Although you can't argue with the simple truth that this recipe is divinely delicious, it actually holds a very special place in my heart because of a very very eventful summer in 2007. Even reminiscing now, I still can't believe how much happened in those few months. There was a new job, an old flame newly rekindled, new friendships forged, familial ties shattered and a devastating loss very dear to my heart.

In all the craziness of that summer, this recipe made two appearances and both birthday parties will stay with me always. The first was for my cousin's birthday. My grandmother was already quite ill then and we got the whole family together at her house. I still see it as if it were yesterday with my grandmother in bed with all of her grandchildren around her as I was cutting this cheesecake. It was the last thing I baked for my grandmother before she passed away.

The second appearance was for Meredith and Rhea's joint birthday party at the cabin--not an actual cabin, just a house in the burbs we all used to hang out at (but to us it was never just a house). Actually, let me rewind a bit. I know from experience exactly how intimidating our group of friends can be to meet. It's quite a large group and one time I actually got the full run down of how everyone knows each other. It's a very complicated web and no lie, that conversation lasted about 30 minutes.

Anyway, the very first time I met most of them, everyone was hanging out at The Bulldog. Blake and I somehow got around to a cheesecake discussion, and I couldn't rave enough about the Baklava Cheesecake. Although Blake has absolutely no recollection of meeting me that night, her enthusiasm for Baklava Cheesecake totally hooked me. I made it for the next party and I like to think this cheesecake sealed my fate. It's the first thing I ever made for these guys and we've been besties ever since.

So yea, I made this recipe for the first time in a long time this weekend and I laughed and cried when I started thinking about all the wonderful memories and I hope it becomes as special to you as
it is and will always be for me. :)

Every year our friends have an annual St. Patrick's Day crawfish boil. I'm sure I've said it before, but it is truly one of the highlights of my year. I look forward to it so much, that if for some moronic reason I ever moved away from New Orleans, I think I'd make a point to fly in for this party every year. We're a partyin group and as much as I LOVE Halloween, Mardi Gras, and New Year's...the crawfish boil is something quite special.

I've had these Irish Car Bomb cupcakes from Smitten Kitchen on my list of things to make for what seems like ages, and what better excuse to make them than St. Patrick's Day? I swapped out the butter/powdered sugar frosting for a swiss buttercream and all of my little tasters were loving the creamy richness. My favorite part was by far the Jameson chocolate ganache filling and it really makes me want to explore more with filled cupcakes.