Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Happy 19th Birthday to my son, Spencer. 

How did THAT happen?

It seems like time ticks away, and all of those moments I asked myself "how did that happen already?" are strung together, and before I knew it he's 19 right before my eyes.

What I wouldn't do to go back to the days when I would get up to feed him in the middle of the night, turn on "Nick at Nite," tune into all of my old favorite shows like Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Mary Tyler Moore and Taxi.  We'd snuggle into the rocker with the light of the TV...and many nights I couldn't bare to put him back bed. His bottle would be long gone, he would be sound asleep and I would just watch the tv, cuddled up, and rocking back and forth.

Some nights, I would no more than put him back in his crib and an hour later it'd be time for the next feeding.

He was my first, and I was lucky to be able to nap when he did, or I am not sure how I would have made it?

I was young.

Now he's grown up, and going off to college.

He planned to stay and go to school here locally, and decided that wasn't the right decision for him.

So, we are moving him to the dorms in January, he tells me one of the things he will miss most is my cooking. 

aw.

I'm going to miss him like crazy.

He chose his normal birthday dinner this year, my Shrimp and Crab Pasta.

But his normal ice cream cake is either the 

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake

or 

Mint Chip Brownie Ice Cream Cake

This year, we decided to switch it up.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough it was!

a slice of heaven

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

18 ounce tube of Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

1 jar Hershey's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Topping

2/3 cup Chocolate Chips

1 quart Edy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line the bottom of a 9" spring form pan with parchment paper.

Press 2/3 of the cookie dough into the bottom of pan and bake about 20-23 minutes, or until cookie is cooked.

Bake the rest as mini cookies.

Heat jar of hot fudge in microwave according to jar directions.

Pour over warm cookie, reserving about 1/4 cup.

Top fudge with softened ice cream, spread evenly.

Swirl the remaining hot fudge on top of ice cream.

Top wtih chocolate chips.

Press cookies into top.

Freeze for 24 hours before serving.

Happy 19th Birthday to my son, Spencer. 

How did THAT happen?

It seems like time ticks away, and all of those moments I asked myself "how did that happen already?" are strung together, and before I knew it he's 19 right before my eyes.

What I wouldn't do to go back to the days when I would get up to feed him in the middle of the night, turn on "Nick at Nite," tune into all of my old favorite shows like Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Mary Tyler Moore and Taxi.  We'd snuggle into the rocker with the light of the TV...and many nights I couldn't bare to put him back bed. His bottle would be long gone, he would be sound asleep and I would just watch the tv, cuddled up, and rocking back and forth.

Some nights, I would no more than put him back in his crib and an hour later it'd be time for the next feeding.

He was my first, and I was lucky to be able to nap when he did, or I am not sure how I would have made it?

I was young.

Now he's grown up, and going off to college.

He planned to stay and go to school here locally, and decided that wasn't the right decision for him.

So, we are moving him to the dorms in January, he tells me one of the things he will miss most is my cooking. 

aw.

I'm going to miss him like crazy.

He chose his normal birthday dinner this year, my Shrimp and Crab Pasta.

But his normal ice cream cake is either the 

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake

or 

Mint Chip Brownie Ice Cream Cake

This year, we decided to switch it up.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough it was!

a slice of heaven

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

18 ounce tube of Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

1 jar Hershey's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Topping

2/3 cup Chocolate Chips

1 quart Edy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line the bottom of a 9" spring form pan with parchment paper.

Press 2/3 of the cookie dough into the bottom of pan and bake about 20-23 minutes, or until cookie is cooked.

Bake the rest as mini cookies.

Heat jar of hot fudge in microwave according to jar directions.

Pour over warm cookie, reserving about 1/4 cup.

Top fudge with softened ice cream, spread evenly.

Swirl the remaining hot fudge on top of ice cream.

Top wtih chocolate chips.

Press cookies into top.

Freeze for 24 hours before serving.

