Strawberry Summer Cake

I haven't had the slightest urge to take on any cooking or baking, let alone, attempting new recipes. I'm mostly tired and usually find other stuff that is more pressing but last Wednesday I decided I needed to make this Strawberry Summer Cake. I had basically everything on hand and we had an impending tornado warning/severe thunderstorm alert and, so, to keep from freaking out I baked!

The recipe comes from my absolutely favorite cooking blog Smitten Kitchen! She has a book coming out either in the Spring or Fall of 2012 and I can't wait. I love her pictures, her posts, and her recipes! Honestly, I wish we were friends! Ha! I followed this recipe to the "T" without changing anything up. If you want to see SK's original post it's linked above.

Strawberry Summer Cake

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for pie plate

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon anilla extract
1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved

Directions

1. Preheat of to 350 degrees. Butter up either a 9"-10" pie plate or springform pan (which I used)

2. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.  In a larger bowl, mix 1 cup of sugar with the butter, for about 3 minutes, until fluffy. Mix in the egg, milk, and vanilla until just combined and then gradually mix in the flour mixture until it's smooth.

3. Pour the mix into the pan and then arrange the strawberries, cut side down, on top and as close as possible. Then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the berries.

4. Bake cake for 10 minutes and then reduce the temperature to 325 and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the tester comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan.

Smitten Kitchen suggests serving it with whipped cream, which I didn't try but I'm sure is also good! I served it with sprinkled powder sugar, which gave it just enough sweetness, and I also thought about using vanilla ice cream as another alternative!! Definitely an easy cake and one that I will be making again. It was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

First off Happy Memorial Day weekend!

I know I'm a week behind on some pics but I also have two recipes that I want to post about plus an overdue bathroom project update! All to come this week!

Pic# 23 (Monday)

Missy ripped apart her first toy and scattered its insides all over the living room!

Pic# 24 (Tuesday)

Love this smiling face =) We were playing with the camera and he kept saying cheese!

Pic# 25 (Wednesday)

This is a strawberry summer cake that I made on Wednesday and it was delicious!! Can't wait to share the recipe with you guys.

Sadly Thursday & Friday I missed out on! I worked and was tired and my head hit the pillow and fell asleep at about 830pm each night! =(  Have a safe and happy Memorial Day ♥

Oh Nursery, Oh Nursery...

This is the bedding I'm going to use for the new baby's nursery. Since we're reusing all of Logan's nursery furniture I don't feel so bad buying new bedding, plus, Logan really did a number on his.

Potterybarnkids.com

My dilemma lies in decorating around this! I love that it  has different colors, doesn't have a theme so you can add elements to the room that will still go with the bedding, and I can change the crib sheet without being reduced to just one color. However, I don't want a white nursery, especially when the furniture is white...So I'm thinking of using colors like these:

From Glidden's line: GLG19 Mint Shake, GLB15 Clear Blue Sky, & GLB25 Rich Navy

From Martha Stewart Living's line: MSL154 Cloudless Day & MSL105 Bay Leaf (I actually have another blue and green from her line too but I couldn't find them)

From Behr's line: 520E-1 Coastal Mist with a green like S-H-430 Mossy Green

*Coastal Mist is a tried and true blue that we love because we used it in Logan's nursery*

I've been using Pinterest to get ideas on how to decorate this room and I just can't find anything. I'm not sold on anything just yet but here are some of the rooms I've seen and have leaned towards...

Painting above the chair rail a lighter blue and doing stripes underneath in a darker blue and green.

Doing stripes like this with this color scheme or doing a blue and white stripe is also a possiblity

Or obviously doing the top in a blue and doing bead board from the middle down in white, which is a little more simplistic but also a safer route.

This is also something I'm thinking of adding to the baby's room but instead of using inspirational words doing his first and middle names. Chris suggested doing his whole name but I'm not sure about that yet. 

