Posted in Food and..., tagged food, cheesecake, #365Ways, #365Ways2026 on February 8, 2026| 1 Comment »
Followup notes on yesterday’s cheesecake: Won’t lie, it worked out really well. Both friends and Mr Man said it was my best so far, and that’s feedback I’m happy to hear.
I forgot to take a picture for my notes, but the result was pretty served with blueberries, raspberries, and drizzled raspberry lemon reduction.*
Next goal, upgrading the chocolate version:)
* Cooked to 220F, finished with 1/8t lemon oil instead of orange blossom water, and strained because seeds are annoying.
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Posted in Food and..., tagged cheesecake, #365Ways, baking again, #365Ways2026 on February 7, 2026| 1 Comment »
I have accomplished the impossible! For the first time ever, I have managed to bake a cheesecake without cracks.*
I’ve made cheesecake a number of times but haven’t managed a crack-free surface. Until now.
The secret? Rather than cracking open the oven door for the 10 minute rest period between high and low heat bakes, I opened the door alllll the way. That brought the temperature down so much that the bake required an extra 30 minutes, but it was worth it.
Will the cake cut well, plate well, and taste good? I hope so, but right now I’m just going to enjoy the fact that a goal I thought might be impossible has been achieved.
To persistence, and cake!
* Let me state the obvious and say that plenty of people in this world can bake cheesecake without cracks. And now that number includes me:)
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Posted in Writing, tagged cheesecake, creativity, food, Motivation, persistence, speculative fiction, Thoughts, work, writing, yay on September 21, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Ok, so I guess I wasn’t completely 100% back. I’m better now, mostly. I still have an annoying little cough and the feeling that I could use three solid days of sleep, but mostly better.
Writing is slow. Lulls like this happen, I just have to remember that they fade. They can also be a useful, if tedious, way to refill the well, restock the larder, choose your preferred metaphor.
I made what I believe is my very first cheesecake (Grand Marnier with strawberry puree, delicious). I went for a walk in the countryside with Mr. Man. We had friends over and I was able to carry on whole conversations without pulmonary complications. And drink wine! Speaking of mood-altering substances, I had caffeine for the first time in a month (o blessed nectar of the gods). Cared for the lawn, wrote my city councillor (that’s how they spell it up here), and hit the library; all normal life stuff, and it was good.
I also started thinking about new projects. I checked out recipes for code and food, researched the microbiome, design techniques, medicinal plants, editing, and cosplay armor. It’s great to be pushing ahead.
So, illness sucks, but coming out the other side can be very motivating. Here’s to productivity, and creativity, and to turning the crazy dreams in one’s head into reality.
J.R. Johnson 
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