Chocolate Cake with Whipped Frosting

Yesterday seemed like a good day for cake. I tried Martha's Chocolate Cake with Whipped Frosting. They were a natural fit, since the cake calls for 3 egg yolks, and the frosting 3 egg whites. But the frosting was a little too meringue-y for me. Too light and airy. I decided that I like my frostings to be thick, heavy, and butter-based. I guess that makes me a buttercream person? The cake itself was delightful. I added just a touch more buttermilk than called for in the recipe to counteract our dry desert air, and it turned out moist and delicious. I'd definitely make it again, but next time I think I'll pair it with buttercream.

Elliot kept sneaking bites when I wasn't looking. I gave in and completely ruined his dinner by giving him a slice. Oh well. I have a hard time saying no to that little face.

a day out

Most of the time I am perfectly content to spend my days at home in cozy clothes. But not today. I had big plans for us. The bank! And maybe the park, too! I even curled my hair and tried on three different shirts. But the bank was surrounded by yellow caution tape and police cars (we got the heck out of there) and the park was much too cold for our silly desert-dwelling selves. So, we begged Mike to take us to lunch instead. While we waited for him to meet us, we cruised the aisles of the antique plaza and found two little white creamers to add to my collection. I don't drink coffee, but I collect teeny creamers? I don't know, I think they are pretty. And I have run out of room for cake plates, so I am trying to diversify, I guess. It ended up being a pretty great day.

How was yours?

on good kids

Yesterday Stella chose to play in her bed for quiet time. A little while later I walked by her room and found her surrounded by her guys, sound asleep. And right at that moment it dawned on me that I haven't been giving her enough credit. She is such a wonderful girl, so helpful and kind to Elliot. Lately, she has been especially good at entertaining herself. I watched her for a minute, and I let her goodness sink in on me. Does that ever happen to you? You realize that because they have been good, your children have slipped your notice? Oh man, it makes me feel terrible, but grateful, too. I made sure to tell her how wonderful she was when I tucked her into bed that night, and she beamed.

If there is anything that I want my kids to know, it is that I think they are wonderful. I want them to know that I see all of the good inside of them and that it outweighs any bad. Every child deserves to have that.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

As a rule, I try to avoid facebook. But every once in a while I am glad that I logged on. I was really glad last week because my friend, Jill, posted a cookie recipe, and I think you all know by now that I love trying new recipes. I hope she doesn't mind if I share it here. These were thick and delicious and so satisfying.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour (I used half white whole wheat)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups oats
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Cream butter and sugars til light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Bake for 12 minutes, or until starting to very lightly brown.

the sun will rise

via

I'm not sure I can adequately describe my reaction to the film, "Les Miserables", but for some reason I feel compelled to try to put my feelings about it here anyway. I saw it last week and it occupied my thoughts for days afterward.

I grew up listening to the music and seeing the play. I know every word of every song, and yet I was still completely overcome by the beauty and power of the film. I left the theater exhausted (but exhilarated!).

I think the entire story can be summed up in the quote above. Oh, the misery! It is portrayed so realistically in the movie, down to the unbrushed teeth and dirty fingernails. But as much misery and darkness and suffering as there is, hope and redemption and forgiveness come out on top. And they always will. Life can be beautiful and full of love, despite our sometimes dismal circumstances.

On Sunday, our Relief Society meeting focused on seeking happiness, even when things in our life don't make that an easy task. I was reminded that this happiness is to be found when we are increasing our faith and personal righteousness, and when we are serving our families and others around us who need help. When we have first worked to improve our own lives, we can then help others in their own search for happiness, and we will all feel joy.

And I know I shouldn't liken everything to Les Mis, but I just can't help it today. That is exactly what the hero of the story does. Jean Valjean was given a second chance, and he took it and brought about so much good. First, though, he had decided to be the man he knew he was meant to be. He left his bitterness and anger behind. Only then was he able to help those around him. His life was not easy, but I believe it was filled with great amounts of happiness.

Anyway, did you see it? What did you think? And most importantly, who wants to see it again with me?

Lemon Sugar Cookies

I'm still up to my ears in lemon juice. I finally finished juicing our supply this weekend. I was looking for a quick recipe to bring to Sunday dinner, and these cookies fit the bill. According to Mike, they were "surprisingly good". High praise from that man.

