My birthday was fast approaching and, as in the past 60 plus years, I became very ‘down’. I never had a birthday party from 8 years old until I turned 40 and then when I met Don. Don was always, always very good to me. Dinners prepared by him, dinners out. Sometimes family members were there.
This year he was very close to the chest with what was happening. On Friday, he said to me that today was OUR day to do whatever, go where ever and we did. We went grocery shopping at three different stores, went to a new shop (to us) and Don bought a Staub Baking casserole and I bought the bestest thing in the world. A door mat that says “If you forgot the wine, GO HOME”. I saw this on face book over a year ago and wrote then that I wanted one. Now I found it. My two neighbors weren’t impressed but anyone who knows me, laughs. Onward….
I treated him to lunch to thank him for such a special day. I thought this was my present. A special day with him and no thought of work or house cleaning.. After all, we had just moved here.
Saturday morning I opened all the cards that mysteriously appeared all at once and then I opened my present, wrapped ever so prettily. Inside was the itinerary for our trip to Ireland, leaving in a month. I couldn’t believe it. Not only that, he prepared a luscious dinner and invited our dear neighbors to join us. This was spectacular and so delicious. Also the phone calls and singing were so special.
Sunday, we went down to the park on the waterfront in downtown area, and walked for awhile then grabbed a snack and walked all the way back to the car. (We have to make sure we can walk when we get to Ireland).
Note to all: Don wins the prize for the cutest card and Kelly – well, she won for the funniest card. I was laughing so hard when I opened it, Don says “what has Kelly said now”. Yup, it was a funny one.
So, this was extremely special year and I am truly loved. I just won the lottery of life for sure. Thank you.
Good For Your Eyes Cheesecake
Well, my mother tried for years to tell me carrots were good for your eyes and this one, my cheesecake lovers, will do just that. It is a ‘carrot/ginger’ cheesecake. Here we go.
Base
- 2 cups graham crackers crumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- pinch of cinnamon
In a small bowl stir the crumbs, sugar and cinnamon until combined and add the butter, mixing well. Press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan and up the sides by about 1 1/2 inches. Set this on a baking sheet and bake for about 7 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cool on a wire rack and continue on with the filling.
Filling
- 3 pkg. of softened cream cheese (not the light kind)
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. sour cream
- 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 cup candied ginger, finely, finely chopped
- 1 1/3 cup of cooked and pureed carrots
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and the sugars until smooth and no lumps. On a low speed, add the eggs beating until incorporated. Add the cream, cornstarch, sour cream, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger bits and lemon juice. Fold in the carrots.
Pour this onto the baked crust. Place the pan in a double thickness of tin foil and securely wrap around the pan. Place in a larger pan and add about 1 inch of hot water to the larger pan. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour. Check it at the 50 minute mark to see how it is coming along. You want this to be ‘just set’.
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup graham crumbs
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Combine this all together and sprinkle over the entire cake surface, and bake a further 6-8 minutes. Carefully remove the cheesecake pan from the larger pan and set out on a rack to cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen it and then cool for an hour longer.
You MUST refrigerate this overnight before trying to gobble it up. The wait make the difference and you won’t be sorry you waited, I promise you.
Pictures of a Fabulous Valentine’s Dinner
I previously mentioned how the two of us were putting together the dinner. It was fun and not one cross word in the kitchen. True!
We started out with two (2) appetizers. Don made garlic and butter fried shrimp with hot sauce and crackers. Let me tell you, NO ONE can cook shrimp as good as that was; only Don.
I made a shrimp and avocado creme brulee. I’ll bet no one has had this before. It is so darn yummy I will definitely be making that one again. The Havarti cheese sauce really makes it and the sugar topping pulls it all together.
We took a small break and then had a New York Sirloin Steak with a Lobster Mornay sauce. Along side that was rainbow carrots with a mushroom stuffed baked potato.
It is a good thing we took our time over this meal. So far it is two hours and counting. A glass or two of Sangiovese red wine went perfectly.
That done and the dishwasher working, we decided to have a slice of my blood orange pound cake with a blood orange sauce. You will see by the two pictures just how that went.
