Happy Passover and Easter

It’s hard to believe that Passover is only 2 days from today with Easter following close behind on the 31st of March this year—probably because of 6 inches of snow we got yesterday and I see outside my window as I write this article.

We are endeavoring on a new wintertime activity. We’ve been busy tapping our maple trees to gather sap and cooking it down to make our very own maple syrup. It’s been a fun adventure and yet tiring at the same time. But … there is nothing better than the wholesome taste of “real” maple syrup.

So where there is maple syrup, new ideas and a flavor is crafted - Maple Chocolate Bacon Cheesecake. Watch soon for this new flavor to be added to our flavor list. We also have a few other “irons in the fire” or “beaters in the mixer” so to speak —an appetizer list (smaller size). A little glimpse at the new flavors—Spinach Artichoke, Jalapeno Popper, Buffalo Chicken. I hope to have this new line “up and running” within the next month.

As for Passover and Easter cheesecakes, below are the featured flavors:

Seasonal Favorites

Mom's Luscious Lemon - $30

Raspberry Lemonade - $30

Shawn's Key Lime - $30

Very Berry - $30

White Chocolate Raspberry - $30

The Four Temptations - $30

Special Feature



Easter Basket Special - $45.00

Order our Easter Basket Cheesecake to compliment your meal and grace your table. The basket is filled (or as I like to put it "piled high") with scrumptious holiday treats on top of our extraordinary cheesecake.

Not sure which one you would like, order The Four Temptations—one cheesecake with 4 different toppings, sliced into 16 pieces.  Possible flavors—Blackberry, Mom’s Luscious Lemon, White Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Caramel.

Thank you for your continued support. May you have a wonderful and grace-filled Holiday.

Love and blessings,

Diane, aka, the "Cheesecake Lady" and The Frantz Family

OUR SEASON OF JOY

The Christmas Season is once again upon us - the stockings are hung, the tree is trimmed and the wonderful smell of cheesecakes baking has already floated through the house while Christmas carols played quietly in the background. O.k., sounds like a Currier and Ives setting but most of it is true for us this year.


Much has happened since last Christmas that we are truly enjoying the peace and serenity of our farm and appreciating the smallest of things in our lives. For the past 9 years at the beginning of Advent, I have prayed for a Christmas miracle - big or small not knowing what will happen but believing for great things to change our lives. One of my constant prayer is for our youngest son, Stuart, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 9 months old and is wheelchair and caregiver dependent. I pray that he will walk and talk like any child his age. But each Christmas has passed without that happening. Disappointed? No, because each Christmas has come and gone with a miracle - answered prayers and sometimes answers to things not prayed for but talked about - God has heard and has answered on His Time.

Last year was no different. We marked Thanksgiving with my family in North Canton and we remembered and shared the many things to be thankful for - family, love, our health, our home, our friends, etc. We then stepped into Advent - me praying for my Christmas miracle, decorating the tree and the house, each night our family reading the Advent story - Jotham's Journey, shopping and spending time together as a family, baking and sewing special gifts for the kids.

But something unexpected happened that changed our world 5 days before Christmas. While I was upstairs sewing, Trevor (age 14) collapsed in our downstairs half bathroom (at about 2:30 pm). I heard intermittent banging and thought the kids were going in and out of the back door and allowing it to slam. I even walked over to the window to see who was doing it. Then Morgan came into my room and asked me about the banging. I told him I thought it was him or the others doing it and he told me no one had gone outside. So I went downstairs looking for the source. We heard the bang and realized it was coming from the bathroom. I knocked without an answer and opened the door. There was Trevor lying in the small space of the floor.

Long story short ... Trevor was non-responsive verbally but conscious. We called 911 and ended up at the local hospital and then later transferred to the Cleveland Clinic. As I have reflected back on Trevor's journey, I am certain of several things - Trevor was my Christmas miracle I had prayed for. Even the staff at the Cleveland Clinic called him their Christmas miracle. I know also that God put key individuals (doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, specialists) in place that day which made everything work out for us to see Him.

After 2 different hospital stays (1 week in December and again another week in January), an ER visit on New Year's Eve, numerous ultrasounds and MRI's, 2 different angiograms, blood thinner shots for 6 months afterwards, appointment after appointment over the last year. We remembering that Christmas Eve morning at 7:00 am during doctor's rounds being told (for the second time in our life) that our son had deep brain tissue damage from the clots that let go and had traveled further into his brain. They gave us no conclusion as to why it happened, even to this day.

But I sit here today and write telling you that I know he is our miracle - will always be our miracle. Because when you see him, he talks and plays and interacts like all 15 year-olds do. Eric and I may have had to stand and be told once again that another one of our sons had had some brain damage but we know that we serve a great God who knows our pain and was already working on our behalf to take care of all of us.

So as we reflect on this Advent Season - we are claiming it to be Our Season of Joy. We are joyful for so many things including everyone who has graced our lives with their love and support and prayers. From the bottom of our heart thank you and may your Christmas be blessed and your New Year be truly graced filled.