Source: http://pinterest.com/pin/18298034/

Other elements would probably be nautical or beach related only because I L.O.V.E. the beach and I totally miss it! I want my kids to love it too. So what do you think? I mostly posted this to put my thoughts together and have it in written format in my face instead of in my head but if you have suggestions please tell! I'm willing to hear it all. Logan's room is also going to get redone and I'm a little against it because it's totally a theme but he loves Toy Story and if it'll make him happy I'm going for it! More on that later!



Pitbull!

Maybe it's the Elvis lip thing he's got going on
or the shades he wears

or the way he carries himself

or the fact that he dons a suit in almost every music video

but I find him gorgeous.

Ha! It's most likely my hormones

but he's still gorge...just sayin'!

Hello, Monday.

It's Monday, it's cloudy, and apparently going to be a little humid with a dash of hot. Now normally this wouldn't bother me but seeing how my body is already swelling, thanks to this lovely pregnancy and seeing how my self-esteem is plummeting after each day, I'm not looking forward to it!

This weekend we tackled some projects, like....

• Tackling this monstrosity of a pantry...It's definitely more organized but I still don't like it and I forgot to take a picture after I was done.....

• Building a "work station" and then continuing with my repurposing of Logan's dresser
• Painting the inside of the closet in the guest room which is going to be the newest addition's nursery. I want a closet system so that we can eliminate the need for a dresser and make the room feel bigger.

I'm having a hard time coming up with a completely non-themed nursery. I know I want nautical or beach elements in it but as far as color I'm at a loss and it's driving me bananas! I was thinking light blue with green but that's what I did the bathroom in (which I'll post about soon).



And before I forget here are my pics a day for last week:

Pic# 19 (Thursday)

A little's boy best friend. He loves his Missy.

Pic# 20 (Friday)

My favorite deputy (or cowboy)!

Pic# 21 (Saturday)

Chris' first attempt at ribs on the grill...They were amazing! He did awesome for a first try and we paired it up with some grilled corn and some potato salad! A great summer dinner =)

Pic# 22 (Sunday)

A peek at a first tomato. So excited that they're doing well out there! This little tomato is growing off a plant that Logan picked up without a tag and we planted it not knowing what it was going to be!

Hope everyone has a great Monday and please keep Joplin, MO in your thoughts and prayers, as they are suffering with devastation and loss from yesterday's tornado.

A Little Bit of Everything.

I've done a little bit of everything this week and the week's not even over!!

Pic# 16 (Monday)

I bought a kit at Eclectica a while back and found it while I was organizing pictures and the closet. It was a Valentine's day kit and I had these pictures from V-Day of 2010 so I decided to use them for this. I also decided that instead of doing our book chronologically, as I'm doing with Logan's book, is to do it randomly. These pages will probably start our book and then maybe go back to the beginning because our "first" photos are bar scenes and blurry! Our book is a sad one because we don't take as many pictures as we probably should but I'm slowly changing that =)

Pic# 17 (Tuesday)

Me and my baby at the zoo! He was SOO well behaved yesterday that I couldn't ask for a better day with him. I was brave enough to let him walk out of his stroller and look at the animals as up close as he was allowed and let him walk beside me. He was great with my friend's little baby too! Such a fun afternoon.

Pic# 18 (Today)

My puppy all clean! I took a before picture but since they trimmed her up and just cleaned up areas like her tail, behind her legs and around her paws there didn't seem to be a difference! She definitely needed it though. Her nails were sharp as razors and her tail was looking raggy. She smells so good. I may just let her sleep on the bed...then again maybe not!

Hope everyone's having a good week so far! ♥

One Crazy Week.

So much for blogging everyday! Ha! I try but for some reason when I go to work I tend to forget about my blog and it's probably because I feel I should spend time with Chris and Logan since I spend 12 hours at work...Everything technological gets neglected, I'm surprise I remember the mail!

Anywho, I do have to post my pics of the week, because I did think of them and took pics as I went this week!



Pic #10 (Tuesday)

It was a warm day so I blew up his turtle pool and let him cool down!

