Little tidbits of my life

Cheesecake Cookies YUMMY!!!

I found a WONDERFUL recipe on mommaofmany's blog for Cheesecake cookies (click here for recipe).  Thank you mommaofmany for sharing such a great dish! 

It was great all by itself, but I added a few strawberries I had put in the fridge with sugar a couple days ago...and a dab of cool whip. 

YUMMY!!!  This was a huge hit with my hubby.

New York Cheesecake

New York Cheesecake anyone???

My hubby LOVES my New York Cheesecake.  Pictured above includes a chocolate drizzle (of which I will include the recipe below).  Pictured below includes a caramel sauce drizzle.  The caramel sauce is WONDERFUL, but I actually bought the caramel sauce at "Fresh Market" in town.  I also make a key lime version, but I cannot seem to find the pic I took...and it was the prettiest, too!!!  Oh, well.

Note, the following recipes can be used for the largest springform pan of the Wilton 3-pan set...OR one recipe is enough for two cheesecakes when using the small and medium pans.  I prefer to make the two small/medium sizes because it seems to have less tendancy to crack and my hubby and I can taste-test the small one and take the medium one to family gathering, etc. 

NOTE:  I have a gas oven, so instructions given are based on my oven being propane heated.  I try to differentiate where applicable.

First Recipe:

Graham Cracker Crust:

1  1/2 packs graham crackers crushed.  I buy Original Honey Grahams and I crush them in a gallon size freezer bag.

8 TBS butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt 

Combine all ingredients in bag.  Before pressing the mixed ingredients into springform pan(s), spread butter liberally around bottom and sides of springform pan.  Now pour the graham cracker mixture into pan and press firmly in bottom and up one inch on the sides of the pan(s).  Place springform pan onto a cookie sheet and set aside.

Next Recipe:

New York Cheesecake filling - Preheat oven to 475 degrees

5 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese softened to room temperature

1 3/4 cups sugar

3 TBS all-purpose flour 

1/4 cup liquid - either half pulp-free orange juice and half lemon juice for traditional flavor...or half key lime juice and half lemon juice for key lime version...proportion not important, as long as it equals 1/4 cup total.  I just pour mine into a 1/4 measure cup

NOTE:  alternate to liquid above is finely grated zest of 1 orange or lemon...I've never tried it this way

5 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla

Beat cream cheese and sugar, then add flour and liquid until smooth.  Add eggs and yolks, one at a time, then vanilla - beating on low speed to prevent bubbles.  Pour filling into prepared crust(s) (recipe above).  Bake on baking sheet on top oven rack (works best in my gas oven, you may want to put in middle for conventional oven??) Bake at 475 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 325 degrees (this is lowest setting my gas oven will go before flickering and flame goes out...can cook at 250 degrees in conventional oven)...and continue baking until cake is mostly firm.  The center will be slightly wobbly.  Based on my gas oven, I bake smallest pan for 1 hour...medium pan 1 hour 10 min...large pan 1 hour 20 min.

NOTE:  to help prevent cracking, I always put a pan half full of water on the oven rack below the cake (as shown in picture above) and keep it in there during the entire baking process.  ALSO, as soon as I take cheesecake(s) out of oven, I dip a knife in very hot water and gently run it around edge of cheesecake to further reduce cracking.  Cheesecake will flatten as it cools.

Cool cake completely in springform pan.  Add optional topping (recipe follows).  I prefer the key lime version with vanilla ice cream, or whipped topping...

Chill cake, loosely covered at least 6 hours. 

Chocolate Glaze for Cheesecake

4 oz heavy whipping cream

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Bring cream to a boil in heavy saucepan on medium to low heat.  Remove from heat and immediately stir in chips and vanilla.  Stir until smooth.  Pour over cake.

NOTE:  If out of heavy whipping cream, I sometimes substitute 1/8 cup sweetened condensed milk plus 1/8 cup regular milk.  I whip the two milks together, then I heat it same as above...

LOTS OF cookie recipes YUMMMM!!!!

