Cheesecake; Michigan; Poets; Honeysuckle

Lots to like, this go-round.

First, a cheesecake with a chocolate crust. Note: no crack.

And still, no crack:

Here's something pleasing: frosted Michigan glasses. They can be found here.

Aren't they nice? As for the stuff in the background... that was in preparation of the annual spring gathering of MFA poets. This year, an array of salads....

... and they were lovely company, too, those poets. We had a good semester, I think. 

It's already hot and humid in West Virginia, and the honeysuckle---my favorite---is out in full force.

Even the ditches have lovely flowers...

Finally, a familiar little dinner on the day of commencement... spring is full of such beginnings.... spaetzle, roasted brussels sprouts, pecans, feta, spinach, dates... good as leftovers, too... the summer term starts tomorrow... Keats, onward---

Well, I did see one robin

And the snow is mostly gone. And the pussy willow, as you'll see, has decided to go ahead with its catkins.

But first: cappuccino chip cheesecake. I wish it had photographed better, but it was pretty amazing and that's what counts.

It was for a just-up-the-street party.

And today: Irish soda bread. KAF recipe.

Several views...

And some easy sesame noodles with asparagus and red pepper. Very photogenic.

Lastly, as promised, the pussy willow in action:

A very pretty Sunday in September

A good day for a small dinner party for a visiting writer.

To start, tomatillo-avocado salsa. Rick Bayless recipe.

And two kinds of bread, the oatmeal loaf and the beer bread.

I made a green salad (no pic) and grilled lots of vegetables to go with farro. 

And a cranberry cheesecake for dessert. I've made a lot of cheesecakes. This was one of the best, by far.