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S'more Football (THROW the BONES) Cupcakes

On my son's final football game, they wanted to make a BIG DEAL of things.

I made a banner for the team to run through, and there was smoke and everything!

Imagine that 00 -- my kid -- was first through the banner! ;)

After the game I handed out cupcakes. 

My son requested my S'more Cupcakes, but I wanted to jazz them up!

Here in Nebraska aka HUSKER NATION our first string defensive players are awarded  Black Shirts.

They also have a black circle on the back of their helmets, and will make and X over their chest with their arms for Skull and Crossbones.  

"Throw The Bones"

Here is an article on Wikipedia explaining more:

HUSKER Black Shirts

I decided I would make the S'More cupcakes like I always do, chocolaty cake, and marshmallow butter cream, but instead of adding teddy grahams like I usually do, I bought these BONE shaped Scooby Snacks (graham flavored crackers) added a piece of Hershey Bar, and made the little picks from 3 dimensional scrapbook stickers.

I think they turned out pretty cute! 

football player approved!

S'More Cupcake with Marshmallow Buttercream

click the link below for the recipe

S'More Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream RECIPE

On my son's final football game, they wanted to make a BIG DEAL of things.

I made a banner for the team to run through, and there was smoke and everything!

Imagine that 00 -- my kid -- was first through the banner! ;)

After the game I handed out cupcakes. 

My son requested my S'more Cupcakes, but I wanted to jazz them up!

Here in Nebraska aka HUSKER NATION our first string defensive players are awarded  Black Shirts.

They also have a black circle on the back of their helmets, and will make and X over their chest with their arms for Skull and Crossbones.  

"Throw The Bones"

Here is an article on Wikipedia explaining more:

HUSKER Black Shirts

I decided I would make the S'More cupcakes like I always do, chocolaty cake, and marshmallow butter cream, but instead of adding teddy grahams like I usually do, I bought these BONE shaped Scooby Snacks (graham flavored crackers) added a piece of Hershey Bar, and made the little picks from 3 dimensional scrapbook stickers.

I think they turned out pretty cute! 

football player approved!

S'More Cupcake with Marshmallow Buttercream

click the link below for the recipe

S'More Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream RECIPE

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Pumpkin Dump Cake

I have seen this recipe on Pinterest so many times, and it just sounded too easy and too yummy not to try!!
A couple of weeks ago my husband and I had a group of friends we hang out with over for a pot luck of appetizers.
We had some cocktails and good conversation, and later, we enjoyed this yummy cake!



Pumpkin Dump Cake

cheater cheater pumpkin eater

1 - 15 ounce can pumpkin puree

1 - 12 ounce can of evaporated milk

3 eggs

4 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

1 box spice cake mix

3/4 cup melted butter

1 1/2 cup chpped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease or spray a 9x13  baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine in a mixing bowl: pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and spice.

Spread into baking dish.

Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top.

Drizzle with melted butter, top with nuts of desired.

Bake for 1 hour, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool.

Serve topped with whipped cream.

I have seen this recipe on Pinterest so many times, and it just sounded too easy and too yummy not to try!!
A couple of weeks ago my husband and I had a group of friends we hang out with over for a pot luck of appetizers.
We had some cocktails and good conversation, and later, we enjoyed this yummy cake!



Pumpkin Dump Cake

cheater cheater pumpkin eater

1 - 15 ounce can pumpkin puree

1 - 12 ounce can of evaporated milk

3 eggs

4 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

1 box spice cake mix

3/4 cup melted butter

1 1/2 cup chpped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease or spray a 9x13  baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine in a mixing bowl: pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and spice.

Spread into baking dish.

Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top.

Drizzle with melted butter, top with nuts of desired.

Bake for 1 hour, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool.

Serve topped with whipped cream.

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Two Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Last year on Pinterest there was a picture going around how to make pumpkin muffins with a yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin.

I pinned it right away.  That sounded too good to be true!!

This year as fall approaches, I saw it hit facebook again yesterday.

