GIVING THANKS

I've been so crazy busy lately that I thought while I had a quiet moment it would be a good time to reflect. I love Thanksgiving and the simplicity of it, just a great dinner and being together! Great time to count your blessings. I am so thankful for my husband, my three children, family, friends, and of course my two crazy dogs. I am also thankful for Etsy this year and am looking foward to what the future will bring! I'm also looking forward to Black Friday and Cyber Monday!!

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart


Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake

"This is a wonderful pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust. The gingersnap really does make a difference."
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Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, mix together the crushed gingersnap cookies, pecans, and butter. Press into the bottom, and about 1 inch up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake crust 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Set aside to cool.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla just until smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time, blending well after each. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture. Blend 1/4 cup sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the remaining mixture.
3. Spread the pumpkin flavored batter into the crust, and drop the plain batter by spoonfuls onto the top. Swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
4. Bake 55 minutes in the preheated oven, or until filling is set. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Allow to cool before removing pan rim. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.