Well, after much consideration (and with Heather’s help) I have decided on my pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving.  I was going back and forth between several recipes, and I finally pulled my favorite part of each recipe and created my own, personally crafted pumpkin cheesecake.  See what you think : )

Crust:
1/4 lb. gingersnaps (about 20 small cookies)
1/3 cup pecan halves
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
2/3 cup NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
(I may add 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)

Topping:
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch springform pan.

To make the crust, in a food processor, combine the gingersnaps and pecans and process until crumbly. Add the brown sugar and melted butter and pulse for a few seconds to blend. Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan. Use your fingers to pat the mixture into the bottom and evenly all the way up the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

BEAT cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and evaporated milk. Add cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg; beat well. Pour into crust.

BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly.

COMBINE sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of springform pan.

Top with candied pecans when serving.

This is a great site for giving group gifts.

Say you want to give your boss a gift card from everyone in the office for Christmas.  All you have to do is go to www.fromeveryone.com, select your store of choice, and notify your co-workers to start contributing!  On a day selected by you, the card is wrapped up with the contributed amount loaded on it and shipped straight to your boss.  It doesn’t get much easier than that!

I just read about these amazing(ly overpriced) boots, and I had to share.  Think Uggs + rain protection and you have MoovBoots!  They’re straight out of Australia, so naturally they have the sheepskin lining (must be an Australia thing), yet they’re galoshes too!  If I could justify spending $200 for these guys, they’d be in my closet today : )

Well guys, I got all excited about my pumpkin cheesecake that I started looking around at different recipes, and now I’m in a bind.  I have two recipies here… one’s much more involved that the other… and I can’t decide between them.

Real Simple published this recipe in a recent article.  It’s very simple (hence, “real simple”) and was my initial pick for my Thanksgiving contribution.

Now I’ve found this Williams Sonoma cheesecake that seems to have a more spiced flavor (and the picture looks incredible), BUT it’s much more involved.

I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover (or a recipe by it’s picture) but this is a tough one!

Anyone have any suggestions?

The Holidays are quickly approaching, and there is one is particular I’m most excited about… Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is by far my favorite Holiday, and this year I will be celebrating with my immediate family at our humble abode.  I can’t wait for our family to be together, the amazing spread of food, and, best yet, the Pumpkin Cheesecake and Nutty Peanut Butter Caramel Bars I’m going to be bringing (it’s not Thanksgiving without the sweets)!  So, until then, I’m just going to count down the days (16)!

This speech presented to the Liberty University graduating class just one week ago.  Rep. McEwen explained in simple terms why the upcoming presidential election is so important and why Christians need to vote to protect their freedoms.  Each and every American needs to hear this speech before they vote.

Watch.

Today is an historical day; a day that will live in history.  Today will determine the 44nd President of the United States of America.  Each and every American citizen must use this opportunity to be heard through out the country, if not the world.  If you don’t make it to the polls today, and you’re guy doesn’t come out on top tomorrow - you have no one to blame but yourself.  So, find your polling location now, figure out which candidate you believe will keep our country safe, prosperous, and healthy, and VOTE!

Once you’ve voted, wear that “I VOTED” sticker with pride.  You can even get 20 percent off full priced merchandise at Mitzi & Romano (1038 North Highland Avenue; 404-876-7228) or a free Celebrate America meal (3 chicken tenders, fries, and a drink) for the first 300 people, no sticker necessary, at Shane’s Rib Shack.

So hurry up!  The world is waiting.

Wishing everybody and safe and happy Halloween!

Carve your own digital pumpkin!

Well, I’ve been working on branding myself (aka: my little business) for years now.  I have finally come up with a logo that I think works well.

What do you all think??

I have  been craving a Boo-Nilla Shake ever since I saw this recipie.  I WILL make this some time before Halloween!

Makes six 8-ounce servings

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 pints vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar