About Me

I live in a small poke town within an hour of the California coast where there are more vineyards than people with my husband and three children and various pets. James Dean's tree is within walking distance and the James Brothers were also known to ride these hills. I was born to the son of Lutheran missionaries and the daughter of Catholic hypocrites. I'm a Zionist. I was born and raised in California where liberal ideas become gods, and conservative ideals are evil. Unfortunately, it's illegal to have morals in California. I'm one of the evil ones. I take my frustrations out on my houseplants, all 300+ of them.

Recipes & Procedures


Pizza Cheesecake

Pizza Cheesecake
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 package cream cheese -- (8 ounces) softened
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1/8 teaspoon anise seed
3/4 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup minced pepperoni
1/2 cup very thinly sliced plum tomatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced bell peppers
1/4 cup crushed pineapple

  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter.
  • Press into a 9-inch springform pan and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove crust from oven, set aside.
  • Reduce oven to 325F
  • In a medium bowl, cream together cream cheese and ricotta.
  • Beat in eggs, one at a time.
  • Stir in spices, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
  • Beat just to combine and pour cheese filling onto prepared crust.
  • Bake until set, about 45 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and top with tomatoes, bell peppers, pineapple, and remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake until cheese melts, about 8 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and cool on rack.