Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

So many of you eagerly wait for Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte to show up on the fall menu.  These are simply little cups of goodness and Yarah Designs is here to tell you how you can make them at home and year-round.  Here is the perfect recipe from The Kitchen

You can change the sugar and fat content of this recipe quite easily.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup (your choice)
• 2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute - you can halve this amount
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions:

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don't have a blender, don't worry about it - just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk.

Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

Kiwi Colada's

Here is a drink recipe that is sure to help with your summer fun! From Tara's Tips, here is one to kick back with when the hot summer sun has you dreaming of pina colada's.

Ingredients
5 peeled kiwifruit, divided
3 cups ice
1/4 cup light rum
1/4 cup Midori (melon-flavored liqueur)
3 tablespoons Cream of Coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

Preparation
Cut 4 kiwifruit into quarters, and place in a blender. Set remaining kiwifruit aside. Add ice and remaining ingredients to blender; process until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a pitcher; discard seeds. Divide evenly among 6 glasses. Cut remaining kiwifruit into 6 slices; garnish each glass with 1 kiwifruit slice. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup)

Patriotic Cocktails

Fourth of July is only a week away and here are some cocktials along with recipes that you can sip through the weekend. Yarah Designs discovered these recipes at Bella Grace Party Designs

-RED FIZZ-
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:
-1 cup passion fruit vodka
-1 cup cranberry juice
-Champagne
-Fresh cranberries

Directions:
Shake vodka and cranberry juice together with ice until chilled. Strain mixture into a champagne glass about 3/4 of the way full. Top with a splash of Champagne and a few berries.

-WHITE SANGRIA-
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients:
-Vodka
-Malibu
-Ginger Ale
-Raspberries
-Blueberries
-Mint

Directions:
Combine equal amounts vodka and Malibu in a large pitcher. Add in the fruit and let it soak in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. To serve, pour fruit mixture into chilled glasses and top with a splash of ginger ale.

-BLUE MARGARITA-
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
-1 ounce white tequila
-1 ounce Blue Curacao
-1 ounce fresh lime juice
-Salt for garnish

Directions:
Shake tequila with Blue Curacao and lime juice in a shaker with ice. Dip rim of margarita glass in water then in salt. Pour drink in salt-rimmed glass and serve. You can also serve this drink frozen by pureeing in a blender with ice.

Enjoy!

Happy Summer Solstice

Summer is officially here! It's time for picnics in the garden with friends, enjoying water sports and reading great books in the hammock. It is also time to think about summer entertaining.

Tips for throwing the perfect summer soiree:

- What’s the golden rule of party throwing?
Create a good ambiance with candles and fresh flowers. Peonies are our personal favorite. Desserts are also good to have. Think about a dessert table but keep it in a cool place.

- What’s for dessert?
Homemade ice cream sandwiches are always a hit. Sugar or chocolate chip cookies and serve with gelato. Sounds delicious and refreshing!

- What are we drinking?
Perfect drink selection for a summer outing is limeade with any kind of vodka, garnished with fresh fruit. It goes down too easy!

-How do you handle invites?
Why not handmake invitations ~ Keep it simple. You can always call your guests but I feel an invitation makes the party official and invited guests will show proper etiquette with an rsvp.

-What about guests who come early and stay late?
Put the early arrivals to work with helping you prep for the party or putting final touches on the meal. And for those who stay late, have them lend a hand with the cleanup afterward. The drinking continues, of course ... And so does the party!

Have a fabulous summer!

Father's Day Ideas for 2010

Father's Day is just around the corner. Figuring out how to treat Dad to something he’ll really love is often difficult. Yarah Designs is here to help. Here are some tips for honoring the man of the house…

1. Get him something that he wouldn’t usually buy for himself or relaxes him. What about a nice bottle of scotch. If he’s not partial to a brand, get him a sampling so he can enjoy them all while selecting his favorite for future purchases. One that is recommended is The Dalmore King Alexander, aged in six different barrels.

2. Gifts that keep giving: Sign dad up for the ‘Bacon of the Month’ club, where he’ll receive new meats to try every month for six months.

3. Help to Prolong his Legacy: Get dad a custom monogrammed steak brander to kick off the summer season in style from Williams Sonoma. He can make his mark on the family steaks so everyone’s knows who to compliment on the impeccable grilling.

4. Power Meal Time: Treat dad to a lavish breakfast in bed before he even gets out. Serve him up an omelet bar that will make his mouth water. Include seasonings, meats, veggies, and sauces.

5. Take him out to the Ball Game: Wrap up the teams tee shirt and hat and give it to dad. He’ll be excited for the gear, but more excited when he opens it to find game-day tickets to go with his kids!

6. For the Reader: Get dad a Kindle so that he can read as fast as he wants and not have to return to the bookstore. Make a few purchases for him to start him off.

7. Serve Dad a special drink through the weekend. Instead of a traditional cocktail, try something differnt and whip up one of these beer-themed concoctions! Here are some recipe links for you:

- Beer Margarita also known as "beer-garitas"
http://www.rickandlynne.com/recipes/index.php/webrecipes/get/729

- Strawberry Panache – strawberries, lemon-lime soda, & beer
http://www.cocktailtimes.com/original/panache.shtml

- Chambeer – 1 part Chambord, 3 parts beer
http://www.hostesswiththemostess.com/recipe_box/chambordbeer

- Basil Shandy – lemonade & lager, garnished with basil
http://cocktailtimes.com/original/gwen_basilbeer.shtml

8. Saving the BEST for last ... This is such a clever project that Dad is sure to love! If you are up for a DIY project, make Dad a box of "Hero Supplies" filled with his favorite Treats. This is actually not as difficult as it looks. Basically all you need is a printer and follow these easy instructions and download the labels found here http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/diy-fathers-day-gift-superhero-craft/