SVBC Harvest Party 2012

On Saturday, we had our 3rd annual Harvest Party for our church.  It is a fun time where we meet at Crystal Peak Park in Verdi which is a beautiful little town in the mountains.

Our Sunday School teachers and Youth Workers have games, crafts and activities for their classes. They always do a wonderful job making it creative and fun.

For food, we do a Hobo Stew.  The Wednesday before the party, the teens walk around a neighborhood, knock on doors and ask for any canned goods that the folks might donate.  It could be vegetables, meat, fruit, etc...then we put it all in a big pot, cook it and we all have Hobo Stew!  LOL!  It sounds weird but it really isn't too bad. :)  

Everyone brings a fall dessert to share and this year, many people did a great job making creative desserts...I made a peanut butter cup cheesecake.  We also have hot cocoa, water and soda.

Here are a few pictures of the activity - Miss Megan and Addie.

Our little bumblebee...Summer Lyn. :)  She hung out with her favorite teacher - Miss Danyelle. 

Miss Danyelle's class doing an art project - glowing light jars.

Miss Lisa has the 4 and 5 year olds.  They enjoyed doing their own special project.

Bro. Shaun was the Monopoly man for the evening.

Sierra and James and their funny googly eye monsters. :)

One of Miss Danyelle's fun games.

We also do a hayride for everyone.  This was the children's hayride. :)

Miss Megan and her cute shirt - she is pregnant with a baby girl. :)

Addie and Summer on the hayride.

The boys on the hayride.

I caught this picture of a deer on our hayride.

It was a fun evening!

Photo Tidbits from the Week...

Here are a few photo tidbits from the week...

On Monday, October 22, we received our first snowfall of the season.  We received just a touch on the valley floor where we live.  This is Mount Peavine which got a decent dusting.  The high Sierras received up to 3 feet in the highest elevations.  A few of the ski resorts opened for a day.

This is an early morning view from our dining room of our first snowfall...

On Tuesday, Domino's Pizza offered a free slice of pizza to their first 100 customers from 12-2pm.  We have one right down from our house so we took a lunch break and received our free pizza slices. :)

We then headed to the eye doctor for Sierra's eye appointment.  Addie and Autumn's glasses were in and we were able to pick them up. :)

Some little stinker had to have her picture taken too!

On Friday, the girls were able to cash in their October vouchers for Pizza Hut's reading program that they offer for home school teachers/children.  They received a free personal pan pizza.  Yum! They sure do earn it...they read like crazy!

Along with the pizzas came these nice passports for their reading.  They can earn a free pizza every month.

When I am very busy, I sometimes have to put aside something...and that has been couponing.  However, I did snatch up the FREE mini candle from Bath and Body Works - you can still grab this offer on Facebook until tomorrow!  Mmm..nutmeg and spice!

Thursday evening, I had a rough night...just some personal things.  Many things were on my heart Friday morning...it was a day that encouragement was needed.

I stopped by the post office to check the church mail...and there was this photo card and a tea bag addressed to me.  It was anonymous...I don't know who it came from...but it blessed my heart.  Addie said maybe Jesus sent it. :)  Well, in a way, HE did...through someone like you. :)

And lastly, I stopped by my work office to fill out some paperwork...and they had this nice gift bag for me!  A very nice zip up bag I can use for work...another larger bag...a nice polo for work and a great coffee travel mug!  I work for such a great company!

Hope you had a great week too!

How To Make Shredded Chicken in the Crock Pot

I love any shortcut to making dinner easier and faster!  A great way to do this is to pre-cook your meat and freeze into portions.  Here is a super simple way to prepare shredded chicken ahead.

How To Make Shredded Chicken in a Slow-Cooker:

1.  Purchase a large package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
*  Recently, I purchased 2 large packages of fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale for $1.69/lb.  This was a great price; however, you need to either freeze it or use it right away.  This was a great chance to make shredded chicken.

2.  Put as many as you like (I did about 10-12) into your slow cooker, cover with water and add a bit of chicken broth or seasonings.

3.  Cook on low for 6 hours.  They will be cooked through and falling apart with a fork.

4.  Remove about four breasts at a time and place in a colander.  Let cool slightly and then shred with two forks.  Transfer to a bowl and let cool until you can handle it with your hands.

