Soccer

Soccer
Will at play

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

As 2010 comes to an end

It has been very difficult for me to post this fall especially after October. I try to keep my spirits up and hope for answers. There is such a void in my heart for Will to be with us here physically-that will never be. Up until October 2009, 2009 was a very good year-I can remember every month with Will,Aly, Dick and the rest of the family and friends. Good times, no great times then October-what happened? I never saw it coming, I would do anything to turn back the clock to make it not so-that will never be. 2010 was a year of many additional changes and distractions rebuilding a life, a family minus our Will here with us to love, dream, make memories and fulfill wishes for a future after high school graduation-a lifetime as an adult. The plans all up in smoke now, gone, everything we wanted/he wanted fades into the background. It is sad getting college literature addressed to Will wanting him to go the "their" University. He would have made an excellent student-such talent all around; a beautiful person, so much to give. All I can say now is that he attends ALU (Afterlife University). I am thankful for those I love and love me and will continue the journey to find answers to help educate the community and myself in 2011. Now looking to the future to the Spring when Will would have graduated from Gunn-working on another Athletic scholarship and Adopt a College scholarship. Let me know if you would like to make a donation in memory of Will's life. I don't think that I will be able to attend the graduation ceremony this Spring-maybe...Another focus for the Spring and next year is helping Aly with college prep. She likes the change from Gunn High School to Foothill Middle College very much-The program and curriculum suit her. I am so proud of Aly, she inspires me every day especially in how she is dealing the grief and loss of her older brother, Will, her best friend. She has her moments as we all do and takes each day at a time. Wishing you all peace and love in 2011.

Fountainbleau Cheesecake

Here is the recipe for the cheesecake. The only thing changed was adding a shortbread crust. The original recipe (below) does not have a crust.


Ingredients:
2 lbs cream cheese (preferably Philadelphia brand), at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup half-and-half
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Juice and grated zest of 1 large or 1 1/2 small lemons


Preheat the oven to 425 F. Generously butter a 9-inch springform pan.
Beat the cream cheese in a mixer at medium speed until light an fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the sugar and beat until it is completely incorporated. Beat in the eggs, one by one, scraping the bowl after each addition, waiting until one egg is completely incorporated before adding the next. Beat in the half-and-half in a thin stream, followed by the vanilla, then the lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Wrap a single piece of aluminum foil around the outside, bottom, and side of pan. Place the pan in a roasting pan. Add enough very hot water to come about halfway up the side of the springform pan. Place the roasting pan in the oven and reduce the heat to 350 F.
Bake the cheesecake until the top puffs like a souffle, about 40 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes. Leave the oven on.
Return the cheesecake to the oven and bake until set and slightly puffed, about 20 minutes more. Jiggling should be minimal. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate the cheesecake until completely cold, at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight.
Dip a sharp slender knife in hot water and run it around the inside edge of the springform pan. Unmold the cheesecake. Cut it into wedges for serving, using a sharp slender knife or dental floss stretched between your hands. (If using the former, wipe if off and dip it in hot water between slices.)