Wednesday, August 15, 2012

B-T-S


My favorite holiday is here.:  B-T-S.  That’s right boys and girls, its back to school time.  Where I come from school starts after Labor Day but here it starts in mid-August.   I always pitied those elementary school teachers having to sit in an enclosed classroom with 25 hot sweaty kids after recess in mid-August.  I just don’t get starting during the hottest days of the summer, but then again, nobody asked me.


 The issue with the start of a new school year is the adjustment.  After 10 weeks of staying up late and sleeping in and minimal obligations, we are all thrown into a schedule-driven life.  We all have to adjust.  No easing in.  One day there’s no school and the next day there is.


 We’ve had our share of abrupt adjustments, especially Younger Son.  When Younger Son was 4, I thought his hearing was impaired.  He didn’t always respond when I called and I just felt that something was wrong.  His Doctor said that Younger Son was just being obstinate.  I decided to test it.  On a few different occasions I called out for him to come get a Sundae, a present, go to the pool.  Nothing.  Obstinate my a** (butt).  I took him to an Audiologist and an ENT.  Younger Son wasn’t hearing properly, his tonsils and adenoids were too big for his throat, part of why he had a hard time keeping food down (The (Ongoing) Dinner Dilemma).  He needed surgery, and lots of it. 

 After the whole surgery ordeal the adjustment was intense.  The tubes in his ears not only helped stop the frequent infections, but helped with Younger Son’s balance issues.  Removal of the tonsils and adenoids allowed him to keep more food down.  In one month he gained 10 pounds, some semblance of a sense of balance, and an uncomfortable ability to hear things louder than he was used to.  The first time he got back into a pool and exerted the same amount of energy he always had, he went nowhere.  The poor kid was perplexed.  He was literally swimming in place, not moving forward at all.  Younger Son had to readjust to himself.  No easing in.  One day he was physically one person and the next it was truly like he was someone else.  
Back to School Sign  | shared with permission on www.BakingInATornado.com | #humor


Wrong date but great sign!
picture used with permission: http://www.funnysigns.net/

The first time you send your youngest off to school is an adjustment as well.  I remember when Older Son was going into First Grade and Younger Son was about to start Kindergarten.  At "back-to-school day", a week before the first day of school, the Principal was trying to be supportive about the adjustment I faced.  He told me how many times over his years as Principal he’s seen Moms cry the first time they sent their youngest off to Kindergarten.  “Cry?” I said, “are you kidding, I’ll be dancing in the streets”.  Actually I had a number of friends with kids the same age as mine and we weren’t dancing in the streets.  We were at my house having a Champagne Brunch.  I’m dead serious.  Went over so well we did it for the next few years too.  Some people just adjust well.


 B-T-S, like most holidays, requires preparation.  There’s all the shopping that has to be done for clothes and supplies, schedules need to be picked up, lunch accounts re-opened.  Of course there’s a culinary build up as well.  I make all of their favorite meals, desserts and snacks for a solid week.  I think the reason I go all out has psychological roots in those Champagne brunches.  Do I feel guilty for being so happy about this occasion?  Or do I feel bad that I’m sending my problems 1/2 mile up the street for 8 hours a day?  Either way, my kitchen gets a work-out.  Win/win.


Strawberry Milk Cheesecake | www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe
Strawberry Milk Cheesecake



Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

Strawberry Milk Cheesecake
                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com


Printable Recipe

Ingredients, Crust:                                                  
 2 cups graham cracker crumbs                                         
1/2cup multicolored jimmies (sprinkles) 
2 Tbsp sugar
1 stick butter, melted

Ingredients, Filling: 
1 1/2 cups heavy cream        
1 (8 oz) pkg plus 1 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened 
1 cup Nestles (25% less sugar) Strawberry Milk Drink Mix 
2 Tbsp sugar

Ingredients,Top:                                                                               
1/2 cup heavy cream 
2 Tbsp sugar 
Multicolored nonpareils

Directions, Crust:
*Mix together all crust ingredients making sure it is all well incorporated.   
*Press into and up the sides of a springform pan.
Directions, Filling:
*Beat cream cheese with Strawberry Milk powder and sugar to get it a little fluffy. 
*In another bowl, beat heavy cream until peaks just start to form.  Beat in cream cheese mixture and pour into the crust.
Directions, Top:
*Beat heavy cream with sugar.  Pipe onto cheesecake and sprinkle with nonpareils. 
*Freeze cheesecake.  To serve, move to refrigerator.  When it begins to thaw, run a knife carefully around the edges and remove the pan sides.  Can serve partially frozen or thawed.

Adapted from No Bake Strawberry Milk Cheesecake recipe from Sprinklebakes.com
NOTE:  I’ve said before that I do bake up my own recipes, but most frequently I use
others’ recipes as a starting point and adapt them to my taste and ability level.  I don’t think I’m alone. The more I find recipes to try, the more I find that they are adapted from other people’s recipes.  Sometimes I can follow them back 3 or 4 generations.  I don’t think that’s the case here, Sprinklebakes develops her own recipes.

34 comments:

  1. I love this holiday, too, B-T-S. And nobody can make me feel guilty for being in a "dancing in the streets" mood, when it's that time of the year again when I can enjoy some peace and quiet in the house! I have to wait till Sept. 13th, though, cause that's when schools start in Greece.

    I'm really glad all turned out well for Justin after his surgery.

    P.S. Loved the cheesecake recipe! Must try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to hear from a guilt-free "dancing in the streets" Mom!