Pic #11 (Wednesday)

I'm almost done with my scrapbook closet! Next step is organizing this overflowing box of pictures! Oh, the insanity!!



Pic #12 (Thursday)

A little shopping for the new baby! Thanks for the Babies R Us tip Liz! It was a combined store but much bigger than the one closer to us!

Pic #13 (Friday)

Logan's binky stashed away in my night drawer! I was heartbroken but we bit the bullet and started the weaning process. The first night without it was horrible, the second night was an improvement, maybe tonight will be an even bigger improvement!

Pic# 14 (Saturday)

Chris prepped this whole area for a garden he's excited to plant!

Pic# 15 (Today!)

We went out and bought all kinds of yummy veggies for Chris' garden and I treated myself to these lovely Gerbera Daisies! Now I just need to buy a planter! =)



This upcoming week is gonna be a little crazy too. I need a break! ♥

126 Days!

Or 22 Weeks along,
or 18 weeks left,
or 4 1/2 months to go

I think say 18 weeks left
doesn't make it sound so far
away like 126 days

or 4 1/2 months!

image via Pinterest--WoolyMammoth

 So far I:

• Have had only 5 charlie horses too many! My left leg is always sore and I'm always afraid to stretch
• Have had the WEIRDEST dreams ever! I'll have to post about one, one day, just so you can read how ridiculously weird it was =)
• Haven't even posted on FB about my impending bundle of joy, so my friends on there don't even know!
• Picked out a name! Woo!
• Thought I looked better this time around, until, I see a picture of myself! Tears always follow seeing recent pictures of myself.
• Take walks to maintain weight, not lose it, but I can't help wanting to push myself some more especially when I see fit girls walking the path...Just need to remember I'm creating life...
• Discovered a new stretch mark! Just when you thought you couldn't get anymore one more pops out! Again tears followed that discovery!
• Unpacked Logan's old baby clothes and smiled!
• Have been feeling this baby move and my stomach even moves if I pay close attention; surreal and cool at the same time!
• Had two friends deliver--both had girls; My step-sister is next and she is having a girl too! My other friend is due after her! It's the year of baby!
• Still fit into some of my pre-preggo clothes (don't know if that's a good thing), but summer's arriving here early (thank you 91 degree weather from yesterday) so I've already order some new maternity clothes from Old Navy! Wish they had a dept. in the store down here!
• Have decided not to sterilize myself but go on a 5 year birth control because I still hold on to hope that I may just get a girl...In 5 years!
• Need to get the nursery colors picked out and I'm so over blue, so please, help with suggestions! =)
• Feel like I'm slighting Logan with a new baby coming and in turn have overindulged in him, hence why his binky is still around.
• Hope that the summer goes by really fast because I hear pregnancy and summertime heat don't mesh well!
• Can't wait to meet MTP in September.

Loves & Other Things

Chris pulled off a great Mother's Day dinner, on Saturday, and breakfast, on Sunday morning, but I think he topped himself off in the gifts department. I think next year will be tough to out-do this one:

He recorded Logan's voice saying "I love you, Mommy" and my heart melted and tears welled up in my eyes! It's also really funny to watch Logan press the button a thousand times and repeat it after the bear is done!

Around the bear's neck came this beautiful bauble, an Irish claddagh ring! I had been looking for one in silver but claddagh ring's in these parts are hard to come by, so when I saw this, I begged, pleaded, to get it that day, but no, it wasn't coming home that day. I probably would've bought it myself but I had an inkling it would make its way to my finger =) Father's day and Chris' birthday (both in the same month) will be tough!

My mom made these crocheted washcloths! We tried one out on Logan and it did the job! She also got me a $15 iTunes card, which came just in time, because the one I got for Christmas has like $0.64 left! Ha!

