Heart Day

In honor of sleepy bunny rabbits and a sweet day for all: video

Photo weekend: Killing Him softly

Thanks to Sue for getting us rolling on the theme. Thanks to Steph and Scott for the inspiration!

I have a guest blogger for today's story. His pen name: Lob Cockray.

Killing Him softly by Lob Cockray

As a pre-pubescent teen, Jesus got in an argument with three boys in His class regarding His ability to take a life of an animal by one silent gas-pass. After much prodding by the boys, Jesus lifted His left cheek, winked His right eye and smiled while a pig and a cow dropped dead outside His classroom window.

The boys were amazed. Their classmate Jesus just killed two animals with a flatulent.

Like the high majority of Jesus' acts, there was an alterior motive. Jesus was very hungry.

That day, Jesus took the pig and the cow home to the manger and invented His soon-to-be favorite dish: a beef-filled, cheese-covered, bacon-wrapped, tubular-shaped pork meal.

Unlike His earthly children, Jesus didnt't have to worry about poor-eating decisions. He could eat whatever he wanted. And he did.

For the next ten years, Jesus ate this 3,500-calorie meal every day -- sometimes taking seconds and thirds. He laughed at His mortal friends who were unable to do the same and still sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Here's where the story begins to read familiar to modern-day history classes. The population turned on Him. They formed an anti-Jesus group. They developed a death plan and carried it out.

One early Spring day, Jesus was killed. All for a hot dog.

The best hot dog ever. Even the Heavens couldn't replicate it.

How was this known? Jesus came back three days later. First meal? Hot dog. Filled with chili and cheese and covered with Thick-striped bacon.

Follow Jesus' steps with these simple directions:

• Chapter 1. Cook chili by following directions on 99 cent chili powder package
• Chapter 2. Cut an XL hot dog like a surgeon. Don't cut completely through it -- mortal sin.
• Chapter 3. Fill hot dog with chili and cheddar cheese (shredded)
• Chapter 4. Wrap hot dog with thick-striped bacon (4 to 5 pieces minimum)
• Chapter 5. Stick 4 to 8 toothpicks through hot dog
• Chapter 6: Cook on grill for 20 to 30 minutes rolling it on every side until bacon is very crisp
• Chapter 7: Serve on bun. Consider putting additional chili and cheese on top. Maybe even catsup or yellow mustard.
• Chapter 8: Eat it.
• Chapter 9. Repeat 24 hours later for ten years.

Redemption Comes in the Form of Chocolate

After a disastrous "Meatball Monday" dinner, I was in need of a confidence boost in the kitchen. I am not a good cook. Yet. I'm many moons away from being considered a good cook. However, I can bake. Not an excellent baker either, but I seem to have more edible success when it comes to baking.

I've been wanting to try the "Chocolate Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies" recipe in the More From Magnolia cookbook that my mom & sister gave me. SNL fans - this is the "Magnolia Bakery" highlighted in the Lazy Sunday music video by Chris Parnell & Andy Samberg a few years ago. The first time we tried to hit up the Magnolia Bakery featured in the video during a trip to NYC, the line was out the door and wrapped around the block. A later trip proved more successful, however it was at a second Magnolia Bakery in the city. The cupcake was delish.

Happy to report my kitchen ego was recharged after making these cookies. Unfortunately my batch didn't yield the 2 dozen cookies as the recipe states. Himself and I enjoyed too much of the cookie dough.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies

From: More from Magnolia by Allysa Torey

1 cup flour

6 T unsweetened Dutch process cocoa

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

5 T unsalted butter, softened

5 T solid vegetable shortening

1 cup sugar plus 1 T (for sprinkling)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening, and sugar until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla, beat well. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Sprinkle lightly with the sugar. Place the cookies in the refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 10-12 minutes. (10 minutes worked for me) Cool the cookies on the sheets for 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy. You'll need a cup of milk.

Apple of my Belly

Oh that Beantown Baker. She got me with her posting of Deb's Mom's Apple Cake earlier this week. After her description of just the smell of this cake, I was hooked on trying it. What better baking occasion to utilize the snazzy and oh so adorable apple pattern apron my sister gave me for Christmas than when making an apple cake! Double bonus: I was able to use the round cake container/carrier that I got from my shower for the first time!

As I peeled the apples, sporting my new apron and listening to Bella Fleck on my iPod, I was quite the happy camper. I took Jen's recommendation of making the cake three layers as opposed to two that the recipe called for originally. I baked it for an hour and ten minutes.

I was a little worried because the cake actually poured over the pan while baking. It turned out fine though. Jen said the gooey part was the best, but I was a little unsure if the cake was actually done because mine was gooier (is that a word?) than I expected.

She wasn't exaggerating about the aroma. It was decadent. I found the cake tasted better the second day. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Jen, and thanks for the stylish attire, Kelly!

Mini Photo Studio

No joke, this past Friday Rob suggested we get crafty and make an at home photo studio or light box. Little did I know, Amy and Stephanie were doing the same thing! Unreal. I'm still cracking up about it.

Rob found a tutorial online, but we can't find the link to share, sorry. After a trip to Lowes, we used PVC pipe and elbows to construct the frame. Using white cloth (leftover curtains from our wedding reception!) and white poster board, our project cost around $3.

It was very simple to put together. A few pics from my first test shoot are below. I have lots to learn when it comes to not only using the camera but lighting too.

No Flash

Flash - still shadows

A few friends: No flash

With Flash (still shadows)

My Jar-o-Gifts

Even though I didn't get around to making as many as these as I would have liked, I was able to give a few homemade jar gifts to neighbors and family.

The first is a Brownies-in-a-Jar recipe I found on Lolly Chops. She even provided the labels, which are too cute for their own good. I highly recommend her site/blog. Love it. Love it. Love it.

The second is a super easy Sugar Scrub recipe I found online. It includes:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• squirt of lemon juice
• And I added a few drops of peppermint oil

I used jars found at Hobby Lobby, but I don't know how functional they are when it comes to getting the scrub out. I had wanted to provide scooper spoons with the jars. Didn't do it.

Now I didn't try either product before giving them away due to the holiday time crunch, but luckily the some of the recipients have reported rave reviews of both. Feeewww!

Thanks for the Cookies, Steph!

I'm a big fan of the "Dry Ingredients In A Jar Gift" and am thankful for the Chocolate Chunk Cookie mix we received from Wagners. Happy to report the dough was tasty and the cookies just as wonderful.