I Am Honored

I am so honored to share with all my blog followers this wonderfully talented artist. Her business is Life Is Groovy,

Follow this link to visit her store & see my header!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76227809/sweet-love-owls-spring-tree-branch-pink

& while browsing through her lovely clipart, I came across her owls. She, after all, was the inspiration for this blog, & I am so honored that she loved my personal blog header enough to use it in her store. Thank you so much!!

Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa

Such a delicious sweet flavor with a hint of chocolate in every sip. An amazing recipe!!!

4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 pint strawberry ice cream
4 cups water
Whipped cream
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tbsp chocolate sprinkles

1. In a medium bowl, melt chocolate chips & dip the top of cups or mugs into the chocolate. Set aside & let it harden.

2. In a medium pot, whisk together the butter, sugar, & ice cream over medium-high heat until melted. Whisk in the water, one cup at a time until your favorite texture-flavor is achieved (I only needed 2 1/2 cups). Heat just until steaming. Pour into chocolate rimmed mugs. Garnish with a dollop of whipping cream & sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles. Serve with your favorite bite-sized cookies for dipping. Happy Valentine's Day!

Recipe found here: Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa

Vintage Valentine's Headband

Today I made my daughter a vintage inspired Valentine's day headband because I plan on taking some pictures of my kids. This took quite awhile to do, but I like the way it turned out.

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Frozen In Snow

Week 3 Challenge ~ My assignment was Frozen In Snow

I saw the sun out today & decided it would be a perfect day to photograph anything frozen. I should have probably worn my boots because I couldn't get close to the pictures I wanted. For this photo, I ended up in knee-high snow with my shoes on, just so I could get the upward angle I wanted. It was so cold but so worth it!

This one I just thought was neat. Instead of seeing your typical obscene graffiti, I came across these kind words... life is beautiful. It just kind of spoke to me after all I've been through this last year. Life really is beautiful.

With that beautiful sun shining through our frozen world, I just had to get a picture. With a few tweaks in photoshop, I got it to look how I wanted it. I'm pretty happy with my cold adventure today, & very much looking forward to next weeks challenge!

The Moon

Week 2 Challenge ~ My assignment was The Moon

So here is the best shot I could get of the moon. I've struggled with photographing the moon tonight. It wasn't until my tripod broke that I had to call it a night. But this one was the best out of all the pictures I took. I noticed some of the other photographers took a picture where the foreground was lit, but I wasn't able to do that so this will have to do. But I do love how the moon is peeking out from behind the trees, made for a nice photo.

Flames of Love

 Week 1 Challenge ~ My first assignment is FIRE.

 An idea that was inspired by a new love for roses, & wanting to do something with fire during the ice cold months of Alaska. I'm actually extremely pleased with how they turned out!

The Only Chocolate Cake Recipe You'll Ever Need (Devil's Food)

I'm a huge chocolate lover! I usually just buy those chocolate cupcakes with whipped cream topping at the store, but I love baking & would rather homemake it myself. After about 6 chocolate cake recipes I tried online, I finally came across this one. The name intrigued me, so I made them.... and YES, SUCCESS! These are extremely moist & rich, they are absolutely delicious! Try this recipe just once & you'll see why they call it "The Only Chocolate Cake Recipe You'll Ever Need!" My kids and I decided to decorate them as owls! Decorate them however you want & with the frosting of your choosing.

Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup hot coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

Frosting: I chose to go with a cream cheese frosting after my sister-in-law made them for me. This is the recipe I went with, click the link above if you'd like to try the frosting that came with the recipe.

• 2  (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter. softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 325'F
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add oil, coffee & milk, & mix at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs & vanilla & beat 2 more minutes. Expect batter to be thin.
3. Pour into a 9"x13" greased & floured pan or 2-9" round pans (or cupcake pan). Bake 9x13 pan for about 45 minutes or 9" pans for about 30 minutes. (Note: I did cupcakes & I think mine were in there for 20-24 mins. Check them with a toothpick to make sure they are finished.) Cool pans for about 15 minutes & then cool completely on racks.
4. While cake is cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese & butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in refrigerator after use.
5. By the way, the cake is recommended chilled, right out of the refrigerator. The rich chocolate and cool frosting just seem to taste best this way. Enjoy!

Link to recipe: "The Only Chocolate Cake Recipe You'll Ever Need!"