After my last Sporty post I thought I should probably remind everyone that I still have my priorities in order. On Saturday, I made an incredibly easy (translated to mean few ingredients/easy steps) totally from scratch Chocolate Cake. You see, I had a child that was sick, and to her comfort food comes in the form of cake! So enjoy this pretty amazing cake:
Fudgy Chocolate Cake and Icing
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup plus 3 TBSP. granulated sugar
1-1/2 cups self rising flour
1/2 cup plus 3 TBSP. unsweetened cocoa powder
4 large eggs
1/2 pint heavy cream
10-1/2 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (next time I will use milk chocolate chips but if you love dark chocolate the semisweet might be great for you!)
mini marshmallows for garnish (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with no-stick spray (such as Pam).
3. Combine butter, sugar, flour, cocoa and eggs in large bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium, beat until smooth. Continue to beat until increased in volume (about 2-3 minutes longer).
4. Divide batter between pans.
5. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, approx. 20-25 minutes.
6. Leave cakes in pans for 1 minute, then turn onto wire rack to cool.
7. Heat heavy cream just to boil, add chocolate chips to cream and stir until melted. Let cool; chill for 30 minutes, then whisk until thickened to a spreadable consistency.
8. Use 1/3 of chocolate "icing" between layers of cake and spread the remainder of the rest of the cake.
9. Sprinkle mini-marshmallows over top and press into side of cake for garnish.
This was a super easy recipe and I think it would be great with a layer of raspberries or strawberries in between the layers as well.
Last week I was thrilled to open my email box and find a note from Southern Living asking if they could profile me as the Southern Mama Blogger of the Week on their website! Well....YES! Southern Living not only has a great magazine, but they also have a fantastic website filled with recipes, decorating, travel and Healthy Living information. IF you haven't ever visited or it has been a while, head on over! 
Here DS1 is checking his Dance Card (yes, they had to fill them out and use them). 
Isn't this just precious?
Oops, I think the photographer has been spotted!
When is this over and could you pretend not to know me?
Not thrilled, but handsome!
DS1 and his little partner won an award for "Best Cha-Cha"! Oh, he was just beyond himself!!!! You know it! I think the excitement of getting that award (and having to accept it in front of all the attendees - many of which he plays baseball with) was probably one of those moments he will cherish (not) forever!
I love this comfortable looking dance! DS1 was surely thrilled that she was wearing gloves, though. After every Cotillion event, I seemed to hear a half-hour dissertation on the grossology of girl's sweaty hands...go figure.
At the end of the night, the parents were invited to share a special dance with their child. I loved it, DS1 was just ready to go. As soon as we left, we beat a hot path to the late night drive-thru at Burger King, because DS1 was starving; according to him all you get to eat at Cotillion is tiny food! 
The Bells of Ireland are on the table, a beef brisket is simmering, I have the makings of potato soup, it is warm and the sun is out...life is so good. I hope you are feeling blessed today, because I surely am.
OK, I couldn't wait any longer!
Last week, I went over to Jaemor Farms http://www.jamsjellies.com/ and there was a nice selection of Strawberry Pots (which I have always wanted) and also some very healthy looking strawberry plants. So, of course, I decided it was time to start the deck garden! One advantage of a deck garden is that if there is an unexpected late cold snap it is easy to protect your plants.
I like to use a potting mix that has nutrients and is also a "moisture control" type as it can get dry when it warms up here, especially since we tend to go for long stretches without any rain. It seems to me like I probably should go back and pick up a couple more "strawberry pots" because I think they would be perfect for some herbs right outside the kitchen door. 
