Home for the Holidays

We are spending 16 days in KS over the holidays. We left last Sunday and I won't be blogging much because I don't have access to pictures and other things I need to actually share things I have worked on. I made a lot of gifts this year, but didn't post them due to being much to busy prepping for the trip, and afraid that family might find out about presents before they should.

I have a lot of new ideas I hope to being working on in the new year....hope you'll stick around to see them. :)

Andes Mint Chocolate Cake = Delicious

My mom had her birthday just a few days ago and I wanted to do something special for her, so I baked her a cake...An Andes Mint Chocolate Cake. One word: AH-MAZING.
You want the recipe right? Cause I'm giving it to you.
What you'll need:
1/2 cup butter
2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
3 eggs
3 squares of unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 cup boiling water

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
4 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4-6 Tbs milk

So let's started:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar

Then, add in the eggs one at a time. Make sure they get beat in well after each addition.

At this point you will need to melt those baking chocolate squares. 

And after this I got so involved in this project I started forgetting to take pictures. After you melt the chocolate you should beat it in with the vanilla. 

Then, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. You will want to add this to the creamed mixture alternately with the sour cream. Boiling water comes next and you whisk it until it is smooth. 

Pour into greased pans.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins. Let cool for 10 mins and then place on rack to cool. Make some frosting and decorate that cake. 

Between the layers of the cake I put andes mint chips. I also cover the top with them. They add a really nice touch to the cake. 

TADAH!

I think she had a good birthday. I mean who couldn't with a cake like that. :)

Felt Christmas Tree

So I got this idea from Pinterest and thought it would be a fun way to let the littlest one in our family help decorate a tree. She actually really does like it and it was super easy to make. The only problem I have is that she keeps trying to pull the tree down. :)