Diamond in the Rough

I have decided to take part in the Diamond in the Rough fundraiser for the Womens Art Museum Society as I really, really want to see a Canadian museum dedicated to our extremely talented female artists.

After spending a few days in bed with a terrible cold, it feels good to get out and about again.  Why does it take illness for me to appreciate every moment of every day instead of agonizing over the smallest things?  Human nature, I guess.  Though in my bed rest I did read another great book, this one by Michael Ondaatje (a favorite author of mine):

Divisidaro
by Michael Ondaatje

It is often in those fleeting moments that everything changes.  This novel takes place in northern California during the 1970s, revolving around a makeshift family whose reality transforms in an instant.  Beginning on a rural property, the lives of three young adults are scattered both emotionally and physically after a violent incident which leaves them all shattered and yet they learn to live with their memories.  Michael Ondaatje's writing is beautiful and fluid, his novels as lovely as his poems.

I also wanted to share an extremely simple and delicious recipe which my daughter made for me last week (yum!):

Nutella Cheesecake

Ingredients:
5 vanilla or chocolate wafers
5 mini jars (125ml or 1/2 cup)

Filling:
1-8 oz pkg cream cheese
2/3 c nutella
1/2 t vanilla
1 c whipped cream (if you want to freeze this use Cool Whip)

Place a wafer in each jar.  Mix first three filling ingredients together well and then fold in whipped cream.  Fill jars, cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.  Serve.

Option: Top with more whipped cream and chocolate shavings.