Cream Cheese Pumpkin Dip

Need something that screams “Autumn!” to take to the PTA meeting, work luncheon, or other gathering? Didn’t have time to make your famous pumpkin loaf with cream cheese frosting? I gotchu!

This tasty cream cheese pumpkin dip takes just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes to whip up. It's creamy, tangy, pumpkiny deliciousness that every pumpkin spice enthusiast will love.

It's best served with the small. crisp ginger snaps that come in the bag, or the very thin Anna’s brand Swedish ginger thins… but neither could be found on local grocer shelves, so it's pictured with larger soft ginger cookies instead; just as yummy but unless cut into pieces might encourage double-dipping, a thing I know we’d all like to avoid! Apple wedges would also be an option.

Here’s how to make your own. Go ahead, take a dip!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese (1 pkg) room temperature

• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree

• 3/4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

• sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

In a medium sized bowl, mix all ingredients, except sprinkle of cinnamon, until well blended. You may use an electric mixer or immersion stick blender to make a smoother dip.

Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with a little cinnamon, and serve with your favorite fall cookie, cracker, or even crisp apple wedges!

Tomato Basil Bisque

Fall marks the beginning of soup season in my house (for just about everyone else I know too!) and I’m always looking for new recipes to try.

This week, our studio engineer, Jessica, brought a delicious looking bowl of soup into work with her for lunch… It smelled so good as she was reheating it, I had to know what was in it! (I also might have begged a taste…)

Turns out, not only is Jess super bright when it comes to audio engineering… she’s a great cook too! This is a yummy example of a simple, but absolutely fabulous tomato basil bisque that she makes often through the chilly months. I had her forward the recipe to me so I could share it with all of you.

Jessica roasts her own Roma tomatoes, because it’s a fairly easy process. But if you want to whip (blend?) this together quickly, you can pick up a few cans of fire-roasted tomatoes in your grocery aisle.

Jessica’s Tomato Basil Bisque

Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion - chopped

• 1/4 cup plus 2-3 tbsp olive oil

• 4 garlic cloves - minced

• 20-22 Roma tomatoes, roasted (or 2 cans fire roasted tomatoes)

• 1/2 package (4oz) cream cheese

• 2 cups chopped fresh basil leaves

• 1 cup of half ‘n half

Directions:

1. Roast tomatoes with olive oil ahead of time using method described below soup instructions.

2. Cover bottom of stock pot with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Place over medium heat.

3. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until garlic begins to brown.

4. Add the roasted tomatoes*, basil, and cream cheese at this time, and bring to a low boil. If it is looking dry, add about 1/4 cup of water so that the mixture does not scorch.

5. When the cream cheese has fully melded with the other ingredients remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

6. Using an immersion blender, blend in the pot until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Bring up heat once again, and add half ‘n half (or reduced fat milk.) Let sit for about five minutes stirring occasionally then serve.

7. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and a fresh basil leaf.

* To roast tomatoes: Cut off stem, slice tomatoes in half lengthwise. Arrange cut side down on baking tray and drizzle with olive oil. Place under broiler for about 15 minutes; remove tomatoes once charred spots start appearing. Let cool, chop coarsely, retaining as much of the juice as possible.

Thanks for sharing your recipe with us, Jessica!

Dried Hydrangeas Two Ways

Fall is (almost) here and even though I love the warm summer days, there’s something so heart warming about the changing of the seasons. One of the ways I transition myself and my family into the autumn spirit is by incorporating dried flowers into my home decor.

Creating dried bouquets using the flowers you already have growing in your garden is an inexpensive way to decorate your home while also getting the most use out of your flowers. If you keep up with my social accounts you would have seen an ARRAY of garden and flower photos, and all the ways and places I use them around the farm.

Tending to my flowers makes my heart sing and putting together these bouquets helps keep my creativity muscles in good shape.

I’m going to walk you through my favorite tips and tricks for getting the perfect dried hydrangea arrangement.

