Easy Strawberry Cheesecake with Ginger Snap Pecan Crust
I considered titling this post: Finding Small Comforts in the Midst of Discomfort...but the words "cheesecake" and "ginger snap" seemed to have a bit more of a ring to them. In any event, this isn't a recipe post in the traditional sense (not to worry...there are links and notes leading you to the recipes included below), but instead more of an update on our moving situation (as I promised I'd give you) and a little glimpse at one of the small distractions (cooking) I've used to keep my spirits up during this very long drawn-out moving headache.
So if you've been watching our moving/settling-in process over on Instagram then you may have noticed an absence of furniture in any of my photos. This is because although we were verbally promised that our moving truck would arrive in California on the same day as we were scheduled to, we have since (16 days later) not heard a word from them (they won't answer or return my phone calls). Yes, it's incredibly scary! About 100 times a day I start imagining strangers digging through our belongings, selling off our stuff and trashing the things I love the most...artwork from my daughter and my daughter's baby photos (I have no digital copies of them...they are irreplaceable. Nearly every single thing I own is on that truck). The one small glimmer of hope I have is that upon investigating the fine print of our contract, I discovered a section that claims that delivery will happen within 14-21 days (I'm willing to put the verbal promise behind us at this point, and am holding my breath that there is still hope that we'll see our belongings before next week ends). So we've got 5 days before I start considering what legal action I want to take...I can't even let my brain go there yet.
In any event...while it is incredibly stressful (understatement of the year) not knowing where our belongings are, or if we will ever see them again, we are still very happy that we've made it here to California (in the midst of a very gorgeous pre-Spring season at that). There is no shortage of sunlight or fresh produce here (I am so thankful). Because of the bounty, I've been itching to start making all sorts of yummy recipes. Thankfully I was smart enough to pack a few cooking necessities in the car with us, such as a couple of pots and pans, utensils, etc.. On Tuesday, after our second trip to a roadside stand for strawberries, I decided that a cheesecake was probably in order (plus we were driving down to visit my grandparents the next day, so we had a good excuse). Of course the recipe needed to be as simple as possible to accommodate my limited cooking gadgetry. Queue the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake filling from Epicurious (I used Neufchâtel Cheese in place of standard cream cheese to lower the fat content), which I then poured it into my favorite Ginger Snap Pecan Crust (it's gluten-free, but you'd never know it). It was divine! Sweet, creamy, a little bit tart, and scrumptious!
You can even make the crust if you don't have a food processor! I discovered that a hammer and a couple plastic bags will work just as well for pulverizing the cookies into crumbs as a machine! Awesome, and worth the extra effort! If you're in need of a simple and delicious dessert recipe (maybe for Easter or Mother's Day), I can't recommend this tasty combo enough. And if you don't have strawberries on hand, I'm certain this recipe would taste just as yummy with any other variety of berry. Mmmm...
;)
While quickly snapping these photos yesterday, I thought it would be amusing to give you a little look at my "photo set-up" (click the image for an enlarged view). Won't it look better when my furniture arrives?! I hope, hope, hope, it gets here soon! Cross your fingers for us please! xo Ez
Oh...and here's another one of our small comforts that we are so thankful for: snuggles with our sweet boy Orey.
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| by Ez Friday, March 15, 2013 
Reader Comments (28)
Oh my god!!! I hope you guys get your furniture soon!! That is just awful!
This cheesecake looks delicious though!! And your new home looks gorgeous-can't wait to see pics with the furniture! :)
I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the removal truck turns up soon.
ugh that suuuuucks. Hope it all turns up soon. What have you been sleeping on?
Oh man. I'm hoping they get there soon. I cannot imagine the fear of this. I'm moving from California to Virginia soon, so I'm going to be so weary of all these moving companies we're looking into. Thanks for the heads up. I can't imagine.
Beautiful and delicious photos.
Thank you so much friends!
