from dishwasher and sink left the sheet rock in bad shape and needs to be replaced. (The sheet rock left looks MUCH better than what was removed!)

But the rest of the sheet rock work is done except some sanding. The tile area with the white spacers is set in thin set in a brick pattern - a continuation of the family room tiling. The diagonal tiles are laid out to determine if that is really what I want in the "alley" space (cabinetry on each side gives about 40 inches of walkway) in the kitchen. He's been able to set the wet saw out on the patio to cut the tile as needed. Sure is nicer (and faster) than having to go up and down stairs to the garage to make individual cuts.

Hopefully tomorrow Richard can get the rest of the floor put down so he can grout on Saturday and finish the drywall work. And the to-do list goes on. But it is getting shorter.

A Slice of extraordinary chocolate cream pie

This is the last slice of Dylan's birthday pie. Dylan had requested chocolate cream pie for his birthday dinner. Not wanting just the ordinary instant pudding and cool whip pie, I did some surfing. I found a recipe for Emeril's Chocolate Cream pie. At www.allrecipes.com I found lots of recipes with good reviews for chocolate cream pie. The recipe called "Rich Chocolate Truffle pie" caught my eye and made my taste buds water. Since the Truffle pie had fewer ingredients and better fit the time I had, that's the one I made. It was a good choice - a very very good choice. It will be repeated for special ocassions.

I do want to make Emeril's chocolate cream pie and another recipe that caught my attention which called for chocolate candy bars, marshmallows and cool whip. Need to have a taste test - though the truffle pie will be hard to beat. When's the next special ocassion?

I couldn't bring myself to pay for a prepared chocolate graham cracker crust nor enough Oreos to make 2 pie crusts so I created my own recipe.

Chocolate Graham Cracker pie crust
1 ¼ C graham cracker crumbs
¼ - ½ C cocoa
½ C sugar
½ C melted butter

Mix ingredients together. Press into 9” pie pan. Bake 7 minutes at 350. Cool.