• My first tip for making the perfect dried flower arrangement starts with picking your flowers at the right time. I suggest harvesting your hydrangea blossoms after they have bloomed fully, when their color is beginning to turn, and they take on a slightly papery feel and vintage look; this is typically toward the end of summer/early fall.

• Dried hydrangeas can be quite delicate and tend to break easily. If you can create your arrangement or wreath before they get too brittle, it’s often best to do so.

• Once you’ve picked your flowers, trim the stems so they fit in whichever vase you are planning on using for your arrangement and remove the leafs, leaving a few for decorative purposes while they are drying (you’ll want to eventually remove ALL leaves.)

Now this next step is entirely up to you. When it comes to drying out your flowers there are two ways I like to do it.

The 1st way…

• Fill your vase with fresh water so at least half of the stem is covered, arrange your bouquet and simply wait until the water evaporates naturally.

• Allow a few weeks for the flowers to dry completely.

• Lightly spray the flowers with unscented hairspray to help them retain their shape

The 2nd way…

• Begin with arranging your flowers, and then bind them together using twine or unflavored dental floss.

• Secure them to a clothes line or an unused hanger so that they hang upside down.

• Store them in a dry, dark area that gets good circulation like an attic or closet.

• Let them dry for 2-3 weeks

• Place in desired vase

• Lightly spray the flowers with unscented hairspray to help them retain their shape

I hope you enjoy these super easy tips for creating beautiful dried flower arrangements, and then use them for your own home or as gifts to others.

Get creative with your vases and any additional decorations! Place these stunning bouquets in all the different corners of your house like your mantel, dining table or kitchen counter to bring those muted Autumn tones to your decor!

And, write to me HERE and send me pictures of your dried hydrangea arrangements!

Cheesy Jalepeño Loaf

Fall is in the air, in fact, we tried to have a BBQ at the studio recently and even though the sun was shining brightly, the wind was from the north and so cold we picked up our plates and headed in to eat in the dining room!

I can't think of a better way to eat my way through this transitional time that with a mix of fresh veggies and fruits from the garden and some warm comfort foods like soups. Paired with those items, there can be nothing better than a thick slice of this dense cheesy bread.

Made with a beer batter base, and incorporating a little spice (not too much) with jalepeño peppers, it's just the ticket to a tailgater, an office potluck, or your next family meal.

It's "Steve Made" of course, so you know it's been tried and tested.  Here ya go!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup packed shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1/4 cup pickled jalepeño peppers, chopped
• 2 tablespoons green onion (green part), chopped
• 12 ounces of beer 
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a 9 x 5 bread loaf pan with butter.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
4. Add the cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, jalepeños, and green onion, stir until combined.
5. Add beer to mixture, using a spatula stir until combined and batter is wet.
6. Transfer the batter to the greased loaf pan. Use the spatula to level the top.
7. Add the melted butter to the top of the batter, making sure to cover the entire top of the batter.
8. Bake for 1 hour, or until a knife inserted in the middle of bread comes out clean.
9. Remove bread pan from oven to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Then remove bread from loaf pan and let cool on wire rack for 5 more minutes.

Mmmmm. Thanks Steve!

Fall Into New Music!

Music is the language to the soul, and there is some new great music coming out to soothe, make merry, and warm our souls this chilly fall!

Even though it's hard to say good-by to summer, some of the albums I'm hearing about have me pretty excited and will certainly make it easier to slip out of the shorts and tank tops, into the jeans and sweaters, and a better frame of mind.

Here's a sampling:

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Paul McCartney | Egypt Station
Available September 7th

I've had a crush on Paul McCartney since I was old enough to crush. Some things just never change and that makes me so so happy! 

You know what else makes me happy? Sir Paul will release an all new album, Egypt Station, (the first full album of all-new McCartney music since 2013,) this September 7.

Paul says, “I liked the words ‘Egypt Station.’ ...I think of it as a dream location that the music emanates from.”

And the press release says this:

True to the inspiration behind its title, Egypt Station’s 14 songs combine to convey a unique travelogue vibe. Between the opening and closing instrumentals “Station I” and “Station II,” each song finds Paul capturing a place or moment before transporting the listener seamlessly to the next destination.

