Christmas Eve Helpers

Mitch and I are both very busy today.  Mitch is helping dad in the workshop.  The sheathing is on the cupola and the lead is being nailed on. The corner boards go on next and then the clapboards.
Keep a watchful eye and make sure he's doing it right, Mitch!

Mom and I are busy baking Pineapple Cheesecake for Christmas day tomorrow.
This is the cheesecake's crust -
2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 Tablespoons of sugar
3 Tablespoons of butter, melted
Combine above ingredients.  Mix well and press into the bottom of a 10-inch pan.  We're using a tube pan.

 Next comes the filling~
3  8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1  8 1/4 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Beat cream cheese till light and fluffy.  Gradually add the sugar, beating well.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add the drained pineapple, the lemon juice and the lemon rind into the cheese mixture. 

We can't let any of this cream cheese go to waste!

 Spoon the cheese mixture into the crust.    It's ready for the oven, mom!
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

 I get to lick the spatula!

 It smells wonderful!    We'll be cooling it thoroughly and putting the cherry topping on tomorrow for Christmas dindin.

 My work is done!  Time for a snooze. 

Santa and his elves will be packing that sleigh soon!  We hope he treats you all well!

So until next time............

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch