Summer

Sorry I've been MIA since June 1st, I think I have summer on the brain!  It doesn't officially start until Tuesday, but it unofficially started Memorial weekend.  Especially when it was in the 90s that weekend and has been nice ever since.  Makes up for that rainy April and May.  What are you looking most forward to this summer?  Here's my list and I hope to enjoy every second of these precious months:

• sunsets at the beach
• walking at the beach path in the morning
• swimming!
• hanging out with my Mom at her pool
• reading books and magazines and more books! (my goodreads: 
• lazy hair and makeup
• flip-flops
• flower clips in my hair
• scary movie night on Monday nights with Tom, Mom, Aunt April and Uncle Mike
• going to the movies more often
• wineries
• making s'mores
• sitting around a fire at night
• picnics
• hikes
• pool parties
• Fourth of July
• our SEVENTH wedding anniversary (Holy Cow)
• Tom's parents coming from Scotland 
• getting a new job
• ice-cream
• strawberries
• TOMATOES 
• peaches
• watermelon
• grilled food
• girlie foo-foo drinks

Here's my beach-bag (got it at Forever 21), what's in yours?

Here's a great, EASY dessert to make for get-togethers/cookouts:

Recipe here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/down-home-with-the-neelys/strawberry-shortcut-cake-recipe/index.html

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a good weekend and a sweet Valentine's Day on Monday!

Here are some cupcakes I've made on separate years in the past.

The frosting recipe is here:

And if you want something chocolate, then I suggest cake balls:

The funny thing is I won't be making anything for Valentine's Day since my sister-in-law volunteered to make the weekly Sunday dessert this week.  I may make some chocolate chip cookies for my husband's work though, we'll see!

Valentine's Day Dessert Idea

Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookie Cake

This cake looks like a huge Oreo cookie, and it tastes even better.  Who doesn't love a little chocolate on Valentine's Day?

Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookie Cake 

(adapated from Kraft Foods Magazine)

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil's food chocolate cake mix

4 squares  BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

12 OREO Cookies, coarsely crushed

Directions:

HEAT oven to 350ºF.

PREPARE cake batter and bake in 2 (9-inch) round pans as directed on package. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Invert cakes onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cool 5 min.

MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP and crushed cookies. Stack cake layers on plate, spreading cream cheese mixture between layers. Spread top with chocolate glaze; let stand until firm. Keep refrigerated.

Valerie's Fluffy White Flour Frosting

Flour frosting??? you might say, but actually it's one of the best frostings.  
Not too sweet and light and fluffy. :)

Continuously whisk the flour and milk over medium heat.
Constant whisking is important for no lumps.  You do not want lumps, trust me.

Cooking the flour will result in something that looks like mashed potatoes.
It's sticky and comes together away from the sides.  

Mix the mixture for a minute or so to make sure there are no lumps.
Cover and refrigerate until cool.

Cream together the shortening, softened margarine and sugar.

Slowly add the cooled flour/milk mixture in little bits beating after each addition.
Continue to beat for 7-10 minutes until light and fluffy and all sugar is disolved.

Ha, don't laugh at my attempts at writing with a gel frosting.

Recipe:

• 5 tbs. flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup margarine 
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. 1In a small saucepan blend flour and milk.
2. 2Cook stirring constantly until mixture bubbles.
3. 3Transfer to a small bowl, beat mixture with mixer for one minute.  Cool.
4. 4In a large bowl, cream shortening, butter and sugar with a mixer until fluffy.
5. 5Add vanilla and salt, blending well.
6. 6On medium speed beat in cooled flour mixture in small portions (teaspoonful at a time), beating well after each addition.
7. 7Continue beating until light and fluffy.