Pa's Birthday

December 4th, was my Pa's birthday! I realize that, that was a week ago; however, I will not hesitate to brag about the delectable, moist cake that I made for him. His exact words were, "It's not that sweet," which to me, was compliment in itself. Most people, when making this very cake, make it so sweet that just a bite will suffice, but my cake was "perfect".

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

1 package Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix

1/2 cup butter

1 cup firmly  packed brown sugar

1 (20-oz.) can pineapple slices, drained

Red maraschino cherries (optional)

Preheat oven to 350

Melt butter in skillet. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly in skillet. Arrange pineapple slices evenly on brown sugar. Place maraschino cherry halves, in center of pineapple slices.

Prepare cake mix following package directions for basic recipe. Pour batter evenly over fruit in skillet. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool 5 minutes in pan.

Flip-it onto a pretty cake plate.

It was extraordinary! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys cake!

At Thanksgiving, a few weeks ago, I baked some melt in your mouth peanut butter blossom cookies. They were exquisite, and let's just say there was NONE left when I went home that evening.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Crisco Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening

1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-3/4 cups All-purpose Flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Sugar

48 foil-wrapped milk chocolate pieces, unwrapped

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cream together shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup sugar. Add egg, milk, and vanilla. Beat well.

Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Beat on low speed until stiff dough forms. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Top each cookie immediately with an unwrapped chocolate piece, pressing down firmly so that cookie cracks around edge. Remove cookie sheets to cool.

Yield: 4 dozen

Dinner with Friends: New Dish

Tonight, I invited two of my co-workers over for dinner (Brett and Maobe, they're also my boyfriends friends, as well) and my oldest friend Lacy over. Unfortunately, Lacy was not able to make it because her older sister Jessica went into labor the night before and welcomed a *new* addition to their family, baby Owen. So of course, she could not be with us tonight, but it was for the better!

On the other hand, dinner was phenomenal! I made broiled talapia, jasmine rice, sauted onions/garlic/celery, boiled bok choy, and this amazing side dish that I found on Kelly's Corner (a blog that I found through another blog that I read), green beans wrapped in bacon! It was a fairly easy dish to make, and everyone enjoyed it because there was none left at the end.

How to make it: Green Beans Wrapped in Bacon

2-3 cans of whole green beans
1 package of bacon (cut into halves)
1 tbs minced garlic
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick of butter

Take bacon halves and wrap around a bundle of green beans (use as much as you would like). Repeat  until you have wrapped desired amount. In a bowl, melt butter and sugar together. Add the garlic to the butter/sugar mixture and stir. Pour over the green bean bundles and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Afterward, broil it for 5 minutes to crisp the bacon a bit.

I promise you that there will not be any of this left! Everyone enjoyed the amazing flavor that the bundles offered. Delectable. Scrumptious. Appetizing. Mouth-watering. Delicious. Amazing. It was definitely every one of these words. So please feel free to make this amazing little side dish for your family or friends! You will not regret it. At All.

Random Thoughts to Dwell on

 Today was a beautiful spring day. The sun shining bright up in the sky, the wind blowing making the leaves in the trees shuffle, the grass turning into a bright green color, while all the flowers blossom creating a rainbow of colors. Oh how, spring is such an amazing time of year. I love everything about it. Sometimes if it wasn't for the weather, then I wouldn't have a care in the world. No matter what people say, the weather affects everyone's mood and attitude. When it beautiful everyone is happy. :) Even if they don't admit it.

Just some thoughts:

Last night, I went to bed at 10 o'clock, and didn't wake up until 11 o'clock this morning. It was the best night of sleep I have had. Between school, and work I never get enough sleep. :( Sometime I wish there were 36 hours in a day, so I would have enough time to do everything that I need to do, and still get enough rest for the next day. I doubt that will ever happen, but it sure would be nice.

I was laying on my bed this afternoon, and started to think to myself about life. I mean I used to write short stories, poems, and draw all the time, but I don't anymore. I would really like to make time for the things that I enjoy doing. I mean I can't even remember the last time I read a good book. I miss reading. I want to pick up a book, and never want to put it down. I want to have time for the little things because even though they are little, they matter. They can help you be sane. :)

Goal: Make time for what you enjoy to do :)

Yesterday, I had dinner with my Mom and her friend Ricky. I really enjoyed spending time with her. It feels like it has been forever. We talked, and ate some really amazing food at Logan's Roadhouse. Then afterwords we went shopping. I think she found a *new* obsession, TJ Maxx! I love that place. It is super affordable. She bought us both *new* purses, and I love mine! :) I had a great time, and I hope we can do it again real soon! Thanks for a great time Mom, even if I've said it a million times already.


Thought: Never take things for granted or forget about the things/people that matter most.

Five weeks until school is out for summer! I'm so excited! I can't wait to be out of the dorms, and into my *new* apartment (and see my super amazing boyfriend, Voua Lee). Life is really starting to fall into place, and I'm excited to see what my future has in store for me. :)


Keep your head up high, and keep on keeping on! :)