I asked the gal who posted it, if she had ever tried it.

She hadn't but another lady I know, posted that she had and that they were awesome!

She said, it's only better when you use a spice cake mix!

I LOVE Spice Cake and Pumpkin, and guess what I had BOTH items in my pantry!

I baked up a batch today...and Yum!!

They are super easy and super moist, and only have about 108 calories! (based on 16 muffins)

Two Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Muffins

1 box of Spice Cake Mix

1 - 15 ounce can of pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 16 muffin tines with non-stick cooking spray or cupcake liners.

In a bowl, combine cake mix and pumpkin and stir until smooth and combined.

Divide between 16 muffin liners.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool.

Last year on Pinterest there was a picture going around how to make pumpkin muffins with a yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin.

I pinned it right away.  That sounded too good to be true!!

This year as fall approaches, I saw it hit facebook again yesterday.

I asked the gal who posted it, if she had ever tried it.

She hadn't but another lady I know, posted that she had and that they were awesome!

She said, it's only better when you use a spice cake mix!

I LOVE Spice Cake and Pumpkin, and guess what I had BOTH items in my pantry!

I baked up a batch today...and Yum!!

They are super easy and super moist, and only have about 108 calories! (based on 16 muffins)

Two Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Muffins

1 box of Spice Cake Mix

1 - 15 ounce can of pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 16 muffin tines with non-stick cooking spray or cupcake liners.

In a bowl, combine cake mix and pumpkin and stir until smooth and combined.

Divide between 16 muffin liners.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Cherry Torte Cupcakes

When I made the Cherry Torte for my step-Dad's birthday, I made three 8x8 layers of cake.

I had just enough batter to experiment with six cupcakes.

The cake was amazing!!

You can find it here: Cherry Torte

But if you were in a bit of a rush, and wanted the same flavors, the cupcakes are the way to go.

This is the perfect combination.

It's like combining a cake with a pie with a cheesecake.

Crazy?

I know!!

Cherry Torte Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix 

1 can of cherry pie filling

whipped Cream Frosting (RECIPE FOUND HERE)

Prepare cupcakes as instructed on box, cool.

Core out a hole in the middle of the cupcake.

Poke two cherries and some filling down in the hole.

Top with whipped cream frosting and a cherry on top!

Keep in the refrigerator.

When I made the Cherry Torte for my step-Dad's birthday, I made three 8x8 layers of cake.

I had just enough batter to experiment with six cupcakes.

The cake was amazing!!

You can find it here: Cherry Torte

But if you were in a bit of a rush, and wanted the same flavors, the cupcakes are the way to go.

This is the perfect combination.

It's like combining a cake with a pie with a cheesecake.

Crazy?

I know!!

Cherry Torte Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix 

1 can of cherry pie filling

whipped Cream Frosting (RECIPE FOUND HERE)

Prepare cupcakes as instructed on box, cool.

Core out a hole in the middle of the cupcake.

Poke two cherries and some filling down in the hole.

Top with whipped cream frosting and a cherry on top!

Keep in the refrigerator.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Cherry Torte

My step-dad is one of my favorite people to bake for.

He has a big 'ol sweet tooth!

We celebrated his 70th birthday on Labor Day, 

and his favorite cake if you would ask him is "wedding cake." 

Loves white cake!!

His favorite pie is cherry.

I decided to incorporate the two into one, and made this cherry torte!

Six layers of white cake, whipped cream frosting and cherry pie filling!

Candles for the birthday boy!

Here's Grandpa Joe while everyone sings him Happy Birthday!

You may think this looks hard to make, really it's quite simple.

Here's how!

Cherry Torte

2 boxes of white cake mix

2 cans cherry pie filling

Double batch of whipped cream frosting (RECIPE HERE)

Prepare Cake mixes according to the box instructions.

I made 3 8x8 layers, and did 6 cupcakes. 

If you want a taller cake, make 4 layers.

