The Sweetest Thing's Sunday…Twinkie Desert….Seriously?

And you thought I had a deep, thought provoking post for this Sunday! No, instead…it's all about the Twinkie! Talk about the history of a 'sweet'! This one is unprecedented! And I for one feel like I need to take it to another level!
I did do an earlier post about it which you can see here…but, seriously, the more I look into it I feel like I need to go deeper! I may just continue this little investigation! It's quite fun!
For those of you that don't know….Twinkie Dessert is my family's signature dish! And I for one could not be more proud of it!!! If you don't believe me….just pretend you trust me! My mom is probably the best cook I know…besides my precious mother in law! And they are equal in my book! MaryAnne makes 'Tipsy Pudding' and my mother makes  'Twinkie Dessert'! And these are ONLY made on Christmas and Thanksgiving and SOMETIMES, Easter! So, when I heard that my precious niece Kathryn ordered Twinkie Dessert for her 14th Birthday….I was sort of stunned…seriously! Holly and I are dieting so this was going to be a tough one!
Was it still going to be a "Sweetest Thing's Sunday post?" I wasn't sure! But it was….
A Sweet Sunday It Was, Indeed! 

It was definitely a sweet sunday spent with family! And I needed that! I needed something because Sundays have been hard since Miller left for college…and I'm not going to lie about it! Luckily, we've been pretty busy in general! In fact, it's been quite busy! I have a feeling God knew it would be like this and that this would keep my mind occupied as opposed to driving to Auburn every (other) day to make sure Miller is doing ok! I almost feel like we have to make the time to stop and smell the roses! Just like Rosie above…ok…it's not really her…but it sure does look like her! And little did I know this pic was from my good friend Teresa's blog,  Splendid Sass! 
Make sure you take the time to check it out…she's incredible!
With Holly and Brad living with us it's been a constant flow of normal to paranormal activity! There have been wedding parties and dinners out, and family members to see! 

So all of that is good and has kept me from getting to concentrate on being sad!

So, tonight we went to my mom's to celebrate my precious niece's birthday! Thank you, Kathryn for choosing an "easy" dinner  of hamburgers so that Mom would make you 'Twinkie Dessert' for your birthday! We all thank you! It's only our most special family favorite ever! In fact…I think I'm choosing it for my birthday next March! When it's your birthday I say you choose whatever you want! We were super excited! And it's the only reason I would ever cheat! It's that good!

Mom always does such special birthday dinners for all of us! We are very blessed!

And it's a lot of fun to act silly with cousins! No matter the age differences! Being together is what's really important.

I was so glad I didn't miss the moment of Kathryn blowing out her candles!

(Just look at this divine treat! I know the picture isn't great…but trust me…the dessert is!)

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend and a super sweet Sunday…..Promise me you will give this lucious dessert a try! It truly is our Christmas Eve dessert since I've been born!  We have never veered off to another and we will always be that loyal! I love it! And I love traditions like this! We've never strayed and never will! It's just that good! It's Twinkie Dessert! 

Much love,

Twinkie Dessert

1 12 ounce package chocolate chips
pinch of salt
6 eggs, separated
1 Cup sugar
1 t vanilla
1 box twinkles

Separate eggs into two bowls. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Sitrring constantly, add 6 egg yolks, one at a time. Beat 6 egg whites in mixer, adding sugar gradually. Fold into chocolate mixture. Add salt and vanilla. Cut twinkies into 3 lengthwise slices. Place a layer of twinkies in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Spread half of chocolate mixture on top, and then layer the rest of the twinkies. Then spread the remaining chocolate mixture on top. Chill overnight. Cut into squares and serve with REAL whipped cream!

From The Heart....

This is the month of Love!!!

Ok....Let's just say the week of Love!

All of these images are cute....

And some are even fun!

Some are just simply, and naturally pretty!

Some are reminders to me of God's love every year at the same time.....

From my same Camellia bush that is in full bloom this time EVERY year!!

 Just like my oldest child's birthday, February 12th....reminds me of how much I love him.

And he always requests this incredible Banana Cream Pie with a Nutter Butter Crust that we all love!

 He has always brought us such joy! I love celebrating his birthday and Valentine's Day all in one!

