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


Taco Cheesecake

Taco Cheesecake

3 teaspoons cornmeal
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 envelope taco seasoning
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
1/2 cup chopped ripe olives
TOPPING:1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
Assorted crackers




  • Sprinkle bottom of greased 9-in. springform pan with cornmeal; set aside.
  • In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add the taco seasoning, sour cream and salsa.
  • Stir in the eggs, pepper Jack cheese and chilies.
  • Fold in olives.
  • Pour over cornmeal.
  • Place pan on a baking sheet.
  • Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until center is almost set.
  • Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
  • Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool for 1 hour.
  • Refrigerate overnight.
  • Remove sides of pan.
  • Spread sour cream over top and sides of cheesecake.
  • Arrange olives, onions, tomato slices and jalapeno slices on top.
  • Serve with crackers.
  • Yield: 18-20 servings.