Our Tiny Nest

11 In food/ halloween

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate and ideas for a Hocus Pocus Party

Sistahsss! Who is excited for the release of Hocus Pocus 2? I know we can’t wait! Today I’m sharing some really fun ideas to have your own Hocus Pocus Watch Party. This pumpkin spice hot chocolate is the perfect witches brew to sip on while you watch. And the addition of any whiskey or bourbon or your favorite spirit will have you saying “woppo boppo I’m in trouble”. Scroll down for my pumpkin spice hot chocolate recipe and more ideas for a Hocus Pocus party.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Homemade hot chocolate with pumpkin and spices makes it velvety and perfect for fall. Put all ingredients in the crockpot and it’s ready in an hour!

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream or half and half
2 cups milk
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup pumpkin puree (make sure it’s puree, not pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin spice extract or 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice (I like the extract because you can add it to other beverages)

Directions:

Combine all of your ingredients in the crockpot and whisk together.

Cook on high for 1 hour, stirring occasionally then place on keep warm.

Add some Rumchata, whiskey, bourbon or Fireball to really spice it up 🙂

Serve in these little cauldrons for a festive Hocus Pocus watch party or Halloween party. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Or add one of these Halloween peep marshmallows.

I love to see what you create! So if you try this recipe, be sure to take a photo and tag me on Instagram @ourtiny_nest!

Linking some of my hot cocoa makings below:

For more Halloween ideas check out

My Halloween Finds

My Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars

Halloween Boo Buckets

Pumpkin Spice Snack Mix

Here are some more Hocus Pocus Ideas from some of my friends!

Hocus Pocus Bart Cart – Tuesday’s on Jasmine

This is a must for any of your parties! Click to see how they assembled it

Jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers – The Cymbal Life

These look so easy to make! Healthy too!

Skeleton candy board – Ambushed with Boys

This is almost too pretty to eat!

Brownie Witch Cauldrons – Young at Heart Mom

Click to see how to make them! These are adorable

And one more for the road because this is hysterical and if you don’t get it then you’re not a true Hocus Pocus fan.

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September 28, 2022 By Nicolle

2 In Nesting

Nesting

Nesting on the first fall Saturday.

This past weekend my sister and I went to the Apple and Wine Fest. We go every year and have so much fun wine tasting and getting in the mood for fall. If you’ve never tried wine from the Finger Lakes it typically is sweeter with that concord grape flavor. Very different from my usual dry Squealing Pig Sauvvy B.

Have you guys seen the viral butter boards? It’s basically a board slathered with delicious butter and herbs and things for dipping bread. Just google it and you will see them all.

So this may be TMI but we’re all friends here. This week I joined the bidet club and I am never going back. Seriously. Life changing 🙂

True Crime fans if you have not seen Dahmer on Netflix, what are you doing with your life? Binge it this weekend! It is phenomenal and now I’m re-watching it for a second time. The acting is amazing, the soundtrack, everything.

Did you catch my latest recipe? It’s this easy sheet pan gnocchi with sausage and butternut squash. Literally so easy to make and such a comforting fall meal. Click here for my recipe.

I shared my Halloween Finds yesterday on the blog. There’s some really fun things including those 3-D bats that have been a favorite for the past 3 years. I am also obsessed with the skeleton wine glass. You can see them all here.

Did you know that every time you guys share photos with my ideas or recipes I have a highlight on my Instagram stories where I save them? Click here to head to my Instagram.

This upcoming week I’m sharing some ideas for a Hocus Pocus watch party. I plan to make a beverage and I asked you guys in my IG stories if you wanted it to be kid friendly or just for the adults. After talking to a few of you I think I’m gonna have two versions, so stay tuned 🙂

And now for some fun inspiration from some of my friends. There’s so many things that I loved this week!

This pumpkin ice bucket is perfect for your fall or Thanksgiving entertaining.

This outdoor jack-o-lantern topiary is sooo cute! You know I love a good topiary.

Jen made the sweetest pumpkin garland! I love it!

And last but certainly not least, this pumpkin tiered tray which would be perfect for all your fall treats.

