Project Life ~ November 2024

 Can you believe November is over & there is only one month left in 2024?

This month, I crocheted a Cat Christmas tree for my sister, America elected a new president, I sang in the choir during Sunday services, sadly lost my friend Anita’s sweet pup, Tito, moved out of our office building, visited my mom & cooked Thanksgiving dinner, saw Home Free & met Maggie Baugh.

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No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake

I'm the first to admit that when it comes to sweet treats, I am not usually a big fan of no-bake items.  I just like my baked goods, well...baked.  

But my sister requested this No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake for her birthday, and it looked good and was simple enough and I certainly wanted to fulfill her wishes.  Plus, I mean, I totally love peanut butter!!

It's made in 3 parts, the crust, the filling and the topping:

No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake

For the Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the Filling:

2 cups heavy cream
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup Reese's Pieces candy

For the Topping:

1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup Reese's Pieces candy
1/2 cup assorted mini chocolate candies


Instructions:

Prepare the Crust:

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined.
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
Place the crust in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the filling.

Prepare the Filling:

In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until well combined.

Fold in the mini chocolate chips and Reese's Pieces candy.

Pour the filling over the chilled crust and spread evenly.

Add the Topping:

In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the top of the cheesecake filling.

Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips, Reese's Pieces candy, and assorted mini chocolate candies on top.

Place the cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
Remove the sides of the springform pan, slice and serve

Project Life - October 2024

Can you believe October is finished?  I mean we only have 2 more months left in the year.  October was a busy month for me. I made a trip to Rome, GA to get info about next year’s insurance, we bit good bye to our Pandas, we moved out of our office building, I made a trip to the Florida and celebrated my mother’s (and my) birthday with my sister in law, I voted and recreated my week with cat pictures only, I took a trip to Jekyll Island and went to my cousin’s wedding.  Oh yeah, and I started choir rehearsal for the church’s Christmas program…me…singing…who knew?  

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Busy, busy but good !!

 

Chemo Hats & Prayer Shawl

I mentioned in a previous post that I wanted to finish some WIPs before doing new projects but I didn’t totally stick to that.  I know you are shocked - NOT!

One of my WIPs was a prayer shawl & I did finish it! I really love it. It is made with Lion Brand Scarfie in Ice Gold.

After I was done, I decided I wanted to make at least 5 chemo hats for the Emory Winship Cancer Center.

So, instead of working on other WIPs, I knitted 5 hats.  I admit, I really like how they all came out.  They were all made with Caron Simply Soft yarn.

So…now the WIPs, Prayer Shawls and Cancer Hats are on hold for a bit.  I now want to make a couple of gifts.  I’ve made progress on the WIPs and not exactly as far along as I had hoped but at least I finished 2 and I’m glad I also made this prayer shawl and hats.

Project Life - September 2024

It was an interesting month…I saw Billy Pilgrim again, I had a great trip to the Outer Banks, and uh…oh yea, I had a mini-stroke & a bunch of medical tests.

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Project Life - August 2024

I just realized I have never posted my August Project Life pages.  So...here they are

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Livia Soprano's Afghan

I am way, way, way behind the times.  I have never watched "The Sopranos" but recently HBO had a marathon where they showed a full season each day for 7 days (they split the 6th season into 2 days) and while I know I could watch on MAX, I just haven't done it, and I wasn't sure it was my kind of show.

But I must say that I am 100% hooked on it and I currently just started watching Season 5.

Anyway, early on in the series, Tony Soprano's mother, Livia, was often shown at her house or at the retirement community along with her beautiful crochet afghan.

Let me just say...when you are a crocheter or a knitter, you always, always notice hats, scarves, cardigans, afghans and such that you can clearly see where made by someone!

The very first time it was on the screen, I noticed Livia's afghan.  I love the pattern, which appears to be the Sunburst Square, but I totally love the colors too.  I would love to make one to match and know that it would be pretty easy to do but...I'm as I've mentioned, I already have several WIPs, plus I have several PIM (projects in mind), so I don't need to add to the list.  But I totally love it and if I didn't have these other projects already in my queue, I would totally make this!