Now, that was fabulous, made with love and a lot of care but…..it is back to the diet today.
Mother’s Day Thoughts
Well, this is a tough day for me, sometimes…….I remember a lot of the things my Mom did for us…..the funny things she said and did…..I remember how she treated company, when they came to the door…”never let your Company go without serving a fresh pot of tea/coffee and a store bought cookie if that is all you have on hand.”
I swear this is where I got my pattern from….we treat everyone – be it family, friends, neighbors or first-timers like royalty.
I remember raising my daughter and feeling like a total failure for not being able to give her the opportunities everyone else had. I was a single parent most of the time and money was scarce. She has never, ever said anything except thank you….for everything. Wow! I did something right. My daughter has never received a present that she did not sit down and write a thank you note. For everyone……Again, I did something right here too.
I married a fabulous man who had four children and now have four beautiful grandchildren to spoil ….Grandbys can do this, you know. This is one position I would not, could not and absolutely will not give up.
Yesterday, after a few thoughts and, yes, tears, my wonderful, God’s gift- to- me -husband, gave me the funniest card ever and another charm for my Pandora bracelet (Shamrock). He prepared a breakfast for a Queen…fresh asparagus on toast with a hollandaise sauce drizzled over AND on the other side of the plate an Eggs Bennie with even more of that awesome sauce.
Then the phone rang and my wonderful daughter called and that was a great present. As a parent you will understand what I mean when I say her laughter is a wonderful sound and I can never tire of it. Too bad we live so far apart.
For dinner, my beloved prepared a perfect meal….we shared a wine/beverage on our fantastic deck in the bright sunshine and then came in to feast of roast beef with a breathtaking jus and my favourite recipe for squash. He asked if I would prefer risotto (my very favourite) or sit out on the deck together. I chose….him! He made me feel so very special today and I love him even more because of it.
I hope all mothers, step-mothers and adopted mothers were able to hear those three little words that make any and all trials and tribulations seem a long distant past…I love you. If you are estranged from family…make the effort and phone or write…..those three little words are heart-mending, heart growing and glowing…..being a Mother is God’s greatest gift.
Mom I miss you and yes, I do love you and I’m thankful to be a Mom myself….a very proud Mom at that.
Mother’s Day 2012
Mother’s are a special kind of human being. Some are good…some not so good…some super special but all are Mothers. To be a mother I feel you are chosen for reasons unknown or unspoken for that particular child given you.
We are given hearts that expand with every movement, word, gurgle, laugh, hug or kiss. We have broken hearts when our child is hurt or says hurtful things to us when they really don’t know what else to do.
We go every step of the way: kindergarten, Grades 1 thru 12, perhaps College or University or trade…..always watching from a distance to catch them when they fall or are hurt because of a lost love or dying friend, question them to understand their thinking on a choice made and encourage all the way in what they do and do well.
I ache so much for my daughter who lives far away and a mother who has since left us for a better home with her beloved husband (my dad). We remember all the times we have shared and hope to continue sharing.
Yup! Mom’s are special people. I am one and know that only I could love my child with the fervor and intensity that I do; only I could pray every day for safety in all actions she takes, wisdom in her thinking, and cry when we don’t communicate more often, fully knowing we love each other.
When we moved away from my parents, I never realized just how much we were missed, even though we spoke daily for 20+ years.
To one and all, Happy Mother’s Day and may God Bless each and every one with riches and treasures greater than what money could ever purchase.
.
The Meaning Of True Friends
Yesterday, a group of friends held a dinner for us before we move away. It was truly from the heart.
The bond felt between 8 friends is hard to put into words except we were led on a path where we were meant to be. The laughter, lively conversation, singing impromptu-like and never knowing the words to songs is hilarius and the hugs, tears and well wishes and more hugs is a gift straight from God.
We are truly blessed with these friends and now, they get to come for visits and, of course, bring wine. (Actually we will live in an area of 140+ wineries).
Thanks for the memories as Bob Hope used to say!
Thanks one and all! More tomorrow.