Tuesday Treats: Larry's Birthday Cake

For my Handsome Prince's Birthday, I attempted my first ever layer cake. (I usually just do a 13 x 9 and frost it in the pan.) I think it turned out pretty good! I had a box of Carrot Cake mix, but I wanted to kick it up a notch. I dug out my Southern Living at HOME "Cake mix miracles" cookbook and found this recipe for Cheater's Carrot Cake.

Cheater's Carrot Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
1 (10 ounce) package shredded carrots (about 3 cups)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans. divided
2 (16 ounce) containers ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fold in carrots, pineapple, and 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 28 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
• Combine remaining 1 cup chopped nuts and frosting;stir well. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Chill, if desired. Yield: 1 (3-layer) cake.

Keeping it real:

I used my carrot cake mix, and it was fine. I didn't have shredded carrots, but I did have baby carrots and a salad shooter, worked great. I used walnuts, again I had them on hand. I did not use the containers of frosting, because Cream Cheese frosting is my favorite part of the cake, and I like to make my own. Could NOT be easier.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 stick of butter, softened

1 (1 pound) box confectioner's sugar

mix together until desired consistency.

I doubled the recipe for this cake, since I was frosting each layer. I didn't quite need all of it - there may have been some bowl and spatula licking taking place! :)

We had our good friends, Bob and Lisa over for a Birthday dinner on Saturday evening. We had a wonderful salad, Cavatini and garlic bread, and this birthday cake. There was some over-eating done by all! Another GREAT weekend, and Larry thought it was a good way to celebrate his birthday!

March 28th, 2009

Happy day after your Birthday My Handsome Prince!

We are hoping that we are still having friends for dinner this evening, but this is what we woke up to this morning...

Look how big those snowflakes are! It's absolutely beautiful - as long as it doesn't mess up my plans!
It isn't snowing as hard now, but it is still snowing. According to our "trusty" weather people, we were going to only get a "dusting" after lunch. This started at about 8 o'clock this morning, and it is more than dust!

Oh well! We have wood in, and the fireplace is going. It will be a great weekend for us, I hope for you too!

Weekend Recap: My Birthday Extravaganza!

We had another really nice weekend. They just go by too fast!
Friday after work we went to eat fried chicken at Bud's in Bentonville. Yummy! They serve it homestyle like the Chicken Inn in Monte Ne. Not quite the homey atmosphere as Monte Ne, but really good food and lots closer to our house! Then we made a trip to The Lob. I was wanting a bit more greenery to complete my wreath project. I had thought I would wire some of his antlers in there, but once again, it wasn't working out so well for me. Here is a picture of Plan B.

Once I completed the wreath, I tweaked the accessories on the mantle. I don't have a whole lot of room to arrange things up there. You can see from this picture I took of my hand to give you a little perspective, it isn't very wide! I wish I could figure out a way to attach some wood to the brick and make a big chunky mantle, but that's a post for another day (or two!)

Saturday evening we went to eat at Red Lobster. As we were getting ready to leave my friend Lindsay and her Husband came in. I had to play a little joke on her before we left! :) We ran back to The Lob so I could get rid of another Fall arrangement Then we stopped by to see my BFF Lisa and her husband. We ALWAYS enjoy visiting with these good people! When I got home I made this arrangement, and I must say I am VERY pleased with it.

My tablescaping...

Sunday was my actual Birthday - I told ya'll it's an EVENT! Anyway, last weekend we had purchased my gift at Lowe's. Larry's brother came over Sunday and installed it for us. It's so nice to have an electrician in the family! Especially since every fixture in our house is screaming 1990's! Here's what was hanging in our bedroom. Even in the dark you can see the shiny brass glowing in the dark! Not exactly a romantic glow from those bulbs either.

So here is the new one I picked out! Love, love, LOVE it! It has a nightlight that comes on between the downrod and the motor if we just want a really soft light. SO Romantical! The bathroom fixtures are next on my to-do list!

Larry baked me a German Chocolate cake ALL BY HIMSELF! It's VERY good too! I MAY have already had TWO pieces!! So another Birthday event is winding down. Hope you had a great weekend too! I'm anxious to see The Bachelor tonight!!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my Birthday! Happy Birthday to ME!

I'm a firm believer in a Birthday Extravaganza. Birthdays SHOULD be CELEBRATED! You've made it another year! And it sure beats the option! In honor of my big day, I thought I would share some cake with you! I have picked out a few that looked really good to me. Grab some coffee and share in the festivities!

Doesn't this look like a fun time is about to be had? I had the best parties when I was little. Mom and Dad always made a big deal out of our special day. We would get to pick our very favorite thing to eat and Mom would make us a wonderful meal. Daddy didn't care for spaghetti too much, but he would be a good sport if that was our choice!


My birthday is on the same day that the Father of our Great Country, George Washington was born. Some other famous people that I share a birthday with are Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter), Drew Barrymore and Senator Edward Kennedy. Quite an eclectic bunch there!

I am not quite ready for this cake! I still have a couple of years to prepare for that one. I will honestly say that my age doesn't bother me. It's just a number! I feel very Thankful and Blessed to still be celebrating. God has more plans for me!

This one might be my favorite! I'd say there is something for almost everyone here!


I bet this one tastes as good as it looks! My choice of cake would definitely be CHOCOLATE! German Chocolate with coconut pecan icing - YUMMY!

This looks like something my Handsome Prince would do! HA!

Enjoy your Sunday! I'll have a Birthday Festival Recap for you tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Today is my good friend Lisa's Birthday! Happy Birthday Lisa! I hope you have a Wonderful day. Here she is with her daughters, Angela is on the right, and Lindsay on the left.
Lisa is a very talented lady. She makes personalized gifts and monograms fleece, towels, aprons - just about anything you can think of, she can embellish! Here is an example of a bag she has made. If you have an occasion that you would like a personal gift to give, Lisa could help you with a special, custom gift!

Happy Birthday my friend!

Weekend Update

This weekend we celebrated my Mommy's 70th Birthday! We had a late lunch because I Cooked! I fixed all her favorites. Our menu included a salad, Cavatini and garlic bread and Pumpkin bars for dessert! Yummy!

What is Cavatini you ask?

WAAYY back in the day, Pizza Hut offered a pasta dish on their menu. Larry and I would treat ourselves to this on payday Fridays. I picked it apart until I came up with a "formula" of my own. Here is what I do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2 small Green Peppers, diced

1 can sliced Mushrooms (I use Green Giant)

1 Lb. mild pork sausage, browned and drained

1 pkg. Pepperoni, cut in to quarters ( I get Hormel in the pillow pack, use about half)


Combine 1 cup of each of these pasta, boil and drain

Rotini
medium shells
Penne

1 Large Jar of Prego Fresh Mushroon Spaghetti Sauce

2 jars of Ragu Pizza sauce

1 Cup shredded Parmesan Cheese

2-3 Cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Use a large cake pan (9x13) combine all ingredients except the cheeses. Stir until sauce completely coats the pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese and end with the Mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is brown and bubbly.

Feeds an army! (ok, 6 adults and 4 children!)