sincerely yours, dena

We have a lot of weekend guests… A LOT! I personally would rather sleep in a bed rather than an air mattress so I wouldn’t expect any less for my guests. I am on a constant cheap bed hunt. My favorite sources are yard sales and craigslist.com. This bed was a steal! I got the frame from a moving sale for $50 and I got the box spring and mattress for $40 from craigslist. The fun coastal sheets were a good buy from Renys.

This is a low impact and quick game that fulfills the “games” requirement at a shower but at the same time is fun and everyone can play. The basic gist is that you ask the groom 10 questions. Make a game card with the 10 questions and have every guest take a shot at what they believe the answers are. Then you read thru them out loud and have the bride give a shot at them. The guest with the most correct answers wins a door prize.

A good thing about making cupcakes for a special event is that you can sample a cupcake prior to know they taste good without anyone knowing. It’s kinda hard to hide the fact that you tasted the sheet cake. I used my favorite carrot cake recipe to make this cute cupcakes for a wedding shower.

My girlfriend needed a invitation in a pinch for her bridal shower. Weddings are like my favorite thing in the world so of course I jumped at the opportunity to help. I always make 3 different versions of something I make so the person can pick but my first one is always the best. Of course she loved the first one too!

One of my favorite holidays is Easter. I remember as a kid how much fun it was to hunt for my basket early Easter Morning. I still carry on the tradition, kids, adults and pets. This year we had 2 house guests that got to share in the fun. I’m not afraid to hid in challenging places. Everybody knows who’s basket is who’s by the picture on it. Rubbles found his basket first this year.

Crust:
2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
1 pound cream cheese, 2 (8-ounce) blocks, softened
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 pint sour cream
1 lemon, zested
1 dash vanilla extract

Warm Lemon Blueberry Topping, recipe follows

For the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

For the Filling:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not overbeaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.

Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water. Wipe dry after each cut.

Warm Lemon Blueberries:
1 pint blueberries
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons sugar

In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly. Leave to cool before spreading on cheesecake.

The Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

I found an extra piece of our kitchen cabinet backing in my local hardware store (aka my basement) and painted on a coat of magnetic paint and then a coat of chalkboard paint. I painted both sides so on a weekend I can write what’s for dinner one night and flip it over for the next all without having to clean it up till Sunday. I plan to frame it out and come up with a better way to hang it. Right now I have it held up by mirror brackets which was a quick a dirty approach of getting it up for Easter dinner.

Rubbles Mowgli-Ortiz Bachman presents:
His 3rd Annual Easter Dinner

Appetizers
Shrimp ala Val Lohse
Boiled w/old bay seasoning served warm w/ cocktail sauce
Buffalo Chicken Won Tons
Careful of the kick!

Soup & Salad
Wedge Salad
Seen for as much as $11 but we serve it for free
New England Clam Chowder
“Kennebunkport surprise”

Entrée’s
Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Shallots
Quickly becoming a favorite. Served with a begging black lab.
Roasted Leg of Lamb
New edition to the menu but promises to be a staple. Also most likely served with begging black lab.
Warm Country White Bread w/ Roasted Garlic
Homemade bread w/ warm roasted garlic

Side Dishes
Fleming’s Famous Creamed Style Corn
A Daddy favorite “not your south park variety creamed corn”Creamed Spinach
Bam! Taken from Emeril Live
Carrots ala Daddy
Cooked for his pleasure
Broccoli ala Mommy
Blanched and not overcooked for her pleasure
Potatoes Au Gratin
Cheesy, yummy goodness a favorite

Desserts
Praline Pumpkin Pie
Its low carbohydrate so Daddy can eat dessert too
Ultimate Cheesecake
Topped warm lemon blueberries

I got my Easter Basket in the mail today from my parents. I always look forward to the homemade card and the special something my mommie always makes for me. This year she quilted me a table cloth. Thanks Mommie!

How cute is my husband? We are having guests over this weekend and he put little chocolates on all the guest room pillows.