Pumpkin Cheesecake & New Things

Today I made my first cheesecake. I have been meaning to bake, since I have been feeling more and more comfortable with cooking. I have been accumalting recipes for about a year now, and only a few of them are desserts, but I decided to give it a go. White Chococlate Pumpkin Cheesecake. Perfect for the Autumn season, and a mix of flavors. I've heard that cheesecake is difficult to make, since most people buy theirs. I understand that more now since baking a dessert like a cheescake requires a good amount of time and money- there's a lot of ingredients! Overall, it was a good challenge and a learning expereince. Learning how much salt to put in (I unfortunately put in too much), as well as burnt the chcocolate chips the first time around in the microwave making the microwave smoke so heavily, it looked like a thick fog. But somethings you'll never fully learn or remember something until you make a mistake. As a quote I like says, "There is no failure. Either you win or you learn, either is okay."

I think this is my favorite time of Fall, in the middle of October before Halloween and before the onset of the holiday rush. The newness of Autumn is still in the air. The weather is overall nice, with the crisp air and crunchy red-orange leaves; the sun is still shining brightly. This is also the time of year when I soon think about the end of the year, and start looking back on the year as whole. So many exciting things, yet how fast time can truly go!

Went to a new restaurant with sisters, Yalla Meditterean. Liked the inside decour!

I thought it was an interesting place, Middle Eastern style restaurant, although I wouldn't say it's a restaurant. Just think Chipotle style mixed with Arabic food. I ordered Kefta with the Jerusalem style wrap. A lot of different flavors all wrapped in one, including french fires inside! I thought it was a cool place, and especially since I've gotten my feet wet with the Arabic language and tried some food- as well as made some food (Moroccan Kefta), so I felt connected in some way. It was also really nice to enjoy some quality time with my sisters, doesn't always happen too often. 

This month of October has flown by. I figured out what I'm going to be for Halloween...coming soon! And in one week is my sister and brother-in-law's wedding reception. The Maid of Honor has an important role to play, and I think I've lived up to it pretty well. Weddings these days are so commercialized and watered down, and the wedding party along with it. But I see myself as a different Maid of Honor, one without the drama and only room for support and love for my dearest sister and friend. It's not all about catching the boquet (which I have done at my other sister's wedding 3 years back :)), or outdoing the other brides maids, those things don't matter to me. The only thing that I'm worried about is my Toast. It seems so simple and straightforward, but when you're talking about your best friend, sometimes you don't want to leave anything out, or maybe I just put a lot of pressure on myself? Either way, it will be an exciting day- to see new and familar faces all celebrating the marriage of two very important and special people in my life.