Open one can of cherries, and mash with a potato masher.

It will look sort of like a jam.

With a large bread knife slice the layers in half.

Spread a spoonful of cherries on bottom layer, the layer above it will get whipped frosting on the 

BOTTOM of the layer.

Keep alternating.

It looks like a stack of pancakes!!

Take a spoon or a rubber spatula and tidy up the sides.

Place cake and frosting in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

Pull out and "fill in" the sides where the layers are with frosting then do an all over "crumb coat layer."

Put it back in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.

Frost the cake.

I piped on a circle of frosting at the base and on the top of the cake.

Chill until ready to serve.

From second can of cherries, pull out the cherries, avoiding a lot of sauce, and place on the top of the cake inside the frosting circle.

There ya go!! 

I hope you like it as much as the birthday boy did!!

<3 p="">

My step-dad is one of my favorite people to bake for.

He has a big 'ol sweet tooth!

We celebrated his 70th birthday on Labor Day, 

and his favorite cake if you would ask him is "wedding cake." 

Loves white cake!!

His favorite pie is cherry.

I decided to incorporate the two into one, and made this cherry torte!

Six layers of white cake, whipped cream frosting and cherry pie filling!

Candles for the birthday boy!

Here's Grandpa Joe while everyone sings him Happy Birthday!

You may think this looks hard to make, really it's quite simple.

Here's how!

Cherry Torte

2 boxes of white cake mix

2 cans cherry pie filling

Double batch of whipped cream frosting (RECIPE HERE)

Prepare Cake mixes according to the box instructions.

I made 3 8x8 layers, and did 6 cupcakes. 

If you want a taller cake, make 4 layers.

Open one can of cherries, and mash with a potato masher.

It will look sort of like a jam.

With a large bread knife slice the layers in half.

Spread a spoonful of cherries on bottom layer, the layer above it will get whipped frosting on the 

BOTTOM of the layer.

Keep alternating.

It looks like a stack of pancakes!!

Take a spoon or a rubber spatula and tidy up the sides.

Place cake and frosting in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

Pull out and "fill in" the sides where the layers are with frosting then do an all over "crumb coat layer."

Put it back in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.

Frost the cake.

I piped on a circle of frosting at the base and on the top of the cake.

Chill until ready to serve.

From second can of cherries, pull out the cherries, avoiding a lot of sauce, and place on the top of the cake inside the frosting circle.

There ya go!! 

I hope you like it as much as the birthday boy did!!

<3 p="">

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Whipped Cream Frosting

When I made the Peaches and Cream Spice Cake for my Mother-in-law's birthday two weekends ago, I knew it wouldn't be the same without this frosting.  I don't know why I never shared it with you before?

If you like whipped cream and you like cream cheese or cheesecake, 

this will make you SWOON!!

Honestly, I don't think it really tastes like frosting at all?

So, this weekend when I made a Cherry Torte and Cherry Torte Cupcakes (recipes coming soon) I decided to snap a photo of it in the mixer and share it with you!

Whipped Cream Frosting

1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

2 cups heavy whipping cream

In your standing mixer, with whisk attachment,  combine the cream cheese, sugar and extracts until creamy, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl a couple of times, to make sure it's all incorporated.

Turn it on again and slowly pour in the cream.

Beat until frosting forms peaks, much like a whipped cream does.

I have found that if my stainless steel bowl of my mixer and whisk attachment are cold it peaks better.

This will frost a two layer cake.  Makes about 5 cups or so.

If this actually makes it to a cake...instead of eating it straight out of the bowl, 

make sure you keep it in the fridge.  

It'll melt!! 

When I made the Peaches and Cream Spice Cake for my Mother-in-law's birthday two weekends ago, I knew it wouldn't be the same without this frosting.  I don't know why I never shared it with you before?

If you like whipped cream and you like cream cheese or cheesecake, 

this will make you SWOON!!

Honestly, I don't think it really tastes like frosting at all?

