Favorite Cake Friday

I'm trying something new. I am going to make a new cake every Friday to celebrate our week well done. Between having a ton of orders from the etsy shop and trying to let the kids be physically active, it's been busy.  "Ain't nothing wrong with that."

I've also been trying to teach Madeline to talk. That's such a challenge. We've been successful with a few words; "More" "No" "Ma" "Sissy" "Go" "Hi" (along with some she already knew...).

Next: "Down" "Milk" "Play" and I'd like her to tell me if she's hungry and thirsty. She has to learn how to communicate more without throwing fits.

I am also trying to organize trips, yard sales, play times, swimming, splash pad, family time and sports.

I made a basic butter cake this week. Here's my butter cake recipe.

 

Basic Butter Cake Recipe:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

3 large eggs, works better when they are room temperature

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour plus a few tablespoons on the side

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 - 1/2 cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F

Grease/butter pan (I used 9 x 12 but it doesn't really matter, just adjust cooking time accordingly)

Sift baking powder and flour in a bowl; set aside

In your large (main) bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy

Beat in the eggs, one at a time (add that extra flour if it doesn't seem to mix or curdles)

Beat in the vanilla

Fold in the flour mixture or beat on very low speed just until mixed

The batter should be able to plop/drop off your spoon, if it doesn't add the milk 

Pour your batter in the pan and spread it nicely across the pan

Bake 20-25 minutes or until a tooth picks comes out clean (sometimes it's much less time!!)

Let that cake cool completely before you frost it!

I cheated on the icing. I used a store bought can of vanilla (colored pink for Valentine's Day) and added a teaspoon and a half of orange extract. Then chopped up a baker's bar of dark chocolate, removed the bigger pieces and sprinkled chocolate dust on the top.

Basic Cake Recipe

Easy Cake Recipe

Sunday Funday

 

 

We went to Community Park East and let the kids play before church.We had 2 more kids with us. I was hoping that Tim would see what it was like to have 5 kids so many he would change his mind about wanting 2 more, but he loved it. 

We found a Wildflower Trail. It was only 3 minutes long, my kind of trail.

The kids loved to play. There are three playsets at this park. They are scattered around to property with trails, tracks, gazebos, Frisbee golf plots and other treasures I haven't discovered yet.

Best part, I can easily walk from our house to there in maybe 15 minutes! I wish my other photos had loaded to this post from my phone.

Just Another Saturday

I had a ThirtyOne party last night. It went pretty well. I hosted it on a Friday night so people could come, specifically ladies with kids that are schooled.

I didn't have a large turnout. I don't think some invitations made it through the mail. That upsets me. Already, I know of 2 ladies who didn't get theirs.

I'll tell you why it upsets me: the mailman. We had this battle when we first moved here, for over 2 months, he would barely pick up my mail. I called and called and now he finally makes sure to get it. And even if it wasn't him, I blame the post office. I worked hard on those invitations, my hand cramped up.

I am so happy that some of my friends got to see our home. I got a lot of compliments! Thanks, girls!

I wanted Kayt to have a Thirty-one Inspired Banner for her parties (or whatever she wants to use it for!), so I made one courtesy of my shop.

I served a tray of deserts, some fruits, and then some chips and dips along with tea and lemonade. Yum!

This morning, Sehara had a soccer game, actually, 2 of them. A double header.

The first game wasn't that great, and the second game started just as badly but they pulled it together for the second half. It rained, drizzled, spluttered, the sun came out, then it started raining again. It was cold, too. I was drenched, and so was Sehara, plus some mud.

Turns out that Sehara is a really good goalie. She is kind of awesome at it, and another position I can't remember the name of.

I had to go into the YMCA a few times. Plus, I wanted to get some steps in on the treadmill. Truth is, I don't do enough physical activity. There, I said it.

We proceeded to a 5 p.m. frozen birthday party where we froze!

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Regal Summer Movie Express

2014 Regal Summer $1 Movies for Kids Schedule

The Regal Summer Movie Express is almost here again! For 9 weeks this summer, Regal Theaters will be offering $1.00 family-friendly movies (rated G and PG) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the movies beginning at 10 a.m.(perfect time)! 

Click here for the schedule and to find a participating theater near you.

Taking Stock

I borrowed this post from http://www.eloquentenglish.me/ & http://www.bonjourblissblog.com/2014/05/taking-stock-002.html

It really helped me sort through a few moments in my life. What are you really thinking about? I had to change a lot of my answers so I wouldn't be passive-aggressive and give into gossip.


Making : bows

Cooking :cupcakes

Drinking : water

Reading: blogs

Wanting: a pedicure

Looking: at my small space

Playing: minecraft sounds in the background

Sewing: bowties

Wishing: all was well

Enjoying: my kids sleeping

Waiting: to find motivation

Opening: a can of worms

Pondering: how I should clean upstairs

Liking: that my etsy shop is successful

Wondering: how to be assertive

Loving: the calmness around me
Hoping: that I can have a relaxing day tomorrow

Marveling: at my life

Needing: to organize & clean

Smelling: cupcakes a' baking

Wearing: sleeping shorts and a tank top

Following: inspiring people who can change my life

Noticing: how I should really drink more water today

Knowing: I should let Tim continue to relax with Minecraft

Thinking: about how sad things can get

Getting: cold

Bookmarking: potential templates for fancy bows

Opening: a bottle of water

Giggling:not so much today

Feeling: the need to make a chiro appointment

Mother's Day Pictures

This year for Mother's Day, Amanda thought it would be a great idea if we did family/sibling pictures for Missy, Grandmama, Judy, Sammi, herself & I. I agreed! We scheduled a time when we could all go (doesn't happen easy) and met up at Carriage Hill. She knew Jean from High School and booked up through Jean Marie Photography.

She was extremely patient with my kids who would barely cooperate (what's new). We were able to get some printed and framed for those special ladies in our lives!

Happy Mother's Day!