Giving Thanks

This year we are thankful for:

Surprise visits from IdahoSweet CousinsElsie, Jackson, AvaGood FoodJeffrey, Caitlin, Janeen, Jacks, & BrentMom, Dad, and ChrisWarm Clothes
A Fun Family

And last but certainly not least, Pumpkin Cheesecake

Aunt Dee Dee's Famous Pumpkin Cheesecake

CRUST
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
TOPPING
2 cups sour cream, room temperature (16 oz. carton)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
CHEESECAKE
3 packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups canned pumpkin (15 oz.)
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crust- Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in medium bowl. Press onto the bottom and I inch up side of a 9"spring-form pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 6 to 8 minutes. Do not allow to brown. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Keep in pan while cooling.

Cheesecake- Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and evaporated milk. Add cornstarch,cinnamon and nutmeg: beat well. Pour into crust. Bake at 350 for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly.(put cookie sheet on bottom rack underneath so mixture doesn't drip on bottom of oven. Put cheesecake pan on middle rack above.

Topping- Combine sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake. Bake for an additional 5 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack. Chill for several hours or overnight. Remove side of spring-form pan before slicing.

As a side note, I was responsible for making the cheesecake (which was totally worth the time and effort, mmm...) and Ryan was responsible for getting the drinks. He was sent to the store to get a variety of different sodas, and he came back with 3 different kinds of Root Beer - A&W, Barq's, and Mug...his idea of "variety" apparently.

PS: This year I am also thankful for courage. I went into my hair dresser looking like this:

And feeling a little like this:

But I came out looking like this:

A wedge with chestnut color and caramel highlights, it sounds more like a dessert than a hairstyle but I am loving it so far.

So if you know this guy:

You'll know what I mean when I say this:

"WOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

What a great Thanksgiving!