Have a great week friends!

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September 24, 2022 By Nicolle

2 In halloween/ holidays

Halloween Finds

This post contains affiliate links

Halloween has got to be one of my favorite times of the year. I was never super into it as a kid but now I love adding some spooky things around the house and making some tricks or treats for the kids. Here are some of my favorite Halloween finds this year! Scroll down to see them all. And as always, click the links to shop.

Halloween Finds

Bats – these have been a favorite and top seller for the past 3 years.

Witch Hats – This is another decor idea I love! Deck out your house or the front porch with these hanging witch hats. I love how my friend Karin decorated her front porch with these so check out her post if you need inspiration.

Floating candles – I am obsessed with these and may have to get these to decorate the hallway or our dining room!

Hocus Pocus coffee – I just bought this. Now I can sip my coffee and say “Oh look what a glorious morning!”

Hocus Pocus game – and who knew there was a Hocus Pocus game? This just got delivered to my house so I have yet to play but seems like fun!

Googly eye sprinkles – these are a must have for all of your Halloween baking. Check out my Halloween yogurt bark or these leftover Halloween candy cookie bars.

Skeleton wine glasses – because drinking wine or your witch’s brew out of this glass would just taste so much better!

Spiders – last year I got a bunch of these spiders and put them in our soap bottles. The kids loved it! Click here to see it! And now my skin feels like it’s crawling.

I’ve got tons of cute Halloween pajamas all linked here!

And this is a fun idea for your friends and neighbors!

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September 23, 2022 By Nicolle

12 In food/ Recipes/ Uncategorized

Sheet pan gnocchi with sausage and butternut squash

If you’re looking for an easy comforting weeknight meal, this sheet pan gnocchi is where it’s at. Crispy pillowy gnocchi with sausage, butternut squash and spinach topped with shredded gruyere cheese and the best part, it’s ready in 30 minutes! Scroll down for my easy sheet pan gnocchi recipe. And for another one of my favorite fall sheet pan recipes, click here.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Butternut Squash

Ingredients:

1 bag of gnocchi (I used Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi but you can use any kind)
1 package of sweet italian chicken sausage, cut into chunks.
1 butternut squash, cubed
1/2 red onion diced
1 cup of brussel sprouts, shaved or sliced thin
olive oil
garlic
salt/pepper
sage leaves, roughly chopped
1 bag fresh baby spinach
gruyere cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

On a large baking sheet, spread out the gnocchi, sausage, butternut squash, onion and brussel sprouts. Drizzle with olive oil, chopped garlic, salt and pepper and toss. Sprinkle with fresh sage.

Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, flipping occasionally so it can roast evenly.

Remove from the oven after 20-25 minutes and add the fresh baby spinach to the sheet pan. Sprinkle with shredded gruyere cheese.

Place back in the oven and broil for 5-10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and everything is golden brown.

Remove from the oven and serve. Top with additional shredded cheese.

Enjoy!!!!

I love to see what you create so if you make this recipe be sure to take a photo and tag me on Instagram @ourtiny_nest!

For more of my favorite easy weeknight meals check out

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Sheet pan gnocchi with sausage and butternut squash

This is an easy, comforting sheet pan dinner. Crispy pillowy gnocchi with roasted sausage and butternut squash ready in 30 minutes!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Course Main Course

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

1 bag gnocchi
1 butternut squash chopped
1 package sweet Italian chicken sausage
1/2 red onion diced
1 cup brussels sprouts shaved or sliced thin
olive oil
garlic
salt/pepper
fresh sage leaves
1 package fresh baby spinach
shredded gruyere cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
On a large baking sheet, spread out the gnocchi, sausage, butternut squash, onion and brussel sprouts. Drizzle with olive oil, chopped garlic, salt and pepper and toss. Sprinkle with fresh sage.
Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, flipping occasionally so it can roast evenly.
Remove from the oven after 20-25 minutes and add the fresh baby spinach to the sheet pan. Sprinkle with shredded gruyere cheese.
Place back in the oven and broil for 5-10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and everything is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and serve. Top with additional shredded cheese.
Enjoy!