Not box cake

Last year on Andy's birthday he insisted that I make him a cake from a box. He said that was his favorite and it's what he wanted.

With much wailing and gnashing of teeth I complied. Not to be outdone by a cake from a box I fancied things up a bit.

Still, it goes against the baker inside of me to just whip something up out of a box. It causes me serious pain.

Don't get me wrong. I certainly see the advantage to box mixes, but they are so much better if you throw in a little something extra, just to make it your own.

This year I wasn't taking any chances. I found the recipe and told Andy what I was making him for his birthday cake. See the difference there? I didn't ask him, I told him. And I told him while he was busy at work, then I went out and bought all the ingredients before he could realize what just happened.

So here is the finished product. One of our friends called it "chocolate cake concentrate."

There is some serious chocolate going on in this thing, but it's really, really good and worth the effort.

I only ran into one problem and that was with the ingredients. The filling called for mascarpone cheese and it turns out that isn't exactly a high priority item around here. So I substituted cream cheese and the result was delicious.

I highly recommend serving it with a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream to help cut the richness. Also, start with a small piece. Trust me!

As far as I know the birthday boy was pleased. I just hope he knows that box cake is not likely to make another appearance in our kitchen.

A weekend spent out of doors

We've had a really awesome weekend. It's so nice to be out and about doing things again.

Yesterday I traveled to Greensboro for a joint birthday party for my oldest nephew and niece. I was worried for a couple of reasons. First, I was pretty sure I was going to have to drive all the way there and I haven't driven on the interstate since before the accident. I did indeed drive, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The traffic was really not so bad and there weren't too many crazy drivers out there. Second, I'm not used to the heat in the lower part of the state. My mountain has hardly seen 90 degrees yet this summer and I was not at all looking forward to being outside with all the extra heat and humidity. But, once again, my worries were for naught because it really wasn't all that awful. We picnicked in the shade and while I did sweat more than usual I wasn't miserable. So that was good.

The party was at Bur-Mil park and after the picnic the kids were going swimming at the pool there. I went prepared to swim with them, but my ankle was swollen pretty bad at that point and I was already exhausted. So some of us decided to call it a day and head home. The journey home wasn't too bad either, but by the time I got back up the mountain to our apartment I crashed. I took a lovely little nap while Andy went for a bike ride and then we went out for a late dinner.

I made these cupcakes for the party.
Butterflies for Veronica and trains for Jerem.
I got the idea from Hello Cupcake! which my
mother-in-law gave me.
The butterflies are in the book and the
trains were my own creation.
The cupcake recipe came out of it too.
Banana Chocolate and they were yummy!

The baby was passed out when she got there

Alex, chowing down on some chicken.
We had KFC and you can't go wrong with
KFC at a picnic.
Jerem had a blast!
I asked Veronica to pose and this is what she gave me.
She's going to regret this one day.

Today was much more low-key. After sleeping in a bit Andy got up and went for another bike ride and I watched a movie I had rented. Then we headed out to a local lake to have a picnic. The lake is small, but it has picnic shelters, a play area for kids and there is a beach area with a doc and lifeguard so people can swim. Today has been so nice out and we were definitely not the only ones enjoying the day. We didn't swim because we had some other things to get done today, but we spent a while laying on a blanked and people watching. People watching is one of my favorite things to do. I wouldn't mind if we made this a Sunday ritual.

Our view of the lake

Feet on the picnic blanket.
Andy says his feet look bad.
I guess that's why he's curling his toes under.
Watching the clouds
The "beach" and dock are on the other side of these trees

Photogenic Friday: The Milton Edition

Dear Milton,

I was going to do an interview with you like I did with Brunswick, but you don't sit still long enough so I decided to write you a letter instead.


This month you turn one year old. Two months from now marks the anniversary of when you became a member of our family. I'm sorry we called you Mabel for three weeks. When the lady at the pet shop told us you were a girl I was a little afraid that she didn't know what she was talking about and as it turned out I was right. But you let us know as soon as you could that you were not, in fact, a girl. Thanks for telling us. It certainly helped Daddy and I understand your strange behavior to your brother.


I'll also apologize for your birthday present. I guess it wasn't much of a present. For Brunswick's birthday we got him a bag of granola and we got you fixed for yours. I have to say I was a little worried about you and how you would handle the anesthesia. You've always had an extra sensitive system. It did seem to take you a long time to come out of your medicinal daze, but you're back to your sassy self now. In about two weeks you'll start to feel a lot different. I know it wasn't fun, but you're ok now and it was a necessary evil. I promise you don't have to do it again.


Daddy and I have really enjoyed having you around. You certainly always make things interesting. Brunswick likes having you around too - at least he does now. At first you guys didn't get along so well and you cost Mommy and Daddy a good bit of money on a tiny tube of ointment for your brother's eye. But that's alright, I forgive you and so does Brunswick.


Your energy is boundless and you never cease to amaze me with it. Just when I think you're down for the count you're off again, making laps around the living room, chasing your brother around, sniffing and marking my shoes. Because we all know what a tragedy it would be if every.single.thing in our apartment didn't smell like you.