5.  Place into quart freezer bags.  I had 7 bags of shredded chicken at the end that went into my freezer. :)

Ideas to Use Shredded Chicken:

1.  Soups.  
(And what a great time of year for a big pot of soup! :)
2.  Fajitas/enchiladas/quesadillas.
3.  Topping for your lunch salad.
4.  Casseroles.  (That possibility is endless!)
5.  Chicken salad sandwiches.
6.  Topping for your pizza.
7.  Chicken pot pie.
8.  Shredded chicken sandwiches with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Those are just a few ideas...and there are dozens and dozens of variations of soups and stews and casseroles...salads and pizzas!

Try this today. :)

Homemaking Tip: Cleaning Laminate Floors

When we moved into our home over four years ago, my husband installed laminate flooring into our kitchen, dining room and living room.  It was supposed to be a cheaper version of hardwood and easier to maintain.

Throughout these past years, I have tried many different laminate cleaners.  And as time went on, cleaner after cleaner, I just grew more frustrated.  The cleaners, designed for laminate flooring, would leave a film on my floor.  It was so bad that the second someone walked on my floor after cleaning it, you could see the skid marks, footprints, etc.  It was AWFUL. :/

I had almost given up when I found the secret!

And I want to share the secret with you that I have found. :)  Warm water and ammonia.  Yep, that is it.

These are the steps I do:

1.  Sweep my floor well.

2.  Scrub a small section of your laminate floor at a time with the green scratchy part of a regular kitchen sponge.

3.  Dry with an old bath towel.

4.  Move and do next section until your floor is completed.  (I do change my water often because it can get quite dirty fast.  I also use several bath towels because the towels get wet quickly and I have a very large area to do.)

The film is gone!  And even though it does take more time to do the floors, they stay cleaner and looking nice longer so I do not have to do them as often.  FYI:  I did try the vinegar and water solution - it did not work for me...and I did not care at all for the vinegar smell. :(  The ammonia has no smell and does the job!

And I am no longer buying expensive floor cleaners at almost $5 a bottle.  You can buy a large bottle of ammonia at the Dollar Tree for $1. :)

Praise the Lord...for I was losing my insanity over a floor.  LOL!

Recipe: Homemade Cajun Seasoning

I mention using Cajun seasoning a lot in my recipes.  :)  One reason is it adds so much flavor...and second, my husband's dad is a Cajun from the swamps of Louisiana...so Cajun food is a must for our family!

I found this recipe around 8 years and have been making it ever since.  It makes a large amount and will last for a long time. :)

You can use it on anything from chicken, fish to burgers...even on baked potatoes or to give a kick to pasta.

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

1 container salt (26 oz.)

2 containers cayenne pepper (1 oz. each)

1/3 cup black pepper

1/3 cup chili powder

3 tbsp. garlic powder

Mix together and store in an airtight container.

Recipe: Lime Chicken Fajitas

Today, I promised I would share my Lime Chicken Fajita recipe. :)  It is so easy...it is really ridiculous.  

Lime Chicken Fajitas

3 chicken breasts-cut into 1/4 inch strips
1 red and 1 green pepper-julienned
1 onion-sliced into thin wedges
lime juice-liberal!
Cajun seasoning

That's it!  Cook the chicken (I precook my chicken and it is ready to go for a recipe like this).  Add the vegetables and cook around 3-5 minutes longer.  Add lime juice - a good amount!  Also add Cajun seasoning - I use a homemade seasoning that I make and use for all my recipes. :)  Stir and cook a few minutes longer.

Serve on warmed tortillas topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and cilantro.

Recap From The Weekend...

What a busy yet fulfilling weekend!  I love serving the Lord with my husband along with our dear church folks. :)

Saturday, I arrived home from work Friday evening, showered and got ready for the day. Our family went to the church for Saturday morning church visitation.  We were pleased to have Megan, Shannon and Lisa join us along with the teen girls.  The teen girls had a sleepover the night before at the Traynor home.  We passed out church postcards together.