Love and peace from The Frantz Family

Eric, Diane, Morgan, Trevor, Stuart, Makayla, Katelyn and Lydia



P.S. We are still taking orders for cheesecakes for Christmas and New Year's. They make a wonderful dessert to take to your holiday parties. Not sure which one you want, order The Four Temptations.  One cheesecake with 4 different toppings, sliced in 16 pieces.  Pictured below flavors include Blackberry, Candy Cane Kisses and Chocolate, Chocolate Caramel and Toffee Caramel Crunch.

As I like to say "Throw Out the Fruitcake and Order a Cheesecake".  Below are 2 new flavors as well our favorites for this time of year.

Seasonal Favorites

Mint Truffle

Chocolate Haystack

Caramel Gingerbread

Chocolate Covered Cherry

Stuart's Turtle

Trevor's Buckeye

White Chocolate Raspberry

White Chocolate Raspberry

Mint Truffle



Caramel Gingerbread



Trevor's Buckeye

The Four Temptations

Easter

Happy Passover and Easter to all my friends.  I was busy baking today, filling several orders for this weekend.  Ahhh, to be back in the kitchen making cheesecakes was awesome. It was made even better because of the blue, blue skies and bright sunshine that streamed through my kitchen window all day.  I am truly thankful for this season - a time of renewal and a time of reflection.  May God's blessings shine upon each and everyone of you.  Below are several favorites this time of the year:

White Chocolate Raspberry



Very Berry



Shawn's Key Lime



NY Style with Cherries



Butter Pecan

Chocolate Decadence

**Our prices have increased as of 03/15/2012 due to the rise of our costs. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Our tree is decorated, the stockings are hung and our house is filled with the smells of fresh baked bread and cookies.  We’re creating new and enjoying our old family traditions this year. May you find your home filled with love and laughter. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.


We're looking forward to baking you a special cheesecake for your Christmas and/or your New Year’s Eve gathering this year.  Don't forget to call and place your order.

Featured Flavors

Caramel Gingerbread

Chocolate Covered Cherry

Chocolate Decadence

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie

Trevor's Buckeye

White Chocolate Raspberry

Being Thankful ...

Excitement abounds once again in our home for the upcoming holiday season.  We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported us during the Covered Bridge Festival (October 8-9). It was wonderful seeing everyone and catching up with you. We are truly thankful for so many blessings.

So in the spirit of celebrating Thanksgiving, we are recommending the following cheesecake flavors to add to your holiday meal.
 

 Thanksgiving Featured Flavors

Butter Pecan
Mom's Luscious Lemon
Caramel Apple Spice
Janet's caramel Pecan
Pumpkin
Pumpkin Pecan
Pumpkin Toffee

 

 We're taking orders now and would love to bake one for you.  We'll need to know before November 20th to have it ready by Thanksgiving.  Thank you and may your Thanksgiving Season be blessed beyond measure.  Ours is!

Covered Bridge Festival Weekend

It's here again and we're back from our hiatus from the Covered Bridge Festival (last year). Come visit our farm stand, meet our girls, see how much the boys have grown and buy a slice or two or more of our extraordinary cheesecake and grilled hot dogs.

Cheesecake selections will be:

Caramel Applespice

Caramel Gingerbread

Creme Brulee

Chocolate Covered Strawberry

South Denmark Covered Bridge Mud

White Chocolate Raspberry

The forecasted weather is to be in the high 70's and our trees are starting to put on their fall colors. It's going to be a grand weekend.

Proceeds to benefit Stuart's ongoing medical and educational needs as well as "Giving Back to Ethiopia". We're hoping to raise money to help with the ongoing education and daily needs of 7 girls who "aged out" and were not adoptable - The Brighter Future Funds (through Adoption Advocates International, Port Angeles, WA).


Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Blessings, Diane

Fall is in the air...

Today, we woke to a beautiful fall morning and much cooler weather.  I told the kids to put on warmer clothes than what they have been wearing.  I actually had a dream last night that we woke to snow this morning and it had covered my tomato plants - not just a light dusting.  I must be concerned about not getting the tomatoes off before cooler weather - go figure.

So in honor of the Fall season, I'm thinking and looking forward to some of my favorite cheesecakes:


Caramel Apple Spice



Caramel Gingerbread

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie

 

Smores`



South Denmark Covered Bridge Mud

We're also working on getting things ready for the Covered Bridge Festival - October 8-9.  Check back for more details but working on selling slices, halves and wholes the Saturday/Sunday before also - October 1 and 2.  Come out and meet our girls.  It's hard to believe they have been with us exactly one year as of today!!! 

Looking forward to seeing everyone who comes out.  We're dedicating funds to Stuart's Ongoing Education and Medical Needs Fund as well as "Giving Back - For Those Children Left Behind in Ethiopia" humanatarian project.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Fall!!!

Diane