I really enjoy watching you chase the broom around. I think I could play with you all day long, but I run out of energy way before you do. Recently you've come to love the game of "chase" where I follow you into a corner and then when I turn around you follow me back across the room. I also love it that you come out from your hidey hole just to say hi to Daddy and I.


You like to pretend that you're aloof and above needing affection, but I know you better than that. Nothing satisfies you more than getting a couple of pets and kisses from us. You're such a stinker and you get pretty jealous of your brother if you think he's getting more love than you. You've nibble holes in a couple of my favorite shirts because you wanted me to pay attention you you instead. I'd appreciate it if you'd find another way to get my attention.


I have to say that you put up with my shenanigans pretty well. A lot better than Brunswick, that's for sure. You don't complain too much when I dress you up or try to make you pose for the camera. But you're so curious of the camera I have a lot of close up pictures of your nose.


Daddy and I love you so much little fuzz ball. Don't ever change. And I promise that next year your birthday will be much better and it won't involve surgery.

Birthday present

Traditional birthday daffodil's from
my Mamaw's gardenSilly faces in the car

Crooked self portrait

I have consumed a lot of chocolate today in the form of cake and pie (because I'm so special I get both).

It's been a fabulous birthday. Lot's of cards, phone calls, text messages and facebook messages. Thank you all.

My twenty seventh year is upon me.

I'm going to go to sleep now and dream about more chocolate.

Birthdays past

19th birthday? We look so young.

21st birthday
With my friend Stephanie.
We had a party at my parent's house.
Jenn and Shannon "sunbathing"
at my 21st birthday 22nd birthday
They made me stand up and had the
whole restaurant sing to me

25th birthday
Lunch with Mom and Mamaw

26th birthday
Andy made me a carrot cake

At the park

The Party

After a little meltdown by the birthday boy we had quite a nice time yesterday. We're still not sure what triggered the little crying fit, but he got over it and enjoyed his party. That's really all that matters.

We consumed pizza and cake and opened presents then pilled in the car and went to the town park. That is, after we went to Dollar General to get shoes for the guest of honor. My mother wouldn't be my mother if she didn't forget something.

Here are some pictures to chronicle our adventures.

A glimpse of things to come

The party's over.

Pizza and cupcakes were had. Presents were opened and enjoyed. Mylar balloons were fought over. I have lot's of pictures and a few videos to share with you, but I'm exhausted and right now all I really want to do is sit on the couch and recover.

So I'll leave you with this and a promise of more to come tomorrow.

A true spring baby

Today is my nephew's third birthday. My youngest nephew that is. His name is Alex. He just became a big brother for the first time three weeks ago to Lilianna. Remember Lilianna?

It's tough not being the baby anymore. When he met his new sister for the first time they tell me that he seemed alright with her, but his mother was not very high up on his list of people he liked. He wouldn't even give her a hug. Then when I saw him he became very attached. He's usually glad to see me and gives me hugs. Then goes about his merry way. But the last time I saw Alex he wouldn't let me out of his sight for about an hour.

I guess he was feeling the effects of big-brotherdom.

So we're having a little party for him tomorrow. He has had a celebration today with his parents and siblings, but when you're feeling down you need a little something extra. So we're going to carry the celebration over another day.

I spent the better part of my afternoon making cupcakes for his party. I mixed and baked and iced and sprinkled. I'm quite pleased with how they turned out and I'm sure Alex will love them. He loves blowing out candles and being sung to. His two older siblings have never cared for the birthday song. Although I can imagine it's overwhelming to have nearly twenty people belting it out to you all in a different key.

I'll be sure to take pictures of tomorrow's festivities to share with you. I may even get a little video of the birthday boy blowing out his candles; over and over again.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Belated

Yesterday (or rather two days ago as it is after midnight) one of my very most favorite people celebrated a birthday. I celebrated with her, I've just been delayed in posting about it.

I'm talking about my mother; the woman who gave me life. I could write for days and days about how much I love her and how wonderful a mother and friend she is. I won't, at least not right now.

I'm just going to leave you with a few pictures I have of her. I won't tell you how old she is because it isn't polite and I think she'd kill me. I will tell you that it was a milestone birthday, but I won't dare you to guess it because I don't think you can, she looks much younger than her age. Everyone says so.

Back in the day
My step dad says she looks like Captain Hook

With my Grandmother
This picture looks the most like me of any I have
I don't really look like my momFamily photoI'm not sure why she isn't looking at the camera
Clearly I wanted to make a good impressionWith the oldest grandchildAt my college graduationWith her mother and siblingsWith my brother at my weddingMotherly advice
Actually, I think I was telling her I felt like I
was going to throw up.

With my grandmother
The Blue Ridge in the background

Up, Up and Away!!!Christmas, two years agoLast summerLast summer at my step dad's birthday celebrationThanksgiving '08.
I always look sleepy when I do a self portrait

Happy Birthday Momma!