This is what I bought my mom for Mother's day! She's picked up her crocheting again and is starting to get into knitting, as well, and when I saw this on Etsy I knew I had to get it for my mom! The bowl is completely hand-made and the artist did a fabulous job! She also makes vases and small animal sculptures. The vases are awesome because she personalizes them with your name(s). So cute! Here's a link to her Etsy shop, MaidofClay.

And before I forget to post it for today, here's Pic #8:

I don't think the new baby will need any new clothes anytime soon! Ha! Although I will most likely buy him a new coming home outfit! The benefits to having another boy =) Oh and I know I've already filled this post up with pics but I seriously love this picture too!

It puts how small Logan was compared to now and how small this bundle of boy will be into perspective! ♥

Happy Mother's Day ♥

I hope everyone is enjoying their mother's day! I know I haven't been keeping up with my pics a day but I'll post them here now, however, before I do I just want to congratulate two friends who had their babies on Friday and Saturday! My friend Kelly and her husband, Dave, had their baby girl, Mo11y Frances, on Friday! They didn't know what they were having until the big day! She's super cute and I wish I was home in NJ to see them! Saturday my friend, Nicole, who's the proud blog owner of FromOurHouseToYours, and her husband, became proud first time parents to their daughter Luciana Ray! She's super adorable too and her gender was also a surprise! They both get to enjoy their babies today =) xoxo

Okay! Now on to my Pics of a day Nos.5, 6,7 & 8! I decided to let the peanut butter cookies be pic #4 afterall! =)

Pic #5 (Thursday)

"My Baby Bumblebee". That song has been stuck in my head and I just realized that this is a bee towel!

Pic #6 (Friday)

This dog obviously thinks she owns the backyard and all items stored back there! Ha!

Pic #7 (Saturday, thanks to my Mom)

Silly boy banging lids and making a ruckus! Thankfully Mommy was at work..Lucky Grandma, Titi, and Daddy =)



Pic #8 (Sunday)

The reason why I get to celebrate Mother's Day for a 3rd year in a row! Thank you for being everything I ever wanted in a little boy! Can't wait to see how you are as a big brother xo!

I also want to thank my mom and sister for coming out to spend the (weekend) day with me, Chris, and Logan! We had fun, or at least I did, when I was home but I know Logan loved spending time with his Grandma and Titi! 

PB Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Since we've moved into our new house I haven't really baked or really cooked anything other than spaghetti, tacos, meatballs, anything super easy. My culinary curiosity is at a standstill and I blame it on fatigue and doing other things with the house but last night I must've gotten a second wind after I finished sanding down the last two drawers to the dresser because I wanted to bake something.

I decided to make the "Flourless Peanut-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie" recipe from the Dec. 2010 edition of Southern Living. I was intrigued by the non use of flour and butter and how easy it looked.

Flourless Peanut-Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie
1 cup of creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup of sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp. of baking soda

1/4 tsp. of salt

1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

Parchment Paper

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir together the peanut butter and the next 4 ingredients until well blended.

2. Stir in chocolate morsels (note: I added a handful more of morsels than the recipe called for and I ended up throwing them away because it was to many for the peanut butter mixture)

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. The recipe says for more ease to spray the tablespoon with cooking spray but I found this to be more messy.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes and then move to wire rack and cool for another 15 minutes (note: I don't have a wire rack so I let them cool entirely on the baking sheet and they were fine).

Voila!
This recipe was really easy but because there was no flour the mixture tended to fall apart more easily. I ended up mixing the cookie "dough" before I scooped. They didn't make nice ball shapes but they came out looking like a chocolate chip. Try it! They're not bad just extra peanut buttery =) I'll have a pic a day later ♥

What Have I Started...

Pic A Day #3

I decided today, since the sun came out, to take apart a dresser in Logan's

room that didn't match with the rest of his furniture.

I was really determined and felt good about doing it!

Three drawers in and I'm on Blogger procrastinating! Ha!

It's taken me oh, about, three hours to get through 3 drawers.

I should just concede to the fact that I'm not a DIY extraordinaire,

at least when it comes to repurposing furniture ;-)