What a weekend. Whew! For that matter, what a past three weeks! It has been crazy around the Hassienda.

Since I’ve moved to Georgia, I’ve really missed my friends and family. We’re only 3.5 hours from home, but sometimes it feels like a solar system away. I’m a firm believer that God will always provide what you need when you need it, and he certainly has over the past month.

Three weeks ago he provided a fantastic girls’ weekend for me and a great friend from home. Last weekend was Mother’s Day and He provided safe travels to SC for us to spend an extended weekend with our daughter and grandchildren, a wonderful dinner with my BFF..FFF Rhonda, and a great night out with even more amazing friends. This weekend we had two more friends, Melissa and Hillarie, come to visit for the weekend for Melissa’s first art show in Atlanta. That girl has crazy talent. Check THESE out…all originals in graphite.

I know right? Not even believable. You can visit her art at http://www.graphitelife.com. She accepts commissioned projects as well as offering all of these great prints for sale. This is perfect for a bride to be, or grandparents looking for an amazing keepsake of their grandchildren. Check her out…jus sayin!

We also were fortunate that her art show was held at the Marietta Jokes and Jazz event featuring sax man “Mayor” Gary Harris offering a WILD tribute to Grover Washington Jr. Just NO words for the talent in this show.

If you live close to the Marietta area, DO NOT MISS these shows! You will love me later. Promise. Mr. Fountaine Lewis provides spectacular artists, and hilarious comedians all from the comfort of his “living room”. Guess you’ll have to go check out a show to see what that means 🙂 There is NO better date night below the Mason Dixon than these shows right here and proceeds from these events go to provide musical instruments for children in the area. What a great program y’all.

All that said, we have had an amazing month with an abundance of quality time with our friends and family.  We are so blessed because of every one of you.

On that note, Let Us Eat Cake!

Mini Key Lime Curd Cheesecakes with Macadamia Nut Cookie Crust and Toasted Coconut

Ingredients:

• 3, 8 oz. blocks cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp. GOOD vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 package macadamia nut cookies, crushed
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• 1/4 cup Key Lime Curd
• 1 tbsp. bourbon – optional

      

Directions:

With a fork, mix crushed cookies and melted butter until well blended. Grease well a mini cheesecake pan. Place about 1 tbsp. cookie mixture into each cup and firmly pat into the bottom of the cup.

In a mixer blend cream cheese and sugar until well creamed. Add eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Add vanilla, key lime curd and bourbon. Mix well. Drop batter by spoonfuls into each cup. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. The center should still be a little jiggly. Let cool on a rack for about 30 minutes, then transfer to the fridge to cool for about an hour. Top with toasted coconut and serve with additional Key Lime Curd.

Life is too short to eat ugly food. Bon appetit’ y’all!