Back to it, a pillow cheesecake and a giveaway.
So I woke up this morning and wondered where on earth my holiday had gone to. I looked for it in all the typical places – the back pockets of my favourite pair of jeans, behind the door, under the couch – before realising that just like the last cookie in the jar, my holiday had already been consumed.
With typical perfect timing, my oven has also chosen this very moment, to break down. This oven, the sun, all pushing me towards the inevitable conclusion that is, the start of work.
Sigh.
In examining the remaining crumbs of my holiday, I realised that despite it’s brevity, there’s probably not much I could complain about. The weather had been kind, I managed to squeeze in some face-time with a few close friends and I started and finished two books (The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga and Surrender by Sonya Hartnett); an accomplishment these days when cookbooks are my main distraction.
Countless days of sleeping-in aside, my employers might be quite glad to hear that I’ve missed work and am actually looking forward to returning. Not to take anything away from the fact that I loved the kicked up feet, the new indent I’d made in our couch and the pleasure of forgetting-what-day-it-was. Some people have claimed I perform best under pressure and while I’ve vocally pishposh-ed their opinion, I’ve also quietly thanked them for the compliment. In our industry, to be told that you perform well under pressure is like getting the cherry bonus in a game of PacMan. (Confession : I don’t play PacMan particularly well).
I have decided to commemorate my return to work with a post and a giveaway. Since I’ve been on holiday (read : lazy), I haven’t been taking many pictures, so had to dig up a photo taken late last year of a cheesecake I made after coming across an old post of Helen’s. You can find the recipe here, and believe me when I say, this recipe is as much about the cheesecake as it is about that salted butter caramel sauce. Do not attempt to make one without the other!
As for the giveaway, I have to admit that this blog has never been able to afford giveaways. Lemonpi started out as a personal journal and I’d like to think it will always remain that way. I have no grandiose plans for it. It just is, and while it remains fun, it will continue to exist. So for my giveaway, I’m offering free compassion* to every reader who leaves a comment. If compassion isn’t your thing, then I hope you at least got a free smile for the day, from reading this post.
*Compassion is limited to one comment per reader only.
Tags: blackberry, caramel, cheesecake, cocoa, lemon
linda said,
January 12, 2010 @ 7:29 am
thanks for the reply…did you cut the pieces in the pan? your photo (of the slice) is so perfect…
i cannot image how to achieve this perfection in such a pan…:)
Michelle said,
January 12, 2010 @ 8:45 am
What a beautiful presentation!!!!
Jenny Tan said,
January 12, 2010 @ 10:01 am
OMG, recently I’ve been craving for cheesecakes, but didn’t think it was a good idea to make any after all those food over the holiday season…and here you go—not helping at all!!! ;P THat looks SOOOO delicious! If only I could just drag that piece outta my screen — to fix my cravings!! Yiikkkeeesss!! Oh well, I still like you, and your blog 😀 And thanks for the compassion!!…at least this time I DID win something from a give away!! Yiipppeee!!! LOL. Compassion back to you with a *big hug* 😀 Wish you a great year, Y!
my spatula said,
January 12, 2010 @ 11:07 am
i’m never one to turn down compassion, nor cheesecake, for that matter. and…salted butter caramel sauce? more please.
Arfi said,
January 12, 2010 @ 11:27 am
you always have a place in my heart, Y hehehe… especially with all those gorgeous photographs and outstanding plating of yours, who could easily forget you? i have never offered any giveaway to any readers whatsoever. i believe they understand 🙂
Arwen from Hoglet K said,
January 12, 2010 @ 1:23 pm
Compassion is a good one – I’m always wanting sympathy when things go wrong. It’s sad when holidays are over, but hopefully work will be fun too.
Big Boys Oven said,
January 12, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
I want! I want . . . . . . the compassion and your desserts . . . . . . . can you fly some over! 🙂
Hannah said,
January 12, 2010 @ 2:19 pm
What an amazing-looking dessert! I am in constant awe of your creations.
Thanking you in advance for the compassion (which I hope to receive at some stage this week),
H 🙂
joey@FoodiePop said,
January 12, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
That is one scrumptious looking cheesecake! Yum.
