Izzie and a sunny day

'The Izzie girl' and I were hanging outside and I had to run in and grab my camera. It was such a beautiful day (60's) and she was just loving the sun and the fresh air, that I needed to capture the moment. My beautiful daughter is growing up so fast - she is 23 months old! The only problem I have with her is she hates getting her picture taken....Yaaa...just one good picture and a smile please!

My flowers

When you have a bad day, what can make you feel better?

Yep, flowers and these are from my beautiful sister, who knew I needed a pick me up (plus she is my visiting teacher too)

I just love Spring flowers!

I did it again....another dessert....this time you will kiss me for it!

Easter weekend..one word.....FOOD.
We prepare all week for it and yes, I made the dessert and a few other things, but the dessert was my very favorite part, even John agreed! This cheesecake is so good you will want to kiss me for giving this recipe to you. You will use it all summer (since it is a NO-BAKE - yes my friends a no-bake recipe) All my Las Vegas friends will appreciate it since it is probably getting close to the 90's now (ha ha!). For you small families or trying to not gain 10 lbs this week, you can half the recipe (just the filling part) and just have a smaller version, but you will be a happy person for trying it.


No-Bake Cheesecake
adapted from Martha Stewart and my kitchen cafe

FOR THE CRUST
Vegetable oil cooking spray -for pan
2 packages of honey graham crackers
1/4 cup sugar
1 stick butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

FOR THE GANACHE
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used Ghirardelli's Bittersweet Chocolate)
1/2 cup heavy cream

FOR THE FILLING
32 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, cold

Make the crust: Coat a 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Mix crackers, sugar, butter, and salt in a medium bowl. Pat mixture into pan, pressing firmly into the bottom. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to fill.

Make the ganache: Place chocolate in a food processor or cut with knife to small pieces. Bring cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, then pour over chocolate. When chocolate begins to melt, stir or turn on food processor. Spread the chocolate sauce evenly on bottom. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to fill.

Make the filling: Beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and slowly add sugar and salt. Raise speed to medium-high, and beat until very fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in lemon juice and vanilla.

Whisk cream until medium-stiff peaks form. Whisk 1/4 of the whipped cream into cream cheese mixture, then fold in remaining whipped cream. Pour filling into crust, and spread evenly. Gently tap bottom of pan on counter to release air bubbles.

Cover, and freeze for at least 1 hour or overnight or just place in fridge and have a more softer cheesecake. Unmold cheesecake, garnish with chocolate shavings if desired, and serve immediately.

Free online book from Stephanie Meyers

This is not APRIL FOOLS!!!
Stephanie Meyers has written a new book and here is some info on it!

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. She began this story a long time ago—before Twilight was even released. Back with editing Eclipse, and in the thick of the vampire world. She was thinking a lot about the newborns, imagining their side of the story, and one thing led to another. She then started writing from Bree's perspective about those final days, and what it was like to be a newborn.

This is what S.M. says on her new book:
There was one thing I asked for: since this story had always been an extra for me, and was meant to be released with the Guide, I wanted to be able to offer it to my fans for free. You all have bought a ton of my books, and I wanted to give you this story as a gift. My publisher was awesome and embraced this idea. We still wanted to also produce a physical book with a cool cover that you can add to your set if you like, but starting at noon on June 7th until July 5th, it will also be available online at

http://www.breetanner.com/


So from June 7th to July 5th we can read it online for FREE!! Cool!

Check out her website:

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/