Fall...what a great time of year!

I just love the fall, cool evenings, sometimes nice days, thanksgiving and Halloween. The colors are so rich and inspiring.


This past weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving and I have to share with you all, my favorite Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe. It tradition in our family and very easy to make. If any of you get the What's Cooking Magazine from Kraft you may already have the recipe. If you don't get this magazine you should, just visit Kraftkitchens.com and register and quarterly you will receive the magazine FREE! There are always easy meals ideas and I look forward to getting it every season.

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake


Prep:20 min   Total: 5 hours including refrigerating


18 Peek Freans Ginger Crisps (1 sleeve crushed)
1/4 cup finely chopped Pecans
1/4 cup butter melted
3 pks (250g) Cream Cheese
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 tsp Vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Dash ground cloves


**** I have used Pumpkin Pie Spice in place of the above spices and it works great****


Preheat oven at 350 degrees (300 degrees if using dark pan). Combine cookie crumbs, pecans and butter. Press into the bottom of 9" springform pan.


Beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended.


Remove approx 1 cup of batter; place in a small bowl. Stir remaining 1/4 cup sugar, pumpkin and spices into remaining batter. Spoon pumpkin batter into crust; top with spoonfuls of reserved plain batter. Cut through batters with knife  to create a swirl effect.


Bake 45 min. or until centre is almost set. Cool completely. refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.


Enjoy!

Now our next event Halloween! My sister is a HUGE fan of Halloween, but this year my sister will be traveling with me to the Houston Quilt Market. I will be going as a buyer for the store, taking classes and learning new stuff! My sister is coming to keep me company and give her opinion when needed. The trip is right over Halloween though. Sooo... we are planning a pumpkin carving party for the weekend before we go. So this weekend my Mom, Sister and I got the ball rolling. We love the harvest side of  Halloween and enjoy seeing kids picking their pumpkins and just being with friends! Have you guys met my sister yet? I don't think so, everyone meet my sister Miriam.

This picture was taken a couple years ago when we went to Mexico. These are Ridley Turtles that were just hatched and being rescued by a Sea Turtle Conservation Centre. It was  a special treat to get to hold the turtles!

Anyway back to Halloween. I pulled out my Cuddlebug and we made our invites. I have to say it was fun to work with a different craft medium!  Here's a pic of  our invitation.

Just as I'm finishing up my blog, I just got the call that my friends Maria and Michael are going to have their baby tomorrow! I better get going I'm watching their son Matias while they do their check in today for c-section. A new baby, no better blessing! Have a great day everyone.

Natasha