Introducing....The Humphrey Humbugs.

This is HILARIOUS!!!! Click HERE

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Ok, so I have a confession, I do not like Pumpkin Pie. I know, completely un-American. I found this recipe 2 years ago and made it and LOVED IT! It is delicious! I thought that I would pass it on for all of you to try. It is wonderful!

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

• 1 Graham Cracker Crust
• 1 Can of Pumpkin Pie filling
• 2 8oz packages of cream cheese (softened for 15-20 secs in the microwave)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup of Sugar (or 1/2 cup Splenda, 1/4 cup Sugar)
• 1tsp of Pumpkin Pie Spice (or 1tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger and 1/4 tsp cloves)

Preheat oven to 350. Beat cream cheese with a mixer until whipped and fluffy. Slowly add sugar mixture and continue to beat until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, and Pumpkin Pie Spice and mix until combined. Stir in the Pumpkin pie filling until well combined. Pour mixture in pie crust and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the center of the pie is almost set. Cool completely and refrigerate until cold.

We serve this with whipped cream on top and a dash of cinnamon. It is fabulous.

Enjoy!

Ciao!

***FYI: this recipe is on the back of the label on the graham cracker crust - don't remember the brand.

***The recipe for the cupcakes pictured above can be found HERE

ATTN: AHS Class of 98

Since most of the people who read my blog are fellow AHS Band Geeks, I figured I would pass this on. I was reading the Decatur Daily online and found this article: http://decaturdaily.com/stories/162.html Some of you may have already heard about it, but if you haven't I thought that I would pass it on. Pray for his family, this is an especially difficult year to lose someone. On a lighter note, check back later today for a FANTASTIC recipe for Thanksgiving! Ciao!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello all, I know, it has been a while since I posted. SORRY!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I have to admit, I have a lot of mixed emotions about this Thanksgiving. One year ago, I never could have imagined what the coming year would bring. I am so very thankful that I had one last Thanksgiving with my Dad and Nonie. Thanksgiving was always my Dad's holiday. I always loved coming home the night before Thanksgiving and helping get everything ready for the HUGE meal to come. Waking up to the smells of Barbecue, Fried, and Baked turkeys that my Dad had spent the night preparing, I never realized just how much happiness was wrapped up in the little details.

I have thought a lot lately about everything that 2007 has brought. I have come to the conclusion that I am very blessed. I am struck with the realization that the reason that the year has been so painful is because I have lost such important parts of my life but that the reason it hurts so much is because I was fortunate enough to love and be loved as much as I am. Wow, how blessed I am. I am blessed that I had people in my life that I cared so much about, and who cared so much about me. I am blessed that I have a Mother who is so strong and thankful that she and I have each other to lean on. I am blessed that I have such a close knit family, that when one of us is ripped away, the others work together to patch the gaps. I am blessed to have friends who stand next to me, with no questions asked. I am blessed to have a husband, who has never left my side, has willingly taken on the emotional care of both my Mom and I and who helps me remember how to breathe on days when I forget. I am blessed to have had a Dad for 27 years and 22 days that daily showed me what it means to love unconditionally and who loved me more in the 9,877 days of my life than some people have in a lifetime. I am blessed to have had such profound losses. I am blessed to have just one more minute with the people that I love.

Don't get me wrong, I miss my Dad and Nonie with every ounce of my being. Some days it is almost more than I can handle. I always imagined seeing my Dad with my kids and was looking forward to the day that I could tell Nonie that she was going to be a Great Grandmother. I am not so much sad for me, I am sad for my children, who will never know what a precious, precious gift that their Grandfather and Nonie were.

I didn't write this post to be a downer, I hope that you all know that I am so thankful for you and you are each a Blessing on my life.

"What a difference a year makes"...wow is that true! I must admit, I am ready for 2007 to be over, but I am excited about all the new blessings to come in 2008. I only pray, that I can find the blessings in my life, even on days where they are hard to find.

Phantom, Better Late Than Never

• So I a little late posting Phantom pictures, better late than never right?!?

• Here are 2 pictures from Phantom.

• The first one is Sarah Grace and Victoria in front of the fountain. I know, they look like they are 20...scary!

• The second one is Kevin and I in front of the same fountain. Kevin isn't really mad, he just chose not to smile...I don't know why...he got to hang out at a Broadway show with 3 women. (HE HE HE) Love you Kevpo!