Hallween Punch, Pumpkin Stew, Taco Pumpkin Seeds

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from last night's JV game. Josh was awesome. Although we lost 6-0 in the 4th quarter, he had a blast. We were just glad to be there cheering him on... runny noses and all.

NOTE - For anyone wondering... the tiny pumpkin on top of the menu board at the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A is still there. I love that little guy.

ANOTHER NOTE - We've got a few more Newbies on the blog, so I will refer them to the sidebar and ask them to click on Newbie Info. Also, yesterday's post gives a pretty good description of A Simple Life.

And don't forget to visit Belinda's Project 365 every now and again. It is a picture a day for a WHOLE year depicting my life. Not as easy as it looks, I don't mind telling you. But it has been fun.

ONE MORE NOTE - I just wanted everyone to know Cam received her $20 gift card from the "What Not to Blog... A Blog Makeover" Contest today. She chose a Target gift card. CONGRATULATIONS to Cam!

I WONDER? - When did the term "muffin tops" become the definition of the extra skin (and fat) that comes out of the top of low-rise jeans when at one time in my life it was the absolute BEST part of a muffin? And why are the blue jeans that do away with "muffin tops" now referred to as "mom jeans" and are SO hard to find? And why is it a bad thing to wear "mom jeans" which do away with the now evil "muffin tops?" And where have all the mirrors gone? Why are there women my age (and older) wearing low-rise jeans, shirts with spandex and showing their "muffin tops" proudly? Don't worry. This isn't a new Tuesday "section." I was just wondering.

I promised you SEVERAL recipes for the Happy Fall, Y'all Party and here they are!

Halloween Punch

1 can (46 ounces) pineapple juice (divided)
1 package (3 ounces) orange gelatin
1 carton (64 ounces) orange juice
1 liter ginger ale, chilled
1 quart orange sherbet

In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of pineapple juice to a boil. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Cool; transfer to a large pitcher or container. Add orange juice and remaining pineapple juice. Chill. Just before serving, pour into a punch bowl; add ginger ale and mix well. Top with scoops of sherbet.

Pumpkin Stew

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1" cubes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
1 cup water
3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1" cubes
4 medium carrots, sliced
1 large green pepper, cut in 1/2" pieces
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons instant beef bouillon granules
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 pumpkin (10 to 12 pounds)

I'll go ahead and tell you they fix this stew in a Dutch oven, brown the meet, add the other ingredients, etc. Cover and simmer for 2 hours. Stir in bouillon and tomatoes.

NOTE - I would just put everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) in the slow cooker for 4 to 6 hours on low. (I would bowl the water and let the bouillon cubes dissolve before adding them to the slow cooker.)

Wash pumpkin. Cut a 6" to 8" circle around top of stem. Remove top and set aside. Discard seeds and loose fibers from inside. Place pumpkin in a shallow sturdy baking pan. Spoon stew into pumpkin and replace the top. Brush the outside of pumpkin with remaining oil.

Bake at 325 degrees for two hours or just until the pumpkin is tender (do not over bake). Serve stew from pumpkin, scooping out a little pumpkin with each serving. (I LOVE THIS ONE!)

Taco Pumpkin Seeds

1 cup seeds from freshly cut pumpkin, washed and dried
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 to 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

In a skillet, saute pumpkin seeds in oil for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Using a slotted spoon, transfer seeds to an ungreased 15" x 10" x 1" baking pan. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and garlic salt; stir to coat. Spread into a single layer.

Bake at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until crisp. Remove to paper towels to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Have a terrific Tuesday. Tomorrow we will have a little Wednesday Wisdom and a Seasonal Tradition perfect for these cooler temps. Thursday's date is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of date for a parent and child, but fun, special and memorable. And Friday... well, you just never know what Friday might hold.

Oh, and I received the okay from my first Special Guest. Of course, she's very ill right now, and probably doesn't realize what she's agreed to, but she said "yes," so she is obligated! Am I right? When she comes out from under her drugs and changes her mind, should I let her off the hook? I don't think so either. I'll be giving clues off and on as November 2 draws closer to see if any of you can guess beforehand.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting and Slightly Cold Belinda