THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS Linky Party #32 (Fun Summer Recipes) and Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake

THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS Linky Party #32

The Theme is: FUN Summer Recipes
(What fun, new & exciting things will you make for SUMMER?)

SUMMER TIME!!! SUMMER TIME!!! SUMMER TIME!!! My kids have 1-1/2 days of school left (after today!) And I am just a little TOO excited this year! I am ready for this school year to be behind us and it's time to move on. I will officially have a 2nd Year College Student (working, and attending community college in Texas); my twins will be SENIORS in the fall (OH MY!) and my little guy will be in 7th grade. This summer I feel like it's the last "REAL" summer with my girls as kids! They will also be turning 18 years old in September, and believe me the time went by way to fast!

And what better way to spend our summer then FUN-PACKED!!! In just 19 days we will be leaving on the biggest family vacation of our life! My parents are treating the entire family (18 of us, all together) to 8 days of happiness at a Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos. But that's only our first adventure this summer. Then all the boys/men in my life (yes, my husband, son, brother, father, nephew and friends) will all be going to June Lake for a week. In late July my niece with her four awesome boys will be coming down for a week, this is my son's happiest time because he loves having other kids around! A few days after that we leave for our annual 10-day river trip to the Colorado River, where we will relax on the beach the entire 10 days without a care in the world! And well, that's all the major plans for now, but we'll see what else I can squeeze in! My husband and I still need to go on our Anniversary Weekend (we are just a few months over due, our anniversary was in December), but hey that's how life goes!

But onto cooking, baking and creating new and exciting recipes for the summer! Which I will be spending lots of time in the kitchen this summer, because it's much easier to cook & create without homework nights. I am sharing today my very first cheesecake I handmade (and I LOVED it, so I hope to be making more soon)! I even got to buy myself some new pans. Those cute springform pans, I've now got a wonderful set of 3 different sizes. YEAH ME!!!

Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake
from Kraft Foods Recipes

40 Vanilla Wafers, crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)

3 tbsp butter or margarine, melted

4 pkg. (8 oz each) Cream Cheese, softened, divided

1 cup sugar, divided

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp vanilla, divided

3 eggs

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whipped Topping, thawed

Heat oven to 325. Mix vanilla wafer crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

Beat the 3 packages of cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp vanilla with mixer until well blended.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.    

Bake for 50 to 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool completely in pan.

Frosting/Topping: Beat remaining cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer in large bowl until well blended. Whisk in cool whip; spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate 4 hours. Remove rim of pan before serving cheesecake, garnish with fresh berries of any kind.

A LIST OF "FOOD" LINKY PARTIES: It's MONDAY already! Let's do this bloggers... it's a fresh start to a NEW week! I can't wait to mix and mingle with all of you and see what has been cooking in your kitchens! Today I will be sharing this recipe here: Homemaker Monday, I Made It Monday, Just Something I Whipped Up, Made by You Mondays, Making the World Cuter, Market Yourself Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Motivate Me Monday, Mouthwatering Monday, Your Recipes My Kitchen, Mangia Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Midnight Maniac Meatless Mondays, My Meatless Mondays, Themed Baker's Sunday, Sweet Indulgences Sunday

Now onto the LINKY PARTY! Please only link recipes with our theme!
This week's theme is: FUN Summer Recipes

Here is a complete list of the past weeks and a list of what's coming up on This Week's Cravings!

If you are a regular link-up we're excited to see what you made! If you are new please read & follow the simple rules, so everyone can enjoy the linky party! If you forget to follow the theme, link back or add a button IN YOUR post you will receive a gentle reminder. THANKS A MILLION!

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This Week's Cravings Past & Future Recipe Links

May 23 - Summer Salad Recipes

May 30 - Memorial Day BBQ

June 6 - What fun Summer recipes are you making?

June 13 - DAD's Favorite Meal or What are you making DAD for Father's Day

June 20 - 30 minute meal recipes

June 27 - Picnic Recipes

This is a BLOG HOP Party hosted by MOMS CRAZY COOKING, From My Tiny Kitchen and Delightful Country Cookin' stop on by and say HELLO to the other hosts!

The LINKY PARTY is opened ALL Week!
(from Monday to the following Monday at Midnight)!