Then my daughters went with Papa Tastet to his home, my husband went to help one of our church men move and I went to lunch at Fiesta Mexicana with a visiting missionary wife - Mrs. Ruth Miller.  The Millers are missionaries to Mexico.  They have been in the states while she gave birth to their 8th child (one is in Heaven).  They are returning to Mexico tomorrow.  Please pray for their safety and for their work there in Mexico!  Ruth and I had a wonderful visit and meal together and I hope they are able to visit again soon. :)

Saturday evening, I made one of my favorite soup recipes:  White Chicken Chili.  You can find the recipe on my blog by clicking on the link.  Fall is such a wonderful time of year for so many good soups and stews!

Saturday night, I worked my last 12 hour shift for the week. :)  Since I get off at 8am, there is not enough time to go home.  So I drive straight to the church and my husband brings the girls in around 8:45am. I was able to do some cleaning at the church, get ready for the service, change and do the girls hair.  Then singing practice with our ensemble and run an errand.  

One of our Sunday School teachers was sick, so I filled in for her class.  I am usually the nursery worker for the Sunday School hour, so I enjoyed teaching for this Sunday.  We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday morning service and a great sermon by my husband on a new series he is preaching called "Missing In Action".  What is the purpose of church?

After church, we had a nice lunch of Lime Chicken Fajitas.  This is such a simple recipe and yet so tasty!  I will share this recipe for tomorrow's post. :)  After lunch, I finished grading Addie's tests, quizzes, etc. for her first grading period.  She is on a different grading schedule than the other two girls.  I wanted to finish it so that it was ready to mail on Monday morning. :)

We had a special treat for our Sunday evening service!  This was the Miller family's last service with our church family.  Bro. Steve Miller presented their work to Mexico and also preached the evening service.  I was working in the nursery but from the laughs, I think it must have been a good one. :)  

Today, we have a winter storm warning!  For the high Sierra's that is. :)  We are receiving rain and high winds down in the valley.  The highest elevations are expected to receive 1 - 1 1/2 ft. of snow by the end on Tuesday evening.  When the clouds parted this morning, you could see that Peavine (by our home) is already covered with a light layer of snow.  We hope to have a good season with lots of storms and snow.  We need the precipitation here in the desert.

So today, it is lots of things to accomplish around the home.  And a Youth Worker's meeting this evening at the Allen home with pizza and soda.  So off to a busy and blessed week!  Have a great Monday!

Preparations for the weekend...

Friday!  Well, Friday now begins my work week.  LOL!  So Mondays will be my Fridays from now on.  Ahh...so confusing. :)

Today is a busy day preparing for the weekend.  Grocery shopping and meal prep for this weekend's meals...cleaning the church...printing all materials needed for Sunday...picking out songs and specials...sending out reminders for practices, nursery, Harvest Party...a few errands such as picking up the dry cleaning, dropping off library books, paying two bills.

Tonight, I start my new work schedule and will be working on Harvest Party plans for next week's activities as well as my Junior Church plans.  I will be now be teaching our Junior Church program the last Sunday of the month.  

So off to a busy weekend serving the Lord and my family!  Have a wonderful day!

A Permanent Schedule

It is Thursday already? :)  This week has been insanely crazy - adrenaline flowing.  LOL!  I started my new job last Saturday night.  By this Sunday morning when my shift ends, I will have 84 hours on my first paycheck.  Praise the Lord for that blessing!

Another blessing I just received a call from my work office.  They have a permanent client for me including a permanent schedule and hours.  This is a huge blessing.  Now, I can plan my days and nights knowing which ones I will be working.  My new schedule will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights - 8pm - 8am.  The blessings of this schedule is I will be able to see my husband for 2 hours instead of 1 hour on Friday evenings before I leave.  I am still able to attend our Sunday evening service (In fact, that is why they gave me 8-8am because I said when I was hired that I could not work until 8pm on Sunday evenings because of church.  And the Lord blessed!)  I can also have a bit more family time in the evenings - I will leave at 7:30pm and my kids go to bed at 8pm...so I am really not missing any time with them.  I think it is good overall...Sunday mornings will be a sticky situation but we will organize and plan and it will come out good.  LOL!

So keep me in your prayers for the rest of this week as I finish out these long hours.  As for tonight...it is my only night off and I am going to have a date with my wonderful husband!  Have a great evening!

Catching up from the weekend...

I know...my blogging has been totally lacking. :)  Starting my new job on the weekend proved to be a very busy time! LOL!  