NOTE: explanation of above pic...I asked hubby to come help me flatten the peanut butter cookies w/a fork while I prepare the second baking sheet...result:  waffle like cookies!  LOL...he used my meat tenderizer (ie, the wooden thing laying there)...it did the trick, though!

I received these cookie recipes in an email and just came across them today in my recipe file...enjoy!

Cookie Recipes from northpole.com...just click on any name to go to the recipe...

Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Vanilla Beans for homemade Extract

Do you make your own vanilla extract???

I had recently read a blog here about making Vanilla Extract from scattertheseeds...I was SO EXCITED to find a GREAT and unique Christmas gift idea!  I've been thinking about ways to use my Starbucks frappucino bottles and I think this is going to be it!  Thank you "scattertheseeds"!

I went to "Fresh Market", a store in Chattanooga, Tennessee to purchase the vanilla beans.  I had no idea they were SO EXPENSIVE!!!  I paid about $3.99 per bean!!!!  SO, after researching the homemade extract options online, I came across an ebay store that sells vanilla beans in bulk CLICK HERE to go to Vanilla Products USA. 

I am looking forward to receiving my beans in the mail soon!!!  ALSO, if you buy them at this particular ebay store, they have a sale right now that if you buy over $25 worth of merchandise, you get an extra 1 lb of vanilla beans free (that's ALOT of beans!).  I only purchased 40 beans for now (@4.99 for 20).  I think that will be plenty.  There was also a $1 discount on shipping when I checked out (instead of $5, it was $4) b/c I am in the USA.  Total spent was just a little less than $14...close to the same price I paid at a retail store for only 4 beans!!!

As far as the recipe, I have researched several options.  I think I am going to use vodka as my base b/c I read that it is neutral in taste, and I will just add about a Tablespoon of a dark rum to each bottle.  I read that the rum can be overpowering if used for the entire bottle, but that adding just a little can enhance the flavor. 

HOW MANY BEANS PER BOTTLE???

I've read several opinions on ratio of beans to liquid.  I think I will go with 2 beans to every 1/2 cup of liquid and then I can add more liquid or beans in a few weeks depending on my preference for strength.  I will slice the beans open lengthwise before putting them in the bottle.

Once the liquid is added, store in cabinet w/tight lid for approx. 6 weeks before using...shake the bottle frequently during the 6 weeks. 

TIPS REGARDING ADDING THE BEAN:

Some folks suggest scraping the inside of the bean into the bottle...some suggest cutting up the entire bean into tiny pieces or even 1/2 inch pieces and adding...no matter what method you choose, when you are ready to put it in a jar to give away, you can either syphen it through a filter of some sort (like a coffee filter or tea filter) if you want to remove the bean...or just leave the bean.  Who doesn't like vanilla bean ice cream w/the bits of bean all in it??? 

Several opinions suggested using the entire bean sliced open, then remove it after 6 weeks, let it dry out, then put it in a sugar bowl w/sugar...then you'll have VANILLA SUGAR!!!  YUM

I hope all is well with you today and that you are enjoying this beautiful day (at least it is beautiful here in N. Georgia today!).  I love to hear the birds outside and watch the squirrels play now that they can't get into my bird feeder!  At least some of the birds give them crumbs.

God bless you!

Teresa 

Homemade Bread...a few tips...and random ramblings!

FINALLY, I made some homemade wheat bread good enough to eat!  I have a bread machine which I love, but lately I CANNOT get a good loaf out of it!  I was about fed up when the last loaf looked more like the inside of a softball than a loaf of bread, but I gave it one last try.  Now just WHY I know what the inside of a softball looks like, I can't remember, but I DO recall nonetheless, that it looks like the bread I attempted to bake last week...spitting image!!!  I've been pretty sick, so my hubby took me to Walmart to find some OTC medicine.  While there, I said I also wanted to get a new bag of bread flour.  My hubby said "PLEASE, let's just buy a loaf, it's not going to work!!!"...that sounded kinda like a challenge to me, so I doggedly marched to the flour aisle and got my bread flour, and some new yeast, and a little box of gluten...and marched PAST the bread aisle, without stopping, to the checkout!!!  I was DETERMINED...When I got home, I planned my strategy...when in doubt, READ THE DIRECTIONS...I read BOTH my bread cookbooks from cover to cover.  After a little while, I had alot of new ammo to take w/me to the bread machine.  I learned the following:

1.  because I'm at least 1000 ft above sea level (actually a little over 2,000 I think) that I should have added just a little more liquid than recipe shows.  According to my cook book, the atmospheric pressure drops the higher the altitude, thus causing drier flour.

