Summer's Cake

Ghost-Pleasing Chocolate Cake 
(from the book The Bake Shop Ghost, great kid's book)

Preheat oven to 325* Prepare two 8- or 9-inch pan or one 13x9-inch pan (we did this one), by lining the bottoms with parchment or waxed paper or greasing the whole pan and dusting with flour. We just used a glass pan and left the cake in it.

In a large bowl, mix together:

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted before measuring (we were excited about this part)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
4 tablespoons buttermilk powder (Summer says this stuff is gross, so don't lick your finger and stick it in to try it.)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan, melt over low heat:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
8 ozs bittersweet or semisweet chocolate


Remove from heat and add:

1 cup water
4 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until blended. Pour evenly into prepared pans, and bake on the middle rack of the oven about 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of cake comes out with moist crumbs adhering to it. Do not over bake. Cool thoroughly on a rack before icing. We wanted overnight and frosted the next day.

Easy Frosting

3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup softened unsalted butter or shortening (we used butter)
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and beat until smooth. If using an electric mixer, beat at low speed. Add more sugar for stiffer frosting.
Our frosting turned out runny, I didn't have any more sugar to stiffen it up. But Summer was happy with the way it tasted so I wasn't too worried and since we left the cake in the pan we really didn't need to worry about it.

MOPS Convention Nashville 2011 - Part 1

I've been home for a couple of weeks now just loving my kiddos and getting Summer's birthday ready. So I'm alittle behind on my posts. MOPS Convention was AMAZING!!! It was 5 days away from the kids, from chores and the every day. What I love about leaving is I know everything will be fine. Darlene (mother-in-law), my mom, and of course Reggie took care of everything. The kids miss me but not enough that I feel bad. It's just a great feeling. Anyway Tuesday evening Erica picked me up so we could stay at her sister's house, our plane felt at 6 am. Trip wasn't bad. We had all of Wednesday evening to check out the Gaylord Hotel. Which is huge and cool. We did the scavenger hunt the hotel was doing. Last year MOPS did one, but not this time. We had fun exploring and earned a cheesy hat pin that lights up. A prize is a prize! Here is a few pictures of that and the hotel. The little yellow guy is Woodstock, the friend Summer gave me. She gives me one every trip I go on.

Done Just In Time

I finished this journal just in time to take it to Nashville with me. I'm pretty excited about it. I think it turned out very nice. It flips, journal on one side and my prayer journal on the other side. It was nice to have on my trip :)

Last Weekend of July

I can't believe how fast the summer is going. Happy August First!! The last weekend of July was fun, not too exciting, but fun. Friday Kim and her girls came over to play. Summer has been going over there alot but I wanted to see Kim. It was fun, it's nice to live on the water.

Summer, Alyssa, Emily, Janel

This is the new, coolest thing to do.

Friday evening we had a bonfire for Summer. We haven't done a fire in awhile and she really enjoys them. We did it early so we could still go to bed at a good time. Plus really it's all about the Smores anyway.

Saturday was the Farmer's Market and playing at home again. It was HOT on this day and home by the water was nice.

Cookies and water at the Farmer's Market

Sleepy boys after a raft ride

Sunday after church was another chill day at home. In the evening we went shopping to get me some clothes for my trip. (2 days in counting!) Reggie wanted me to go by myself but I'm glad we went as a family.

Eugene was making us laugh on the floaty. He would sit there and let it float away. Then he learned he could kick. It was pretty neat to watch. I have 3 little water babies. Even through Summer is not a baby. :) Great weekend!!!

Braid

Had my hair done this morning just in time for my trip next week. My gal, Whitney, put a fun braid on the top of my head and I practiced on a dummy. I can't braid hair. My own or anyone else. I'll work on it and try on Summer's head. (poor girl) Because it is a very cute look. And I guess very "in". Which really doesn't mean much to me, but good to know.

Not the best pics, but you can kind of see it and my mom's finger and Summer behind me. :)

No Bake Cookies

1/2 c butter

4 tbs cocoa

2 c sugar

1/2 c milk

3 c oats

1/2 c peanut butter

1 tea vanilla

In a saucepan boil butter cocoa, sugar and milk for two minutes. Stir occasionally.



Remove from heat. Add oats, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix well.

Spoon onto wax paper. Let set or refrigerate. Makes 3 dozen depends on cookie size.

I made these for my brother's birthday. When asked what can I bake you for your birthday, he says no bake cookies. Recipe from Andera Corder. (thank you)



Happy Birthday Darlene!

Today is her birthday but we had dinner last night for it. Darlene is the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for.She lets the kids blow the candles out for her. Which of course the kids love.

Now that I think about I'm very blessed to have great family around me. The time I spent with my mom last week. Dinner at the in-laws and my dad's. My brothers living close. Reggie's brothers living close. My kids get to see their cousins often. Really what more could you ask for. :) :)