Coconut+Cream

Lately I've been having a problem controlling myself when it comes to sweets. Shame on me! For some reason or another I make s'mores in the micro, ALL THE TIME! I was growing tired of my staple s'more and thought Father's Day would be the perfect time to bring out my fool proof coconut cream cake. It's one of the easiest cakes to throw together and tastes delicious. If I'd let myself, I could eat the whole thing. Don't judge me. 

Go out buy the ingredients and make it. You won't regret it! I promise!

Here's what you'll need:

white boxed cake and the listed ingredients

coconut milk (I used light to save on the sugar content)

sweetened coconut flakes

sweetened condensed milk

fat free or light cool whip

Bake the boxed cake as the directions prescribe. Wait for it to cool to room temperature. Take a carving folk or a something that has hole poking abilities and poke holes into the entire cake. 

The cake should look something like this when you are done with the hole poking.

Now it't time to mix together the coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk. Once you've finished stirring, drizzle over the entire cake, starting in the middle. (Don't be like me and start on the edges, eventually it makes its way to the corners)

Once you've poured the entire bowl of creamy goodness over the cake, let it soak in. I ended up laddling the excess on the edges into the middle. Next spread the entire container of cool whip over the cake. Layer the coconut flakes on top. I like it to be fully covered, it's your preference. Cover and let it chill in the refrigerator for a few hours.

The longer in marinates the better it tastes!! Enjoy my friends. A quick, delicious, cool summer treat!!

poop slingin' son of a guns

I've recovered!

Recovered from a case of lazy blogger.

In lieu of my posting, I've gotten reconnected with my roots. Way back when I had a horse, which meant it was my responsibility to muck out his stall and dump wheelbarrows full of manure.

Growing up I was always enlisted to help in the garden and pull weeds. As I've gotten older my hate for gardening has grown. My reasoning is I want to do it on my own terms.. Occasionally I will get over it and help out. Mom wrangled me into helping her start a new raised garden. A friend let her have all the manure she wanted, which meant she needed help spreading it. Jack could't have been more excited.

He may be a standard poodle.

BUT. That doesn't mean he doesn't love horse manure.

In fact, HE LOVES IT!!!

He loves eating it.

He loves walking in it.

He loves playing in it.

He loves laying in it.

Classy, I know.

Leader of the manure project and her charge.

Evidence of manure eating.

Box of Manure.

It does have an appealing look, right?

Mmmmmmm, manure tongue and all!

Perched on his pile. Proud of all his work!

The dandies are out. 

They are everywhere! 

Just a constant reminder that summer will be here before we know it!

Isn't this the neatest thing you've ever seen! A pair of these extra large turtles were mating near my house! He may look small but he was not. I'm guessing about 20 pounds and as round as a steering wheel!

Seeing wildlife like this makes me love nature.

Makes me love living in the country.

Where in the city would you see a massive turtle?

Lastly, I've been on a kale kick. I put it in everything! My newest recipe you need to try is kale chips. Wash kale and cut out the stem. Sprinkle with olive oil, garlic powder and pepper or season to taste. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake about 15 minutes. Flip and cook until crispy. Let me know what you think!

Share the Love

Happy Valentine's Day Ya'll! Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorites but it's an excuse to tell the important people in my life I love them! The past few years I have sent out boxed valentines, this year I went back to my childhood days and decided to make my own. A little glue, some glitter and anything can happen. Friday night I found a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies and had to try it. They ended up being really good, I just wasn't anticipating such a large batch. Note to self: pay attention to serving size! A red flag should have been a pound of butter. I had a monster vat of dough, thank goodness for mixers! I let them sit overnight and baked them up Saturday.

Saturday was a special evening because a fellow teammate of mine from Parkland was being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was great reuniting with some of the girls and our coaches and well as seeing some baseball players who were also inducted. It's a great feeling to still feel like a moment hasn't passed and be able to catch up right where you left off!

Jaques Torres' Secret Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

--Makes 8.5 Dozen 1 ounce cookies (Beware Large Batch!!!)

Ingredients:

1 pound unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups packed light- brown sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons pastry flour *
3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 pounds bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

*If you don't have pastry flour then substitute 1 1/2 cup cake flour plus 1 tablespoon & 1 1/2 all purpose flour plus 1 tablespoon.

Directions:

Refrigerate prior to baking for a better result.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non stick baking mats: set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer use paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Reduce speed to low and add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and chocolate. Mix until well combined.

Refrigerate for 24 hours (up to 3 days).

I used a 1 ounce scoop. Bake for 10 minutes and then switch racks, back an additional 5 minutes or until done.

Cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.

I found this recipe here.

Had some special moments with Jack this weekend. Recently he hasn't been much of a snuggler, but after our long run Sunday morning both of us felt like napping. I wouldn't necessarily call it snuggling, maybe more crashing on Rachel. Nether less we had a nice nap. Jack got a hair cut this week and I can't believe how quickly he has transformed from a puppy into a little man. I've said many times Jack and Olive have a love/ hate relationship. Sometimes, let me rephase, most of the time, Olive takes a beating. Once we get over that there are so many great moments between those two that make you smile. Nose touches, snuggles, Jack sitting on Olive,  Olive eating Jack's treats while he is in a down stay, Olive napping on Jack's toy. The list is endless!

Congratulations to Brooklyn (pictured in the middle). We are all so proud of your accomplishments and all the memories we have together! Watch out current Parkland girls, a 2006 alumni match might take place. We may be older, but we can still bring the heat!

Mac & Cheese

I finally feel like winter is here, time to stack some wood in the fire place, wrap up in a warm blanket and snuggle in with a cup of hot coco. Around here it can be a bit difficult to have a moment of peace and quiet. The sound of puppy feet bounding and  leaping around is a normal occurrence, add in the toy squeaking and we have quite the one man circus.

 

This pretty little lady is Olive, Jack and her have a love/hate relationship. Olive is a survivor and it shows when it comes to  putting up with Jack. When we moved in, Olive was a stray cat who lived in our barn. During the winter she moved into the garage and eventually made her way into the house. 

The mac & cheese I made for lunch wasn't all that great. Didn't have all the ingredients I needed but I do have a killer recipe for a twist on mac & cheese. It is from the cookbook, "The Convent Cook"

Lenten Macaroni and Cheese

serves 4 to 6

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 (8ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 pound Cheddar cheese, cubed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2 quart ovenproof glass bowl or a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, until al dente.

In a saute pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute for 6 to 8 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from heat.

Once pasta is ready, drain and place in large bowl. Add onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce and mix well. Add cheese and stir until mixed in well.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Believe me, this is one you want to try!

 

Here is a sneak peek of a project I am going to start working on this weekend! Check back next week for the finished results!