So, this weekend when I made a Cherry Torte and Cherry Torte Cupcakes (recipes coming soon) I decided to snap a photo of it in the mixer and share it with you!

Whipped Cream Frosting

1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

2 cups heavy whipping cream

In your standing mixer, with whisk attachment,  combine the cream cheese, sugar and extracts until creamy, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl a couple of times, to make sure it's all incorporated.

Turn it on again and slowly pour in the cream.

Beat until frosting forms peaks, much like a whipped cream does.

I have found that if my stainless steel bowl of my mixer and whisk attachment are cold it peaks better.

This will frost a two layer cake.  Makes about 5 cups or so.

If this actually makes it to a cake...instead of eating it straight out of the bowl, 

make sure you keep it in the fridge.  

It'll melt!! 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

One thing I hate is having insomnia.  

It doesn't happen to me very often.  Usually when my head hits the pillow at night I am DONE.

But sometimes, my mind is going 100 mph and I can't shut it off.

Typically that happens when I am planning a party.

So I start baking in my mind.

I was planning my Mother-in-law's birthday dinner, and the one thing I knew would be involved...

PEACHES!

My dear friend, Betsy, has peach trees in her yard.

I have never in all my days had a peach from the grocery store that even compared to these!!

My Mother-in-law, Marie, LOVES peach pie.

If i ask her what kind of pie I should bring, she always says peach!

So that wasn't hard to decide.

Peach pie...peach pie...AND...?????

When we all get together there are usually like 20+ of us.

I needed a cake, too.

Last year I canned ginger peaches.

(so mad I never blogged those...)

I love spiced peaches.

So, I wondered... hummmm? Spice Cake?

What else goes with peaches?

I knew that if I asked my son, Spencer he would reminisce about having peaches and cream at his great grandma's house.

(My Mother-in-law's Mother-in-law...)

So, cream it was!!

I made a Spice Cake and filled it with a peach filling, topped it off with whipped cream frosting.

Top it off with freshly sliced peaches...to make it pretty! <3 p="">

So, now I will share with you what I did... It was really quite easy!!

Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

Cake:

1 box spice cake, make according to box instructions for a layer cake

Bake According to the box.

Peach Filling:

3 T cornstarch

1/2 cup sugar

3 T lemon juice

1 1/2 cup peaches, mashed

1 c boiling water

1 T butter

2 t lemon zest

a couple of drops of pink food coloring (optional)

In a double boiler over water, add sugar, salt and cornstarch.  Top off with boiling water and stir until thick and there are no lumps.

Add butter, lemon zest and juice. Mix thoroughly.

Add peaches a optional food coloring.

Stir.

Place in refrigerator to cool.

Whipped Cream Frosting:

1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

1/2 c granulated sugar

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t almond extract

2 c heavy whipping cream

In your standing mixer with whisk attachment whip together cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

Add extracts and slowly add cream.

Whip continually, occasionally stopping beater to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, until frosting forms peaks.

Place in refrigerator while you assemble the cake.

When cake is cool, place bottom layer on your plate.

Top with peach filling, saving a little bit to fill in sides.

Top off with second layer.

Fill in the gaps in the sides of the filling.

It looks like a giant hamburger!! ;)

Spread frosting over top and sides of cake.

Top with fresh peaches, and add some to the sides.

Keep in the refrigerator.

Top with candles! (optional)

Serve to your favorite birthday girl (or boy...)

Optional...but so nice!!

Happy Birthday, Marie!!

One thing I hate is having insomnia.  

It doesn't happen to me very often.  Usually when my head hits the pillow at night I am DONE.

But sometimes, my mind is going 100 mph and I can't shut it off.

Typically that happens when I am planning a party.

So I start baking in my mind.

I was planning my Mother-in-law's birthday dinner, and the one thing I knew would be involved...

PEACHES!

My dear friend, Betsy, has peach trees in her yard.

I have never in all my days had a peach from the grocery store that even compared to these!!

