NUTELLA CHEESECAKE & PARKING

I've never really been a fan of the Oreo Cookie until they started coming out with all these really cool flavors, but did you know it's actually been around since 1912? Oreo's are also the best selling cookie in the United States with over 360 billion sold!  That's pretty amazing.

Anyhoo, this recipe from the dessert cookbook, "Sweets and Treats with Six Sisters' Stuff".  If you're on a diet, or even thinking about that word, this is not the book for you, but if you love desserts that are yummy AND easy to make, give this one a try.  You won't even need to use your oven!

NUTELLA CHEESECAKE

Ingredients

• For the crust:
• 12 Oreo cookies, finely crushed
• 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
• For the filling:
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups Nutella
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• For the topping:
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a pie pan and set in the fridge until firm. In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, Nutella, vanilla extract and heavy cream until smooth. Spread filling over crust and place in fridge until it sets up. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream. Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until chocolate chips are melted. Stir until smooth and spread evenly over cheesecake. Cover and keep in fridge until set.

Feel free to add walnuts or pecans for even more decadence and crunch.

PARALLEL PARKING
Many years ago when I got my very first license in North Dakota, thank goodness I didn't have to do any parking.  Fast forward a few years later when I allowed my license to expire in Maryland, and had to take the entire dang driving test.  I had absolutely NO clue how to parallel park, so I called a friend and we did a quick 30 minute test in his tiny car.  For those that are thinking that's pretty fast to pick it up - not really.  Our plan was to try to keep the things he taught me in my head long enough to pass that test, hence the quick turnaround. (lol)  

I passed, but just barely. If you talk to anyone who knows me, they'll quickly tell you that I can't back up very well, let alone parallel park. I'm so bad at it, that someone usually has to direct me to get out of tight places, AND I'll get laughed at.  On my own, I'll drive around the block for hours to avoid parking, if I have to. What about you? Is parallel parking still required where you live when you get your license?

I'm behind in watching one of my favorite programs, called Madame Secretary starring Tea Leoni, but I binge watched the other day. Originally she was the one who fascinated me, but the more I watched, I ended up with a serious crush on Tim Daly, who plays her hubby.  Apparently, she agrees with me because they're now dating in real life!  Yay! The topic of one of the shows that I never really thought about was what would happen if the president got sick, was impeached, or died?  Who actually takes over, and is there any way that person could get out of it! (lol)  Here's the list in order, and it's been this way since 1947:

• 
  
• Vice President
• Speaker of the House
• President pro tempore of the Senate

• Secretary of State
• Secretary of Treasury
• Secretary of Defense
• Attorney General
• Secretary of the Interior
• Secretary of Agriculture
• Secretary of Commerce
• Secretary of Labor
• Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Secretary of Transportation
• Secretary of Energy
• Secretary of Education
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs
• Secretary of Homeland Security