BDAY CAKE!!!

This is the birthday cheesecake that, yes folks, I made myself! :D Here's the recipe for anyone adventurous to try!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9" springform pan with parchment paper.

BASE

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

2 Tbsp. espresso

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

8 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1 cup all purpose flour

FILLING

16 oz. cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

4 eggs

2 Tbsp. flour

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tsp. vanilla

DIRECTIONS

BASE

Beat butter and sugar on medium for 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing inbetween. Mix in espresso, vanilla, salt, and chocolate. Quickly beat in flour. Smooth into prepared cheesecake pan. Refrigerate for at least 3 minutes.

FILLING

Beat cream cheese and sugar on medium for 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing inbetween. Mix in flour, sour cream, and vanilla. Spread evenly over brownie layer. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until top is light brown and center has a slight jiggle. Cool on rack for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving. Garnish as desired.

Dear Sierra!

Happy Birthday ~ To You!!!

~Posted by her Secret Service~

Excitement of the Day...

So, this was the exciting event that happened Wednesday night. Cars were just lining the streets as I got closer to the fire, on and off the street. I've never seen so many cameras in my life! I went right up to the base of the mountain, so I got to see the action first hand! 300 acres were burned, all because some clueless parent let some matches get in the hands of their children. Luckily, there weren't any houses where the fire spread, and they got the hikers down safely!

Long Weekend...

I didn't take too many pictures, but I had tons of fun! Here were a couple of highlights of my awesome weekend...

Awww.....Beth and I

Volleyball!

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!

Happy Fourth of July!

May we never forget what this country really stands for.....

or the brave servicemen and women that protect it!

Oh, the Joy....

...of garage sale-ing! I have to admit, I've never liked going the second-hand route, whether it be second-hand stores, antique stores, or garage sales. BUT....I have to admit....they have some pretty good stuff down here! I bought an espresso machine and iron for $5 at one place, and promptly forgot to pay the people. I went back several hours later and the guy didn't even realize that I hadn't paid! Anyways, then I bought some stamps for my sister and a Cooking Light cookbook. THE find of the day, however, was a FREE record player! I'll post pictures of it later, but I like it! The lady even gave me several records that didn't sell for free. :D Oh, and I found a washer/dryer set for $160 and the guy is going to find someone to haul it to my apartment for me. I only spent $10 today though. Crazy, huh! I said my aunt is an awesome bargain shopper and I ain't a-kidding! I still need some furniture though. And my taste isn't generally the garage sale furniture that we found today. Oh, well. I'll find something.

Happy Days!

Well, this is just an update on what has been going on in my life. I graduated (with high honors!) with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Interior Design in the beginning of May. Two weekends later my older sister got married, so that was pretty exciting times for my family as well. By the next Thursday, I had moved from home and started my new job. Luckily, I have an aunt and an uncle who have graciously offered their home to me to stay in, but I have been looking for apartments ever since. I had a bad experience with a landlord yesterday, so I decided to take the first one I was offered and be done with it. I signed everything today and will be able to move in tomorrow. I am pretty excited to start decorating my new place! I don't have much right now, but my aunt who lives down here is an amazing bargain shopper, so no worries there!

GRADUATION!!!

Thanks to my mom especially and my aunts and uncles and cousins and Lori and those who couldn't be there in person, but were there in spirit who supported me on this very special day! I appreciate all of your love and support and will miss you a bunch as I go forward, but I will carry you wherever I go in my heart! I love you!

KBIS

SO, MY CLASS AND I WENT TO CHICAGO FOR THE NATIONAL KITCHEN AND BATH INDUSTRY SHOW IN APRIL. HERE'S AN OVERVIEW...

ALL OF US IN FRONT OF THE GIANT KBIS SIGN

TY PENNINGTON!!!

MCCORMICK PLACE

IN FRONT OF THE BEAN IN MILLENNIUM PARK

CRAZY GIRLS...

ME, LISA, AND RACHEL AT THE GALA

LOOKING SPIFFY

Chicago!

An irreverent look at some of the city's finest architecture! :D

View From a Bridge

Random Buildings Downtown

Frank Gehry Bandshell



McCormick Place

Navy Pier