Tales to Tell

It is going to be wonderful to see the Grandbabes this upcoming weekend.  I am so excited for my youngest to be turning one year old.  He is growing so fast.

I have his gifts here all ready.  Just need to do a lil wrapping.  I can't tell you what they are as his mommy knows to look here for ideas.  Stacy...no peeking!  But it is going to be a blast.

We are having to pick our weekend plans and I promise you this first birthday has me all excited.  There is also a family reunion going on and my brother's wedding.  Gosh so hard but could not be at all three places.  And grandbabes are ever so important.  My brother and family surely understand.

The other grandbabes will be returning for a week visit soon.  I have some things ready as usual.  For my oldest granddaughter who is an avid reader I have two new books.  She will love them and I hope read to me some.  Her vocabulary is really expanding so with her continued learning.  Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare sounds like so much fun.  Of course I love cheesecake and pineapple is a favorite.  It does seem like they are all disappearing in this book.  I think we will make a cheesecake in honor of the book.  Yeah, a pineapple cheesecake will be perfect!  I just hope that TK does not think she can develop the water allergy that Crosley has in the book.  Bath time is important!  Let's add in a red crocodile and the mystery tour is ready.  But do not forget the get-anything-free card. Oh how we could all use this.

Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2 packages (8 ounce size) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs

Mix together well.  Let chill in fridge while doing part two.

1 can drained pineapple rings

1 jar drained cherries

1/3 cup brown sugar

(I place the drained juices together with orange juice to make a lil juice cocktail for the kiddos.)

In a oiled cheesecake pan sprinkle the brown sugar over the bottom of the pan.

Place the pineapple rings covering the brown sugar with a cherry in the middle of each one.

Now pour the cheesecake mixture over the pineapples and cherries.

You will want to place the cheesecake pan on top of a cookie sheet to keep from having any mess from melting brown sugar in your oven.

Bake for 40 minutes.  Let cool in fridge for 2 hours.

Run a moisten knife around edge of pan.

Place a large plate on top of pan.  Turn over plate and pan together.

Undo the cheesecake ring.  Take off ring and then lift off the bottom of the pan from the top of the cheesecake.

My other book for her is Forest Tales by Aggie.  This is a good one for bedtime reading.  There are five separate stories that share adventure and friendship.  This is by Irma Ramirez who has the pen name of Aggie.  Her own tale is one of adventure and success.  From Puerto Rico to the States, learning a new language and then becoming a writer too.  Her tales of fantasy where crocodiles, beavers, birds and more become friends with the characters within.  I love the ink drawings that illustrate the book too.

It is all going to be so much fun.  We have a swingset up in the side yard now.  And I am praying one day the hot tub will be done.  Most of all fingers crossed that the a/c will be fixed too!  Thanks to Vantage Press and Dune Buggy Press for sharing with me.