Let them eat cake!

By popular demand here is the yummy cake recipe from Amber's baby shower. Happy baking!

Chocolate cake

2c. flour
1tsp. salt
1tsp. baking powder
2tsp. baking soda
3/4c. unsweetened cocoa
2c. sugar
1c. vegetable oil
1c. hot coffee (it sounds weird, but it doesn't make the cake taste like coffee and makes it very MOIST)
1c. milk
2 eggs
1tsp. vanilla


Sift together all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add oil, coffee, and milk; mix at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; beat 2 more minutes. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 inch cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool cake in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert and flip upright. Frost when cake is COMPLETELY cool, about 2 hours. (Other wise the frosting will melt and slide off!)

Chocolate frosting


20 Tbsp. (2 1/2 sticks) butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 c. confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
Pinch salt
3/4 c. light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 ounces chocolate, melted and cooled slightly


In food processor, process butter, sugar,cocoa, and salt until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Add corn syrup and vanilla and process until just combined,5 to 10 seconds. Scrape sides of bowl, them add chocolate and pulse until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 seconds. Frosting can used immediately or in advance. Let it stand at room temperature for 1 hour before using if refrigerated.

*Amy's helpful hints
I like to use the Crisco non-stick spray with flour. It's super easy and not messy at all! Instead of using a sifter, place your dry ingredients in your mixing bowl and mix on lowest setting until combined. Also I tend to set my timer fpr a shorter time (22 min.) and check the cake with a toothpick. You want to have a few wet crumbs on it, a clean toothpick means the cake will be too dry.

With the frosting you can use ANY kind of chocolate-milk, dark, semi-sweet. I also thought of using mint extract or espresso chocolate for fun.

Market Day

Yes, I realize it has been a while since I've updated! I feel like time (and my camera) is getting away from me! Calah had Market Day at school and parents and siblings were invited to join the fun! Calah made silly putty as her item to sell and it went fast! Ellie and Charis enjoyed 'buying' from the market stores as well:)

Ellie's dance class

Ellie had her final dance class and recital this Monday. Calah and Charis were anxious to get in on the action!

Sprinkler Fun!

The sun is here at last! Here is a glimps of what is yet to come! I can't wait. Warm sunshine is one of my most favorite things. Hope you all had a fun -filled sunny day.

LASIK update

Thank you to all for your prayers in regards to my recent surgery! All is well and I can already see 20/20! It is so weird to wake up and actually be able to see things. When I was a kid (I've been wearing glasses since the 3rd grade) I used to dream that in heaven I would be able to see with out wearing glasses. So I guess you could say LASIK is a dream come true!

The four things about me that you may or may not have known.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
lifeguard at a water slide park
preschool teacher
barista (at many locations!)
bank teller



Four places I have lived
Spokane (south hill)
Seattle U-district
Bellingham (Fairhaven)
Portland (near Beaverton)



Four TV shows I watch:
House
The Office
Lost
Heroes



Four places I have been:
Mazatlan, Mexico
Hawaii (Oahu)
Chicago (the furthest east I've been)
Princess Louisiana Inlet, BC (you can only get there by boat)



Four blogs you read regularly:
Anyone who has updated that day...



Four favorite foods:
Thai food
fresh lime margarita
Caesar salad with extra lemon
salmon prepared any and all ways



Four places I would rather be:
any place warm and sunny
my moms house
gardening
going out with friends kid free!



Friends I think will respond:
Everyone else already has!



Things I look forward to next year:
seeing my sissy and meeting my niece for the first time!
SUMMER!!!!!!
camping
10 year anniversary



Now if you read this you have been tagged!!! Now it is your turn!

Friends Friday