My Mother-in-law, Marie, LOVES peach pie.

If i ask her what kind of pie I should bring, she always says peach!

So that wasn't hard to decide.

Peach pie...peach pie...AND...?????

When we all get together there are usually like 20+ of us.

I needed a cake, too.

Last year I canned ginger peaches.

(so mad I never blogged those...)

I love spiced peaches.

So, I wondered... hummmm? Spice Cake?

What else goes with peaches?

I knew that if I asked my son, Spencer he would reminisce about having peaches and cream at his great grandma's house.

(My Mother-in-law's Mother-in-law...)

So, cream it was!!

I made a Spice Cake and filled it with a peach filling, topped it off with whipped cream frosting.

Top it off with freshly sliced peaches...to make it pretty! <3 p="">

So, now I will share with you what I did... It was really quite easy!!

Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

Cake:

1 box spice cake, make according to box instructions for a layer cake

Bake According to the box.

Peach Filling:

3 T cornstarch

1/2 cup sugar

3 T lemon juice

1 1/2 cup peaches, mashed

1 c boiling water

1 T butter

2 t lemon zest

a couple of drops of pink food coloring (optional)

In a double boiler over water, add sugar, salt and cornstarch.  Top off with boiling water and stir until thick and there are no lumps.

Add butter, lemon zest and juice. Mix thoroughly.

Add peaches a optional food coloring.

Stir.

Place in refrigerator to cool.

Whipped Cream Frosting:

1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

1/2 c granulated sugar

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t almond extract

2 c heavy whipping cream

In your standing mixer with whisk attachment whip together cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

Add extracts and slowly add cream.

Whip continually, occasionally stopping beater to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, until frosting forms peaks.

Place in refrigerator while you assemble the cake.

When cake is cool, place bottom layer on your plate.

Top with peach filling, saving a little bit to fill in sides.

Top off with second layer.

Fill in the gaps in the sides of the filling.

It looks like a giant hamburger!! ;)

Spread frosting over top and sides of cake.

Top with fresh peaches, and add some to the sides.

Keep in the refrigerator.

Top with candles! (optional)

Serve to your favorite birthday girl (or boy...)

Optional...but so nice!!

Happy Birthday, Marie!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Pink Angel Food Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

SO PRETTY!!

I am a girly girl at heart.  

Yes, most days, you will find me in my workout clothes, and my youngest daughter said that people usually recognize me in my Nike ball cap, but give me a chance to dress up in a skirt and heels, I am ALL over it!!

When my friend Gerry, had a party at her house for her book club last month, I loved making my food for her get together around the author she was hosting.

The author's name is Joy Johnson, and is from Nebraska.

She wrote a series of books called "The BOOB Girls ~ The Burned Out Old Broads at Table 12."

here is the official site: BOOB Girls

Gerry entertained not only Joy and her husband, but her book club as well as her Master Gardeners Club.

She had her house all set up with cute little things from the book series, 

..."Underwear hanging on a clothesline?..."

"Table 12"

All things readers would recognize from her books.

Gerry took these two pictures of how things were set up for her guests in her home.

Gerry is ALWAYS doing nice things for me.  

If I had to go back and tell you how we met, you would be as surprised as me to see that we are

 friends now.

Gerry was actually my 9th grade Algebra teacher.

Those of you who know me well know that my love of math ends at measurements in spoons and cups for baking/cooking.

Gerry tells me that if I was as concerned with Algebra as I was with boys, my 9th grade test scores would have been a lot better!!

ha!

Well, fast forward about 15 years (yes...dating myself again) and I find out that Gerry is married to Don who does all of my husband's motor work on his race car.

(that is in it's simplest version)

So, Gerry and Don are like another set of Grandparents to our kiddos now, she has a library in her house that I dream to have someday; and has turned me on to some of my favorite authors, she loves to cook, and, funny story...

She tutors my daughter in math!! ;)

Like I said they are always doing nice things for us, never wanting to take anything for it.

