Florida, part 2

Part of part 2, actually. We have videos to share of our day at the second most spectacular place in all of Florida, but I'm lazy, so for now, just pictures.
We could actually feel this alligator breathing, of all the amazing things.

Florida, part 1

I'm resisting the urge to carry on and on about Discovery Cove; I could, you know. Of the dozen or so parks we've visited in Florida, it's our very favorite. It even trumps Gatorland, and that's saying something! Please, if you are planning a trip anywhere near Orlando, consider spending the day there. And when you do, say hello to Capricorn, that 700-lb love of a dolphin, for us :)

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, anyone?

One of reasons we stole away to the beach last weekend was to celebrate our dear Mom's birthday. When I asked what sort of dessert the birthday lady might like, she answered with an emphatic 'Cheesecake!' and so I was off and running to find a recipe worthy of a 61st-year celebration.

I hit the jack-pot, folks, and so I share it with you. The original recipe (which I found on allrecipes.com; thank you allrecipes!!) called for chocolate cookie crumbs, but I'm an abstainer of chocolate, and also selfish, so I used vanilla cookies instead. Actually, I used Golden Oreos, filling and all; this was, in the end, far too rich, and the recipe below reflects what I'll do the next time I make it. And you'd better believe I'll make it again; how can a girl resist when her husband tells her it's the best she's ever made, and so delicious she could sell it? It's enough to give me a big head :)

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (or graham cracker crumbs)
1/3 - 1/2 cup butter, melted
3 Tbsp sugar
1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
2 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup half & half
3 (8 ounces each) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325. In a medium bowl, mix crumbs, melted butter & 3 Tbsp sugar. Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8-10 minutes; cool. In medium saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 Tbsp sugar, cornstarch & water. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds. Melt white chocolate with half & half over a double boiler, stirring ocassionally until smooth. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese & 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in white chocolate and vanilla. Pour half of the batter over crust. Spoon 3 Tbsp raspberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining batter into pan; spoon 3 Tbsp sauce over the top. Swirl batter with a knife to create a marbled effect. Bake 55-60 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cover with plastic wrap & refrigerate 8 hours before removing from springform. Serve with remaining raspberry sauce.

And now, a few more pictures of Seabrook. Really, if you're yearning for a picturesque, restful place to loll around with the ones you love, Seabrook is it.

Seabrook

We've just returned home from a weekend at the coast, in the coziest little house in the middle of a charming little village. It was lovely, every single bit. Now, enough with the words. On with the pictures!