The Lilly Pad

These little cups of yumminess are perfect for those days that you just want a little sweetness and not the WHOLE pan of brownies. This recipe makes 24 mini cheesecakes; all of which can be frozen and taken out one or 5 at a time (depending on how hungry you are).

Mini Cheesecakes

To make the crust:

Combine:

1 c. graham cracker crumbs

1/2 c. sugar

1/3 stick of melted butter

Line your muffin pan with those little paper liners.

Put about 1/2 of a Tablespoon of crust mix into the cups.

Press into the bottom.

Bake crusts for 5 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

To make the cheesecake filling:

ALL INGREDIENTS NEED TO BE ROOM TEMPERATURE!!!

Combine:

1 1/8 c. sugar

1 1/4 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 1/4 # of cream cheese (2 1/2 - 8 oz. blocks)

2 1/2 oz. heavy whipping cream

3 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

Fill cups with cheesecake filling (up to about 1/8" from the top).

Bake for apx. 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

(or until it turns a little bit brown on top)

Top with whatever you like. You could use the yummy caramel or some squished up strawberries.

Yesterday was our 15th wedding anniversary. My, what 15 years has held for us...

Several weeks ago my neighbor Christy was asking me how long Michael and I had been married and when our anniversary was. She asked me if she could watch my girls while Michael and I went out on a 'date'. She wanted to teach the girls how to do some origami.

The day started out like this... Michael went out to start the car. It was 31 degrees outside. He comes back in and sticks his freezing cold hands on my face. He said he wasn't going to put them on my back (like he does EVERY morning) because it was our anniversary. How thoughtful - he is just so sweet sometimes.

A couple of weeks ago, one of Michael's professors had talked about a Mexican restaurant in Glens Falls that he loves. Michael said he even gave directions during class. So, Michael and I went there on our 'date'.

Michael and I love Mexican food. We used to frequent the one in NC. They always give you free chips and salsa and their food is cheap and yummy. After being here in NY for a while, we were missing that Mexican food, so we searched on our GPS and found one. We traveled there and found the menu posted up outside of the restaurant. I am glad they posted it. Their chips and salsa was $9.00!!! You could get a quesadilla for $15.00! We just turned back around on the sidewalk and walked back to our car.

Imagine our surprise when we arrived at El Mexicano and were greeted by the friendly staff there that promptly brought us FREE chips and salsa and a FREE cheese quesadilla (one for each of us). Then, we ordered our food. I got two tacos, beans and rice for only $6.00!!! Then, to top off our wonderful visit to our new FAVORITE Mexican place, they brought out FREE dessert!!! FREE dessert?! That place is a keeper for sure!!!

We had plenty of time to talk; remembering our past 15 years and discussing our thoughts on where God will lead us in the next 15. That's right, thoughts. Who would have ever thought we would be here? 15 years ago, who would have ever thought that God, in His infinite mercy and grace, would have...
His word says in Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Thank you Lord, for your infinite mercy and grace.

I thought, in celebration of 15 years, I would share 15 photos with you from our past. Keep in mind that most of them will be from the past 8 years since before that time period, I did not own a digital camera. All of my hard copy photos are in NC in a box. The first from my wedding was taken just today. I do have a copy of our wedding video and I played it on the TV and took a picture. Enjoy.

April 14, 1995 - Our Wedding Day