Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Link and Zelda

and Gangster Bret and Flapper Summer







































Christian won 1st place for his Link costume!

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Steph

Once upon a time Stephanie had a craving for Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes! I rushed over as fast as a Julie can rush (which means I was about 30 min late) to help make the craving a reality. We mixed and stirred and whipped up a frenzy of deliciousness. We "accidentally" dipped our fingers into the batter several times to taste and make sure all was tasting magical. It was.

While the magic of Pumpkin Cheesecake baking was happening in the oven Steph and Julie had a fantastical idea!

What if we dared to make a caramel pecan sauce and were brave enough to drizzle it on top of our mini cheesecakes... would the magic pumpkin police arrest us for fear people would begin slaughtering every pumpkin in sight to make their own mini cheesecakes?! We dreamed the dream and once that started we could not be stopped. Throwing caution to the wind we drizzled and drizzled until we could drizzle no more.

My friends, we created perfection!

And then stuffed our faces while watching an uplifting Sunday Drama;)

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes


2 8oz pkgs cream cheese (use Philadelphia its the best!)
3/4 C sugar

2 eggs

1/2 C pumpkin puree
1tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Use aluminum foil baking cups and drop a vanilla wafer or ginger snap cookie into the bottom of each cup. Fill 2/3 full of batter and bake at 350 for 20 min.

Caramel Pecan "magic" Sauce


1/2 C dark brown sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
2 Tbl Butter
1/8 tsp salt

3/4 C toasted pecans
1/4 C whipping cream
1tsp vanilla

Serve over Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Scofield Cabin

We went with a few friends to Scofield to stay in a really nice cabin by the reservoir. It was peaceful and relaxing with a side of gorgeous views. Incidentally it was also my Birthday! This was a really good way to spend a Birthday Weekend.

Slingshot in the Back yard.

Snuggles with the Brown's puppies Miley and Illy.

Fireside Chitchats.

Did I mention the views?

Reading fashion mags.

Thank you Browns for inviting us.

Mr. Staub

I debated over which French Cocotte to get and after much thought and consideration (many wise tips were given by a certain brother-in-law chef;) I finally decided.

Meet Mr. Staub

He is a beautiful addition to our table and looks really good with delicious food inside of him.

Come on over for dinner!

Pumpkin Steamers

Whilst I gather blog pictures from recent activities I am sipping this.

Be jealous... very jealous.

Now go make your own.

Pumpkin Steamers:

Piping hot milk frothed to perfection with a dollop of pumpkin pie paste mixed in.

To make lots o Pumpkin Pie paste mix together:

4T canned pumpkin

4T brown sugar

1T vanilla paste

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice