Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes

Another dessert from the family potluck was in honor of my favorite coffee treat from Starbucks...the Peppermint Mocha.  Unfortunately this version is not non-fat, hold the whip!  This was a great cupcake and I can't wait to make them again.

Peanut Butter Brownies

I hosted a family potluck this year and of course took on desserts!  I found this amazing brownie recipe a few years ago and continue to tweak it and add what I like to it.  It is a candy bar-like brownie and lasts quite a while packed nice and tight in a cookie tin.  This time I made a dark chocolate brownie with peanuts, mini chips and a peanut butter swirl.  Everyone loved them!

Roasted Chicken Dinner

A Sunday style dinner, but a quicker version made on a weeknight when comfort food was a must!

• Roasted Chicken
• Asparagus
• Brown Rice "Risotto" with broccoli and mushrooms

Mocha Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream

For a friend's birthday...a coffee lover, what else but Mocha Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream?!

Feta & Spinach Turkey Meatloaf

Something new for dinner, a spin on Giada's Feta & Sun Dried Tomato Meatloaf, I added sauteed fresh spinach in place of the sun dried tomatoes and it was delish!  I also made whipped chive potatoes to go along with it.  For a last minute veggie, I added some frozen carrots to the plate.  This was great leftover as well.

Thanksgiving 2011

For Thanksgiving I decided to make Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting along with traditional Pecan Pie.

Holiday Office Potluck...

I decided that making a few pies would be easier with the setup and decorating of this year's holiday potluck at work than making a hot main dish.  The result was an apple crumb pie and a black bottom raspberry cream pie, which everyone loved!

Apple Crumb Pie (Grandma's recipe)

Black Bottom Raspberry Cream Pie