They were chewy and a little crispy (but soft at the same time), with just the right about of lemon. I didn't have sanding sugar, so I rolled mine in granulated sugar, without flattening the tops. I baked them for just over 14 minutes, and removed them almost immediately to the cooling rack (instead of leaving them on the cookie sheet for the 5 minutes called for in the recipe).

If you are looking for a new cookie to try, these get a big thumbs up from us.

a mid-week break

My parents have been in town this week. They are off to see Leslie in Texas next. We'll miss them when they go. No more excuses for missing school. Or for going out to lunch everyday. Or for eating mostly Paradise Bakery molasses cookies.

Yesterday we went to the Park of the Canals here in Mesa. It was a nice change from our usual neighborhood park. We read about the ancient canals (over 2000 years old!), followed the path through the desert, and played on the playground until it was time to meet Mike for gyros.

After a week of freezing cold, it was sunny and warm and bright and just right. It was the sort of happy, easy day I'd like to lock in my memory forever.

citrus season

One of my favorite things about living in Arizona is winter citrus fruit. When the rest of the country seems to be buried in snow, we have sunny, summery citrus to harvest. We inherited quite a few mature (read: humongous) citrus trees when we moved into our house. They are: navel, Arizona sweet, tangelo, lemon, and pink grapefruit and we love them all. Well, except for the pink grapefruit. We don't like that one very much.

A note: free pink grapefruit! Come and get it! (Please!)

Our large lemon tree is probably my favorite. It has weathered storms and lost branches, but it always comes back, laden with fruit. I sent Mabel and Oliver out to pick it clean the other night. It's time to start juicing. I freeze the juice in ice cube trays so that we can have fresh lemon juice all year long. This year I am going to try freezing some grated rind, too. We love lemonade (2 trays worth of frozen lemon juice + 1 gallon of water + 2 cups sugar, give or take), lemon bars, buttermilk cake, and lemon pound cake. For Sunday dinner yesterday, I made this lemon cake and it was delicious! Plus, there is nothing better than freshly squeezed lemon juice and piles of powdered sugar on German pancakes. For non-dessert meals, I love this lemon chicken with brown rice. Today I am going to give this lemon blueberry loaf a try.

Do you have any favorite lemon recipes to share?

Baby, it's cold outside.

I'll tell you what, I am not cut out for winter. I haven't been warm since before Christmas. Our hot chocolate supply is getting dangerously low. I am wearing socks, for heaven's sake! Our low is supposed to be a frigid 25 today. Now, I know that for some of you, that is winter business as usual. But we are weak blooded here in the desert and I think I might die.

When it's hot for most of the year, you don't really collect proper winter clothes. You think that a long sleeved t-shirt or a thin, 3/4 sleeve cardigan will see you through til spring. But they totally won't. I was on the look out for something cozy without a hood (because long hair + hoods make me crazy). Target left me empty handed. So I headed to my other store, Old Navy, and found myself in their kids department. Hooray for a winner! Best $15 I've spent in a long time.

I'll still be sitting in front of my space heater, sipping hot chocolate all day though, if you need me.

a zoo, or maybe more like a farm

We seem to be collecting pets. I don't even know how it happened, but here we are with 9 chickens, 2 birds, and 1 cat. Shoot. We are those crazy people in the neighborhood with a million animals. Ack! I never wanted to be that person. (At least we don't have Champ anymore. See our adventures with our old dog Champ here, here, and here. He has a much happier life across the street with a family who actually lets him into their house.)

Mabel got two parakeets for her birthday last summer and I finally got around to pretty-ing up their cage this morning. The hem of our utility sink skirt was the exact size I needed to make a little cage shield. I couldn't believe my luck, since my stash search proved unsuccessful. I am hoping that it keeps their mess from spilling all over the floor. The little bird house table was originally covered in flowers and vines, but I painted it to match our cabinets instead. Already that little corner is so much brighter and cheerier.

I am not an animal lover, but I don't mind these birds one bit. They chirp and make sweet little noises, and they keep me company when I'm working in the kitchen. Don't ask me about the chickens today, though. They are not on my good list.

