Mo' Mocha?

This afternoon I got out my Joy of Cooking cookbook.  Kayla and I made a chocolate cake with mocha icing for home group.  

Apparently, it was too tempting for someone.  Can you see the path the little finger left in the icing?

The laughter and running little feet gave him away...

Brian gets credit for the title...

Weather and Books

It is sooo windy outside right now!  Sounds a little scarey.  This morning felt like spring- the air was heavy but cool.  The breeze was nice.  And it just had that spring smell in the air.  Do you know what I mean?

I've had a hard time getting into a good novel lately.  Mostly, there hasn't been a lot of extra time to read for fun.  And it's not easy to come across good books.  Things seem to be leveling out some now so I'm on the prowl for a few good ones.  I love seeing what other people are reading.  Actually, I picked up a novel yesterday called Family Happiness that I saw on one of your blogs- thanks!

I did just finish a good book called Queen of Palmyra.  I put it on hold back in July and just got it!  I think it can be hard to recommend books- you never know what someone else will think.  I'm always afraid of offending someone.  There is a little language in this one and the subject is not light.  It's set in Mississippi in the 60s.  Racial tension is thick and my heart broke for several of the characters.  But, the author draws you in and leaves you thinking about the characters long after you're done.  To me, that makes a good story.
 

I had to put this up.  Sam always enjoys his desserts and Kayla's birthday cake was NO exception!

Blueberry Cobbler

I love fall-ish desserts like apple pies and cobblers, especially this blueberry cobbler.  Back in Charlotte when we moved to the house in the cul-de-sac (one of our favorite spots) my friend Mary brought us this yummy dish.  Hospitality right to your door!  It's so delicious and easy, too!  Isn't it nice to have a personal connection to the recipes you use?

                                  Mary's Cobbler
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 stick of butter, melted
fruit
Pour the fruit into your pie dish.  Mix the flour and sugar.  Lightly beat the egg and mix it in with the flour/sugar until crumbly.  Cover the fruit with the egg/flour/sugar mixture.  Pour the melted butter on top and bake for about 45 minutes at 350.

A Joint Effort

I have to put in a word about this birthday cake.  First, let me say that my mom decorates cakes.  Not professionally, just for our family.  She always made our birthday cakes growing up.  They were always so pretty.  She made her own wedding cake and even ours.  Truly, beautiful work.
I somehow missed out on that gene.  She just has a knack for things like sewing, decorating, etc...  So, when I go to do something like my children's birthday cakes, I really want them to turn out well.  I have an idea in my head but it just doesn't usually work out quite right.
I got some advice on making this cake, with the doll in the middle, the cake being her skirt.  However, my cake was about three inches too short!  Can you really just have her skirt come up to her thighs??  Of course not!  A little panic.  I was thinking out loud about how to fix this. Jack came up with the idea of putting the cake on top of marshmallows.
"Mom, am I a genius?"  "YES!"
A friend suggested the big campfire marshmallows.  So off we went to the store, then home with the marshmallows.
I couldn't figure out how to get the cake to stay on top without it toppling over.
"Brian, please help me.  Now."
He can almost always make things work.  And he did!  Even thought of tying pretty ribbon around them to keep them more stable.  Add a few sprinkles and a cake and...
Voila!  A beautiful cake for some sweet little girls!

Happy 7th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Kayla!  She's 7!

I think this has been the year of the endless birthday!  

A birthday supper with Granny and Grandpa,

a birthday visit with Mimi and Papa,

a  sleepover with three little friends, 

a birthday lunch with Daddy,

and lots of happy birthday wishes from friends and family.

This has also been the American Girl birthday: both Felicity and Julie from grandparents.

Of course the most special thing about this birthday is our birthday girl.

We are so thankful for our Kayla!

Toodles

 Oh, how we love this girl!  She's getting way too big.  Walking around furniture.  Babbling away.  Waving.  Eating big girl food.  She even has a nickname, which I don't think I've mentioned.  The kids started calling her "Toodles."  And it stuck.  She responds to it.  Not sure where it came from but it makes me laugh.  Even Kayla's friends call Lucy Toodles!