Monday, Pictures, Laundry, and Other Fun Stuff

Good Morning!!! Here are my babies----The oldest baby is in Washington--I sure do miss Tony---2 more weeks and he will be home.

Alexis being really silly...LOL

















I started laundry first thing this morning---I have my bathroom rugs in the dryer, and my whites in the washer---the softener always makes the house smell so good.















This is what it looks like outside my window--the sun is not out yet, and it is kind of cool. BRRRRRRRR...LOL.














I also put my Monday towel out---if I don't change them, Alexis always lets me know I have the wrong day up.














Here are the notebooks I bought for .10 cents----they are really nice, they have a perforated edge so when you pull them out of the book, they have a nice clean edge, please someone tell me I don't need anymore--I am so itching to go get some more...LOL.















I hope everyone had a really nice relaxing weekend--we had a very nice one. Alexis's swimming lessons have ended, so now we are on to ballet--yay. The month of August is upon us, and I have so much stuff, I want to accomplish before the fall season starts---well, I am going to get another cup of coffee-----and contemplate whether I need to go back to Wal-Mart.... :o)

You All have a wonderful Monday, I will be back---and don't forget to keep visiting the Finishing School--I had so much fun helping out, and was honored that I was asked. There is so much wonderful information there:)

10 Cents

Happy Sunday to all. Lots going on around here--I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. The weather has been warm, and they are saying possible thunder storms this week--ummm, I will believe that when I see it...LOL.

I bought 20 spiral notebooks for .10 cents each at Wal-Mart and filler paper for .30 cents each, what awesome deals. Crayons were .12 cents a 24 pack. Kevin likes to use Pantene for his hair--he has very long and thick hair---but for the kids and I, we are not picky---I bought 10 bottles of VO5 for .66 cents at CVS. I have no idea why I feel the need to buy so much of something when it is so cheap..... I sometimes get in my head, that I will never see that item for that price again.

Well, that is all for now--be back soon xoxoxo

Making a List!!

I am making a list and checking it twice :0) I have my sale ads right here and I am looking through it for good buys, so while Kevin is napping and Alexis is busy, I thought I would jump on here and tell you all about it.

I need everything from Produce to diapers--I bought Huggies at Costco, 258 for 37 dollars and I am down to my last 10, so I am going to buy a package until I can make it to Costco again. Costco is by my Grandmas so she comes with me when I go. I will most likely go to see her tomorrow.

Anyway, I am also out of bread flour, so I need some of that. I really want to get a lot of fruit and veggies, nothing says summer more then watermelon and fresh corn. I just love fresh corn. I took a chicken out last night to thaw, so I will be making that for dinner. I am in need of juice and milk too. Kevin and the kids drink 2%, but I drink skim. I also drink a lot of water but I add just a bit of juice for some flavor.

It is a beautiful day here in Cali---it felt so nice sitting in the sunshine while Alexis had her swimming lesson. I also made freinds with this lovely lady, that I so enjoy talking with---we are going to exchange numbers tomorrow--I wouldn't want to lose contact with her.

Also, my bathroom toilets needed a good swishing--and Baby was wide awake so I put him in his swing as I ran from toilet to toilet cleaning them--I am so glad I did, my best friend came over right as I finished....and of course had to use the bathroom before she lft...LOL.

She gave me some lovely Ann Geddes Stationary and a book called *God's Guiding Touch for Mothers*...and a cake!!!! Kevin didn't want me to cook since it was my birthday---he was going to get Pick Up Stix--(I love chinese food) but I told him no, get something everyone would enjoy--so of course pizza it was...LOL---easy clean up for me--YAY!!!

My MIL sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, they are on my dining room table----->

They smell glorious!!!!

Anyway, I must finish my grocery list-----You all have a wonderful and blessed day, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the Birthday wishes(((Great Big Hugs))))) xoxoxo

Today is my Birthday

Happy Tuesday to everyone!!! I turn 37 today--I can not believe it---it seems like yesterday I was turning 15;)

My husband got me a *Little Green Carpet Machine*--yay...and another cow to add to my collection. He felt bad about the carpet cleaner(he said he didn't want to buy me something that made me do more work----getting a french manicure just was not practical this year with a new baby..LOL)---and I told him, that is what I asked for, I wanted one so bad. In Georgia, my SIL let me use hers, and I was having so much fun going from room to room getting all the little spots removed---oh, I can not wait to use it. I tried yesterday, but I just could not find the time....The life of a busy mother---I would not have it any other way!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Tuesday and hugs to everyone!!! Thank you God, for a wonderful year:) xoxox

Monday

Happy Monday!!! What is everyone doing today? I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, and staying cool. I just love Monday's, it is always the start of something good. I have been busy getting ready for fall--buying school supplies and school clothes here and there, so it doesn't hit us all at once. I just love buying school supplies.