@Dancing Branflake...I have to wait a little bit longer before posting a public warning about the specific companies we used, but if you drop me an email, I will let you know the two to avoid like the plague.
xo Ez
oh wow, that's just horrible ez!! i've had moving company troubles (the last time i moved they "lost" my macbook pro, and me + my boyfriend had to do 2/3 of the moving ourselves...plus we were harassed verbally by the woman moving into the place we were moving out of...nightmare day!), but nothing where all my possessions (and photos! ohgod) were in danger of being lost forever. my fingers are crossed SO hard for you...please let me know if there's anything i can do to help! (even if it's send free art for your walls...) *hugggg*
Thanks Francine! Fortunately we brought two air mattresses with us in the car (one of them has a hole in it though), and a few blankets. So at least we are off the hard floor...or I am. My daughter is being a trooper and sleeping on a doubled-up blanket, so I can have the mattress.
Oh man! Your moving situation sounds so stressful too indreams! I'm glad it was finally resolved...although for them to have "lost" your computer sounds inexcusable. What a nightmare! Thanks for the sweet offer. I will be sure to let you know when the white walls become too much to bear!
xox
I really, really hope for you that everything will be ok and they show up soon. It sounds much like the worst fantasy you could ever imagine.
Oh my gosh! That is horrible, and definitely terrifying to imagine losing all of your belongings. Your photots and everything :( I will be hoping and praying and keeping my fingers crossed for you!!
i admire your ability to stay classy while all this mess is going on with the moving company. i would have completely lost it by now. (I haven't moved in 8 years... absolutely hate moving).
Mmm that looks delicious! I'm such a chocolate person, but strawberry shortcut is my husband's favorite. The gingersnap crust appeals to me!
I actually work in marketing at a large moving company, and unfortunately we hear about rogue movers quite a bit. If you do need to take action, this post may be helpful - http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9256
This site has lots of valuable info on scammers (and it's legit, even if the site isn't pretty). Good luck - I hope you get your belongings back soon! Email me if you have more questions about the industry, and hopefully I (or a coworker) can help you!
What a trip! So unfair! Thinking of you and yours. Stay strong!
Oh Ez! I am thinking of you and your daughter! I hope the truck shows up soon! Friends of mine moved cross-country at the beginning of the year, and the moving truck arrived after they did - but I think they knew that up front. I am crossing my fingers that the "14-21 days" fine print is right!!!
Hi Ez,
I'm sorry to hear about your moving troubles! I hope things get settled quickly and that your photos and furniture are safely on their way to you! When I first moved to New York, I had no furniture (except an inflatable bed) the first two weeks I was in my apartment. It really made me appreciate the "creature comforts" that I took for granted!
PS- thanks for the cheesecake recipe! I will have to try it sometime - my husband loves cheesecake.
Oh goodness! I can’t even imagine how stressed you must be at this point. Thanks for taking the time to post anyway; we certainly enjoy reading. :-)
oh wow, Ez. You'll get your furniture back, i have to believe it. Hoping for you.
so, are there phone numbers to call? was there anyone to explain why they were/are 2 weeks late? I feel incredibly stressed just reading about this, I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now! I hope everything turns out fine. xoxo
I really like your furniture! Motto: As simple as possible ;D
The cake looks delicious :)
I am so, so sorry to hear that you're still in limbo. Moves are stressful enough under the best of circumstances. Fingers crossed for you.
(At the risk of being a bossy know-it-all, and realizing a grammar lesson is the last thing you want right now, I did want to let you know that when you use the phrase "Queue the XXX" - which I've read several times on your blog - you actually mean "Cue the XXX," as in the theater. Please know this suggestion is sent with affection.)
This crust looks amazing! I love strawberry cheesecake, and this looks divine!
dear ez...
i really cross my thumbs (in germany that is what we do) for you and hope your belongings return soon.
so it might not cheer you up it reminded me of a thought i had yesterday of what i would take along if i had to move far away (i actually might - to vietnam) and if i could only pack one bag.
and then it just happened that a friend posted the following article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/opinion/sunday/living-with-less-a-lot-less.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
it just came in my mind while reading...
though i really really hope your nightmare will have an end and you will get the chance to happily settle!
all the best from around the globe!
lily
Oh gosh, how scary indeed. As you say though, with what is stated in the contract it is possibly on it's way. I'm sure it is. Keep up with the PMA and it will arrive I'm sure. Love your blog and love the look of this cheescake!
Ez, it's so strange - we're going through some seriously similar stuff this month. But I love to see you clinging to the bright, sugary and positive...must remember to do that more.
Thanks for being my (unknowing) partner in chaos! xox