Beach House Fun Tablescape

I think we can finally say winter is over in Wisconsin and plans for warm weather fun is about to begin.  The snow has melted and even though there is plenty of rain, the sight of bright green grass is visible and getting greener each day.  What is your favorite activity during the Spring and Summer season?  Do you find your to-do list is long with everything you wish to accomplish during the pleasant weather seasons?  To name a few on the list....picnics, boating, fishing, gardening, grilling, etc.  So let's have some fun in the sun and work on checking off each activity.

To celebrate such an exciting time of the year, The Little Yellow Corner Store has created a Beach House Fun Tablescape.  The inspiration of this table were both my signed Schott Zwiesel fish stemmed glasses and the colorful Beach House fabric with a bold striped pattern of beach sheds, chairs and other beach motif sewed into a  eye-catching table runner.  I thought the table runner playfully goes well with the red and white striped placemats and napkins.  In my interpretation, the mix of these patterns represents the fun of the season and moments to enjoy the outdoors to relax or kick up your heels.

Of course, enjoying the summer means taking advantage of all of the lakes with fishing, swimming and beach activities and events.  The fishing creel basket is filled with bunches of grass for the centerpiece. And white fish dessert plates top the plate stack.

There is something so unique about the stemware glasses in the shape of a fish.  

I couldn't pass up a bottle of crisp and refreshing Opici Vino Bianco in the shape of a fish.  

Also no one can overlook the additional beach themed details like the white seagull perched next to the creel basket, the red beach pail tea light holders, beach ball paper napkins and the white and blue lifesaving ring napkin rings. 

 

The excitement and joy that comes with the jubilation of Spring requires a special moment to celebrate with a rich sweet and salty Pecan Caramel Cheesecake.  Smooth, creamy and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

If you would like to give this over-the-top Pecan Cheesecake a try, here is the recipe which I followed:

Pecan Cheesecake

Crust:

2 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 18 full size grahams)

1 T granulated sugar

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

3 T unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

2 packages (8 ounce each) cream cheese, softened

2 T granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Topping:

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

½ cup light corn syrup

½ cup heavy whipping cream

¼ cup unsalted butter

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups chopped pecans( or salted pecans, but eliminate the 1/2 tsp salt in recipe)

Spray a round 9 or 10 inch dish with baking spray.
In a food processor, pulse graham crackers with sugar until it resembles fine crumbs. Add in melted butter and cinnamon and pulse until combined. Press into bottom of baking dish, firmly, using the palm of your hand (or bottom of a cup).
For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese with sugar, eggs, and vanilla using a mixer until fluffy and smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Pour over graham crust. 
For the pecan pie layer, heat brown sugar, corn syrup, cream, butter and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, boil for 1 full minute. Remove from heat and add in vanilla and chopped pecans. Cool the pecan mixture slightly. Using a spoon, drizzle it over the cheesecake batter with the amount you wish to use for sweetness and taste.  (Any pecan caramel sauce that remains can be used later on pancakes or a chocolate poke cake etc. 
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight.   Top with the following whipped cream topping.  Slice and enjoy!

Whipped Cream Topping

8 ounces of Mascarpone cheese

1 1/2 C whipping cream

2 or 3 T powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp almond or vanilla extract

Beat mascarpone cheese with a mixer in a chilled metal bowl and slowly add the whipping cream and continue beating until it begins to become thick.  Add powdered sugar and extract and finish whipping until it forms peaks - about 5 or 6 minutes.   Use on pecan cheesecake slices with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or can be used as frosting on cupcakes.  

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Time to come out of the cold from winter and plan for some warm weather fun! 

 Happy Warm Weather Planning and Beach House Fun!