Sweets at Vicky's said,
January 12, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
However do you get your cheesecakes to look so..perfect! Here I am at work, feeling sorry for myself.
Pei-Lin said,
January 13, 2010 @ 4:32 am
OMG! Looks so, so decadent! I’ve tried Helene’s salted butter caramel sauce, too! Isn’t it great? Great on crepes, pancakes, cakes … Mmm …
Lisa said,
January 13, 2010 @ 5:12 am
*hugs* oh how I adore you!
The Purple Foodie said,
January 13, 2010 @ 6:13 am
Hey Y! I’ve been lazy about blogging too. but for quite the opposite reason – i’m so tired after travelling halfway across town to work. but i love it because I get to bake 😀 hoping to get my blog back on track soon
Julia @ Mélanger said,
January 13, 2010 @ 8:31 am
While you’re dishing out compassion for each reader, I’d like to send some gratitude right back to you.
Gratitude for sharing an image of a dish, that conceivably, possibly, perhaps will make me think about cheesecake differently moving forward.
Why? Not a fan of cheesecake in general. Okay, I said it.
But presented like this? A thin, petite slice. Cloaked with sauce. Paired with a zingy berry.
Well, let’s just say, it could be a turning point.
Thank you!
Ladybird said,
January 13, 2010 @ 11:30 am
A very choc looking cheesecake – nice job!
Love the compassion giveaway – very sweet 🙂
bake in paris said,
January 13, 2010 @ 3:54 pm
Y, a free compassion is all that it takes…….. what more do we want besides enjoyable words and beautiful photo that keep on coming? Enough is good enough!
Happy working!
Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris
Jamie said,
January 13, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
I love both smiles and compassion so thanks for both (I’ll assume that we’re all winners here!). Vacations and off-times are a must, time to relax and do nothing but think. And the bonus really is if you find that you miss that job! I, too, am trying hard to get back into the swing of things and this gorgeous photo is inspiring me towards the kitchen. And I live in Nantes, a city of salted caramel, so no problem there either! Have a happy day, Y.
(and bummer about the oven)
Suzanne said,
January 14, 2010 @ 8:21 am
This dessert looks so delish!
Erin said,
January 14, 2010 @ 9:10 am
Salted butter caramel sauce? Sounds like heaven! Also, I could use, and have been getting, a lot of compassion lately…so thanks! 🙂
Juliana said,
January 14, 2010 @ 10:59 am
Oh! What a nice cheesecake :-), like the combination of salt and sweet!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said,
January 14, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
Oooh chic styling there! And lol at your giveaway, definitely something that is good to spread around 😀
cakebrain said,
January 14, 2010 @ 6:11 pm
I love the shape of that cheesecake and salty caramel is totally yummy! What a gorgeous dessert! I never win anything, but I’m sure compassion is something I have a chance at getting!
Lauren said,
January 15, 2010 @ 3:09 am
I’m drooling over your cheesecake! What a generous giveaway – you’re a sweetheart =D.
Simon said,
January 15, 2010 @ 10:09 am
Wow, talk about you bait-and-switch 😛 hehe
It’s a pity that compassion isn’t as freely given as you have so generously in this post, or as often. For what its worth, thanks 🙂
No, actually I’ll take the generousity thing back. Just read the fineprint 🙂
Vanille said,
January 15, 2010 @ 7:22 pm
Probably the best giveaway I’ve seen so far ! 😉
And a very tempting cheesecake…
Hannah said,
January 16, 2010 @ 10:48 am
Really beautiful presentation! I’ve recently grown bored of cheesecakes, but little twists like this make me want to give them another shot.
And I really like the giveaway- Sign me up. 😉
mir said,
January 16, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
That’s priceless, I can always use some free compassion this year 🙂
snacksgiving said,
January 17, 2010 @ 9:43 am
What an absolutely divine looking cheesecake! Wonderful. And as for the giveaway – I bet you gave in a lot of thought while coming up with this wonderful idea.
I am always in for a giveaway – count me in 😀
foodwink said,
January 17, 2010 @ 9:54 am
Free compassion: download 100% complete. And great-looking cheesecake – you are making me hungry.
