Oh My it's Cold

I know many places in the US have been struck with crazy cold temperatures, and the state I live in is one of those. 

I saw a little blurb on Facebook yesterday that stated my state was currently colder than Mount Everest, Antartica and Siberia.  

Friends, it is cold here! 

My kids haven't had school yet this week  ~ 3 snow/too cold to go days so far and tomorrow is up in the air. Not that they are complaining!

And breaking news, I just got a phone alert that states we have now hit 57 degrees below zero wind chill. Brrrr......

Anyway, this past weekend my hubby's parents drove 4 1/2 hours to come visit and celebrate Jackson's 15th birthday (which was last week).  

While it wasn't quite as cold as today and yesterday have been, it was still quite cold, but we got out and had some fun anyway.

(chocolate cake on his actual birthday ~ his favorite since he was 7!)

(carrot cake to celebrate with Grandpa and Grandma)

They arrived Friday night and we spent some time catching up and playing cards.  I was completely unsuccessful in my quest to win and ended up being the biggest loser of the night.  Hopefully next time I will be able to turn my luck around!

Saturday morning after I made a yummy egg bake via this easy recipe I found on Pinterest, Hannah and I jumped in the car for a 40 minute drive to a softball photoshoot.  She was one of two players selected from her varsity softball team to be a "featured" player for a high school sports publication.

When we were finished with that we grabbed the rest of the family and headed to our local Top Golf facility to do a little golfing.  I'm not quite sure what the actual temperature was when we were there but since the high was only 10 degrees on Saturday, it was chilly. Sitting under the heat features did make it mostly comfortable.  

After that we warmed up at home, went to mass, out to dinner at Jackson's requested restaurant ~ Red Robin (that kid loves a good burger) then bowling.  I sat out of bowling as I tweaked my arch while working out and wasn't able to put a whole lot of pressure on it. It was fun watching a couple of good games of boys vs girls. Oh, and the girls won!

Sunday brought one more amazing breakfast bake via Pinterest. Biscuits and gravy casserole, another one of Jackson's favorites! Then off to watch Hannah play a couple of softball games in a sports dome. -9 degrees! So glad she was playing inside!

When those were over my in-laws headed for home and we had a nice, relaxing Sunday awaiting the snow and cold that was destine to come.

Hope you are staying warm and enjoying the one's you love!

~Wendy

Another Teenager in the House!

Action has been talking about this day for 2 1/2 years.

I don't know why, but when Sassy turned 13, back in 2014, I thought it would be fun to get her 13 presents ~ a couple bigger items and a bunch of little items: lotions, nail polish, fun socks, you know 13 year old girly stuff.  

What I didn't realize was, I was creating a new tradition.  One that Action couldn't wait for.  Thirteen presents on your 13th birthday! Oh, the anticipation!

Fast forward to Sunday January 22nd.  Oooh the air was abuzz with excitement.  Action came down from his bedroom in the morning after a good nights sleep to see that there were indeed 13 presents lined up in front of the fireplace just waiting for him.  However, upon further counting, he was bummed to see there were actually only 12.  I had to explain to him that the headphones he "needed" a few days earlier because his older ones had broken were actually part of the 13 (*wink *wink ~ more to come later!) gifts.

No worries, he was still excited!

Now he just had to wait until his Dad and Sassy got home from softball practice........

When they finally got home, present opening began:

He received:
A Book Light
Nerf Gun Darts
Body Spray
Body Wash
Deodorant
Twix Candy
A DVD
A Duvet
A Duvet Cover (time to redo his room ~ an update the decor he'd had since he was 2)
A Book
New Wall Art
And
Sneakly I wrapped presents 12 and 13 together in a one, so it looked like he was only getting 12 presents!  #12 was his first cell phone and #13 was a case for his phone.

Needless to say he was excited!

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch and when we got home it was time for CAKE!

True to form, he requested his favorite chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (RECIPE HERE ~ with update pictures!).

A week later Grandpa and Grandma were able to make the 4 1/2 hour drive to visit.  Sassy had a volleyball tournament, but we still found time to celebrate our newest 13 year old.  This time the requested dessert was cheesecake ~ yummy!

(I think 13yr old stayed up too late the night before ~ he looks a bit sleepy in this picture!)

But that wasn't all!  Just last weekend, Action had a couple of buddies over to celebrate as well!  They went to an indoor paintball facility for a few hours, came back to our house to have  ~ you guessed it ~ CAKE, chocolate cake (although in cupcake form), and spent the night.

I think this kid of mine had a good time celebrating his 13th birthday!

Chocolate Chocolate Cake

I have been doctoring store bought cake mix for a few years now ~ adding in sour cream and dry pudding mix mostly (see here and here).  

And this chocolate cake is no different.

This is Actions favorite cake ~ he has requested for 3 years for his birthday and I am happy to make it for him.  

(Action is so little in this picture!  Cute little 9yr old ~ Check him out here with his chocolate cake at the age of 13!)

Cake:

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 small package (3.9oz) instant chocolate pudding
4 eggs
1 cup (8oz) sour cream (I use regular sour cream ~ it's dessert after all)
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
4 oz semisweet chocolate, melted

* Mix all of the ingredients together.  Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, medium for about 2 minutes.  The batter will be thick.
* Pour batter evenly into two greased 9" round cake pans  (I also line the bottom of the pans with a
   sheet of parchment paper cut to size.)
*Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes ~ test for doneness with a toothpick
* Cool in pans for 10-15 minutes, remove cakes from pans and place on cooling racks to cool
   completely.

