Just In Time For Turkey Day...

Oh how I love this time of the year. Pumpkin yumminess everywhere. Here is a delicious cake that I make every year with a little pizzazz. Bon Appetit!


Pumpkin Cheesecake with Marshmallow-Sour Cream Topping and Gingersnap Crust


(photo by: Tim Morris)

For crust:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs (about 9 ounces)
1 cup pecans (about 3 1/2 ounces)
1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For filling:
4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups sugar
1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
5 large eggs
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

For topping:
2 cups mini marshmallows or large marshmallows cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream

PREPARATION

Crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Grind cookie crumbs, pecans, brown sugar, and ginger in processor until nuts are finely ground. Add butter; using on/off turns, process to blend. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; press onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan. Bake crust until set and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool completely.

Filling:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in pumpkin. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating on low speed to incorporate each addition. Add flour, spices, and salt; beat just to blend. Beat in vanilla. Transfer filling to cooled crust. Bake until filling is just set in center and edges begin to crack (filling will move slightly when pan is gently shaken), about 1 hour 20 minutes. Cool 1 hour. Run knife around sides of pan to release crust. Chill cheesecake uncovered in pan overnight.

Topping:
Stir marshmallows and milk in medium saucepan over low heat until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Cool marshmallow mixture to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

Add sour cream to marshmallow mixture; fold gently just to blend. Pour topping over cheesecake and spread evenly, leaving 1/2 inch uncovered around edges. Chill to set topping, at least 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Cheesecake can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

I <3 Shoes...

And these are currently the ones I am lusting over...

Jeffrey Campbell 99 Zip Wedge



Belle Sigerson Morrison Rock N Roll Pumps



Elizabeth James Button Back Sandal




Russell and Bromley Studded Ankle Boots




Oh how i love shoes.

Loving the studs of the season...

My favorite thing about this season is studs. I love pairing an edgy piece of jewelry with a girlie dress, tights and vintage lace-up boots. In fact I found a lovely leather cuff decorated with gold studs at the flea market today; it made me a happy girl. Here are some pieces that I love...


CC Skye Malibu Stud Ring



CC Skye Single Stud Patent Cuff


BE & D Richmond Studded Pumps

A Letter To Our President

Dear Mr. President,

It has been exactly a year since the historical and hopeful night of your election. I remember the feeling of hope and gratitude that I felt that night. It was a night where my faith in our country was restored. A night that I believed was gonna change the course that Mr. Bush had set us on. You stood on a stage in your home town in front of millions of Americans who had hopeful tears in their eyes. You spoke of the change that was gonna be made, the hard road that lay ahead, but that there was a "fierce urgency of now." I will give you credit in that our country has fallen into a pit of destruction thanks to good ol' G Dubya, but Mr. President you have yet to complete even one of the tasks that you had promised us Americans you were gonna do as our President. Our soldiers are still in Afghan and Iraq with a probability that more will be sent into Afghan, our healthcare system is no different and millions of Americans still cannot get proper healthcare, the economy is still hurting and millions of Americans are still out of work, and let's not forget that you said that your White House would not have lobbyists working in it yet they are in there. You aren't throwing our country further down the pit, but the morale of it's people is sinking. You need to do something Mr. President and live up to the promises you made. You are the President after all. You have what it takes, after all, you were the first African American to be elected. Now all you have to do is use that power in the way that got you elected. I don't know how much longer I can make excuses for you. I don't know how much longer the American people will have hope for you. Don't have your only legacy be that you were the first black president. You are better than that. I believe in you.