Stops along the way include an acoustic meditation on present day contentedness (“Happy With You”), a timeless anthem that would fit on virtually any album of any McCartney era (“People Want Peace”), and an epic multi-movement closer clocking in at seven minutes with a song suite structure harkening back to the days of Paul’s previous combos (“Despite Repeated Warnings”).

The result is a kaleidoscopic journey through myriad musical locales and eras, yet firmly rooted in the here and now--with Paul’s singular unmistakable melodic and lyrical sensibility serving as a guide.

Two tracks were previously released as singles; the plaintive ballad “I Don’t Know” and raucous stomper “Come On To Me."  I loved both as much as I love the album cover, McCartney's own art work of course. (I'm tellin' ya, CRUSHIN'!)

I'm climbing aboard at Egypt Station and think you too should get your ticket to ride!

Pre-Order Egypt Station HERE  
And, listen to “I Don’t Know” and “Come On To Me.”

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Rod Stewart | Blood Red Roses 
Out September 28th

My good friend, Rod Stewart, will release his 30th studio album, Blood Red Roses, September 28th on Republic Records! I can't be more excited! 

Rod is such an incredible artist and incredible man. He loves and cares deeply, and no more so than for his children and their future. The album’s first single, “Didn’t I” is about the damage drugs can do from a parents’ point of view. If you pre-order the 13-song standard or 16-song deluxe album from digital retailers you'll instantly receive a download of "Didn’t I.”

‘I always think I make albums for a few friends and this record has that intimacy,’ Rod Stewart said. ‘Sincerity and honesty go a long way in life and the same is true in song-writing.’

“Blood Red Roses,” is a deeply personal 13-track collection of originals and three covers, and has been described as "...quite simply peak Rod Stewart." It moves as smooth as the man himself, from acoustic driven folk, through Motown-tinged pop/R&B, to unadulterated rock’n’roll, with those quintessential Rod Stewart heart-melting ballads thrown in.

This new album will be released nearly 50 years to the date of when he signed his very first solo recording contract. (Fifty years we've been rockin' to Rod!)

There is no one NO ONE quite like Rod Stewart, a legend who has enjoyed chart-topping hits every decade of his career. I'm absolutely thrilled that this album is being released and looking forward to watching many of the singles become more ageless tunes we'll be rockin' to for the next 50 years! 

Rod has donated several concert packages that have helped support Point Hope, and I couldn't love him more for it!

Pre-Order Blood Red Roses HERE now.
And, for more information, visit RodStewart.com.

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Train | Greatest Hits
Coming November 11th

 Call Me Sir - out NOW!

Train will be coming out with their Greatest Hits album on November 11th along with a few new songs, including the sweet “Call Me Sir,” that features Cam and Travie McCoy which is already being played!

Last January, Train released their 8th studio album, a girl a bottle a boat,  and the lead single, “Play That Song,” went platinum in 4 countries!!! They are a multi-talented, multi-faceted group that gets a LOT of air-time on the Delilah program, and one I especially love to play during the holidays. Christmas in Tahoe, re-released last year, brings that signature Train sound to holiday classics as well as several original songs. It's so so good!

Train recently wrapped up a spectacular co-headline tour with Daryl Hall & John Oates. I hope you were able to catch it in your area! If not, check their tour page for upcoming dates. Hopefully they'll be scheduling more venues soon!

AND, did you know Train partakes in other ventures outside of music? Proceeds from newly launched Save Me, San Fransisco Chocolates, and Drops of Jupiter® wine portfolio go toward Family House, a San Francisco charity that supports families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. 

"Helping and relating to children has always been a priority for us (Train). We were kids ourselves when we started Train, and played in coffee shops in and around San Francisco - and now we all have children of our own. Because of that, our San Francisco roots, and the fact that some of us have experienced our children being in NICIU's, the best way for us to give back is with the Family House Organization." 

Train has also been a very generous contributor to my own heart's cause, Point Hope. I love the music, I love frontman, Pat Monahan, and I love their hearts!  

Climb aboard the music, and experience, that is Train!

Enjoy my friends!