Miscellany Monday

one. I knew this day was coming, but it's now official---my super sleeper is down to 1 nap a day! Goodbye mid-morning nap, hello new routine!

two. There are days when I'd love to be a journalist, minus the long hours at the office, the super critical editor breathing down my neck, and the deadlines, of course. Just last week there was a pileup on the interstate, bringing traffic near the Florida-Alabama state line to a complete halt for over 6 hours! Luckily no one was injured, but the cause of the accident couldn't have been more amusing. A semi hauling shredded cheese for a local pizzeria caught on fire, melting the trailer's contents. The newspaper headline, "Freeway Fondue--It was nacho ordinary commute!"


Image courtesy of Time in the Kitchen

three. Out of the 5 people I passed while running the other morning, only 1 returned my salutation. Seriously, how difficult is it to wave?

four. Only 27 days until the September 4th kickoff of college football! With no plans to trade in my orange and blue for crimson anytime soon, it takes a little creativity to show off your team spirit here in Alabama. Now Roll Tide and War Eagle fans alike will have all the more reason to honk or cut me off in traffic, my new personalized tag arrived this weekend! There will never be any doubt where my allegiance lies---I'm a TRUE GATOR!



five. The Donut Hole in Destin, Florida has done it again! Not only do they make the most delicious donuts this side of the Mason Dixon, but now they've added a red velvet donut to their scrumptious repertoire. Yummy!




six. Whoops, my bad! After exceeding my monthly allotment of space for uploads, Photobucket temporarily disabled my photo links this weekend! And while having my blog sans pictures for half a day nearly drove me crazy, once I was able to get to a computer the problem was fixed in minutes! Lesson learned, Photobucket!



seven. Sun, sand, and snooze? On our way home from visiting family at the beach, GG wasn't in the car five minutes before she was sound asleep. Being one is so exhausting!



eight. All the birthday giveaways will close this evening at five. There's still time to enter!

Wordless Wednesday

{More Beach Photos}















Life's a beach! Smooches, y'all!

Peanut Butter and Yum...

For weeks I've wanted to post this decadent dessert, but waited to get the thumbs up from the recipe's original creator, Amanda from Kevin and Amanda. I've made this deliciously sinful dessert twice and each time it has been a huge hit!

Best Ever Chocolate Cake

1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 package Jello instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups mini semisweet chocolate chips {or 2 c. chopped Reese's peanut butter cups}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a VERY large bowl (4 qt), mix together everything except chocolate chips. Batter will be thick. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour batter into cake pan of choice (I normally use two 9-inch pie pans).

For cooking time, I use the cooking times on the back of the devil’s food cake box as a guide. Be sure to do the toothpick check, and if it’s not done, check on it every 5 minutes after that.

Buttercream Frosting

1 cup shortening {Crisco}
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 c. to 1 c. peanut butter {optional}

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening until fluffy. Add sugar and continue creaming until well blended. Add salt, vanilla, and whipping cream. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add peanut butter. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

If you're in a pinch for time, Duncan Hines makes a delicious buttercream frosting. Add the peanut butter, mix, and voila---Your very own slice of Heaven!

Just be sure not to not to over indulge, it is swimsuit season after all...

Move over Giselle B., there's a new Sports Illustrated swimsuit model in town!
{More beach pictures soon!}

Bon Appetit!