Happy Halloween

Well, its that time of year again where all the little ghosts and goblins come out of hiding and spend the one day that makes us all kids again. We have decorated the Inn with all kinds of Fall trappings. There are mums, pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks and just before Oct. 31st we put out the lighted Jack-O-Lanterns. I am probably the biggest kid of them all and can't wait to greet all the trick or treaters that will come to visit.

October and Halloween are great times to be in the Hudson Valley. During October there will be a Halloween Breakfast at Rogowski Farm from 8AM-Noon featuring Cheryl Rogowski's Farm Breakfasts, each weekend. The breakfasts feature farm fresh eggs, spectacular pancakes, and other farm menu favorites. Because Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, you are invited to come dressed in costume! Prizes and fun for all. For more info, call 845-258-4574.

The Greenwood Lake Merchants Guild is having a Halloween event on Thursday, Oct 30th between 3:30 - 6:30. There will be trick or treating at the Windermere Avenue merchants. The Fire Dept Halloween Parade will start at 6:30 pm and march down Windermere Avenue and finish at the Elks Club, where there will be games and food.

Also, please join us for the Warwick Valley Humane Society 1st Annual Walk-A-Thon and Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Parade on Sunday October 31st at 11:00 a.m. at the Warwick Town Park. For more info and for sponsor sheets contact warwickhumanesociety@gmail.com or call the animal shelter at 845- 986-2473.

Don't forget the great farmer's markets on Sundays in Warwick down behind Railroad Ave. You can get everything from fresh produce to beautiful flowers to great baked goods, all from the Warwick Valley area.

And it may be too late for apple picking, but pumpkin picking is in full force at the area farms. There's Apple Ridge Orchards, Manno Farm, Applewood Orchards and Pennings Orchards to name a few. And the wineries are open for your wine tasting pleasure.

Well now its time for my favorite part of the blog. My recipe for Halloween is a pumpkin cheesecake. Rich and pumpkiny this will be a favorite at your holiday table. Hope you enjoy it.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

CRUST:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup granulated sugar

PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
COMBINE graham cracker crumbs, butter and granulated sugar in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
CHEESECAKE:
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 can (15 oz.) Pure Pumpkin

2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz can) Evaporated Milk

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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 for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly.

TOPPING:
1 container (16 oz.) sour cream, at room temperature

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
COMBINE sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of springform pan.

This makes about 16 slices unless you are like Bill and I and then it will make 8 slices. Oh, ok, so I'm a pig. (smile)

Well folks, the next time you hear from me it will be close to Thanksgiving and I will certainly share with you whats going on around here. And I might have pics of the semi-finished addition.

But meanwhile, from Bill and I, Happy Halloween, Happy Fall and wonderful blessings for the beginning of a wonderful holiday season.