SpruceHill

Birthday wishes for my #1 fan!

Happy birthday to my hubby, my best friend. I am a very lucky girl to be married to this man. He is the best Dad I could ever hope for to my kids. He is my constant companion, and got me through some of the toughest times in my life. Keeping our family going while I was sick and tired from chemo and surgery. Cooking and cleaning and taking care of me. I always know he will be there for me no matter what. He gives me strength everyday to live my life in the present. He is thoughtful, kind and always ready to help someone out. He is the biggest fan of my cooking and always tells me so.

He is the love of my life. Happy birthday Super Daddy! I love you.

Merry Christmas from Santa's Elves

 

Santa's elves........

 
On Spruce Hill

 
Are wishing you a Very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

"I refuse to wear this ridiculous hat! Tinky ran away, She has the right idea"

"Cocoa, It's really not that bad. She gave me peppermints!" 

"OK Merry Christmas, but I am not wearing the hat!" 

Toffee Crunch Caramel Cheese Cake

Last week I asked Miss E what she would like for her birthday cake. I was really surprised when she said caramel cheese cake. One reason was that I have never made one before, the second is that she is my cake girl. She loves making cakes and decorating them. As soon as she said caramel cheese cake I was on-line trying to find a recipe. I didn't find one I liked so I made one up. Here it is

 The ingredients

• 32 ounces, weight Cream Cheese
• 4 whole Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tablespoons Whipping Cream
• ½ cups Brown Sugar
• ¾ cups Toffee Pieces
• ½ cups Caramel Ice Cream Topping
• 1-½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 4 Tablespoons Melted Butter
• 1 cup White Sugar Plus 2 Tablespoons For Crust

In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs melted butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar. After mixing well, press into the bottom of a cheesecake pan; set aside

I have to say that I just love my cheese cake pan. I know I am such a food geek but I do. It is made by Calphalon. If you do not have a cheese cake pan go out and get one you will not regret it.

In a large bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, whipping cream, brown sugar, and remaining 1 cup white sugar.

 
Beat until smooth and creamy. Add toffee pieces and mix together on low speed until combined with the other ingredients.

 
Pour batter into the cheesecake pan and cook for 1 hour at 350F.

 
It turned out to be so good! After I let it cool I took it out of the spring pan and poured the caramel all over the top. I just bought a bottle of caramel ice cream topping in a squeeze bottle. It is the perfect consistency for the cake topping. If you like you can make home made caramel but this was quick and easy and very good.

After we sang happy birthday to Miss E I did a quick photo shoot of my piece. It was a very quick photo shoot. I could not wait to eat it. Cheese cake is one of the easiest desserts to make. Do not be intimidated by the cheese cake, embrace it, enjoy it, eat it, you will not regret it.  

Miss E turns 13!

I just can't believe my Miss E is now a teenager! It seems like yesterday when she would climb into the toy box and get stuck with her feet up in the air! When she had little ringlet curls that I could stick my finger up into and play with. When I use to hold her in my arms and she would play with my long hair. She has always been my happy smiling carefree child. A pint sized me, we look so much a like. I love her all the way to the moon and back!

Happy birthday Em!

Family time

A picture from my walk in the woods last weekend 

There is much activity around Spruce Hill. The girls are having a ball with all their cousins. There are a total of seven young teen aged girls and one 7 year old running around, having fun with make overs, filming movies and jumping on the trampoline in the freezing cold. They only surface for food.

It's been a long chat fest for the rest of us, sitting in the kitchen sipping coffee and tea and chatting up a storm. Today is our last full day together, and then everyone has to head home. Tomorrow morning will be full of tears.