 Just look at that angel face!!

And that good-looking dad of his! 

I'm looking very forward to this year as well since Holly will be here. However, it will be her first Valentine's Day apart from Brad in many years! He will be at a meeting~but I feel pretty sure that we will all have a wonderful time and that we might even face-time Brad just to make him feel included and loved!  As he is!

 All of our children bring us such joy...even if we are far away at times....or just being silly!

These are priceless moments that still warm a mother's heart!

I'm so very grateful for each of them!

And thankful we get to spend another Valentine's Day/ Birthday together!

And this year we just may have someone new added to the festivities!

Let's hope these two can behave themselves!

Last year we celebrated with friends....and that was a lot of fun as well! 

It's always fun to celebrate a joyous occasion! 

So..... Happy Almost Valentine's Day!!

And..... Happy Almost Birthday, Mitch!

And for certain....I need to memorize this verse and pray that God will help me to guard me heart....not only on Valentine's Day...but each and every day!!
Love,

When Life Gives You Lemons....Eat Peanut Butter Cheesecake!

 When Life Gives You Lemons...I say...Eat Peanut Butter Cheesecake!
                                                         

Miller requested the Cheesecake Factory's Peanut Butter Cheesecake for his "get together" last night with his life long friends...the friends he has had since..well...some since birth! Some since K-4 and other's that came to Briarwood in Elementary School, etc...

It's this group that makes up Miller's core group of friends...Unfortunately, Roy couldn't come because it was also his sister's birthday dinner night! Oh well...you will see him later!

Sometimes, when kids get to be the age these guys are...life is starting to get busy, hard, stressful...( as much as it can be for 17-18 year olds) and that calls for a party! This party was nothing but a good old sit around the dinner table, play ping pong and laugh kind of party! And if I do say so myself...the food was delicious! It was really good for Miller to get to be with his best friends again...to laugh, and just BE!!
But the star of the show was the Peanut Butter Cheesecake! Here is the recipe...and a few old pics to boot! Can't believe this group is graduating in May!

                                      Look at their hair!!!

                                And My All Time Personal Favorite!!!!

I bet Roy wishes he had just skipped his sister's dinner! Just kidding...these memories just go way back!!!
Instead of paying the big bucks for the "real thing" from The Cheesecake Factory...I decided to make it...
4 hours later...Jim was wishing we'd just bought the one from there after all!!! Until he tasted this....

            Ok....THE PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE RECIPE!

For The Crust

• 4 1/2 cups crushed Oreo cookies
• 1 cup chopped roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup butter , melted

For The Filling

• 2 lbs cream cheese , softened
• 5 eggs , at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter (not natural-style)
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 Reese's Peanut Butter cups , broken into small pieces

For The Topping

• 3 ounces sour cream
• 1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

1. 1
   Please Note****Plan ahead--cheesecake needs to chill for at least 4 hours.
2. 2
   To Make The Crust:.
3. 3
   Combine crushed Oreo cookies and peanuts that have been ground in a food processor with the melted butter.
4. 4
   Pat the crust mixture onto bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan.
5. 5
   To Make The Filling:.
6. 6
   Beat cream cheese in bowl of electric mixer until smooth.
7. 7
   Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
8. 8
   Add sugar, peanut butter and cream; mix until smooth.
9. 9
   Stir in vanilla, then fold in peanut butter cup pieces with a rubber spatula.
10. 10
    Pour filling into prepared crust.
11. 11
    Place springform pan into a larger baking pan.
12. 12
    Pour hot water into the larger pan so that the water comes 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan.
13. 13
    Bake at 275°F 1-1/2 hours, or until firm and lightly browned.
14. 14
    For The Topping:.
15. 15
    Combine the sour cream and sugar and spread on the cheesecake.
16. 16
    Return the cake to the oven for 5 minutes.
17. 17
    Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for one hour.
18. 18
    You may run a knife along the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan somewhat.
19. 19
    Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

This was definitely one of the best desserts I've ever tasted! And all of the guys said so as well!!! Try it for yourself!!   OR ELSE!!! 

        HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY, MILLER!!!!! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ALL THE RICE IN CHINA!!!