Pipe Dream #35: To Control The Weather

Remember when I asked you to pipe up and tell me your favorite cheesecake flavors because I was trying to plan for my sissy’s grad party?

Well, in the weeks before the party, I realized that making several flavors of cheesecake might be a bit much for my nerves. In order to avoid all the flutterings and spasms (name that movie), I decided to make one cheesecake. A white chocolate vanilla bean cheesecake, for which the recipe will follow in a few days. Also concerning my nerves, the weather was supposed to be crappy. I woke up, peeked outside the window, saw the sunlight and praised the Lord out loud. Amen for sun.

More on that later. Much more. In the meantime, please note the cuteness of cutenesses graduation sign that I made for Waynes. I think I might love it more than she does. I poured my soul and a pint of blood into making it. No kidding–I sliced my finger something awful. Word to the wise, don’t use razors to cut thick cardboard when you are super angry because your sister used all of your sour cream after you had been out to the grocery store for hours that day and had no patience to return so you could make twelve cheesecakes.

Whatever. I’m over it. Moving on…

My dear mother was the real mastermind behind the party. I was just there to facilitate things and ply people with third helpings of cheesecake.

She made several toppings for the cheesecake, the star of which was the strawberry rhubarb compote fresh from the garden. Rhubarb, the spice of life.

And there is the skinny minny herself, standing at “the shrine.” The shrine is our name for the obscenely decked out table that houses the sum of her life’s accomplishments. Girl is loaded. My mother was good enough to put my college graduation photo on the back corner of the table about halfway through the party. I will probably forever live in Waynes’ shadow.

P.S. That dress is a Calvin Klein silk that I got for three dollars at the Salvation Army. That place is a veritable trove.

There were drinks. Namely, coffee. Iced ou non.

To write love in her coffee ice cubes. We mixed in cream with coffee and then put in pre-frozen coffee cubes to keep it undiluted. We like our coffee strong he-ah.

There was also pop. I just like this shot. Hi Wades.

And here is what you have all been waiting for. Vanilla cheesecake with a graham cracker crust and a layer of white chocolate mousse. Ooh baby.

We had a bin filled with ice to store them on until they were nabbed. The quickness of the nabbing made the ice almost unnecessary.

I have titled this shot “Fulfillment.” This cheesecake is as it should be.

All in all, the grad party was a great success. Much love to my Auntie, without whom I never would have managed. Congratulations, sister! I am excited to see where your life leads. You can check out her blog at measuredsunrise.wordpress.com.

May your life be filled with free grad party food,

L