A Love Letter

Let me start by saying I love you.  For the last 15 months I've been asking myself 'what's next Darlene?'  Being a chef can be taxing on one's body.  When I have an event, I'm in a non stop mode for 4-5 days and on my feet for 12-16 hours.  To sleep for 24 hours after each event would be a dream, it takes me a couple days to recoup. This is why the "what's next" question has been so loud in my mind.  I started to reflect on what I've enjoyed in my career history, and it brings me back to Real Estate.  I got my RE License in 2004, had my first and only child (Carmella) in 2006.  In 2008 Dave and I decided that staying home with Carmella would be the best thing I could do for our family.  It was my pleasure.  Carmella and I joined a neighborhood playgroup, a few months later Honey Girl Kitchen was born.  These lovely mommies loved the homemade snacks I'd make when I hosted playgroup and so it began.  My first client was Kelly Gordon, thank you!  Baptisms, First Communions, Birthdays, this is how I became an accidental caterer.  I have enjoyed being of service and sharing my gift.  So grateful for the trust and referrals that made my business bloom.  Throughout these years I continued my RE education never letting my RE License expire.  Real Estate was the long term goal as a career...I can sell RE all my life, catering not so much. 

I've built some beautiful friendships while catering.  I ask for your love, kindness, prayers and support in my transition.  I will continue to provide monthly specials the first Thursday of every month plus an update of my transition.      

As of March 9, 2015 I joined CLAY STAPP + CO. Looking forward to the joy of finding my future clients a home. 

I will still maintain this blog...I will continue to share recipes and post pictures of our family dinner parties.

With so much love, Darlene Rosen

No Bake Cheese Cake

I feel I need to confess...only because this cheesecake is soooo delicious.  Confession: this is the 2nd pie in 5 days. The first one lasted 24 hours.  We'll see how long this one lasts.  In our home we all equally adore plain cheesecake and you'll find that it's the norm to request it vs a traditional birthday cake.   Every now and then we'll add a french orange marmalade or a french raspberry preserve. 

I came upon this recipe a week ago.  It's Martha Stewart's 'No Bake Cheesecake' it sounded familiar, if I've made it before it's been ages.  

Honey Girl Kitchen's No Bake Cheesecake 

inspired by Martha Stewart's version

• 1 1/2 cups crushed cookies (graham, shortbread...whatever you love or have)              
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted (salted or unsalted...whatever you have)            
• 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature       
• 1 14-ounce can (1 1/4 cups) sweetened condensed milk       
•  zest of 2 lemons     
• juice of 1 fresh lemon 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract   
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional...this topping makes it an over the top slice)   

1. Put cookies in a ziploc, crush them with a rolling pin.  Finely.
2. Put crumbs into pie pan. Add butter, and stir until well combined.


3. Press the crumb mixture press flat. Freeze crust while you mix up the filling.
   
   
4. In a large mixing bowl add remaining ingredients, EXCEPT sour cream.  Mix on medium to high till smooth (whatever powerful mixer/blender of sort you have).
5. Pour the filling into the crust; smooth the top. Cover with plastic wrap freeze for 1 hour. 
6. Top with sour cream.  Refrigerate till serving time.

Children Can Set The Entire Table

china + glassware + placemats placed in bottom drawer

Why did I not think of this sooner?  Today  a light bulb turned on when I was cleaning the bottom kitchen drawer...mind you the only bottom drawer.  I have a 1931 kitchen...3 cabinets and 3 drawers. I live with a voice inside my head "Darlene what's wrong with you? Please be tidier."   Then I delightfully respond to the voice "self please, the kitchen is tiny I'm just doing the best I can ❤️". 

My 8 year old, Carmella, has been helping me set the table daily for the last 4 years.  I normally hand her the china and drinking glasses.  She can reach the silverware, napkins and filtered water.  Today all that will change, she will now be able to set the entire table all by herself.   She's good at it too.  All china is set right side up if there is a design, plate straight if squared, water to the right, fork and napkin on the left, spoon/knife if needed on right.  I showed her the drawer and she was pleased.  Next I'll have her load the dishwasher, currently she's still to short to navigate the sink water properly.

everyday place setting

Carmella loves responsibilities even if she seems a bit resistant...that's when I reiterate "this is our home and it takes all of us to run a house...we each need to do our part."   Saying those words also helps me not feel as though I'm asking for too much "it's our home".  

Carmella's contribution: setting the table perfectly, vacuum (as best she can), make her bed (as best she can), feed the pooches dinner, set her alarm clock, fold towels and put her clothes on hangers or drawers (still working on neatness).

May your tidiness be ...intentionally delightful.

xoxoxo, Darlene