2.  the altitude also causes the yeast to react different, too...suggestion to decrease yeast in 1/4 tsp increments each time bread is made till it looks like it rises correctly. 

3.  I also included 4 tsp of gluten this time to help make the crust softer...

4.  if the dough in the bread machine forms separate little balls of dough, then it's an indication that more water is needed...several little chunks were flying everywhere, so I decided water MUST be the secret to success here in my N. GA mountain home. 

SO after adding water and adding water AND ADDING WATER, I still had to pause the machine and knead it by hand w/just a little more b/c the machine had already reached the end of the road for kneading...

BUT my persistance paid off!  It turned out PERFECT!  I forgot to take a pic when I first got it out, so the pic below is only about 1/2 the loaf as the rest of it is already history!  I've had bread w/every meal for a day and a half, so I MUST start rationing myself!!!  I cut super-thick pieces when I just want to add a little melted butter and eat plain bread...I cut it thinner for sandwich slices.

I've had a tough time w/widespread pain from fibromyalgia and I have bronchitis again, so I haven't posted in awhile, BUT some things going on at my home are as follows:

1.  I MADE WHEAT BREAD...oh yeah, already mentioned :o)

2.  I FINALLY saw my first hummingbird for 2008 this evening!  He was one of the pretty little ruby throated varieties that are popular in my area.  He flew to my deck and looked at me as if to say "HOP TO IT, I'VE FLOWN A LONG WAY AND SUPPER IS NOT WAITING ON ME!!!..."  SO, I immediately got the feeders cleaned up and loaded them up w/some nice syrupy water.  I hope he gives me another chance!  I LOVE this time of year.  Several varieties that do not live here all summer often stop by for a sip during this time of year.  I hope to notice a few other varieties during this time period.  I like to try to get a quilt up on my stand and open all my window blinds and quilt while watching the hummingbirds play.  They love to come to my window and watch our cats watching them.  They also tend to look over my quilt.  These are some might inquisitive little creatures! 

3.  My hubby is trying every way he can think of to "con" me out of my "George Bush" money, so he has agreed to and is now in the process of PAINTING my living room and dining room...PLUS he likes the color SO much now that it's on the wall that he's mentioned painting our hallway and den as well!!!  MIRACLE...it's been STARK white since the day we moved in 4 years ago and has driven me CRAZY!!!...I am not able to paint b/c of FM, so he is doing all the work by himself...so NOW my living room is between a green and dark tan...called pinecone hill...earth friendly paint from Home Depot..NO ODOR, NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS..can't even smell it!!!  I will post pics once he finishes.  I remembered to take "BEFORE" pics, but I took the curtains down before the pic, so not a TRUE BEFORE...he has asked for a cheesecake since I was able to accomplish a successful loaf of bread...I normally don't bake on FM days, but I told him I'd bake a cheesecake AFTER the painting is finished, a celebration cake...SO now he has my "George Bush" money to look forward to, PLUS MAYBE a cheesecake!  BTW, he wants my money to go toward the purchase of yet another gun of some sort.  He is notorious for buying a gun he just HAS to have, THEN after taking it apart and customizing it by bedding it himself, refinishing stock, or whatever...then he ends up not happy w/his finished work and sells it at local gun shop on consignment for LESS than we paid...ANYWAY, rambling here...moving on...

