Dessert with the Neighbors

The invitation said, "Come & Meet Your Neighbors". Our goal was to get several of our neighbors together to at least meet & get familiar with others who live nearby on our street. I can't say it was a smashing success, since we invited 16 familes & 4 came out. Only one called to say they couldn't make it, but thought it was a great idea. The other 11 didn't respond at all. I think times have changed & people are just not as neighborly anymore. I remember when folks used to take time to get to know their neighbors & be friendly, but it seems that today, most just don't have the time or inclination to do that. And, it's OK...I'm glad we made the effort anyway. We have 2 great neighbors on either side of us who came over & we enjoyed visiting with them. They are both good friends with each other anyway & their kids are in school together. A sweet older couple in their 80's came from down the street. One other guy came over from across the street with his 2 young sons, but his wife was exhausted from giving a birthday party, so didn't make it. I'm glad we tried it, although I may not be that ambitious again in hosting another one. Maybe something smaller next time, with those who seem to be interested in doing that.

The cheesecake turned out spectacular, even though I haven't made it in years. It's really a great recipe, so I'll share it with you. It's one of those recipes that you might not use but every so often, but it's a good one when you really want to go all out. This one is the real deal...New York style Italian cheesecake. I got this recipe at least 25 years ago from one of my first boss's wife. They were both Italian. So, I've kept it in my recipe stash all this time & get it out on special occasions. Several years ago, I bought a springform pan from Pampered Chef just so I could make cheesecake!

Italian Cheesecake

Crust:
1 cup flour
1 stick butter (unsalted)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Roll into ball & mash into bottom of springform pan. Bake at 350* for 20 min.

Cake:
1 lb. Ricotta cheese
1 lb. sour cream
1 lb. cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick unsalted butter (melted)
3 large eggs
3 Tbls. flour
4 1/2 Tsps. vanilla
Dash of grated lemon rind
4 1/2 Tsps. lemon juice

Mix starting slow speed, ingredients in order given. Finish at high speed for 10 min. Grease pan sides with butter & flour. Pour batter into pan & bake 350* for 1 hr. Turn off & leave in oven for 1 hr. Refrigerate overnight.

If you're lucky enough to have one of those super-duper Kitchenaid mixers, this will be a lot easier. I am not one of the lucky ones...I have a little hand mixer, so that 10 min. mixing at high speed is a challenge, but I promise....it's worth it!

And now, for the weekend yardsale news...I'm sure you're all sitting on the edge of your seat for the latest, right? LOL Well, it was a fun saling weekend. I took a friend with me & we hit a big neighborhood called Brook Highlands. I went last year & was not disappointed & this year didn't disappoint either. My friend really scored on some nice things and she really needs a lot for her house, so I helped her find some great things.

This week, I bought mostly little things, but it was fun just the same.

Cute little top for $1.00, which I wore to church on Sunday & also to the dessert gathering at our house. It's too cute!

Ahhh, jewelry...I love me some costume jewelry & for the last several years, most of my jewelry has come from yardsales. 2 bracelets & a pair of earrings, $1.00 each.

Found a really neat shelf from a little old man who made woodwork in his garage workshop. He had a nice wooden birdhouse, but it was a lot more than we wanted to spend. This shelf is solid wood & he was selling it for $2.00.

Brass rabbit tray, 50 cents. I'll be bronzing this cutie with my Sophisticated Finishes bronze paint.

Gold bookends for $1.00...these will get bronzed too.

Like new, Dooney & burke leather wallet, $3.00. I thought about reselling this, but I think I'll keep it for myself!

And check out the cute little birdy for 50 cents. He's a perfect addition to my front door pocket. He's made of real feathers too.

Found my hubby a couple of like-new golf shirts and also some samples of Estee Lauder for myself, lipstick & mascara, all brand new of course, for 50 cents each. I'm kicking myself now for not buying more mascara.

All in all, a very successful yardsale day!