Cheesecake Christmas Tree

While in New York City a few years ago we visited a place called Junior's that makes the "Most Fabulous Cheesecake", AND sold a cookbook with many cheese cake recipes.  For Christmas this  year I decided to make one.

Under their section "Celebration Cheesecakes" was a Christmas Tree.  Perfect!!  You didn't even have to make a crust.

I sprinkled it with Christmas Green Sugar and used M & M's for bulbs.

A little whipped cream for garland and presto!!!

And it was delicious!!!

Child's knitted sweater

This pattern was called 'tiny tea leaves cardigan' and it was designed by Melissa LaBarre.  The site is:
                    http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/tiny-tea-leaves-cardigan.html

The yarn is from Knit Picks, the Swish Worsted in Lava Heather.

http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Swish_Worsted_Yarn__D5420153.html

It's a very cute stylish sweater for a child.

Here is the finished product.  Ally is 3 yo and she should be able to wear it for several years.  I made size four.  The pattern goes up to size 12.

Yo-J Homemade

I like to make this homemade Yo-J for my grandchildren.  The Kemps brand Yo-J they sometimes bring smells really gross so I decided to try some with fresh fruit (instead of fruit flavors, whatever that is).

1 1/2 cup full fat yogurt like Brown Cow (kids need fat for their brains to grow)
1/2 cup coconut milk (you may need more if it gets too thick)
2 cups of fresh or frozen fruit (you can put thru a fine mesh strainer to get seeds out of you are serving in a sippy cup)
Protein Whey (optional)

                                                             Delicious!!!!!

Here are the ingredients in Kemps Yo-J.  Mine is sweeter without added sugar.  What is Artificial Color red 40 anyway and how do they make it????

Kemps Yo-J Strawberry
A smooth and refreshing mix of yogurt and fruit juice and featuring a strawberry flavor

Ingredients

Nonfat Yogurt (Cultured Skim Milk), Water, Sugar, Strawberry Flavor [Juice Concentrates (Strawberry, Pear), Natural Flavor, Artificial Color (Red 40)], Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Xanthan Gum, Rebiana (A Sweetener), Vitamin D3.