First, let me say thank you to everyone for your kind comments and emails yesterday and birthday wishes. I was actually overwhelmed by how many messages I received yesterday and it’s always nice to feel noticed and loved 🙂 And don’t worry, I’m settling into my unemployment very nicely.

Second, I have a red velvet cheesecake hangover…and I like it. LOL

Last night I had a few of my favorite friends and family together for a spaghetti dinner at my parent’s house (My mom makes the best spaghetti ever). For dessert I spent 2 days making a red velvet cheesecake trying to replicate the Cheesecake Factory’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake. From the oohs and aahs I received, I think it was a success. I have a few slices left in my fridge and I’m going to savor them today because this isn’t the kind of dessert you can just whip together for any occasion, even though my husband has already stated this would be made again.

Want to make it yourself? I used the NY Style Cheesecake recipe, buttercream frosting recipe and assembly instructions from this site. I didn’t like their version of red velvet (who puts cinnamon in red velvet?!) so I went to my old faithful, Martha Stewart for a simple, delicious and moist version. If you want to impress folks, you need to make this. Seriously. I think that piece is calling my name now…