Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

Above: after baking, Below: before baking

Friday was Brent's birthday and his favorite dessert is cheesecake. I have never made a full-size cheesecake before, only miniature-sized. It was more intimidating to make a large size, with all the cracking and when is it done issues. But it could not have turned out better!! It did crack in the spots where the raspberry swirls were, must be because it created air pockets. I highly recommend this recipe!

::Raspberry-Swirl Cheesecake::

From Martha Stewart

{Ingredients}

1 cup finely ground graham crackers

2-3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 3/4 cup sugar

6 ounces raspberries

32 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 large eggs, room temperature

{Directions}

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Stir together cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a medium bowl. Press crumb mixture firmly onto bottom of spring form pan. Bake until set, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in pan. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.

3. Process raspberries in food processor until smooth. Pass puree through a fine sieve and discard the seeds. Whisk in 2 tablespoons sugar, set aside.

4. Mix cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. On low speed, add remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar in a slow, steady stream. Add salt and vanilla, mix until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time until just combined (do not overmix). Pour cream cheese filling over crust.

5. Drop the raspberry sauce by the teaspoon on top. With a toothpick, swirl the raspberry into the filling.

6. Bake until cake is set but still slightly wobbly in the center, about 60-65 minutes.

7. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered for 6 hours or overnight. Run a knife around the edge of the cake before removing.

ENJOY!!! ♥

{Notes & Tips}
1. The recipe calls for wrapping spring form pan in foil then baking in a roasting pan filled with water. I however did not use this method because we don't have a large enough pan.

2. A helpful tip I learned for quickly bringing the eggs and cream cheese to room temperature: place in a large bowl of warm (not hot) water until it reaches room temp. Change out water if it drops in temperature.

3. Some general tips for perfect cheesecake HERE.

Friday Five - Beauty in Starkness

California may not get the extreme winters the rest of the country faces, but I still like to pay attention and notice the slight seasonal changes. Trees are bare, green is scarce, and there is a chill in the air. Here are five California-style winter shots for you. Today I was featured on the Mortal Muses site, check it out HERE!

Today is Friday (yay!) and Brent's birthday (yay!) so it should be a fun couple of days between the birthday celebrations and Superbowl parties.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Le Ballon Rouge

The Red Balloon or Le Ballon Rouge is a 34 minute short film about a boy in Paris who finds and forms a friendship with a red balloon. The pet-like balloon follows him, obeys him, and has a mind of its own.

I had seen the film in high school, but when I saw it again recently I was touched by an unexpected hope that permeated the film. With age we become jaded as we experience and witness the negativity of the world. As we see and experience pain and suffering, our dreams are shot down, and we focus on our adult responsibilities, we shy away from that feeling of anything is possible and lose that child-like sense of wonder and imagination. Watching this film I was lost in the child's world. That joy, innocence and carefree attitude of a child just made me want to revert back to that time in my life. But why can't I adapt these to my 23 year-old self? I can make my dreams a reality, I can find happiness in my everyday life, and I can escape reality by taking time out for myself to do what I love...escape into my creative world.

In the film, the boy is bullied and his only friend is the balloon. They form a bond, a friendship, and they depend on each other, bringing each other happiness. This made me think...it takes only one person in our lives to make us feel alive, bring us love and joy and support, and instill a sense of hope in our lives. I am so fortunate to have an endless supply of love and support through my boyfriend, family and friends.

Since January 1st I have been writing down one thing everyday that I am grateful for. Even if I have had a bad day, it really forces me to reflect on the positive aspects of my life and I have noticed a major shift in the way I think. It is almost like training my brain to push my way through the muddiness and see the brightness.

Below is the first third of the film...if you have never seen it, it is worth the 34 minutes! The cinematography is stunning, I wanted to freeze every frame and print them out for my walls!

I ♥ Color - Red

For many, winter is stark, lacking in color and brightness.

So here is a little burst of color to brighten your day!

What better for the month of love than a little collection of RED.

xo Have a great day!

Found Heart

This was the first time I have ever gone to the beach to search for heart-shaped rocks. I was surprised at easy it was to find them! This was my favorite, and it only took me about 5 minutes. ♥

I Am...

I am a cancer survivor.

I am a daughter.

I am a seeker of beauty.

I am a cat lover.

I am a romantic.

I am a photographer.

I am a creative soul.

I am a writer.

I am a foodie.

I am a baker.

I am a lover of words.

I am a friend and a girlfriend.

I am me.

What defines you?

Project 365 - January

Project 365 - January's photos!! As some of you know, I started my first Project 365 last July. I didn't miss a single day, and I loved it. But in December, I struggle between whether to complete that Project, which would end in July 2011, or start a new one January 1. In the end I decided to start fresh, and complete a full 365 Project from January 1-December 31 2011. For me the most amazing parts of this project are

1. The improvement I see in my photography by practicing everyday.

2. The way it opens my eyes to the beauty all around me. I look at everything so differently, noticing things I may have otherwise missed.

