Pumpkin Pie Dip with Green Apples and Graham Crackers

Yum. This was my first pumpkin recipe of the fall season, and it was perfect! The weather is just cooling off here in Houston, and it's not quite time for a pumpkin roll or bread yet, IMO.

We've been really busy at work, so I thought it'd be nice to share my goodies with the team. I made this pumpkin dip recipe, placed it in a Graham Cracker crust to chill and serve, and laid it out for our design team with apples and crackers. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did!

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Ingredients

• 2 blocks (8oz each) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups of pumpkin puree - NOT the easy pie filling you see on shelves in the fall
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (I cheated - if you want to use your own combo of ginger, cloves, cinnamon, go for it!)

• Graham Cracker crust
• Graham Crackers, ginger snaps, or even pretzels
• Apple slices

Directions

In large bowl, mix cream cheese and pumpkin (if you buy the 15oz can of Libby's, it's almost the whole can) until smooth. Add spices, honey, and sugar. Mix well. Pour into serving dish or Graham Cracker crust and chill for at least 1 hour.

Serve with dippers, and pass on the recipe!

Terrible Day at Work? Eats a Salad.

Today was rough one at work. I've had busier days and days with more issues, but today just got under my skin. I made it home over an hour later than usual, and I was starving. I surprised myself by not going straight toward the 2 packages of Keebler cookies in the pantry (that my husband has seemingly forgotten about... shh), but by reaching for a bowl, some romaine, grape tomatoes, and fresh sliced carrots. Once I sat down with my salad, I stopped to make a puzzled face directed at myself and my shocking behavior.

"Amy, are you really assuaging your cubical woes by eating a salad?" It was so, and the moment deserved to be noted. So, here it is. A blog post and a meme-style image for all 3 of my readers to enjoy.

Stale Ideas, Fresh Food

I've got several web design projects working right now, and I have a couple logo design projects as well. With my full-time job getting busier and several personal things making life hectic, my own creativity and business flow is suffering.
One of my most clear-minded moments was during a recent 2+ mile walk with my husband around the neighborhood. Our little apartment doesn't do me any inspiring favors.
While the man of the house snoozed away on the couch, I made fresh guacamole and pico de gallo tonight. We bought some reduced fat Triscuits to keep around the house for snacking, and those two dips will work perfectly.
I'm excited to pack some of the guac and pico in my lunch tomorrow. Hopefully, my design ideas will be as fresh as my snacks this week. I'm ready to be out of this funk.
Have to be awake in 3 hours to send the hubby off to work, then I'll make my way to work as well. Yikes.