Friday, September 7, 2018

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.

Secret Subject Swap, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


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 is a simple chocolate chip cheesecake swirled with layers of strawberry and caramel, then baked in a chocolate graham cracker crust. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #bake #dessert

Strawberry and Caramel Swirl Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Strawberry and Caramel Swirl Chocolate Chip Cheesecake is a simple chocolate chip cheesecake swirled with layers of strawberry and caramel, then baked in a chocolate graham cracker crust. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #bake #dessert


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:


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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.

18 comments:

  1. LOL I'm so glad you wrote this. I sat here and literally LOL! Cracked me up. NOW as a cat lover and owner...it would be hard for me. I want to make sure the kitties are well cared for. But let's be honest. 10k to spend on me??? Holy catnip man! I'd have to adopt the kitties and shop til I dropped!
    Cognitive Script

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good alternative, and I'm not surprised at all that you found a way to take care of everyone.

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  2. Hmmmm, not sure if replacement furniture qualifies as frivolous?
    But keep talking about the clothes and luggage - there are purses in the picture, right?
    While I don't have spare 10k (all my cash is going straight to the dentist's these days) I don't live too far away from Greece, so I might be able to join you for a couple of days.
    Happy Hour on Santorini?

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  3. Yikes. What a dilemma. I'd have NO IDEA what to spend the money on. (I do know I wouldn't let it go to any cats. Tuna for them. All the way.) Here's where I admit I hate clothes shopping. Or any shopping for that matter. Sigh. I'm hooped. Wait. Greece? I'm there, my friend!

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  4. I'm totally with you on this one---forget the cats and treat yourself to something nice!

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  5. I think I wouldn't have much trouble spending that money - a world cruise might sound good. And 'll find some way to keep the cats comfortable, too - not sure how. Meantime, I'm pinning the cheesecake for another time, as am starting back on Weight Watchers this Wednesday. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck on Weight Watchers, but I hope you try this recipe at some point!

      Delete
  6. How would I spend it...let me count the ways. I think these days I'd take a long leisurely vacation driving around the US, including Alaska of course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perfect, Rena. Maybe we could inherit together, and travel together.

      Delete
  7. Perfect decision -- the lobsters, I mean. No guilt, no shame! I appreciated replacing things and donating the old stuff. Good idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carol, it was the best solution I could come up with.

      Delete
  8. That looks gorgeous and delicious!! And don't worry about the cats; they can take care of themselves!

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  9. hahaha. yeah I'd be spending it on me too and not the cats but that's what is so hard! I feel guilty getting something for myself even if it's $5 and not get something equal for Evan, so how in the world could I ever spend that much money on me and it all be kind of meaningless?! Also, knowing me, I'd take in the cats and give them a good home anyway. What's 3 more? ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So funny, I thought you'd be mad at me for not letting the cats have the benefit of the money!

      Delete

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