You can also make cupcakes ~ the recipe does make a thick batter so plan on scooping it into your muffin tins.  I use paper liners.  Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Frosting:

2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened, baking cocoa
1/2 cup milk, room temperature

* Beat the butter, powdered sugar and cocoa until mixed.  Then add milk, beat until smooth.

Cake Assembly:

Place one of the cakes on a plate.
Top with frosting.
Place 2nd cake on top of the frosting layer.
Use remaining frosting to coat the top and sides of the top and sides of the cakes.

Serve:  

Cut into slices and serve with vanilla ice cream, which in my opinion is the perfect compliment for all of that chocolate.  Oh and top with strawberries, because having a little fruit with this delicious chocolate cake makes it healthy.......right?

 or

Enjoy!!!

Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies

My "Embrace the Camera"  picture for this week was a picture of Smiley helping me mix up some cookie dough.  Sure I received some very nice comments regarding the actual picture, but so many of you wanted the recipe so..... here it is, in a mostly picture-less recipe post (see what happens when I don't plan these things out ☺).

Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies 

(I think I got this recipe from my Mom and where she got it, who knows)

2 ½ cups flour
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 ½ tsp. baking soda
1 stick margarine (I used unsalted butter)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 ripe bananas)
1 tsp vinegar
1 ½ cups chocolate chips
½ cup chopped nuts (we like walnuts around here)

Preheat your oven to 350°

Mix all of the dry ingredients together.

In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, margarine (or butter) egg and vinegar.  Then add in banana.

Once mixed slowly add in dry ingredients.

Once thoroughly combined, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

Bake around 10 minutes.

AND, whatever you do, don't forget to add the baking soda :)

OOPS!

But do make sure you lick the beaters 

(I know, I know salmonella.....

and if you do lick the beaters and you end up with salmonella, 

don't blame me, you've been warned!)

FYI...

These cookies are so yummy, that you may just strap your booster seat to your bottom so that when they finally come out of the oven all you have to do is sit down!

Find some more yummy recipes at the Mangia Monday's party!

Embrace the Camera with Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Little Smiley and I got to work in the kitchen and set out to make some of my Hubby's favorite cookies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip

Keep reading and I'll share the recipe with you at the end ;)

Anyway, It was a fun way to spend the morning with my littlest.  And she is quite the little helper.... or should I say "taster" in the kitchen.

She even has some in her eyelash that she is saving for later

Warm right from the oven, 

what could be more perfect?

Eating them with my girl and enjoying every moment!

(Now if only Hubby and our 2 other kiddos were home to enjoy them with us)

And now for the recipe:

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Cream Together

1 Cup Shortening

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

3/4 Cup White Sugar

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla

Then Add:

1 1/2 Cups Flour

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Hot Water

2 Cups Oatmeal

Stir in:

1 Cup Walnuts

2 packages chocolate chips         

**** I NEVER measure out my walnuts or chocolate chips and honestly must not read my recipe very well, because 2 packages seems like an awful lot to me****

Bake at 350 for 8-11 minutes ~ don't over bake (remember they keep cooking on the hot baking sheet once you remove them from the oven)

Mmm, SO GOOD!

Now, go make some cookies by yourself or with someone else, and while your at it, 

Make sure you get out from behind the camera and get yourself into the picture!

Something to Think About Sunday

I ♥ me some Dove milk chocolate.

But I typically only buy myself these little treats this time of year (just 'cause I'd eat them all.the.time...)

Who knew something so simple could be so good for my tummy AND make me think (an not about working out ☺)

Remember to watch for the simple things ~ they might just be able to teach you something.

14. Back rubs

15. The ability to express myself

16. My health, while I may get the occasional cold (such as right now) I am healthy

Double Chocolate Layer Cake with Ganache frosting

In my opinion this has to be the best chocolate cake ever!

My neighbor actually said it was better than his mother-in-laws!

(I won't tell if you don't!)
I dare you to try it!

And if you do, let me know what you think!

From: Epicurious.com

Ingredients:

CAKE:
3 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut (you got me... I used nestle ~ didn't
matter ~ so delicious)
1 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee
3 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (not dutch process)
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla


GANACHE FROSTING:

1 pound fine-quality semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut (Nestle ~ whatever)
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

Preparation:

Make the cake layers:

Preheat the oven to 300 and grease two 10 by 2 inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with rounds of wax paper (I used parchment) and grease paper (I skipped this part).

Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly and lemon colored (about 3-5minutes). Slowly add oil, buttermilk,vanilla and melted chocolate mixture to the eggs, beating until combined well. Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well. Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. About 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 mins.


Make the frosting:

Finely chop chocolate. In a 1 1/2 - 2 quart saucepan bring cream, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over moderately low heat, whisking until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted. Cut butter into pieces and add to frosting, whisking until smooth.

Transfer frosting to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally , until spreadable (depending on chocolate used, it may be necessary to chill frosting to spreadable consistency).

Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides. Cake deeps, covered and chilled, 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

~serves 12-14

YUMMY!