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It was my birthday today...

So I made a cherry-cheesecake pie.  Sure wish I could've shared a slice with you! How 'bout the recipe instead?

Cherry Cheesecake Pie

1 box refrigerated ready-to-bake crusts (I know...this is really cheating!)

1/2 cup sugar

1 T cornstarch

2 bricks (8oz each) softened cream cheese

1 egg

1/2 t almond extract (this is really a key ingredient- don't skip this one!)

1 can (21oz) cherry pie filling

Egg white

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 9" pie plate. Fit 1 crust into pie plate.  Unroll or unfold remaining crust on a cutting board; cut in 1/2 inch wide strips. Set aside.  Mix sugar and cornstarch in a medium bowl.  Add cream cheese and beat until smooth.  Add egg and extract, beat until just blended. Spread batter evenly in crust; spoon pie filling evenly over the top. Beat egg white and brush over the strips of pie crust.  Arrange 8 strips across the pie.  Then place 8 more strips on diagonally over the first strips to form a lattice. Trim ends and press into bottom crust. Brush rim with egg white and press on almonds. Bake 50-60 minutes until crust is golden and filling is bubbling. Cool on rack. (I like to serve this cold so I pop it in the fridge overnight.)

Enjoy!

First Day

Of Summer (it certainly doesn't feel like it yet)...

Of swim lessons...

 

and of being 7.

A spunky 7. And I love that.  Happy Birthday to the girl who does everything with her WHOLE heart (except cleaning her bedroom).  I love you Hannah.  The sun shines the longest on your special day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Traditional birthday breakfast for Laurel. She is 4 today. REALLY? Can it be true?  I just re-read my chart at the birth center the other day, recounting all the events of my labor the day she was born. It just doesn't seem that long ago.

 

And now she loves fashion and chews gum (she had just discovered a pack of Bubble Yum in the bottom of that purse Emma gifted her), and says things like "Actually Mom, I prefer the crust cut off my sandwich."

She is a lovey little thing, always sneaking away from whatever was busying her to give me quick smooch or a whispered "I love you." Laurel has just been so easy. Such a delight. She has an amazing amount of patience with me.  Often times she will sit and wait sweetly for a story, or a glass of water, or a coat zipped up...until I find my way to her. I guess when you come along 3rd you simply don't have much of a choice.  

Laurel is still goes by "Laurel Baby" to most everyone. She has carved out an enormous place in all of our hearts. Today she is 4.