Cheesecake Recipe

I blogged this back in the Spring since I always make cheesecake for Easter. This recipe has been in our family for many years and I'm the lucky one that gets to bake it each year. It's a little time-consuming, but worth every bite!

Have all ingredients at room temperature, especially the cream cheese.

For the crust, mix together 1 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 oz. butter, 3 tablespoons sugar. Spread into a spring-form pan and press lightly, pressing some of the crust mix up the sides a 1/2 inch or so.

Preheat the oven to 325°. In a large mixing bowl, mix together 16 oz. cream cheese, 16 oz. ricotta cheese, and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Mix well, making sure there aren't lumps of cream cheese. Add 4 eggs, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 pint sour cream. Mix well and pour into prepared pan.

The directions say to bake 1 hour, but that is never long enough. My guess is that this is a recipe for a double batch and that you could make half of this recipe and bake it for an hour. I always bake mine longer, until it is done or at least almost set in the middle. There are different techniques to cheesecake if you want to read up on them. Some say to turn off the oven and let it cool completely in the oven. I bake mine until it's done and take it out to cool. It's no big deal to me whether or not it cracks...and it usually does. If you want it pretty, read up about it on Martha Stewart or on Food Network perhaps, or just spread berries or whipped cream all over the top. It tastes just the same.

I haven't tried this one, but if you're in the mood for a Pumpkin Cheesecake, this one has a gingersnap crust and sounds delicious.... Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake. And, while you're there, pick up a copy of my favorite Pumpkin Roll recipe from Libby's (a Thanksgiving staple at our house). Enjoy!

Recovering

I haven't been able to come up with anything to blog about lately. It's been pretty crazy here at home. My husband finally had surgery to repair the damage from his accident (long story here). They put a titanium mesh shelf in to replace the orbital plate (what holds up the eye) and they also rebuilt his septum and have his sinuses packed. It was a very long day at UH Cleveland on Monday. Even though all I did was drive and wait, it really wiped me out. He is resting as comfortably as he can and will have to keep his bandages on until next week.

So, I've been trying to take it easy. I don't deal with stress very well. I either end up over-doing it and hurting my back with chores, or wiped out with a total lack of energy or creativity. These past few weeks have been a mixture of both I'd say.

I am trying to finish a sweater in time for Saturday's Fall Fashion Showcase on Etsy. Everyone has been bad-mouthing the showcases in the forums, but I like to schedule one once in awhile to showcase something new and exciting. Now I just have to finish it in time!

My garage sale stuff is pretty much organized. As soon as I can price everything, I'll open the doors and, hopefully sit around and crochet for a few days straight. You can look forward to some new recipes in the near future. Comfort food sounds in order.

Glow In The Dark Yarn

When my kids were little I crocheted slippers and used glow-in-the-dark fabric paint dots on the bottom to make them non-skid, or less slippery. It was fun, but at the time I was thinking how cool it would be to have glow-in-the-dark yarn.

Bernat has introduced Glow In The Dark yarns! What a fun embellishment yarn that will be. Of course I instantly think Halloween and spooky crafts. Think of all the other ideas for kids safety - backpacks, hats, mittens, bicycle gear, etc. I may have to make my husband a glow hat for commuting.

With the light pastel colors available from Bernat, handmade glow worm-type dolls will be all the rage!

Bernat's Glow In The Dark yarn is now available at some Michael's, Pat Catan's, or Hobby Lobby Stores. Here's a link to find some in your area... Find Glow In The Dark Yarn.

Pictures from the fair

Time for the County Fair

It's time, once again, for the Great Geauga County Fair! Yes, it's called the "Great Geauga County Fair" and it's held every year on Labor Day weekend. Now in it's 186th year, it is Ohio's "Oldest Continuous County Fair" as well as one of the oldest existing agricultural fairs in the nation.
It is huge and will be a lot of walking around. In fact, another of their slogans is "You can't see it all in one day!" Well, we always try. There will be great food, greasy fair food, candy apples, corn dogs, and more food! One time we were there at the right time to see the Dock Dog Jumping Contest. That was so fun to see all the dogs jumping off the dock into the lake.
I'm not sure what we'll see this year. There's something different each day. I always stop by the "Domestic Arts" barn and eye-up the knit and crocheted entries. One of these days I would like to enter. I'll have to try to get an application next year.
There's something fun for everyone at the Great Geauga County Fair!
Maybe I should have entered the Apple Pie contest? Maybe next year!

Apple Pie and Woolly Bears

It's not quite Fall yet, but there's definitely a chill in the air these days!

I made an apple pie. The crust isn't perfect this time, but it doesn't have to be!
Did your grandma make pinwheels too? You take the little bit of left-over crust and roll it out. Spread it with butter and sprinkle with lots of cinnamon sugar. Bake them in a hot oven until they're done. Not too sweet, but a nice little treat. My husband thought the pie was a yummy surprise. The kids even ate a piece!

I saw a fuzzy woolly bear caterpillar yesterday and it reminded me of some brown furry yarn that I had. I made a long scarf with it last year, but had just enough left over to make this fun button scarf. Stay tuned for more signs of Fall!

Traditions

I have been taking the kids picture on the first day of school ever since Walker started preschool. I am waiting to get a scanner so that I can organize them all, including the pre-digital ones.

One of these kids is so excited! Can you tell which one was literally jumping for joy as the bus pulled up? Well, yes Coco was pretty excited too until she realized that we weren't going for a run.
I bought a couple dozen ears of sweet corn and am going to freeze ears since the kids love having corn-on-the-cob in the winter. LOL It doesn't always taste the best. If it's really good corn, I may get more and either can or freeze some off the cob.
I also have a bag of apples that I picked up from my Mom and Dad's yard. They make great pie, applesauce and apple butter. Maybe I'll bake a surprise pie for tonight.
Busy days! Have a good one!