Saturday, we had church visitation at 10am.  Then a funeral at 2pm.  Then a wedding at 5:30pm.  As the wedding was getting ready to start, I received a call from the owner of our company.  She asked if I would be able to take a shift for that evening.  So here I was, having been gone all day, now up at Lake Tahoe...and I was being asked to come in by 7pm.  Well, I did make it by about 7:45pm.  Thankfully, I had made a big crock pot full of scalloped potatoes and ham to cook all day and dinner was ready for the family and I was able to leave. :)

I worked the shift that night until 7am...rushed home for a shower and to prepare for Sunday services.  We had a wonderful service as always. :)  I just love hearing my husband preach what the Lord has laid on his heart for that day.  After church, we enjoyed Papa Murphey's Take and Bake pizza for lunch - Cowboy pizza and Herb Mediterranean Delight.  We did the dishes and I paid some bills, etc.  Then our Sunday evening service and from there off to another 12 hour shift. One of the things that I was concerned with in getting a job was that it would never interfere with church.  I was able to attend the Sunday evening service and then arrive at my client's home by 7:30pm thanks to my boss.  

Then Monday morning, I arrived home and got ready for the day.  The girls were able to do their day of school at Papa Tastet's house while I attended my CCW class.  If you do not know what that is, it is an 8 hour class that you are required to take to apply for your CCW permit.  Your CCW permit allows you to carry a concealed weapon legally.  This has become important to me especially now that I travel for work by myself at night.  I am also at homes with the elderly by myself.  I think it is a great thing to have as a woman.  I loved learning about guns, safety, laws and  so forth.  I want to continue to learn as well in this area and to become confident in handling my gun.

After my class, it was home for a quick dinner of fettuccine and then off to another 12 hour shift.  When I got home this morning, I was grateful for the next three nights off to be at home. :)  The first order of business was a well-child doctor appointment for Addie at 11am...which we didn't even see the doctor until past noon. :/  Yawn!  On our way home, we stopped at the Sheriff's Office and I applied for my CCW permit.  It can take up to 120 days to process but it is now in the process. :)  

Before I had left, I had put together a new crock pot recipe.  It cooked all day and supper was delicious!  It was called Lemon Chicken and Vegetables.  I will definitely make it again...you can NEVER have too many good crock pot recipes for sure!  And with me now working, it is a definite advantage!  

However, just before dinner, I got a call from my work asking if I could take a shift tonight.  LOL! Yes, folks, it happens to me.  My husband was OK with it so I took the shift.  I enjoy my job and praise the Lord for giving me work and a fun and easy job!

Oh yes, and our Sierra turned five years old today.  I love that kid.  She just says the funniest and cutest things...in her chipmunk voice.  LOL!  Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

And you all have a wonderful Tuesday evening!

A New Phase in my Life

Last night, I began a new adventure in this phase of my life.  For nine years, I have been strictly a stay-at-home mom.  I love it and have done babysitting on the side throughout this time.  I had been asking the Lord if He would lead me to the right job for me.  Something that would fit with our current responsibilities and at the same time, I could still stay home with my kids.  I considered becoming licensed for daycare in my home and even sent in the application to start the process.  However, during that time, I came across a job ad for a place called Senior Helpers of Northern Nevada.  It is a business that provides in-home care to seniors.  They were offering overnight positions.  I called and within 2 days I had filled out an application and was interviewed.  After the interview, I took a test and passed that.  I also had to do a background check, TB test, physical and so forth.  This process took 2 weeks.  

Last night, I did my first shift for my new job.  It is a 12 hour shift from 7pm-7am.  Right now, I do not have set days that I have been assigned.  I worked last night and will work tonight and Monday night.  I enjoyed my first night and pray that all continues to go well.  It is simple and easy work and I enjoy being able to work alone.

I praise the Lord for the blessings that He provides!

Friday's Happenings

Friday was such a beautiful fall day.  I have been wanting to wear a pair of black casual boots that I had gotten at the thrift store but it has been too warm.  Yesterday, high of 69...I wasn't waiting.  LOL!  Fall clothes are fun to wear...jackets, layers of colors, boots, leggings.  I like it all. :)

I did a lot of cleaning, laundry and ironing while the girls did their school day in the morning.  It was a nice cool morning.  We then headed off to Autumn's eye doctor appt.  Her eyes haven't changed a bit but she is getting a new pair of glasses because she has the benefits with her insurance plan.  We are still waiting for Addie's glasses to come in since they were on back order.  So I will have a picture next week with their new glasses.