You can see my Project on Flickr HERE.

Quietude

"A quiet mind cureth all" -Robert Burton

Some weeks are tougher than others. Sometimes for me it feels like I am wading through mud, pushing hard, getting stuck, unable to move. Recently I have been really frustrated with my health issues, and really afraid that my entire life will be one giant doctor's appointment. Lately it has been a lot of little things: cyst removal from my forehead, damaged toenail, weird nose thing, new hip pain etc. etc. Isn't cancer & treatment, 4 knee surgeries, and chronic unexplained back pain, and osteoporosis enough for my 23 years?

But so is life...lots of ups and downs. And I always look forward to the plan-free weekends, for a little peace & quiet, recharging, and a whole lot of nothing. I hope you can steal some quiet time just for YOU this weekend, if even a few minutes, soak it in and enjoy. ♥

The Gentle Giant

Today I was sitting on the beach with Brent soaking in the beautiful day when I got a text message from my mom saying "Clyde died last night." 6 years ago we got Bonnie and Clyde together as puppies, both Bull Mastiffs.

Clocking in at close to 200 pounds and head the size of a basketball, Clyde was nothing more than a big baby. He would sit on your lap if you let him, place his paw on your hand, and rest his head on your lap. The only time he would lick you is if you put your nose directly up to his, he would give one or two licks right on your nose.

He died peacefully in his sleep. He will be missed so much, he was such a sweet baby and anyone who met him fell in love instantly.

I bought these daffodils for Clyde today. I walked around the store staring at all the flowers and these called out to me. They have always been such happy flowers to me, and with the loss of a pet I try to focus on all the good memories.

I am incredibly grateful for the joy brought by the relationship with a pet. Losing them is so hard, but all of them hold such a special place in my heart. Goodbye, sweet Clyde.

Catching Up With Coffee

Time for a little coffee date! I have gotten really good with Brent's espresso machine and I am liking the strong espresso taste more and more. In college my drink of choice was an extra sweet vanilla latte or caramel macchiato, now I prefer the not sweet plain latte or cappuccino, nice and strong. But I can make vanilla lattes, macchiatos, mochas, or even peppermint mochas...what can I make you?

If we were meeting for coffee, I would ask how your weekend was. Do anything exciting or just relax? Eat anything yummy? Get in some laughs? Ours was relaxing. Saturday night we saw the movie "The Fighter" and tried out a delicious new burger place...best homemade buns I have had in a long time. The movie was really good, the cast was what made it for me. I had to stand in the back of the theater for half of it though...my back pain was making me squirm around in my seat like crazy and felt bad for the people behind me.

Sunday we met Kaitlin and Jordan at the beach, the boys surfed and Kait and I watched, took photos, and admired the beautiful sunset. Every time I see a pretty sunset like this, it feels like a brand new experience because no two are alike. The colors, the clouds, the clarity, the way it changes after the sun disappears behind the horizon.

Yesterday, I was picking up my uncle from the train station, and I pulled up 5 seconds before the train pulled in front of my view. But for an instant, I could see the ocean on the other side of the tracks as the sun illuminated a crashing wave making it glow bright green. The train came and hid the sight, but it made me appreciate these moments...the moments you see such beauty only nature can provide. The moments that will never be replicated exactly, the moments that build upon each other and string together a mental library of images of how incredible this natural beauty truly is.

If we were meeting for coffee I would ask you if you saw the Oscar nomination list. I get so excited for the Academy Awards every year...my mom and her best friend used to throw a big party where everyone made themed food relating to the movies. Brent and I have done this on a much smaller scale the past few years, but I enjoy it very much. I like that there are now 10 Best Picture nominations instead of 5, and I hope to see them all before the show.

Then I would share with you some things that made me laugh this week:

I saw this commercial yesterday and I could not stop laughing

I was browsing the app store in itunes and found this Girl Scout Cookie Locater App. Haha yes, I did download it. Before you make fun of me, it was free, and curiosity got the best of me. There are none being sold currently, must be off season...but this could be very dangerous...

Yesterday I was watching TV and somehow got completely sucked into the VH1 Behind the Music of 50 Cent. It was fascinating!! Did you know he used to be a meth dealer, and then when got into music he chose the name because it represented a 'change'. Did you know he got shot in the cheek and still has a bullet fragment lodged in his tongue and that is why he kind of talks and sings the way he does? Ohh guilty pleasures...I'm a sucker. Have you been watching Teen Mom 2? If you thought last season was intense...

I hope you have a great week, and thanks to Amy for hosting coffee this morning.