Happy (belated) Birthday to My Love

Hello Sweets,


I hope everyone is having a great week and hopefully it is flying by for you, because it is definitely flying for me lol I think it's because it is the Christmas season and there is just that much more to do!

In an attempt to finalize everything I need for the homemade Christmas gifts I am creating, we went to Michael's (craft store), and I was like a kid in a candy store.  Let me tell you I found everything I needed and more to make these gifts super adorable that I didn't even think of.  I cannot wait to show you guys the finished products once they are given out :)  Did you know that Michael's carries baking supplies?  I'm not talking about a few things, we're talking about 3 full aisles of a baking wonderland!  I got some more decorative accents for the Christmas cookies we will be making over the next couple weeks, and even a reindeer kit for our cookies.  Lets just say I'll probably do a few different Christmas cookie recipes so I can write multiple posts about my decorating adventures, and I'm not a pro yet but I am giving it more effort than ever!

So as you all know I missed Nathans birthday last week :( but I have been making it up to him since I got here, slowly but surely giving him little birthday surprises.  For example, the day I landed, Nathan and I swapped our birthday cards, and when I pick a card it has to represent our relationship, and then I always write a little something extra special in it.  Early next week he will get a small present (although I know it will get a great reaction from him), and today, well today I made him an old fashion chocolate cake with chocolate icing and blue sugar (his favorite).  He loves it when I bake for him to begin with, but chocolate cake is his favorite, and since we've been dating, I promised him I would always bake him a birthday cake.  I know I had tested out a new chocolate cake recipe last week, but I decided that I would try another one today so I had a fresh new recipe for tonight's post.  Get your aprons on, because we're headed to chocolate town!!

Old Fashion Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

3/4C butter, softened

1 2/3C brown sugar

3 eggs

1 Tsp vanilla

2C all-purpose flour

2/3C cocoa

1 1/4Tsp baking soda

1 Tsp salt

1/4Tsp baking powder

1 1/3C water

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease and flour 13"x9"x2" cake pan (or 2 9" round pan).

2)  Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla on high for 3 minutes.

3)  Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt , and baking powder; add alternately with water to butter mixture until smooth.

 

4)  Pour batter into pan.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.  Cool completely.

 

I used wax paper to ensure it would come out perfectly :)

Let's get to the yummy frosting while the cake is cooling.

Perfect Chocolate Icing

Ingredients

1/2C butter

2/3C cocoa

3C confectioners sugar

1/3C milk

1 Tsp vanilla

 

Directions:

1)  Melt butter, then alternately add confectioners (powdered) sugar and milk, beating on medium speed spreading consistency.  Add more milk, if needed.  Add vanilla, makes about 2 cups worth.

 

I'm sorry for not taking progress pictures :(

The cake turned out completely delicious, and Nathan is a very happy and satisfied man (goal achieved)!  Probably one of the best ways to end a delicious steak dinner, grilled by none other then the master himself, Nathan!

 Final product :)

What is your go to birthday cake flavor?  Do you prefer to bake for your loved ones, or do you have a special bakery that makes all of your treats?  Not many more things can top the feeling of baking something I know Nathan will love, and I know he'll tell you that he loves everything I make him.  I really do have the greatest boyfriend in the world!!  

Well now I have to find a few Christmas cookie recipes to start making over the next few days, maybe I will try and do one new recipe a day, or maybe every couple of days with a few random recipes in between.  If you have any suggestions or favorites I would love to hear from you, feel free to drop me a line anytime :)  Until next time.......

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

Honey I'm Home!!

Hello Sweets,

Greetings from the great state of Texas (the greatest state).  I landed here this morning and have been in heaven every single moment.  Tonight's post will be short again but that is because I've had such a long couple of days, and honestly would really like to have some quality cuddle time with my love :)

So this morning I caught the red eye flight to Dallas, and anyone that knows me knows that I DO NOT do mornings well at all, which means I've had very little sleep.  The one thing I do love about early morning flights, is watching the sun rise in the sky.  Check out some of the beautiful pictures I managed to capture :)

Goodbye Canadia, so pretty before sunrise 

I love the fluffy clouds! 

Getting closer to the one I love 

Honey, I'm home <3  

So you know how I am constantly bragging that my soul mate Nathan is THE BEST boyfriend ever?  Well he has managed to completely amaze me again with some amazing news and a fabulous birthday gift, and I wanted to take this post to share the news with all of my lovely readers, and then I promise I will get back to baking and cooking up a storm tomorrow lol.  Anyone that knows Nathan knows he is extremely proud of his service within the US Army, specifically the US Cavalry, although he is retired, he will and always will be a part of them.  Now Nathan and  I have talked about spending the rest of our lives together, but what he surprised me with this afternoon is something I never expected, or even knew I could be apart of.  I am officially part of the "US Cavalry Order of the Garter", that means that Nathan and I are forever bonded through cavalry tradition of a declaration of the link between the woman and her trooper.  I am duty bound to forever display the traditional yellow garter if and when he is deployed, and until his safe return.  To me this a gesture of equal value as if he were to propose to me, as it is a reflection of our love and commitment to each other, forever and always.  Needless to say I cried tears of joy and couldn't be happier to accept such a wonderful token of our love.  God I have a fantastic man!

My official US Army document :)

I honestly didn't think my day could get any better than that, but I should have known that Nathan wouldn't have stopped there.  For the last six months at least, my little net book has been on it's last legs.  Well for my birthday, Nathan got me a snazzy new Sony Vaio laptop!  So next blog post will be done on my new toy :) For now we are setting it up and transferring all my essential files over.  Here's a peak at my new laptop;

Going from a 10" screen to a 17.3" screen, is amazing on the eyes, and I think Nathan is most excited to teach me how to be a "gamer" (I am too to be honest, just means more time with my man ;) ).  

So that is all I have for tonight.  Have any of you guys had any exciting news lately?  Maybe a new toy?  I always love to hear from you guys so please feel free to drop me a line, or even just say hi!  Until next time.....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo