{the pioneer women + pumpkin spice everything}

Last month The Pioneer Women‘s new cookware collection launched at Walmart’s all across the land.  Has anyone headed to Wally World to check it out yet?  It’s divine.  I know it’s asking a lot, but I promise it’s worth the trip.  And think of the people-watching you will get to see?!?!  Double whammy!

Some stores have the collection spread throughout the departments.  My local store has a beautiful display with all the items in one place.  Batter bowls, pitchers, polka dots, turquoise, dishes, cast iron all adorned with her signature butterfly logo.  Take a peek at the whole collection here.  I stood in the isle staring, unsure which piece had to go home with me first.

The measuring cups clearly made it in the cut.  Anthro style & quality with the walmart price tag of $7.43.  Hell yes!  I want to display them in the kitchen, because they are obvi too beautiful to store in a cupboard.

I found a pumpkin cheesecake recipe I wanted to try – I headed back to the collection isle and grabbed this beauty.  The whole collection mix + match so well too.  You wouldn’t think with all the different designs and colors.

Did I mention that I met Ree Drummond?  Ree (first name basis since we are clearly homies) made a trip to San Francisco back in February 2011 for a book signing.  We totally ditched out on our kids and work and hauled ass down to the city to meet her.  She was so sweet and petite.  She chatted with us as though we knew each other.  If you watch her show – she is exactly the same in person, so down to earth and country chic.  Take a look at her husband Marlbro Man here.  Those wranglers though.

I have a photo and a signed book to prove it!  I’m beginning to sound like one of those psycho fans…lol.  She and Rachel Ray were the first cooking shows I watched. I remember moving out after high school and calling my mom to ask how to make a quesadilla. I’m not even joking.  After watching these two on the cooking channel, I became inspired to cook.  Being in the kitchen is now one of my most favorite places to be (with a glass of wine in hand, of course) and I’d say they deserve all the credit.  Ree has also been blogging for years. The way she writes makes me want to keep reading. The Pioneer Women now has four cookbooks full of amazing recipes.  It’s real country cooking with a whole lotta love & butta!  Some of my favorites that I make over and over….Restaurant Style Salsa + The Perfect Pot Roast + Sour Cream Noodle Bake and I plan to master her Cinnamon Rolls by the end of the year.  It’s on my bucket list and you know what that means, it’s gotta happen guys!!

Now that I’m done gushing over The Pioneer Women, here are a couple pumpkin recipes that I tried over the weekend.  I follow Skinny Taste religiously.  The daily Skinnytaste.com emails feature delicious, healthy, low fat, family-friendly recipes with calorie and weight-watcher points included.  This Pumpkin Spice No-Bake Cheesecake was featured last week and I knew it was going to be made in my kitchen asap.  I even followed her Easy 3-Ingredient Low-Fat Graham Cracker Crust to go with it.  At 220 calories per serving (1/8 of pie) I’m sold.

I HATE wasting so I got on my IPad and googled pumpkin recipes to use up the remainder of my can of pumpkin puree.  I know it’s cheap as hell, but so am I 🙂

And ta-da we have pumpkin spice creamer.  My girlfriend, Justine made me a big ol mason jar of pumpkin creamer last year and I devoured it.  This one is super simple and ingredients you have in your pantry.

Pumpkin Spice Creamer

2 cups milk

4 Tablespoons pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)

1 Teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spice

3 Tablespoons maple syrup

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon sugar

Add ingredients to a mason jar.  Place the lid on tight and shake till combined.  Remove lid and place in the microwave for 2 minutes on high. Let mixture cool.  Refrigerate.  Shake well and enjoy in your morning cup of joe.

I modified this recipe here to use ingredients I had on hand.

I even added some to my Starbucks Iced coffee and it was equally as yummy.

Happy Thirsty Thursday Friends!  I’m headed to see Luke Bryan tonight 🙂  I’ve got my beer + boots all ready for the festivities!!   Come back tomorrow for {Friday Five}

xoxo stacyb