This recipe has been on my mind for a week now and with the holiday baking marathon coming up I decided to get a head-start on things and bring this idea to life. Of course, I’m not the first to think “I love cheesecake! I love pecan pie! why not combine the two!? but here [...]]]>

This recipe has been on my mind for a week now and with the holiday baking marathon coming up I decided to get a head-start on things and bring this idea to life. Of course, I’m not the first to think “I love cheesecake! I love pecan pie! why not combine the two!? but here is my version.

This also happily goes along with the 20+oz. of cream cheese I bought during Thanksgiving week for $9. What was I thinking? I can’t pass-up a deal. It was Amish cream cheese!

The result? Creamy, gooey, nutty, and sweet. They don’t taste like cheese cake or pecan pie, but more like a happy marriage of the two. They blend together uniquely. The pecan pie sank to the bottom of the bar and met up with the crust making a gooey layer that is almost like caramel in taste. The next layer is full-on cream cheese with the flavor and happiness of pecan pie. The pecan’s stayed right on top to form a crust.

This recipe makes a lot, about 24 servings depending on how greedy you are. I fully intend to freeze most of them tonight as to avoid eating them for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday this week. I’ll let you know how that goes.

The recipe:

Ingredients:

crust:

2 1/2 – 3 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 C melted butter

1 t pure vanilla extract

1 T brown sugar

1/2 t sea salt

cheesecake layer:

12 oz. cream cheese (room temp)

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 C sugar

1/4 C brown sugar

2 T half and half (you can use milk or cream)

1 egg + 1 egg yolk

pecan pie:

4 eggs

1 1/2 C corn syrup

1/2 C melted butter

1 t vanilla extract

1 C pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper.

Combine all crust ingredients and push into the the bottom of the pan with your hands. Bake for 6 minutes.

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs, half and half, and vanilla until smooth and there are no lumps. Add sugar and brown sugar until smooth.

Pour cream cheese batter onto a slightly cooled crust.

In another bowl, beat eggs. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour mixture slowly over cheesecake mixture. Tap the pan slightly.

Bake for 45-60 minutes until no longer giggly. Let cool for 30 minutes and refrigerate for at least one hour.

I picked this one out because of the unique two-button closure on either [...]]]> When I go thrift shopping my first stop is always the skirt section. For some reason the skirts that I’m looking for jump out at me quicker than the blouses or coats. I like these wool a-line skirts, they are substaintial and versitile.

I picked this one out because of the unique two-button closure on either side and the front pleating. Then I hand-stitched a lace bottom and added three small doilies. I love it. I imagine this with a shirt tucked in, high boots, a cardigan and a belt. Size 10 (approximately) and for sale in my Forgotten Finds shop!

Modeled so graciously by my new dress form which I recently picked up at the local antique shop. You know when you first see something in a shop and leave it, but then regret not buying it? She was splattered in lime green paint, but I knew I could fix her up. And that’s what I did. Cream colored acrylic touch-ups with a bit of antiquing to match her original fabric. From July of 1965, I wonder what her life has been like?

I didn’t realize how much I liked to cook until I moved to Brooklyn. This had nothing to [...]]]> This is a week late, but as it goes I just uploaded these photos today. The holidays are in threes around here, but I only took pictures of the second one. Cooking had something to do with that.

I didn’t realize how much I liked to cook until I moved to Brooklyn. This had nothing to do with Brooklyn but more with my influences. As it turns out most creative bloggers are not only great with a paint brush or the sewing machine, but also masters of the kitchen. This inspired me and made me realize that cooking had less to do with frozen or convenience foods and more to do with passion and creativity.

And so I cooked and learned and documented the process. A process that is still evolving and growing and one that keeps me excited about the 1,176 meals (give or take) I consume each year.

Thanksgiving was the usual suspects: turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, mixed greens salad, broccoli, stuffing and pumpkin pie. The turkey was heritage and local. The broccoli and salad were local too. The stuffing had bacon, though good, needed to be more crispy. The potatoes and rolls were from the pioneer woman, of course, the master of comfort food. And the sweet potatoes and pie were from Josh’s mom and step-dad.

The blue dishes were my grandmother’s. It’s nice to have connectedness through them and as a little tradition with myself. I used them in Brooklyn when it was just me and Josh and again here in Virginia.

The other two Thanksgivings were great too. One in West Virginia with my family and some pretty hilarious antics going on this year with my aunt. And another with Josh’s dad with delicious roasted lamb and potatoes.

Could you say no to this face?

I recently got into jewelry [...]]]> Weekend, where did you go? It always seems that I spend most of my weekend having fun…going to the movies, going to dinner, thrift shopping, making  jewelry…getting a bunny (!) that by the time Sunday rolls around I find myself needing another two days for responsible grown-up stuff like cooking or cleaning.

I recently got into jewelry making right before the Floyd craft show back at the beginning of October. It started out innocent enough with a couple pairs of simple wire and bead earrings and now I find myself frantically trying to find high quality silver wire for hammering.

I’ve been collecting images of other jewelers that I like and seem to have discovered the beginnings of my own style of jewelry making. I’ve got a long way to go, but I love the look of these first couple of bracelets.

To me, they seem funky and antiquey at the same time. I wanted them to have small details or unexpected elements that are hard to find in most mass-produced jewelry. They look really worn together too.

I struggled with what to name them and decided on movie characters that I like. There seems to be an endless and I went towards what I think the character might wear.

Here is the C. Baker bracelet:

And the Giselle bracelet:

Sunday chores are calling my name…

Not exactly winter yet, but the weather here has been nothing short of spastic. We go from freezing cold and windy, to rainy and cool, to sunny and warm. However, I know it’s coming. The nights coming home from the movies when the heater isn’t working fast enough or the short stints between the car [...]]]>

Not exactly winter yet, but the weather here has been nothing short of spastic. We go from freezing cold and windy, to rainy and cool, to sunny and warm. However, I know it’s coming. The nights coming home from the movies when the heater isn’t working fast enough or the short stints between the car and the grocery story that feel like a mile in the north pole.

Either way, I am prepared. This winter coat was a steal at old navy and especially so after I discovered the secret gold satin lining on the inside. Gray mittens similar to these, found at TJmaxx. Those boots, a first for me and these calves that rarely fit into boots. And that shawl, it hasn’t even arrived from Turkey yet, but I know I love it already. The lady who knitted it is super friendly and sweet and her shop is filled with so much greatness!

I’m thinking of some sort of silver sparkly brooch for the collar of the coat, what do you think?

That was that. And now, here I am [...]]]> The hunt begins, again. I opened my shop a few months ago with little plan or direction in sight. I just wanted a space on etsy where I could sell vintage finds and handmade goods, but then I got married and got a full time job and well…

That was that. And now, here I am with direction, ideas, motivation and new goals. The Forgotten Finds ball is rolling and I’m ready for it! My goal is to update the shop at least every other day until the week leading up to Christmas. To say I am excited is an understatement.

I’ve been working on a new jewelry line, new paintings and all around having a good creative time in my little workspace. Today I’ve added two of my latest and (close to) favorite vintage finds.

This beautiful Kromex canister set:

I’ll admit after I set up this little display I could not help but think “oooh I like this…” “these canisters would look great here…” but alas, keeping them would defeat the purpose of Forgotten Finds so they are for sale here.

And this little guy:

I’ve had this trophy displayed all over the place, on my desk , displayed on the kitchen shelves and on the coffee table and I love it! Such a great find.

In the spirit of getting the ball rolling I’m offering a free pair of made-by-me earrings to my first 4 customers! I have lots of jewelry posts coming, I just need to take the photos and edit them.