Let them eat cake and a layout

For our anniversary I wanted to make a special dessert. One of my favorite blogs for dessert ideas is Picky-Palate, recently she shared a recipe for ice cream sundae layer cake, so this past weekend I gave it a try.  In an earlier recipe she did ice cream sundae brownies and used the Ben and Jerry's Phish Food ice cream so I used that instead.

I like to prepare my pans with Wilton's Cake Release. I picked it up in the baking section at Michael's. I don't have any issues with the cake sticking with this.  I just brush it on the ban with a pastry brush.

The cake recipe is easy, dump it all in to the bowl and mix. The recipe calls for 4 layers, but I only have 3 pans, so I figured my layers would be a bit thicker, and I adjusted my cooking time by a few minutes longer.

While the cake was cooking I made my chocolate curls. I didn't know until now that it could be done with a vegetable peeler.

I found this Creamy Chocolate Frosting recipe at Allrecipes.com. With the layers I doubled it, which made more than enough frosting for my cake.

But that was a lot of chocolate and sugar to sift.

I had a little help in the frosting department. Nicholas also learned he liked to lick the spoon, (he had never wanted to before), Must have been the chocolate.  Because after less than a minute of helping, all he wanted was more frosting on a spoon. I was on my own to frost the cake.

Layering the cake...

Frosted and chocolate curls applied, and it was as delicious and rich as it looks.

This was probably one of the more involved recipes I have made from Picky Palate, but that was because I made my own frosting and did the chocolate curls. Most of her recipes are pretty easy and very yummy. She also has some great family friendly meals.

And here is a layout using Studio Calico's May Granny's Cupboard, Trinkets and Knick Knack Add On kit's and the Addy alpha stamps from the Sugar Woods August's Add On kit.

Maybe it is because I am turning 40 in a couple months, or maybe it is because there are some things going on in my life, but this was a bit of a soul searching layout. I have been at a bit of a cross road lately. I have worked towards one goal or another my whole life, and recently I have felt like I don't have something I am working towards. Kind of feeling like the hamster in the wheel. So I have been questioning what is next.  I don't hide my journaling too often, but this one I did, because it was just for me. I did this layout on Tuesday, and funny enough I learned a few things yesterday, that get to the heart of what I was thinking about.

Hope you have a fantastic Friday and relaxing weekend!

Adventures in Cooking & Baking

Mike is still recovering from knee surgery and I have been super busy at work.  As a result. this past weekend our adventures in cooking were kept easy. Saturday Mike made this easy whole wheat pasta with fresh tomatoes and turkey sausage and a bit of Italian cheese and herbs. We paired it with a light Caesar salad mix from the produce section.

Have you seen all the new bagel thins and sandwich thins that are out in the grocery stores.  Mike cut up some of the bagel thins to make these bagel chips. Just a bit of cooking spray and a sprinkle of herb mixture with garlic powder, rosemary, salt and pepper.

For dinner Sunday I made my Mojito Melon Salad. It is just some chopped up honeydew melon, cantaloupe, mango and cucumber, with some torn mint a sprinkling of Splenda and juice from a lime.

And to keep Sunday nights meal easy and make some leftovers for the week, Mike made our favorite crock pot fajitas.  We use steak strips we get from Costco, red and yellow peppers, and an onion. Throw it in the crock pot with a pack of fajita seasoning and a half a bottle of beer. Cook for 4-6 hours on low.

And I had been hearing about these Pretzel M&M's:

Mara always shares great recipes she has made on her blog.  She made Pretzel M&M Blondie's from a recipe she found at Bake at 350. So I gave them a try Sunday afternoon, and they were a hit.

I am taking a 4 day weekend this coming weekend to celebrate our 14 year wedding anniversary. So I am sure I will have a few more adventures to share next week.

Happy Thursday!