Pumpkin Cheesecake(Gluten Free)

I just thought I'd share with you a recipe that got a lot of mileage this past holiday season. I must have made it 5 times. It was definitely a hit amongst my friends and family. It's really easy to make, just make sure you remember to allow 6 hours to chill in the fridge and the good thing about it is that it is Gluten free! I like mine with a sprinkling of shredded dark chocolate and whipped cream. Here's the yummy recipe...
  

Ingredients:

Servings:

  12   12

12

Units: US | Metric

CRUST

• 1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs , from Midel brand gluten free gingersnaps
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar

FILLING

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese , room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (not imitation vanilla)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• pecan halves , for garnishing

Directions:

1. 1
   FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap outside of a 9-inch diameter springform pan with foil to catch drips. Place Midel brand gingershaps into a 1-gallon plastic freezer bag and crush with a rolling pin. Measure out the 1 1/2 cups and combine them with the butter and sugar in a bowl. Press mixture into bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of the springorm pan. Bake crust about 5 minutes until slightly darkened. Set aside. Maintain oven temperature.
2. 2
   FOR FILLING: Blend the room temperature cream cheese and sugar in a food pocessor or heavy duty mixer until smooth. Add pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, and spices. Mix or Process until very smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl for a nice homogenous mixture. Pour the filling into the crust.
3. 3
   Bake cheesecake until the center is set (doesn't slosh around AT ALL in the middle when the pan is wiggled) and edges begin to crack, about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Cool in the springormpan on a rack. Chill uncovered until cold, at least 6 hours. (Can be made a day ahead, cover and keep it chilled, but don't make it any more than a day in advance.).
4. 4
   Run a knife around between the crust and side pan sides; remove sides. Arrange pecans decoratively on cake.
5. 5
   Great served plain or with a dollop of real whipped cream spiked with whiskey.

www.BeStagedOrlando.com

Merry Christmas To All!

As I am writing this post, it is a week before Christmas and I strangely feel quite calm and prepared for the events of the upcoming week. The shopping and wrapping is all pretty much done and I am surrounding by festive decorations and the beauty of tiny, sparkling white lights nestled inside our Christmas tree.


Today I planned my Christmas dinner from right out of the pages of Clean Eating's Nov/Dec issue. On the menu we will be feasting on Turkey with Fig, Apple and Sage Stuffing, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Souffled Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Beet and Green Bean Salad and for desert, the ever so yummy Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake. Thank you Clean Eating Magazine!!!


Here are some pictures of the holiday decorations around my house. I have my village set high up on a plant shelf all along the whole back side of our living room wall. It looks pretty at night when it's dark and all the lights are on.




 My dining table centerpiece is different this year. I usually have a floral arrangement but instead I used my large nutcracker and two candles for a change.


Below is my outdoor floral display that I have on each side of my front door. I sincerely hope you are able to relax and take in all that this season has to offer. Enjoy the decorations!

From My Family to Yours... 

Merry Christmas To All and To All A Good Night!

www.BeStagedOrlando.com

ALOHA From BE STAGED!!!

Today my home staging company Be Staged participated in the annual Saint Cloud Holiday Parade. The theme of the parade was the "50 US States" and we represented the beautiful state of Hawaii. 

We decorated the car in a grass skirt and had a palm tree sitting on top of the van surrounded by a bunch of wrapped presents. Thankfully I had a crew of helpers to help drive my van and hand out candy, marketing flyers and goodies attached to my business card. It was a fun morning and the weather was perfect!

Me and my awesome friend Carrie preparing the marketing handouts the night before.

The palm tree and presents on top of the van.

The whole gang prior to the start of the parade. Thanks for all your help!

Mele Kalikimaka everyone!

WWW.BeStagedOrlando.com

Before and After...Wine Bar

 This is my latest project. I was tired of always having a messy desk in our kitchen that always seemed to collect piles of things. So my husband and I converted it into a wine/beverage bar. We ordered a custom mirror sized just right to fit our wall and once installed, it opened up the whole area dramatically. We added glass holders underneath the cabinets and I have it staged appropriately.

