music...my morning jacket

my morning jacket, "same in any language" (from the movie "elizabethtown")

music...mason jennings

mason jennings, "be here now"

music...florence and the machine

florence and the machine, "shake it out"

pumpkin cheesecake...

crust:
1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 T light brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1 stick melted butter

filling:
3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese (at room temp)
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
3 eggs plus one egg yolk
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1 t pumpkin pie spice
2 T flour
1 t vanilla extract

for crust:

in bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and butter and press down flat into 9 inch spring form pan.  set aside.

for filling:

beat cream cheese until smooth.  add pumpkin, eggs, sour cream, sugar and spices.  then add flour and vanilla and beat until well combined and smooth.  pour into crust and bake at 350 for one hour.  remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes then cover with plastic wrap and put in fridge for at least 4 hours.

music...gotye

gotye, "somebody that i used to know"

impossible pumpkin pie...

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup bisquick mix
2 T butter
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
2 eggs
2 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
3 t vanilla extract
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin

mix all ingredients together until smooth and bake at 350 until toothpick comes out clean (approx 35 min.)

quote...

"i feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people"
~vincent van gough

chocolate orange biscotti

when i went to napa recently, i brought back some vanilla lavendar shortbread cookies.  they were delicious with tea, so i was inspired to make a recipe i have always wanted to try...

ingredients:

2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 T grated orange zest
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cup flour
1 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

mix sugar, oil, orange zest, vanilla and eggs together in large bowl.  stir in dry ingredients in batches and knead dough on floured surface.

shape dough in long narrow rectangle.

bake 25-30 minutes at 350.  when toothpick comes out clean, cut loaf into crosswise 1 inch slices.  place cut sides down on cookie sheet until crisp and golden.

for extra decadence, you can even dip half the biscotti into melted chocolate.

music...joy formidable

joy formidable, "heavy abacus"

energy bites...

i have seen this recipe on pinterest and got to try them at my friend meg's house.  she makes them regularly for her and her daughter for an on the go breakfast and a quick snack.  they are delicious and easy to make.

ingredients:
~2 cups quick oats
~1/2 cup ground flaxseed
~1/3 cup honey
~1/2 cup peanut butter ( i used crunchy natural peanut butter, less sugar!)
~1/2 cup raisins
~1 t. vanilla extract
~dash of cinnamon

combine all ingredients together in mixer, and roll into one inch balls (approximately 2 dozen).  store in air tight container and refrigerate for up to one week.

you can get creative with this recipe and add toasted coconut, chocolate chips, or any other dried fruit.