As promised (book club), here is my pumpkin cheesecake recipe. An old friend named Jenn made this for us one Thanksgiving probably 10 years ago and still, every year when the weather starts to chill and Halloween comes to a close, the husband and I start to crave this cheesecake. Here is the catch...I don't like cheesecake (I mean everyone likes cheesecake, but I can turn it down, unlike many other confectionaries) and I don't like pumpkin pie, but somehow this combo is irresistible to us. Oh, and it is the easiest, fool-proof cheesecake I've ever baked. So, try it out this Thanksgiving or any old Wednesday when you need some comfort. (I hear Oprah and the words 'emotional eater' in my head when I say that). I am not going to tell you what I have for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving!
I think I will start a recipe segment, cooking is right brained, yeah?....and share any good recipes I try and love...bon appetite!
Crust: 1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. butter
Combine. Press into 9" cheesecake pan and half way up the sides. Bake 350 6-8 minutes. Don't let it brown. Remove and cool.
Cheesecake: 1 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
16 oz. can of pumpkin
1 1/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
2 eggs
3 pkgs cream cheese (softened)
5 oz. can evaporated milk
2 T. cornstarch
Beat cream cheese, sugar, br. sugar until fluffy. Beat in pumpkin & eggs & milk. Add cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg. Beat well. Pour into crust. Bake 350 55-60 minutes until edge looks set.
Topping: 1 t. vanilla
2 c. sour cream (room temperature)
1/4 c. sugar
Combine in a small bowl. Spread over warm cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes more. Cool on rack. Chill for several hours or overnight.
3 Little Birds for Terzian Gallery 'Small Works' Holiday Show. 'Glass Nest', 'Morning Bird', 'Salt, Pepper, and Cornmeal'. After painting the last one (glass nest), I think I will do more of ceramic birds in all kinds of "nests". These are all 8 x 10" which is a fine size for small shows. I have one more gallery small show to paint for. I love the small format for a change, they are immediate and I feel so productive when I finish one during a baby nap.....
These are the paintings I took this week to a Holiday Show at the Bountiful/Davis art center. It is for works under $500. I have never done this show before but I love the idea. Every artist also donates an ornament for the Artists' Tree. I actually like the ornament....maybe I will make some for my tree with my favorite paintings. The cute frame was only $4. The paintings are 8 x 10" and are an extension of the booties I painted for my new nephew. I am liking the small paintings of shoes straight on. I seem to lose interest quick so I don't know how many little shoe paintings I will actually end up doing.
As promised (book club), here is my pumpkin cheesecake recipe. An old friend named Jenn made this for us one Thanksgiving probably 10 years ago and still, every year when the weather starts to chill and Halloween comes to a close, the husband and I start to crave this cheesecake. Here is the catch...I don't like cheesecake (I mean everyone likes cheesecake, but I can turn it down, unlike many other confectionaries) and I don't like pumpkin pie, but somehow this combo is irresistible to us. Oh, and it is the easiest, fool-proof cheesecake I've ever baked. So, try it out this Thanksgiving or any old Wednesday when you need some comfort. (I hear Oprah and the words 'emotional eater' in my head when I say that). I am not going to tell you what I have for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving!
Don't be scared. These are our shrunken heads. Me and my 2 older muses carved these apples, then baked them all night and woke up to some seriously creepy faces. We were all laughing as we were gluing on the teeth. They are funny and scary and hanging above our kitchen table. I told the muses we could make these every year and by the time they are adults we could have hundreds of them. Do I have to take them down now that Halloween is over? Maybe they could double as Easter decorations. hmmmmm.
For my birthday a few weeks ago, I asked for a photograph by my photographer sister, Amanda. She has great ones of my Grandma. When Grandma Muse saw this she screamed and sayed "Ahhh! It looks like I saw a ghost"..I think she looks pretty and sweet and I love the composition. Thank you Amanda (& Mom who paid her for it). I am featuring Amanda in my 'Artist to Look Up' so check her out.
