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


Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

Not too keen on nuts, but nothing but chocolate beats caramel. :)

Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
6 T butter, melted
1 14 oz package caramels
1 5 oz can evaporated milk
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips melted, slightly cooled
Caramel ice cream topping
Whipped cream

  • Preheat oven to 350*F
  • In medium bowl combine crushed wafers and butter
  • Press into bottom and about 2 inches up the side of a 9 in spring form pan
  • Bake for 10 minutes, cool
  • In medium saucepan, combine caramels and evaporated milk
  • stir over low heat until smooth, pour into crust
  • Sprinkle with pecans, chill
  • In large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla
  • Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until combined
  • Add eggs all at once, beat on low speed just until combined
  • Stir in melted chocolate,
  • pour mix over caramel
  • bake for about 40 minutes or until nearly set,
  • Cool on Wire rack for 15 minutes,
  • Loosen crust from side of pan. cool
  • Cover and chill, 12 hrs at least
  • Remove sides before serving
  • let stand at room temp for 20-25 minutes before serving with caramel sauce and whipped cream and chopped pecans, if desired