So when she told me about this party, I asked her if I could do her food.

YAY!!! PINK FOOD!!

In addition to the pink angel food cake strawberry shortcake trifle

I made her my Caprese Tomatoes:

My White Rose Infused Sangria, but made it with blush wine:

and I made my warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I absolutely LOVED making this angel food cake.

Isn't it pretty??

Here it is topped with pink cake before the whipped cream and strawberries hit the top!

  

I loved it so much I made it in Red, White and Blue for the 4th of July

Instead of re-writing the recipe all over again, make it just like the Red, White and Blue one says, 

but of course use pink!! (or any color you heart desires!!)

Here is the recipe:

Pink Angel food Cake

SO PRETTY!!

I am a girly girl at heart.  

Yes, most days, you will find me in my workout clothes, and my youngest daughter said that people usually recognize me in my Nike ball cap, but give me a chance to dress up in a skirt and heels, I am ALL over it!!

When my friend Gerry, had a party at her house for her book club last month, I loved making my food for her get together around the author she was hosting.

The author's name is Joy Johnson, and is from Nebraska.

She wrote a series of books called "The BOOB Girls ~ The Burned Out Old Broads at Table 12."

here is the official site: BOOB Girls

Gerry entertained not only Joy and her husband, but her book club as well as her Master Gardeners Club.

She had her house all set up with cute little things from the book series, 

..."Underwear hanging on a clothesline?..."

"Table 12"

All things readers would recognize from her books.

Gerry took these two pictures of how things were set up for her guests in her home.

Gerry is ALWAYS doing nice things for me.  

If I had to go back and tell you how we met, you would be as surprised as me to see that we are

 friends now.

Gerry was actually my 9th grade Algebra teacher.

Those of you who know me well know that my love of math ends at measurements in spoons and cups for baking/cooking.

Gerry tells me that if I was as concerned with Algebra as I was with boys, my 9th grade test scores would have been a lot better!!

ha!

Well, fast forward about 15 years (yes...dating myself again) and I find out that Gerry is married to Don who does all of my husband's motor work on his race car.

(that is in it's simplest version)

So, Gerry and Don are like another set of Grandparents to our kiddos now, she has a library in her house that I dream to have someday; and has turned me on to some of my favorite authors, she loves to cook, and, funny story...

She tutors my daughter in math!! ;)

Like I said they are always doing nice things for us, never wanting to take anything for it.

So when she told me about this party, I asked her if I could do her food.

YAY!!! PINK FOOD!!

In addition to the pink angel food cake strawberry shortcake trifle

I made her my Caprese Tomatoes:

My White Rose Infused Sangria, but made it with blush wine:

and I made my warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I absolutely LOVED making this angel food cake.

Isn't it pretty??

Here it is topped with pink cake before the whipped cream and strawberries hit the top!

  

I loved it so much I made it in Red, White and Blue for the 4th of July

Instead of re-writing the recipe all over again, make it just like the Red, White and Blue one says, 

but of course use pink!! (or any color you heart desires!!)

Here is the recipe:

Pink Angel food Cake

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Looking for a super easy but super festive dessert for your 4th of July party this year? 

Or maybe just a fun dessert to share with the kiddos?

Try tinting your angel food cake as it whips, and layer in in a trifle dish to make this red, white and blue beauty!!

I made it pink last week for a party and it was gorgeous!! Since colors are pretty much endless...

So are your possibilities!!

Change up the cake color, the fruit... just have fun!!

What can you come up with?

Happy Independence Day!!

Looking for a super easy but super festive dessert for your 4th of July party this year? 

Or maybe just a fun dessert to share with the kiddos?

Try tinting your angel food cake as it whips, and layer in in a trifle dish to make this red, white and blue beauty!!

I made it pink last week for a party and it was gorgeous!! Since colors are pretty much endless...

So are your possibilities!!

Change up the cake color, the fruit... just have fun!!

What can you come up with?

Happy Independence Day!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad