Two-fer: Secret Subject Swap

Welcome a Secret Subject Swap. This month 8 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. Read through mine and at the bottom you’ll find links to all of today’s other Secret Subject participants.

My subject is: You've unexpectedly inherited $10,000 from a great uncle you never knew you had. There's a catch, though. You either have to spend the money on frivolous items for yourself only or the money will go into a trust for your great uncle's 3 cats. Do you spend the money? On what?
It was submitted by: Jenniy of Climaxed.

Frequently before starting their posts, my friends who participate in these writing challenges thank the person who thought up their prompt. 

For the record, thanks Jenniy. Although my first thought was that I'd be so much more grateful had you sent in not just the prompt but the money. You know, so I'd get the chance to put my money where my mouth is . . . so to speak.

Is this really a question for some people? I know you're an animal lover, Jenniy, but would you give up an inheritance to a few? Because hell -to-the-yeah I'm spending that money. In a heartbeat. The only thing that would be difficult about it would be stopping at $10,000. Is there someone somewhere, like companies that match donations for their employees, who matches inheritances? 'Cause sign me up.

I know, the cats. I may be missing the compassion gene, but in this dog-eat-dog world if it's me or a cat (or 3), I'm voting for me.

Where to start? I think, quite honestly, the shopping would be just as much fun as the buying. A car? No, actually not enough money. Travel? I've traveled extensively but I still have a bucket list. I'd love to cruise the Greek Isles, but if I could only spend the money on myself, I'd have to go alone and I wouldn't like that. Anyone got a spare $10,000 and want to join me?

The kitchen. If I were to redo my kitchen, designed by me to my exact specifications, would that count as spending the money on something frivolous and for myself? I need to know because I certainly don't want to default and end up with nothing while 3 cats eat lobster for the rest of their days.

Strawberry and Caramel Swirl Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

It would be important to me that I spend the money on something I can enjoy for a long time, like an in-ground pool, not a consumable that would be here today and gone tomorrow. If only my yard would accommodate a pool (and if only you could buy one for $10,000). So I guess my whole idea of taking a week at a spa and working on my zen would be out. Damn!

So here is what I'd do: I would buy replacements. Maybe clothes, luggage, furniture, items I already own that I can replace with the new and donate the gently used. Win/win. Like a two-fer.

BTW, I know that I'm obliged to spend the totality of the inheritance on myself and as I've said, I will. But once I have, I just want to mention, I fully intend, out of my own pocket, to purchase 3 lobsters (or tuna if they prefer) for 3 lovely losers felines. I mean, I may be selfish but I'm not heartless, after all.

Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts. Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:

The Lieber Family Blog
The Bergham Chronicles 

The Blogging 911
Cognitive Script 
Never Ever Give Up Hope 
Climaxed
Part-Time Working Hockey Mom

Strawberry and Caramel Swirl Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

                                                              ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe


Ingredients:

2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (12 - 14 rectangles)
2 TBSP sugar
6 TBSP butter, melted

2 packages (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

6 TBSP seedless strawberry jam, divided
6 TBSP caramel sauce, divided

OPT: sliced strawberries for serving

Directions:
*Grease a 9 inch springform pan. On the outside of the pan, wrap a sheet of tin foil around the bottom and partially up the sides of the pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
*Mix together the chocolate graham cracker crumbs, 2 TBSP sugar and butter. Press into and partially up the sides of the springform pan.
*Beat the cream cheese, remaining sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the sour cream and heavy cream, then the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the mini chocolate chips.
*Pour half of the filling into the prepared crust. Drizzle with half of the jam, then half of the caramel sauce. Swirl around with a knife or large toothpick. Repeat with the remaining filling, jam and caramel sauce.
*Bake for 60 - 75 minutes, until the center is just set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
*To serve: gently run a knife around the cheesecake before removing the side of the springform pan. Slice and serve topped with fresh strawberries, if desired.
*Store leftovers, covered, in refrigerator.