Ode to pumpkin

When you think of desserts on Thanksgiving what comes to mind? Most likely pumpkin pie, right? I know that people really really really love their pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving but for me I find it to be a little drab. This year I was in charge of desserts (which I usually am) and my family knows when they place that responsibility on me I don't stick to traditional. Our menu included a crisp apple pie with a dutch crumbled top, a delectable pumpkin crunch cake, and a pumpkin swirl cheesecake with a gingersnap/pecan crust. Yum.

You see, pumpkin can be transformed into a delicious masterpiece, why settle on plain pumpkin pie? So, without further ado: 

Pumpkin swirl cheesecake with a gingersnap/pecan crust

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.

Thanksgiving in Idaho!

For Thanksgiving this year we decided to make the trek up to Idaho to visit both sets of Deke's grandparents. We were up there for a week and spent the first half with the Madsen grandparents in Firth, Idaho and the second half with Grandpa Hill in Malad, Idaho. Luckily they were only about 2 hours apart. I took LOTS of pictures but here are some of the highlights from our trip. I know, its still a ton of pictures...

Here is a pretty view of Nevada on our way up. It took us about 16 hours to get there and not because of bad weather. We unfortunately had a tire blowout and spent 4 hours in a tire shop :(

We also had to stop a TON because these two have the tiniest bladders. Here they are making "yellow snow"....

and wet dirt.

I noticed along the way up that Tyler's tooth would flop in and out of his mouth while he was talking. It was so loose but he wouldn't let me pull it out.

Here is the Madsen's cute house in Firth!

So what do you do for fun while in a small town in Idaho???

You go to the nearest temple (Idaho Falls)....

chase birds....

hit snow off of trees with a stick.....

throw snowballs at cows using their you-know-what as a target.....

(Nice aim!)....

make snow angels.....

and then go inside the warm house to make popcorn balls!

Yummmmmm......

Tyler's tooth finally came out while in Firth and ya know what, the tooth fairy does come in below freezing temperatures while its a blizzard outside! We were worried about that...

Grandpa Madsen took us to the dairy farm next door and gave us a grand tour.

We even got to milk the cows by hand!

This was #14 on my bucket list, I was so excited to check it off!

Tyler was terrified at first but once he got in there he thought it was a blast!

Here is grandpa Madsen showing us his WWII uniform. He served in Japan.

Too big for Tyler....

and too small for Deke. Oh well...

We departed from Firth a day late due to a nasty blizzard but it was fun getting to know the Madsen grandparents!

On the way out I took some shots of the town. I just loved this barn!

I liked this one because I thought the snow looked like frosting...mmmm....

And now we are in Malad, Idaho. This little town was so breathtaking!

This is grandpa Hill's beautiful home.

Views from his home that left me in "awe"

Here I am feeding his horse Rock. He is 36 years old!

Gorgeous Malad sunset.

Every evening the setting sun would turn the surrounding mountains pink. The beauty was beyond words.

Tyler feeding Rock

Farmer Deke!

The Logan Temple

Deke and I had the opportunity to do a session in the Logan temple. It was a special experience because we were able to attend with grandpa Hill who works there twice a week.

Grandpa Hill, Deke's mom Cathy, and us.

Grandpa, Cathy, Larry, Deke, Kim, and Tyler.

Visiting Idaho was such a fun experience. Not only did I get to meet all of Deke's grandparents but also got to enjoy a beautiful state and have wonderful experiences. We want to plan a trip to go back sometime in the summer... Idaho was gorgeous covered in snow but I can't wait to see it all thawed out too!