PAULA DEAN'S THE BEST!

Let me start off by saying that I am exhausted....but it's a very good state of exhaustion:) We're having a pre-Thanksgiving dinner in work tomorrow and instead of doing the usual pot luck thing, my boss is having lunch brought in from Boston Chicken. Now you might think that what I'm about to say next is strange, but this will be a first for me. If you can believe it...I've never been to or have eaten anything from Boston Chicken. Yes, there are a few of us still around.....lol Anyway, I decided to bring in a dessert, which to many, is the best part of a meal:) I love, love, love making trifles and usually make my own concoctions, but this week I was watching the Food Network....one of the best channels and though I have a few favorites.....my most favorite person to watch is Paula Dean. She has just a way about her and such an amazing sense of humor. I'll be sitting by myself in front of the tv, just laughing my fool head off:), but....and that's a big but...... I am also learning her wonderful cooking techniques at the same time. Well, she was making this dessert and I couldn't jump up fast enough to get a pad of paper and pencil to write it all down. The combination of ingredients really complimented each other and looked so deeeeeelicious and seemed just perfect for the holiday. I wondered why I hadn't thought of this on my own:) I guess that's why she's Paula Dean and I'm just Shayna...lol

So..... I left work at 4pm today, raced off to the supermarket and as soon as I walked through the door at home, I began prepping and baking. It is now 8:00pm and I just completed the finishing touches.The dishes are washed and put away and I am ready to settle in for the remainder of the evening, or until I fall asleep with my eyes open....whichever comes first....lol Of course I made a much smaller version of this dessert in a wine glass for me. I've yet to taste it, because my Mom always told me I had to eat dinner before I could have my dessert. Hmmmm, I wonder if an iced coffee would constitute for dinner? lol I can't wait to dig in and I just hope it tastes as good as it looks. I want the people I work with to be smiling and oooohing and ahhhhhing as they eat it:)
Anyway.......the name of this dessert is Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle and as Rachel Raye would say, " Yummo! How good is that???? I guess the jury will be in tomorrow and I hope the verdict is in my favor....:)

HAPPY BEING ME:)

Your Seduction Style: The Natural

You don't really try to seduce people... it just seems to happen. Fun loving and free spirited, you bring out the inner child in people. You are spontaneous, sincere, and unpretentious - a hard combo to find! People drop their guard around you, and find themselves falling fast.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

COFFEE ANYONE?I am a coffee drinker from way back and consider myself to be an expert(self professed of course) Having lived in Boston for the majority of my life, Dunkin Donuts was a “staple” in my every day existence.. Moving to Tampa created a problem for a while, because there were few, if any, Dunkin Donuts franchises around.

The South is known for Sweet Tea(Iced Tea), but I was surprised that so few had any idea what iced coffee was or how to make it. With each restaurant I visited, I would have to give them instructions:
1. Fill a large glass with ice
2. Pour coffee into the glass
They seemed so surprised at this and would actually ask me if it was good..lol

Anyway, Dunkin Donuts has now taken the South by storm and I couldn’t be happier, or more in my element. There is one located within a 10 minute walk from my work and one that just happens to have opened on the road I take to go home.
Now…..my favorite iced coffee has always been French Vanilla, but my daughter has gotten me hooked on her latest combination……..Hazelnut Iced coffee with a splash of coconut. This combination is absolutely delicious and guaranteed to soothe the savage beast in me. If I’m not feeling well, or have had a bad day, this perfect combination always tends to put a smile on my face. I’m easy, what can I say…..lol
Try it and I definitely think you will like it.

Hmmm, I just had a thought. I think the next time I place my order, I’m going to try something new.
How about this?
Large French vanilla iced coffee, with a splash of chocolate and a splash of coconut, black with 2 sweet n lows. Wow……I bet it’s going to taste like a Mounds Bar….
Definitely my next taste sensation and what’s your favorite?:)