I made this "Touch Down Banana Split Cheesecake" today for Mark's stepmother's birthday. Mark's two brothers, one sister-in-law, his sister Tina, Ashton and Eric, my son Courtney and his girlfriend Val and a granddaughter were here to celebrate her birthday. We had a potluck dinner with everyone contributing a hot dish. I made this ooey, gooey dessert instead of a traditional cake. Here's the receipe (which I found in our local newspaper years ago):
Touch Down Banana Split Cheesecake
2-1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cups powdered sugar
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, well-drained
3 medium bananas, peeled and cut into fourths
1 (12 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed according to pkg. directions
Maraschino cherries, cut in half
Chocolate syrup
Pecan halves, lightly toasted
Combine graham cracker crumbs with butter, mixing until combined. Press evenly onto the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Combine powdered sugar, cream cheese and vanilla extract in workbowl of food processor. Process until creamy. Carefully spread over the graham cracker crumb layer. Next layer the crushed pineapple and the bananas over the cream cheese mixture. Spread the whipped topping over the fruit and top with cherries. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with the pecans. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving. Yield: 8-10 servings.
AHEM: if this sounds too decadent to try, let me assure you that I make it with the following substitutions so you won't feel so guilty!
I substitute low-fat graham crackers for regular ones
I substitute low-fat cream cheese for regular cream cheese
I substitute low-fat frozen whipped topping and I even use low-fat chocolate syrup!
I took this photo a few minutes ago of the neighbor's pond. Since its hunting season we cannot walk in the woods as we usually do. So til the end of November when deer hunt season ends we will either have to drive somewhere to walk or be content to walk in the driveway. 
The sky is such a pretty blue now. Even though the leaves are falling fast there is still so much beauty around us.
This leaf was just gliding along in the pond. Couldn't resist this photo. 
Ah the life of a dog.....here is Buddy, enjoying the sun shining in as he dozes in his favorite seat in the house. He spends most of the day in this chair, keeping an eye out for squirrel invaders. He has a blanket that Ashton gave him to snuggle in as well. However in this photo I do believe I have caught him snoozing on the job!
Friday afternoon Mark and I hiked Porter's Preserve. It was chilly but that's to be expected here now. Most days have been in the 40's and a few in the 50's. These red leaves seemed to be just what the cloudy day needed, a bright spot.
Ashton was home from school for the weekend. We were fortunate to see her "occasionally" over the weekend! We celebrated Mark's stepmother's Halloween birthday with Mark's brothers, sister and their families. We had a potluck dinner and the decadent cheesecake (last post), a wonderful family evening.
Ashton and Eric playing cribbage. She is going to have to refresh me about this game. She has always loved to play games. We used to play "Memory", a match-up the pictures game, for hours on end. Many hours were also spent playing "Candy Land" and "Chutes and Ladders". Both of her brothers' were avid game players as well. Ashton and Eric spend hours playing card games and board games. Another favorite that we have played is "Skip-Bo", sometimes for hours on end! I wonder if children and families today sit down and play games? And Ashton, please remind Mark and I how to play cribbage so Mark can play with Nana, who at the age 96 can beat anyone!
Sunday Buddy and I walked next door, the one day out of the week that it is illegal to hunt, during deer season.
The high winds of Saturday night brought many leaves down. I still like to "shuffle" through the leaves just like a child! Have a nice week everyone.
