PIONEER WOMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Jeff started summer school this week, wah wah. But while he's in class being a smarty pants tonight, I thought I'd share his baking skills. He's a man of many talents. He surprised me the worlds best, homemade, four-layer, chocolate-chocolate cake for my 30th birthday in January. I couldn't be a luckier woman.

The recipe for this Pioneer Woman cake can be found here. It includes FOUR sticks of butter. You're welcome.

And looking back on this video now, five months later... the boys look so little! 2013 is flying.

doughnut dots

I got a lot of feedback on the crepes, glad you guys are tryin' em out!

And I updated the post with a few tips for those of you who emailed and asked.

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As for this morning, it was cloudy and cold, a perfect morning for doughnut dots.

I posted this on fb and twitter and was asked for a write-up (hi Kelly!)

of the recipe, there on the counter.

It comes from my betty crocker bisquick cookbook...

1973 copy...

in the love and friendship section...

perfect for a valentine's: day 2!

I haven't tried the recipes to the left or right yet, but those apple rings are definitely next up!

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Feel free to email me anytime!

But just as I did here, I will also answer any questions in the comments at no extra charge. :)

all day breakfast

It's like it was IHOP over here today...

breakfast, lunch, and dinner consisted of breakfast, breakfast, breakfast.

Jeff came home to me cooking crepes with blueberries and whip cream for dinner.

And in the picture above, you can catch a glimps of the chocolate chip scone filled jar,

that I freshly baked for my lunch.

And Ewan happened to flip a little of breakfast this morning,

which was muffins and waffles.

I just can't kick this sweet tooth this pregnancy. But the boys sure aren't complaining.

(Try my mom's crepe recipe here.)

UPDATE: Crepe tips:

*all ingredients at room temp help keep the batter from getting lumpy.

*only cook the 2nd side for about 20 seconds, just to heat through.

*and grease pan after every crepe. spray pam, butter, whatever.

Enjoy!

pupcake

Our first baby is 5 today...

Happy Birthday Divot!

Brandon and Felicia's new baby, Jeter, came over for some party hats and pupcake. :)

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Peanut Butter Pupcakes
1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking soda , 1/4 cup peanut butter , 1/4 cup vegetable oil,

1 cup shredded carrots , 1 tsp vanilla , 1/3 cup honey , 1 egg
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into cupcake liners, bake for 20 minutes. Frost cakes with low fat cottage cheese and decorate with carrot pieces, dog bones, etc. Store in refrigerator.

cinnamon and sugar

Keeping with the sugar theme...

We had the BEST dessert last night.

In fact, I'm eating it for breakfast right now. :)

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Piecrust Cookies!

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This recipe came from my favorite (now discontinued... stupid economy) magazine, WonderTime.

Perfect for those times (usually after the 31st) when you're on sugar overload.

This pile of leaves are light, flaky, and softly sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Perfection.

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Ewan LOVED them! I couldn't get him to stop signing "more". He had some for breakfast too. :)

warm and fuzzy

My favorite season is here!

And the house (well... 700 sq ft, 1 bedroom, attached garage, apartment) is getting cozy. :)

The candles are lit...

The sparkly pillows and cozy afghan (knitted by Jeff's Grandma!) are placed... Vince Guaraldi is playing round the clock...


Collected magazines from holidays past are pulled out (Martha Stewart circa 2003!)...

Pumpkins are popping up...

Cinnamon on everything, especially coffee... in our fall color Starbucks mug collection...

Pumpkin pie bites warm our tummies (from the inspirational bakerella.com)...

And warm socks and jammies keep us cozy all day.

Happy Fall! Autumn! October! November! December! :)

Dough Play

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Ewan and I made Play-doh today! Super fun, super easy.

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The recipe...

1/2 flour

1/4 cup salt

1/2 cup water

1/2 tablespoon oil

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

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Stir everything together in a pot on low heat until it turns into a ball of dough. That's it. Then divide to mix in different food coloring. Safe to eat, though I don't recommend it... salty! And the recipe even works without cream of tartar... apparently I'm out. :)

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Found the recipe from this Simple Mom blogpost...

20 Indoor Activites for Kids-besides TV.