Well, hi there! I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you all see my new design and to welcome you to the new home of Dine & Dish. This has been such a long time coming and it feels so good to have something clean and fresh.  I know it’s quite the change, but I think it’s for the good. I hope you agree!

Besides the actual look of the blog, not a lot has changed. Like I mentioned in my previous blog post, my goal was to simplify and that’s exactly what I’ve done!

Read on for a little tour of the blog, this fantastic Pumpkin Spice Chex Snack Mix recipe, and a very special giveaway I wanted to share with you!…

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The post A New Look {Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Chex Snack Mix} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

September 16th: Jacob playing another tackle football game. I really love watching him play!

September 17th: Leah eating breakfast her own way.. on the floor with the only dog we have….

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The post Project 365 2012: September 16th through October 6th appeared first on Dine and Dish.

I shared a recipe for Apple Cider Smoothies, which I think you’ll love. Make sure to go check it out and get your fill of fall apple fun!

In addition, it’s time for a new Green Mountain discount code! From now through October 3rd, Dine & Dish readers can receive 15% off all Green Mountain Naturals K-Cup® packs – which includes both Apple Cider and Lemonade! Simply use code GMN8125 at www.greenmountaincoffee.com upon checkout to apply the discount.

Make sure to also like Green Mountain Naturals on Facebook for more discount and giveaway opportunities!

Happy shopping!

Disclosure: I am happy to be a paid ambassador for Green Mountain Coffee. All opinions expressed are my own.

The post Apple Cider Smoothies & a Green Mountain Coffee Discount Code appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Pumpkin is definitley a fall flavor, right? Ice cream, probably more of a summer treat (although my husband would argue this point). Merging the two seasons into a treat appropriate for the Tweason, I decided to use my new Blendtec Blender to whip up a Pumpkin Spice Milkshake. (Sidenote – don’t forget to enter my Blendtec Blender giveaway!)

I’m going to let you in on a little secret to the most flavorful, perfect milkshake, ever. I add 2 Tablespoons of Jell-O instant pudding mix to each milkshake I make. I’m not sure why, but this addition adds such a wonderful, full flavor to milkshakes and gives them a truly great creaminess you can’t get without it. Try it with the next milkshake you make… adjusting the flavors of pudding to whatever you think would go well with the flavor of milkshake you are making.

Are you experiencing the Tweasons where you are or are your feet firmly planted on one side or the other? I’m enjoying the lingering bit of summer but am honestly totally ready to jump head first into fall. Bring it on.

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Pumpkin Spice Milkshakes

A thick and creamy shake with the fall flavors of pumpkin spice.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup pumpkin
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Spice flavored Jell-O Instant Pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/3 cup crushed Biscoff cookies for garnish

Instructions

• Place everything but Biscoff cookie crumbs into your blender.
• Secure the lid and blend on medium until everything is processed and the mixture is smooth.
• Pour into tall glasses, topping each glass with crushed Biscoff cookies.

The post Tis the Tweason {Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Milkshakes} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Today I feel like being random then sharing this awesome recipe with you. So here are my random thoughts from today…

When you wear a blazer as part of your outfit but the weather gets colder than blazer weather, do you wear a jacket or coat over your blazer? What’s the right thing to do there?

Why do people at airports stand up and wait in line to get on the plane before their zone is even close to being called? Do they not understand that we are all getting on the same flight? Just because you get on the plane first doesn’t mean you are going to get there any faster than the rest of us?

Curious – text on food photos… do you like it, does it bug you, or do you not care either way?

My friend Stacey posted on Facebook the other day that she read the next hair trend would be a throwback to the 80’s. For me the 80’s was all about big bangs and Aqua Net. Can we all just agree that we do NOT need to revisit the 80’s hairstyles again? I don’t think our ozone could take it!

In case you are wondering, she is as awesome in person as she is on her blog. Love that girl!

What’s your favorite flavored creamer to put in your coffee?

Can cap sleeves just die, please?

Finally, who are The Kardashians and why exactly are they famous or always on the front of all the supermarket magazines?

OK, that’s it for my randomness! Now onto this great recipe my friend Jenny shared with me from a Gold Medal Flour booklet. Her version was and amazing apple cake with nuts and raisins, but I decided to do pear without the add in’s. Enjoy!

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Frosted Spiced Pear Cake

A taste of fall in a delicious, moist spiced pear cake. Adapted from Gold Medal Flour

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups finely chopped pears about 2 medium
• 1 cup granulted sugar
• 1 egg beaten
• 1/2 cup butter melted
• 1 1/2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Dash of cinnamon
• Dash of ground nutmeg

For the glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

• Heat oven to 350°. Grease rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.
• Mix apples and sugar in a large bowl; let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in egg and butter. Stir in remaining ingredients (except vanilla glaze). Pour batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Spread with vanilla glaze while warm.

Vanilla Glaze:

• Mix all ingredients until smooth and spreadable.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post The Particular Randomness of Spiced Pear Cake appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Growing up, we used to frequent the restaurant Long John Silvers on occasion. I used to love going in and getting a token for the treasure box, running around with my cool pirate hat on, eating the hush puppies and…. I’ll admit it… eating the little “crispies” you’d find in the bottom of bag of battered fish. You know, the fried batter crispies? Those were the best….

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The post Admit It {Recipe: Bite Size Pumpkin Funnel Cake Crispies} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

This is my Friday night. A spiced chai tea latte with a little indulgent whipped cream, a stack of books to choose from, candles lit, and three sweet girls lying on the floor of my room engrossed in a Disney movie. The boys are out on the town at a baseball game, and at 6:30pm my girls and I are tucked in for a cozy fall night.

Ten years ago if you would have asked me if I would be content… happy, if you will… sitting at home on a Friday night doing absolutely nothing, I probably would have said not so much. Now? Girls night in on a Friday night, especially when the weather is cooler and we can be snuggled up under quilts with comfy PJ’s on, is my Friday night of choice. I look forward to low key Friday nights. I crave them and treasure them.

Whatever your Friday night looks like, I hope you are happy and find contentment in whatever season of life you are in.

Oh – and if you want a delicious recipe for Spiced Chai Tea Latte and a gorgeous blog to go along with it, head over to The Sprouted Kitchen. Enjoy.

The post Friday Night and Spiced Chai Tea Latte appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Our air conditioner is turned off for the season, our windows are wide open, light quilts and long pajama pants are pulled out from the back of our closets, Saturday’s are devoted to college football games… and my allergies are driving me crazy. This can only mean one thing, my friends. Fall is officially here!…

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The post A Touch of Fall {Apple Cider Recipe Roundup} appeared first on Dine and Dish.