Coming in as a Close 2nd!

There has always been something really illusive about Grandma Frei's Chocolate Cake. It was something that she could only make and I really messed up. I don't know why I had such a hard time with it, maybe because the recipe went something like this... Mix some flour with some butter add a little cocoa and maybe an egg or two and then bake. With my baking skills I need specifics, and I finally found some. I know this isn't Grandma Frei's Chocolate Cake, but it comes in as a close 2nd! Make some today and enjoy! (Thank you The Pioneer Woman for the recipe.) 
Lainee


FOR THE CAKE:
2 cups Flour
2 cups Sugar
¼ teaspoons Salt
4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
2 sticks Butter
1 cup Boiling Water
½ cups Buttermilk
2 whole Beaten Eggs
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla

FOR FROSTING:
½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans
1-¾ stick Butter
4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
6 Tablespoons Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together.
Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.
In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.
While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

Weekend Write Up

Happy Monday! Over the weekend, we went to see "How To Train Your Dragon" with my in laws and all the neice and nephews. It was such a treat! I'm amazed at the technology of 3D films that are coming out. We saw Avatar on Christmas day and my husband says that this movie is a close runner up to it. I was worried about the glasses and things jumping out of the screen making me sick, but I hardly noticed them. The kids were glued to the movie and we all had a lot of good laughs. The movie had a great story line and a cute meaning to it. As we were leaving the movie, I heard a man say, "They make some of the kids movies better then the adult ones."
If you have children, or enjoy anamated movies, I highly recommend you see it.
Until next week, Aubrey

First Attempt at Mod Podge

I was at the craft store the other day, picking up some magnets for our star charts and my daughter spotted this little wooden box.  She wanted it. :) I didn't get it for her but told her she could earn it with her stars. (Another story... I'll maybe tell about our star chart next Friday.) She decided that would be ok. Well, the next day she got invited to a birthday party for a friend. She wanted to give her friend the little wooden box... so I went back to the craft store the get the box. When I got there, I realized it was unfinished wood.  I decided to try my luck at Mod Podge. I've never done it before since everything I do is on the computer. After about 4 hours... the box was done. Brooklyn was so excited to give it to her friend since we made it together.  All in all, I think it turned out ok... for my first attempt!

It became even more apparent why I scrapbook digitally vs traditional scrapbooking. Just this little project took me a total of about 5 hours (counting drive time to the store). :) There is just no comparison to sitting down at a computer and making something wonderful in less than an hour and having the supplies at my fingertips.

Spring

I have been anxiously awaiting Spring. It is by far my favorite time of year. I love the green grass, daffodils, tulips and the best of all the sounds of kids playing outside.  I thought Spring was here to stay, until I went to the Jazz game last night and had to drive home in a compete blizzard! Going 25-40 mph for 300 miles in the middle of the night is not what I call Spring or fun! I did make it home safe thanks to Gavin's good driving, but we decided next time we go to the Jazz game we are staying overnight. Today the weather has been a little cool, I wore my flip flops anyway. I guess it was in hopes that 70 degree weather will be here real soon!

Lainee

Baby Shower Invitation Idea

My good friend called and asked if I would put together a baby shower invitation for her. She told me she wanted some argyle in the background and a baby carriage... this is what I came up with. I think it turned out cute so I wanted to post it for you to see and maybe get some ideas of your own! :)

Happy Scrapping!
Bradi