Cheesecake bars

At the request of Amy, I am doing a post about these delicious bad boys.

I think I found the original recipe on pinterest and since then have made them a few times, always adding my own twist.

These treats freeze well and travel well. I've cut them into squares and wrapped them in plastic film then frozen them individually to avoid inhaling the whole pan all at once.

ANYWAY!

The recipe is pretty basic:

Yes, I took the time last night to hand write it as I was in a meeting and desperately bored and wanted to share.

As you can see, they're stupid easy. Perfect if you have someone over last minute. Just whip these up and pop them into the oven.

I usually use fairly soft butter (as I leave my butter on my counter so in the summer it gets really soft) and the cream cheese SHOULD be softened but I give it a good whirl in the kitchenaid and it behaves.

The only time that doesn't work is if you've put your cream cheese in the freezer. I did that once and just microwaved it at like 20% at 30 second intervals. I have all sorts of tricks to share loves.

Other than that, the recipe is fairly simple to follow, but if you do have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them in the comments below. I'd be more than happy to answer if I can.

Now as for variations, I've done a few. I've added some lemon zest to the batter before for a fresher bar. I've also baked frozen raspberries into the top.

For Canada Day, I decided to bake frozen cherries into the bar and make the top into a Canadian flag. Since the top bakes like a cheesecake, I had to cover it in whip cream first to create a surface for the strawberries to stick onto. I know this is a pretty pitiful Canadian Flag, but come on, it's not an easy one to replicate.

Hope you enjoy these bars!

xo D.

Budgetting while planning a (nearly) cross country move

Good morning loves,

I know it's been a long, long time.
Quite frankly, I've been in over my head with this whole moving to Winnipeg thing. 
I think things have settled a BIT now, as I have planned what I'm bringing, what I'm selling and what I'm giving away or throwing out.

Now, some of this (actually a lot) is relying on my penny pinching skills. I have to admit, I am getting help from my parents.
My mom has offered to send my things for me and my aunt has graciously offered to receive my boxes and bring them to my place when I get there.

Things are a bit complicated, however, as my lease officially starts July 15 and I won't get there for almost a full month after.
I also haven't found employment.

But don't fear my loves. It will work. I have to make it work. And I always do make it happen, by some kind of weird troph voodoo.

Ok so let's tackle how I planned my move.

Things to bring:

I've moved an insane amount of time, we're talking 15 houses in the last 22 years with this move making it 16. So I have a bit of experience.
I am moving into a bachelor suite, so I know I will need to be frugal, not only with money, but also space. There is a little storage room, but my sister has said it's not very big (she lives in the same building so our layout is the exact same. Don't even get me started on how excited I am to be living in the same building as her.)
So basics like my coffee maker, dishes, pots/pans/etc., clothes are coming with me or getting shipped.

Things to sell:

I'm not really sure if this is really bad etiquette, but when I moved into the place I'm in now, a lot of people gave me things. Like my microwave and its stand, a kitchen table with three chairs and a few other things. Those things, along with a PLETHORA of knick-knacks are the things I plan on selling. I'm also going to try and sell my bed since it's worth less than the cost to send it. I'm also selling things like DVDs I never watch, craft supplies and all my Christmas decorating. I'm aiming to make $200 on this yard sale, but honestly, I just need the things gone.

Things to donate/throw out:

This is a little embarrassing. I threw out four garbage bags full of things a few weekends ago. FOUR! I know. Where did all this worthless stuff even COME FROM?! I wish I knew. Some of these things were half  used toiletries which I figured no one would buy (I wouldn't.) as well as some half-finished crafts, some souvenirs I just don't think are worth packing around with me. So after chucking all these items into the dumpster, I still had some good items I know would benefit someone. I brought fabric scraps and read magazines to the laundromat since I knew they'd appreciate it. I also brought a big clear bag of clothes and some shoes (the separation anxiety was astounding) to the local battered women's shelter. Felt good knowing things I didn't want or need could be used by people who would really, really be appreciative.

So this is basically where it stands. I've made my lists and started working towards sorting everything out. My dad is bringing me a bunch of boxes of my things he apparently has, but I have a feeling it'll be a whole lot of junk/things to sell since I haven't needed/used them in the last year and a bit.

Have you moved before? What are your favourite ways to make sure everything is organized and ready to go? 

xo D.