We all have that friend who speaks every line of a movie word-for-word, pause-for-pause. Well I'm sorry to say I am that friend, and no movie moreso than Dirty Dancing. I know the classic film forward and backward, and I was elated to hear that it would be coming to a live performance at none other than the St. Louis Fox theater, presented by Dance St. Louis. Knowing my preconceived love for the Dirty Dancing movie, I planned to attend the live performance with an open mind. After all, who can top Patrick Swayze? Those are pretty big shoes to fill. 

Shoes, I would soon find, would not be filled at all. I attended the evening performance on Thursday (October 23, 2014) buzzing with excitement. It only took a few scenes to see that I would be let down... By the cast, the set, and the script... 

It's that time of year for "pumpkin-spiced-fill-in-the-blank," and I'm just as caught up in the season as anyone! If you're looking for a festive treat to bring tailgating or to a bonfire, or if you're just ready to try anything that tastes like October, look no further. The pumpkin cookie recipe below is a thick batter of pumpkin filling that not only creates heavenly cookies, but it also works great for cupcakes & muffins (just put the dough into cups instead of onto the cookie sheet). And if the words "homemade glazed-topped pumpkin spiced cookies" don't get your mouth watering, then I'm not sure you know the definition of autumn bliss...