Chocolate Kahlua Pecan Pie

My contribution to Thanksgiving this year was Chocolate Kahlua Pecan Pie. This is one of my family's favorite holiday recipes and it was fun making this yummy dessert. Here is the recipe if you want to try making it yourself! Enjoy!

• unbaked pie shell
• 6oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup Kahlua
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Kahlua Cream

Melt chocolate in small saucepan, add Kahlua. Stir until smooth. In large mixing bowl hand beat eggs lightly. Stir in brown sugar, salt, vanilla, syrup, and chocolate mixture. Then stire in buter and 1 cup of pecans. Turn into pie shell . Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup pecans on top. Bake slightly below center of oven at 350 until barely set in center and pastry is light golden brown, 45-50 minutes. Remove and cool. Make Kahlua Cream right before serving:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 Tbs. Kahlua
• 1 Tbs. powdered sugar

Beat together with hand mixer until soft peaks form. Top each serving with cream.

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving Day began at 7:30am with the "Hot to Trot" 5K in Turkey Creek! Alan's family joined us and this is always a good way to get up and begin the holiday.

 The run went great, Alan set a PR with his time!

We got ready for the day and then went to serve lunch at Flenniken, which is a half-way house in south Knoxville with Alan's family.

 There was a great turn-out and all the residents were very appreciative :)

That afternoon we went to Mimi's house for lunch with the Cagle extended family.

 And that night we went to my parents' house for dinner!

It was a long day but Alan and I enjoyed every minute of it. We have so much to be thankful for!

Family & Football

This past weekend Alan and I, along with Rachel and Colin, took a quick road-trip to Nashville to visit Elizabeth and Patrick. We may or may not have gone to the UT/Vandy game (I hate to admit to watching such a painful loss). The weekend began with a delicious dinner Friday night that E+P made at their home. Everything was fantastic and it was nice just spending some time catching up and and discussing the upcoming holiday season. Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to go to the...

Molly drove from Clarksville with her kiddos to join in the fun! We had a great time laughing over biscuits, coffee, and more biscuits!

 Being silly after breakfast :)

 Love these sisters of mine!

 So blessed by family!

So yes... we did in fact go to the game with E+P and we stayed until the very end. It was definitely a sad loss but there will always be next season (and the season after that, and after that, and after that...) God bless Tennessee football!

UT vs. Mizzou

This past Saturday we had a great time tailgating bright and early before the UT vs. Mizzou football game. Our sweet friends, Jessica & Brian, who we aren't able to see nearly enough came to our tailgate! It was wonderful catching up on life with them. Brian also brought a few treats to the tailgate which were ahh-mazing! Thanks B!

 last tailgate of the season = bittersweet 

(we have a wedding to go to the weekend of the KY game)

 sisters!

In honor of the Veterans, the Pride aligned to make an eagle with an American flag in the middle while they played "America the Beautiful". If that doesn't give you chill bumps I don't know what will!

 Moore family!

Recon Graduation

Last weekend, most of my family went out to San Diego to see my brother Colin graduate from the Marine Reconnaissance Training Company. This was a huge honor (for Colin to be selected for this program) and also a huge accomplishment (as only about 50% of Marines who enter this program pass) and we are so proud of him! If you want to get an idea of some of the things he was doing over the past 12 weeks you can watch the video below, it is no joke!

Recon at Camp Pendleton

 7-12 Graduating Class (Colin is on the far right)

 during the ceremony as Colin gives up his rope

 family picture

 I am so proud of my little brother, love you buddy!

After graduation, we went to lunch at one of Colin's favorite pizza places to celebrate!

That afternoon, we went to Coronado which is a small island off the coast of San Diego. Coronado is where Colin did Phase II of his training. We also decided we had to check out the infamous Hotel del Coronado which was beautiful! 

So happy to be together again!

 beautiful Birds of Paradise flowers everywhere

 perfect sunset after a perfect day :)

 On Saturday we spent the day at the beach. It was a great time to laugh and relax.

That night we went to celebrate at Cannon's Seafood Grill which has been recognized multiple times by The Knot as one of the best venues in the area! Congrats Colin!!!

 And the night would not have been complete without a trip to Colin's favorite bar: Goody's Tavern, cheers!

 On Sunday we went to Balboa Park in San Diego

Sunday Crew

The rest of the trip was spent relaxing in La Jolla.  Such a fun weekend and so proud of Colin!