Ultimate Blog Party

I've finally signed up for the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom...my first blog party! I am excited to visit some of the blogs linked to the site, but frankly am a little shy about mine as it is nowhere near as comprehensive and interesting as some of yours! I've only started blogging again recently, so hopefully this will be a kick in the pants to put more time into this blog. For those who haven't read my profile, I should say that I am due to have my first child any day now, as my due date is the Sunday, March 16th, so I may end up at the hospital rather than writing any new postings!

As for the top prizes I'd love to win, here they are:

#78 — 50 Custom Photo Cards for Any Occasion
Provided by: Polka Dot Bumblebee -
Custom Photo Cards & Personalized Stationery
#84 — Baby Sling
Provided by: Sarah
#91 — Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless skin care line
Provided by: Geggie
#137 — Go BPA Free Sippy Sampler Kit
Provided by: The Soft Landing
#1 — Rocking Horse
Provided by: A Rocking Horse To Love

And of course #s 15, 19,20,31, and 37. I hope to donate something for the next blog party I attend, like a knitted hat or felted bag. Just didn't have enough time.

So a little about me...I am an artistic type who works as an art educator in a small art museum (currently am on maternity leave now). I love knitting, dyeing silk scarves, felting, and fancying-up my house. My husband, a computer guy, and I live in an old house in semi-rural Pennsylvania with our cat Oscar, and are expecting baby boy Soren any day now. His name comes from the Danish Existential philosopher Soren Kierkegaard (yes, we've been branded as intellectuals!). I am terrible at taking photos, not the actual composition of them, just overcoming my laziness at getting out our ancient digital camera, which is why there aren't tons of photos on this blog. I also can't figure out the best way to post photos along side the text in Blogger. They always get bunched up at the top of the post. My sweet husband will hopefully help me with that.

But since you came all this way to see Katydid and (soon to arrive) Kid, I should at least throw you a bone. How about a great recipe that everyone loves, especially all the coffee/chocolate fiends. Make sure to visit and link up to the Blog Party!

Mocha Cheesecake Bars makes 48

Crust Filling

30 reduced-fat chocolate sandwich cookies 1 envelope unflavored gelatin

½ cup fat-free hot fudge topping, ½ cup cold strong coffee

not heated 2 bricks (8oz. Each) low-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel), softened

¾ cup sugar
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Chocolate covered espresso beans

1 bar (3oz) bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped, then melted

1. Line a 13”x9” baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 inches above pan at narrow ends. Grease or coat foil with non-stick cooking spray.

2. CRUST: Process cookies in a food-processor (or crush in a study plastic food bag) until reduced to fine crumbs (you should have a scant three cups). Add fudge topping to crumbs and process until crumbs are moistened. Press firmly over bottom of prepared pan. Place in freezer while proceeding.

3. FILLING: Sprinkle gelatin over cold coffee in a small saucepan. Let stand one minute. Place over low heat and stir with a rubber spatula until granules completely dissolve. Remove from heat.

4. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with mixer on high speed until smooth. Reduce speed to medium; beat in sour cream until blended. With mixer on low speed, beat in coffee mixture. Stir in melted chocolate until blended. Pour into crust, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm.

5. Lift foil by ends onto cutting board. Cut into bars with a knife dipped into hot water before each cut and then wiped off with a towel. Garnish each bar with two espresso beans.