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  2. It's my little girl's first year of school and I have mixed emotions. We start after labour day as well here. Thanks for following Mommy Time Out

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    Replies
    1. I hope you and your daughter have a great first experience.

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  3. School starts here on the 22nd. I always thought the parents were adorable on that first day of Kindergarten. (I taught Kindergarten forever) I'd remind the children to wave goodbye to their moms and dads and give a thumbs up that they (the children AND the parents) were going to be okay. This was all going on while elsewhere in the school, cars were screeching to halts, pushing out the older kids and racing off. Funny what can happen in a few years. Probably less funny, that I'll be doing the pushing this year! Good on you for the Champagne brunch..AND cheesecake. Whats all the business of inviting others though??? Kidding. Happy Happy BTS, to you!

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  4. Well I don't have kids yet so I can't comment on whether I enjoy B-T-S or not, but I agree it seems crazy that kids are going to back to school in the middle of AUGUST. By the time I graduated high school everyone was going back at the end of August and that seemed weird enough. It makes you wonder if maybe Summer break will eventually be non-existent, doesn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bite your tongue! At least till my kids are done in school.

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  5. No anything but school!!! Why must summer end?

    -The Anon Blogger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can we have school start but summer NOT end, I'd go for that!

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  6. Found you on Bloggers.

    I have a few things to add. First that cake look mmmmmmmmmm Okay so I am having a love affair on my husband with sweets.

    Next, Justin. My kids had tubes. Both my nieces had tonsils removed. If for some reason his hearing doesn't improve, I have linked on my page Westwood ASL. This isn't a plug for my blog or for anything I am affiliated with. (I write humor and satire) My friend, Rob, is deaf/hearing impaired. He is also a public school ASL teacher. He has five kids, so for extra dough he makes ASL learning modules to teach both deaf/hearing impaired and their families ASL. They are 5 dollars. If you find you need that, please click. (I really don't want you to think I am running an add for him just an fyi if you need it)

    Lastly, back to school...Ahh I hate it. I hate sending my kids back though I know it is best for them. I miss them. I want them here with me.

    Anyway, love your blog. ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Justin had about 5 sets of tubes over the years but is now tube free. I did teach him a few simple ASL signs after his surgery because it hurt him so much to speak, but I'm lucky that the scar tissue built up in his ears didn't cause any permanet damage. Thank you for offering so much info, it's reassuring when people reach out.

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  7. I love your story, so cute. Also I love the cheesecake, looks soooo yummy!

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  8. Sounds like you found a great way to cope with BTS, much better than crying. I always hated BTS as a kid, in part because it always feel on the week of my birthday (often the exact day). I didn't like having my birthday ruined like that. Of course, I would have still looked forward to the day if I had that cheesecake coming. Yum...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't imagine my birthday being the first day of school when I was young. Now that I'm a parent I'd love my birthday to be on the first day of school, that could be my gift.

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  9. Karen -
    How funny. The first day of school for my daughter is tomorrow August 16. I was so excited I thought it was today August 15 (last night literally had her ready to go to be at 9p and she's like mom school starts Thursday) WTF!? To make a long story short, I love the last day of school and the first day of school - official best days ever!
    If you have a moment please read my post The Best Day Ever by...
    http://imjustsayindamn.blogspot.com/2012/06/best-day-ever-by.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. back to school was Monday for us and it was a HUGE adjustment. My middle dd went to school for the first time, in 8th grade. She has been homeschooled prior and has some behavior and learning issues and panic attacks and she was just terrified. Not to mention a long undiagnosed thyroid and gland issue so she hs seriously obese ... the poor kid was a mess with anticipation. So far so good though and I am finding a whole new life for myself with time to myself for the first time in 14 yrs!

    I am stopping by from the Let's Mingle blog hop, would love to have you stop by and follow me as well, and check out my give a way :)
    http://domesticdeficitdisorder.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope your daughter continues to do well. When my older son was in 8th grade a new kid came to the school. The school took the time to find out that the new boy likes to skateboard, and everyone knows my son did. They introduced the boys and the new kid had an immediate new friend in my son. Hope your school does something like this for your daughter. Going to ur blog now!

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  11. that cake sounds amazing!!

    Have a lovely day! Stop by nichollvincent.blogspot.com and say hello! :)

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  12. Hi, following from Follow Friday.

    A champagne brunch. Hilarious.

    Good luck with back to school, not that you need it.

    If you're interested, you can find me at http://www.povblog.net and http://frazzledfran.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, It was a fun time. I'll stop by and check you out!

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  13. Love your blog...Following from blog hop
    http://mommysmingle.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, man! I can't wait for back to school! We just moved and my kiddos' new school starts a full month later than their old one, so they're going stir-crazy!! Thanks for linking up with the Weekend Blog Walk!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SOOO glad I don't have to wait another month. Enough is enough.

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  15. Back to school always seems so busy. Even though we homeschool it still is a lot of prep work. Beautiful cake.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a whole lifestyle change. Public school or homeschool, time to get on a schedule.

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  16. Thank you so much for following our blog Karen! We are officially your newest followers as well :) And P.S. this recipe looks fantastic! My husband's mom died about 7 years ago and growing up, he remembers strawberry milk being one of her favorite things to drink, so every year on her birthday, we have a big glass of it to remember her. This would be a cute way to mix things up :) Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to get to know ya more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If she liked strawberry milk, she would have loved this cheesecake. You should definitely try it in her honor. Can't wait to hear what you think.

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  17. This cheesecake looks delicious! Now following you via the mingle. All the best, Monica

    ReplyDelete

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