Now we just need a mini cow or a goat or something and we'll be all set. (Just kidding! Don't give Mike any ideas. :)

p.s. Remember when we got our cat? I am happy to report that after three months of constant sinus infection-like symptoms, my cat allergy pretty much disappeared! Phew, because everyone has sort of fallen in love with that Inez.

at the park

We went outside yesterday to soak up the sun. It was a beautiful day - just right for a visit to the park. I was having a hard time shaking the chill from my early morning run, so it felt really good to sit with the sun warm on my neck while Elliot and Stella played with cousin Chase and I chatted with my sister-in-law, Lindsi.

When it was time to go home and eat lunch, Stella stopped to gather leaves. The trees in the park are finally dropping them, and they covered the ground in big golden splotches. The leaves she chose were big and green and gorgeous, and most importantly, hold the promise of a few more months of park weather still to come.

beauty

I was driving through what must be one of the bleakest spots in America the other day: the Arizona/California border.  After a week of cousin fun, I had just returned my brother's children to him. We had met halfway in remote Chiriaco Summit. As I set off back toward Blythe, the sun was setting behind me. I raised my eyes from the monotony of the road, and was surprised to see the distant mountains glowing in the golden evening light. It took my breath away. It was so gorgeous.

In that unfortunate place, I saw this overwhelming beauty. It made me realize that if such beauty could exist there in that lonely desert, then surely it was everywhere, not least of all in my own life. Now, I knew all of this before the sun started it's downward trek that day, but I needed a reminder. Sometimes in the midst of the busyness, beauty goes unnoticed. I would like to make a better effort to recognize the little bits of beauty in my life this year. Hopefully I can capture some of it to share here.

The longer I drove and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that God and beauty are the same to me. When I recognize those moments of beauty, I am recognizing His hand in my life, and feeling His love for me. After all, He designed this world, and I believe that He knows each of us and wants to bless us with His love. If I can stop for a minute and recognize those moments, then I am acknowledging Him and hopefully showing my gratitude for the things He has given me.

So, I am officially adding "find beauty" to my little list of resolutions. I think it's going to be a pretty great year.

Chocolate Spice Cake

I'm still thinking about this cake that I made for my friend Beth's Christmas dinner party last month. It was delicious, but mine ended up being a little on the dry side (I think I baked it a touch too long). I am itching to try it again. It had just the right amount of spiciness, and the chocolate cinnamon frosting was fantastic.

Alright, it's settled. I am off to bake another. Wish me luck!

*Update*

I increased the buttermilk to 1 1/4 cups this time and baked it for 45 minutes. It was soft and moist and the 8 kids in my house today inhaled it immediately. Hooray!

cousins

We've had four of my brother's kids at our house this week while their brand new baby brother settles in at home in California. This is probably the best thing we could have done for our long week before we go back to school. There has not been one bored minute for anyone. Fort building, tree climbing, Three Amigos reenactments, barbies, bike riding, and lots and lots of cooking. Wow, 8 kids eat a lot of food! But it has been so much fun. Cousins are the best.

My great grandmother was Sadie Stella, and these little girls are her namesakes. They are like two peas in a pod. They were so excited to see that they had matching dresses and gold shoes to wear to church on Sunday.

The sidewalk riding crew. And the baseball boys.

Max has been a good buddy to Elliot.

I've hardly seen Oliver and Jack this week. This was a rare moment when they were sitting still long enough for me to snap a picture. They've been building epic forts in the basement and updating the tree house in the backyard. I think.

This guy likes having all of these kids around.

Representing Album Surf.

I couldn't do it without these girls! Annie and Mabel are two of the best girls I know. They have been so helpful this week.

We are going to be sad to see them go on Friday.

a new year

I love new beginnings. The start of a new year always feels so good, doesn't it? But I sort of feel like every day can be a new beginning, not just a new year. Every day is a mini fresh start, and a chance to be a little bit better. That's one of my favorite things about this life.

Mike and I rang in the new year with our good friends, dressed as hipster lumberjacks (very serious hipster lumberjacks, apparently). It's not new year's at the Bagley's without wearing some sort of silly costume. We had such a nice time.

I'm still working on my resolutions, but I have managed to compile a list of home improvement projects for 2013 already. It is sort of ambitious, but I feel good about it. On the top is making a room for the girls to share in the basement. Ideas for that room have been floating around in my head for years! I am excited to finally put them to use.

What are you working on in 2013?