For dinner, I tried a new recipe from my Simple and Delicious magazine - Sweet and Sour Shrimp. The stir-fry turned out tasty but I ruined the rice.  Seriously.  I am a fairly decent cook - but I tend to ruin the rice more often than not.  I see a rice cooker needed in my future. LOL!

After dinner, my husband and I went out in the desert up Peavine Mountain with Jake and Megan. I am taking my CCW class this Monday and I wanted target practice.  I was very excited to have hit the target the majority of my shots.  I feel very comfortable with my Smith and Wesson 38 and that is my goal.  I can't wait until my class on Monday. :)

My 38 with my new grip that my husband bought for me.  I love it!!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the fall weather!

Thursday's Fun Deals

We were able to do some fun shopping today. :)  I bought this purple clip lamp for the girls' bed.  They read everyone night in bed and sometimes I have found them on the floor by the nightlight reading. LOL!  I thought it was time for a lamp.

Awhile back, I was able to get a great deal on the Happy Nappers for the girls' birthdays.  Well, I wanted to get a ladybug one for Summer...they were sooo cute.  And they ran out.  Of all of them. I was able to still snag three.  Today, in the clearance section, I found a ladybug Happy Napper for $5!!  So I am saving this for Summer for Christmas. :) Yay!

We went shopping at the Goodwill.  Addie found two nice dress skirts - one still with tags - that look so nice on her.  She also found a Nike sport shirt.

I LOVE shoe deals!  I found these adorable brown Circa shoes for Summer!  So great for fall and winter.  And I have been looking for a nice pair of brown slip-on flats...and I found these Croft and Barrow ones for $4.99!  Woo hoo!  Still building up my fall wardrobe. :)

In building my basic wardrobe, I have bought (all at Goodwill) a black, white and cream button down or zipper sweaters.  These are so great because you can mix and match and make many more outfits!  If you collect basic items and colors, you can expand your wardrobe very cheaply and easily.  Today, I found a great brown Croft and Barrow sweater to add to my wardrobe. :)

This was my favorite find...this adorable fall runner for my dining room table!  I love it!  And I found this cute coffee mug too!

The answer is...NO!  LOL!  What is nice about this mug is it has a lid to it and you can make it a travel mug.

Happy Thursday!

Yay for Wednesdays!

Whew...it has been a whirlwind.  Today is a down day...no appointments, etc.  Just stay at home and take care of home duties. :)  Which one is blogging because I have slacked. ;)

Friday, the girls woke up and started school at 6am.  LOL!  All for the love of camping. :)  Sierra and Addie went camping with their Papa Tastet overnight and had a great time.  Climbing on moonrocks, seeing dead people (which I found out was a cross with a name and date on it - LOL!), having s'mores and hot cocoa.  I love that my daughters have the opportunity to spend time with their Papa and they love it too.  My oldest called me while they were out and said, "Sierra shot right through the can and it came out the back!"  Yep, even though we have all girls, we do lots of fun, outdoors things.  Camping, fishing, shooting and hunting.  And yep, we even do them in skirts.  Ha ha!

After I dropped off the two girls with Papa, the other two and I cleaned the church for Sunday services.  We also took a full load of storage items over to our church's storage unit and cleared out  our church trailer.  My husband was doing a church visit that evening so I shared a Subway sub with Autumn and later watched a movie with my hubby.

Saturday was a busy day.  We had normal church visitation at 10am.  After that, we had two birthday parties that the girls were invited to.  After the parties, we went to Scheel's - an all-sport's store here.  My husband loves walking around and browsing.  He always takes the girls on the indoor ferris wheel while Summer and I look at the huge fish aquariums.  And then he let me browse their home/holiday section.  OOOHHH!  It was so beautiful!
We ended with buying a new grip for my revolver.  It is pink and has a laser. :)  Yes, I am in love! :)  (Part of my early Christmas present.)  I just love spending Saturdays with my husband.