 From Cluttered and Drab.... to Classy and Fab! 

Cheers Everyone!!!

 Selling your house? Need Decorating Advice? How's your curb appeal?

 I can help get you from For Sale to SOLD. 

Contact Be Staged for all your home staging needs.

www.BeStagedOrlando.com

Happy Fall!

A few weeks ago, Be Staged was a vendor at the Saint Cloud Fall Festival. It was the absolute wettest day I have every seen in Florida, but even so, me and my 6 year old son Nicky managed to bring in all my props and supplies in the soaking rain. My table was seasonally decorated for fall with apples, scarecrows, pumpkins, and my Halloween yellow rubber duckies. I also had a kids coloring activity with a special drawing for a gift basket. All in all, it ended up being a great experience to promote my Home Staging business.

The sign on the table says"Can a witches hat and some crazy witch legs help sell your house? You bet they  can!"
It's hard to see in the photo but there are some cute little witch legs sticking out from under the table.

Home Staging Gift Basket

Next week, my city's Chamber of Commerce is having it's Annual Banquet. It will be a fun-filled evening of great entertainment, fine dining and a silent auction fund raising event. A portion of the proceeds help fund the Chamber's Scholarship Fund to assist working adults. When I heard that they were looking for donations for the silent auction I jumped at the opportunity to support a good cause.
I love putting together gift baskets so I knew it would be the perfect thing for me to donate along with a gift certificate for one of my Home Staging Services.
After looking around the store, I decided on a beautiful sea-grass blue  basket and started by putting a blue suede pillow in the basket. Next I found a super soft, luxurious throw that is a silky taupe on one side and a creamy soft shag on the other that I have cascaded over the edge of the basket to show texture and interest. I also bought 3 black soap stone candle holders of various heights, with purple cranberry fig tea lights to go inside. The candle holders were imprinted with an organic leave design on the outside and I also included an earthy wall picture in blues, greens and browns that have some cute Robin birds resting on a beautiful flowering branch. I decided not to wrap my basket in plastic wrap so that people could feel how soft the throw is. Lastly, I finished it off with 2 layers of coordinating ribbons.  

Let's hope that my basket gets many bids to benefit the Chamber's Scholarship Fund!

Selling your house? Need staging advice? A room makeover? Better Curb Appeal?

BE STAGED can help
www.BeStagedOrlando.com

Doors Of Vancouver

I always love coming to my home town of Vancouver in the summer. There is such a variety of architectural styles of homes throughout this great city and I couldn't help but notice all the different "doors" that stood out to me around the neighborhood where I grew up. I believe that creating a peaceful welcoming home starts with your front door. It's the focal point of your homes exterior and can definitely show pride of ownership if it's well maintained.  Here are some examples of doors that are unique and create interest as soon as you see it.

1. This is a fairly new home. I love the stone archway, however it still needs some colorful flowers on either side of the door to brighten it up.

2. I love a red door

3. Here's another red door

4. Nice arched doorway with brick work

5. Another arched doorway, this one has an awning

6. This door way is clean and has good balance

7. This is not my taste but I thought it was different

8.

9. This is a beautiful house with great curb appeal. The window to the side of the door is pretty unique.

10. This house has great curb appeal. I like the light fixture hanging from the archway.

11.

12. Here's a contemporary door. The round pots and flowers on the wall soften up the straight lines of the door and steps.

13. Check out this castle!

14. I love all the pots and flowering vines.

15. Another castle house!

16. Not my favorite but different

17. I love this one!

18. I love this one too! It just needs some flowers to make it more welcoming.

19.

20. Love this large doorway with all the pots and flowers.

As you can see, the west side of Vancouver has some incredible houses. Do you have a favorite? Let me know by commenting below. 

Kim Holbrook
APSD Certified Stager Pro
kim@BeStagedOrlando.com