4.  I got my piano tuned today, the one we purchased at an estate sale last month.  I haven't been able to play it b/c some keys were not working properly...SO the piano guy and I found out today that there is NOTHING wrong w/it...it was b/c of MICE!!!!  YIKES...while he had the piano apart, I asked him to let me vacuum out the keys since I couldnt reach them easily when I cleaned up the piano...I vacuumed out a MOUSE!!!  YIKES AND GROSS to the 10th power!!!  It was more like a little fossil of a mouse, but STILL, how gross that a mouse was under the keys and was the reason the keys would stick!!!!!  We were BOTH a little freaked out, BUT now the mouse is gone and my piano plays like a dream!  I also found out I got a great deal!  He said the piano would sell for around $1,295 in a piano shop.  I paid $500 for the piano, $215 for delivery and tuning...so total spent $715 PLUS they gave me a brass piano lamp for free!!!  As I said, though, I purchased it from a friend who had lost her mother-in-law.  She wanted me to have it and would have given it to me for free if she hadnt been left w/debt to pay off for her mother-in-law.  I look forward to telling her how great it has turned out!!!  I was quite happy w/my find.  I had to do ALOT to clean it up to make it presentable, scrubbed every surface w/wood cleaner and used "mean green" to clean the piano keys, but now it is just wonderful to have a piano to play in my home again!  I've played the piano for a little over 20 years now and I am SO HAPPY to have a good one again!!! 

5.  I got a tiny little greenhouse started on my front porch a couple weeks ago...I put an old plate warmer in the bottom of it on a brick to help keep it warm...I've planted a few herb seeds and peppers both sweet and hot for now.  I also am trying to grow lantana from seeds in the greenhouse, but is only an experiment as I usually just toss them in the soil and they spring up wherever.  I want to try to get them started now and plan out where I put them this year...who knows if it'll work???  If not, I will have plenty that will come back anyway.

6.  I FINALLY got to see a rheumatologist last week!  I was having a really tough time that day.  They had a cancellation, so they called me 2 hours prior.  I hadnt slept a wink the night before, so I really looked a mess!!  He seems to be a VERY thorough doctor and I know he's an answer to my prayers.  I have felt a HUGE sense of relief since meeting him.  He is going to try very hard to help me.  He said I'm WAY UNDER-medicated, which was a shock!  I take Lyrica, which is the only FDA approved med for FM, but I take 150/day.  He is increasing it to 300/day and thinks that will be a good STARTING point for some relief.  He also is switching my Lexapro (anti-depressant) to Cymbalta.  He said FDA is in the process of approving Cymbalta for FM patients.  He said the lexapro is not a good thing to combine w/Ultram pain pills.  He is keeping me on Ultram for pain, and the Cymbalta should bring further pain relief from what I understand.  SO, that's where I am physically right now.  He did some x-rays and bloodwork and suspects arthritis, too, but I'll know more in May.  Now I'm just fighting bronchitis and sinusitis, so once it clears I hope to try to do SOMETHING outside if nothing but sit and eat breakfast!  BUT hopefully I can work on my springing up Spring flowers.  

Well my friends, God is so good to us and I am THANKFUL to be able to give an update that includes God's answers to prayers.  I am just SO AMAZED every day at His goodness and how in the world HE could love me!  Astounding!  I am bubbling over this evening w/joy and hope for the future and for God's Will to prevail for us all.

Love in Christ!

Teresa

Homemade Laundry Detergent...what went wrong???

HELP!!! 

I finally made some homemade laundry detergent, but something tells me I did something wrong...

Shouldn't it be really smooth?  There are big clumps of gel-like substance, but seem too hard to be the right consistency, and then it's all just kinda floating in a not quite water-like base.   I used the following recipe:

3 pints water; 1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap grated; 1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda NOT baking soda; 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax; 2 Gallon bucket to mix it in; 1 Quart Hot Water; Hot Water

Mix the grated Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on low until dissolved.  Stir in Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and 20 Mule Team Borax.  Stir until completely dissolved and remove from heat.  Add 1 Quart  Hot Water to 2 gallon Bucket.  Add soap mixture and mix well.  Fill bucket with hot water and mix well.  Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens.  Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.

I followed the directions exactly...so what do you think based on your experience and how yours looks when completed?  What did I do wrong???

BTW, www.soapsgonebuy.com has a kit of all ingredients for $24.95...I figured it was a good deal b/c I didnt have to go anywhere and it was hand-delivered to my living room!  I havent done the math yet to see how many batches I could make w/the kit, but at this rate, it's probably a good thing I have so much!

Thanks!

Teresa