Sunday was a busy one with a Teen Rally Car Wash following the morning service.  Singing practices, nursery duty, playing a piano special with my oldest daughter.  I love Sundays with my church family!

Monday, I was down with the flu.  Man, that thing hits very unexpectedly and very hard!  But you just drag yourself through it.  I had an appointment I couldn't miss...so I made it there and back.  I was so glad for Monday to just end.  LOL!

Tuesday, I spent the morning with the windows wide open cleaning and doing laundry.  It always feels good after a day of being sick to be able to do normal things and to clean and clean!!  :)  From 1-6pm, I babysat for a visiting missionary family that is Reno.  It is the Millers - missionaries to Mexico.  His mother attends our church when she is in town (she and her husband live in Guatemala but own a condo in Reno).  They recently gave birth to their 7th child up in Washington state and are heading back next week to return home to Mexico.  They had asked my husband if any of the church ladies could possibly watch their children while they did some errands around town.  I took yesterday.  Let me tell you - 10 kids was definitely a crazy five hours!  LOL!  But I enjoyed it and was glad to be a blessing to the Millers.  Sometimes you may think that the only way you can support a missionary is to give money to Faith Promise or to your missions program.  How about something like this?  It didn't cost me a dime - just my time.  And I am sure a break together for them was priceless. :)  

Do you know someone that could use a break today?  Could you make them a meal?  Do house cleaning for them?  Watch their children for them?  Rake their leaves or clean their gutters?  The list is endless.  Sometimes the opportunities will come to you and sometimes you will need to keep your eyes out for someone to bless.  No, not for money...but just for the good feeling that you will have in your heart. :)

Have a blessed day and take time to be someone's blessing!

Recap Of The Week and Recipe for Spiced Apple Cider...

Recap on our week...

Monday...just a very busy day of cleaning, laundry and much office work.  I accomplished a lot and that is a blessing!

Tuesday...was our monthly TLC Ladies Bible study.  Everyone brought a fall dish...there were many yummy things including apples and pumpkin.  I made a spiced apple cider - a recipe from Rachael Ray.

Spiced Apple Cider

1/2 gallon fresh apple cider

2 cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

1 piece (3 inches) lemon peel

Bring all ingredients to a simmer over medium high heat.  Lower the heat to medium low and cook, without boiling, for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and serve!

Our lesson was titled "Bump In The Night" - a lesson on why Christians fear and 8 steps to overcome your fears.

Wednesday and Thursday...more regular days at home.  Wednesday afternoon, I went couponing and enjoyed that!

Today...Addie and Sierra will be going camping for the night with their Papa Tastet.  I am meeting a church friend for lunch then cleaning the church for the week.  

Tomorrow...church visitation then two birthday parties in the afternoon.

Always a busy week! :)  Have a great weekend!

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Latte

I tried this recipe tonight and it was yummy!  All four of my daughters tried it and loved it as well. :)  Great for a fall time treat!

And the best part was I had my gourmet coffee drink without paying $5 to Starbucks. :)  And I had to rub it in by drinking it out of my Starbucks mug.  LOL!

Yield: Enough pumpkin spice mixture for 7 - 8 homemade lattes.

Ingredients:

For the pumpkin spice mixture:
• 1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree
• 2 c. whole milk
• 1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
• 1/3 c. brown sugar
• 2 T. pure vanilla extract
• 1 T. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground dried ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. allspice
To assemble the pumpkin spice latte:
• strong coffee
• slightly sweetened whipped cream
• cinnamon

Preparation:

In a blender, combine all the pumpkin spice mixture ingredients. Puree for about 30 seconds.

To assemble the pumpkin spice latte:

Pour 1/2 cup (more or less, depending on your preference) of the pumpkin spice mixture into a large mug. Microwave for about 20 seconds, then add 1 cup of hot strong brewed coffee and stir. Top with a nice lofty pile of sweetened whipped cream. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. And if you're looking for extra deliciousness, top with chocolate shavings. 

Pour the remaining pumpkin spice mixture into a quart jar or similar sized container and top with a lid. Store in the refrigerator. When ready to make another drink, shake the jar well and repeat the assembly of the pumpkin spice latte. The pumpkin spice mixture will keep well for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.