Cannelle Et Vanille said,
January 17, 2010 @ 10:48 am
hope you had a good return to work. your employers are lucky to have you Y! and yes, I’ll take compassion!
Manggy said,
January 17, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
Gosh, I could use a return to work myself 🙂 Wish me luck! (It would be a nice addition to the compassion 😉
Y said,
January 17, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
Phuoc : Yeah, it’s been a bit warm here for heavy cheesecake. I’ve actually made a few lighter cheesecakes recently which I think are probably more appropriate for the season. Unfortunately I never did end up taking any pictures, so I won’t be blogging about them just yet.
Stephanie : Thanks for your comment, and the compassion in return. I have to admit, I’ve been one of those first years before, feeling intimidated about my first day at Uni, and annoyed at the fact that my Summer of freedom has ended 🙂
Cakelaw said,
January 17, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
It’s amazing how holidays just fly past without you realising it. Hope work eases you back in. This cheesecake is just gorgeous – and the sauce looks to die for. And thanks for the giveaway – my compassion goes to you on your return to work.
Anita said,
January 18, 2010 @ 12:14 pm
The cheesecake is gorgeous. I had a wonderful holiday too. Am just getting back into work at the moment…
Camillia said,
January 19, 2010 @ 8:29 am
I actually wasn’t planning to comment but when I read that you were giving away free compassion, it definitely put a smile on my face. This is not to say that the compassion made me smile, but the fact that you were giving it..oh this is confusing. And then I read the comment about how you hope it made the readers smile…I hope you get the point because I’m terribly awful at explaining things.
Caitlin said,
January 19, 2010 @ 9:05 am
Oh this makes me smile. I hope that someday, someone will believe I perform well under pressure (I don’t right now…).
Y said,
January 19, 2010 @ 10:15 am
Camillia : Um, I think I do, and thanks 🙂
Vera said,
January 19, 2010 @ 1:30 pm
I can always use some compassion; thank you 🙂 And that’s kind of holiday I am dreaming about (only longer-lasting).
The dessert looks delicious.
Ana Powell said,
January 20, 2010 @ 12:44 am
Its an absolute pleasure and delight to visit your Blog.
Another delicious and breathtaking recipe.
Beautiful presentation x
Jacque said,
January 20, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
LOL, I think your give-away is the best kind… everyone gets the prize!
I suppose you’re back to work. I hope all is well and your enthusiasm has not run out.
Your cheesecake pillow looks so perfect and inviting.
JT said,
January 20, 2010 @ 4:36 pm
Ah, I’ve just eaten (a very late) lunch, but that picture of cheesecake makes me hungry all over again! Great work!!
Mowie said,
January 20, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
Great styling and lovely photo as always.
Here’s to more compassion! =)
Marysol said,
January 21, 2010 @ 4:30 am
Y, that dessert is almost as lovely as you are.
Thank you so very much for the “compassion.” May I please have another?
Chez Us said,
January 21, 2010 @ 3:05 pm
Beautiful post. I feel the same way … the holidays come & go with no footprints, really, what so ever. I blame it on age! Lovely cheesecake, it has been forever since I have made one … thank you for some inspiration!
Adrian said,
January 23, 2010 @ 7:02 am
I love a good cheesecake, and I can’t turn down a nice offer of some free compassion, thanks!
Hélène said,
January 23, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
Such a great post. I am so glad I follow your blog. Yummy cheesecake!
L said,
January 24, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
Sorry to hear your oven broke. There’s something very disconcerting about one’s oven breaking. Like a mother, it should always be ready to offer warmth and cooking ability when needed. Thanks so much for the compassion! That’s the first time I’ve ever won anything in a blog giveaway.
Christie @ Fig&Cherry said,
January 24, 2010 @ 9:14 pm
Comment… thanks for my free compassion. I can feel it radiating through the interwebs already! 🙂
Hopefully see you again soon?! x
Sinful Southern Sweets said,
January 25, 2010 @ 12:19 am
Love it! Too funny. Thanks for a good laugh this morning!
Dana McCauley said,
January 26, 2010 @ 6:05 am
Salted caramel sauce besides, that is one stunning presentation for cheesecake! Love it.