Tonight's dinner is going to be pork tenders that I am baking in the oven, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, salad and french bread.

Alexis is doing well with her swimming lessons----when her lessons finish in July, August will be the start of ballet.

Kevin will be 3 months on Thursday, and he is such a joy--he just started to giggle and it just melts my heart.

I have so much in my head that I want to post, but it will have to wait until I have more time----I will be back later--Have a great Monday xoxox

Final Step--Cake

Good Morning to all who visit. This is the last step of our cake, and I am so happy you have followed me along on this fun cake making adventure. A few years ago, my husband wanted me to make a special cake for my daughter, and I did not how or where to start, so my husband bought me a cake decorating kit at Michael's, and in the box this frosting spreader came with it. I frost all my cakes with it now, it makes for a nice smooth look. I am sure you can pick one of these up at any store for a few dollars--if not use a butter knife. :0)
Don't worry if some of the cake stayed in the pan, or it doesn't look real nice, the frosting hides all mistakes. Start by putting a good amount of frosting on the first cake (do you notice it is the backside of the cake, I did not turn it over) and frost it all around the middle, don't worry about the sides--the sides are done last. Yummy-->
Then take the second cake and flip it over onto the first cake-->
Start frosting the top and then work it all along the sides, until it is all covered up.

Great job!! It is all covered up and looks great--->
Take a lemon and cut it in rounds and then cut the rounds in half--try and cut the lemon thin------> (remove seeds too;)
Line the lemons all around the edge of the cake, you can even put one on the top of the cake--or do what Elizabeth suggested, a sprig of mint on the top--I bet the green looks beautiful
Ta-Da---all done.

We did it. The cake is moist and delicious and the lemon frosting is so refreshing for summer. I am so happy I was able to do this for the Ladies Finishing School, and please if there are any questions don't hesitate to ask. I hope you all have a fantastic Thursday xoxox

Lemon Frosting:

Good Morning/Afternoon. I hope the cake instructions were easy to follow. Now I am going to explain the Lemon Frosting. It was very easy to make, and it tasted wonderful.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups powdered sugar
Frosting:Beat cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, lemon rind, and vanilla together until smooth and fluffy. Add 3 cups powdered sugar and beat together. Add the additional 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat until creamy. Add more icing sugar or juice as needed for easy spreading.
First we need some lemon rind--I used my box grater, and used the small holes, but I always find it difficult to get all the lemon peel out of the grater, so I used the cheese grater pictured and then just chopped the rest of the peel really fine. If you have a microplane, use that--that is something I need to get:)
Put your softened cream cheese, softened butter, lemon rind, lemon juice and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Using your hand mixer cream together. Just like the cake recipe, you can also use your stand mixer or your own hand instead:
Then start adding the powdered sugar, after each cup mix it:
After all the powdered sugar is added, you come up with this wonderful creamy and yummy frosting:
Can you see how the mixing lines stay put in the frosting--nice and thick--but very easy to spread on our cake:

Tomorrows post will be how I frosted the cake.

I hope everyone has a Wonderful Wednesday, Thank you so much for stopping by xoxox


P.S. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask:)

Cake Instructions, Step by Step:

Good Morning/Afternoon to all who come and visit. I am so happy that some of you have already made the cake--it is a really yummy cake and easy to make. Today I am showing step by step instructions on how to make the cake---->

First make sure you have all the ingredients:

Yellow Cake:
2 3/4 Cup of All Purpose Flour
2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powdered
1/2 cup Butter or Margarine
1 3/4 cups Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla
2 Eggs
1 1/4 cups Milk


This is how I butter and flour my pans--I use two 9 inch rounds and I get a little baggy and put some butter on it and use my hand in the baggy to butter the pan all around:

Then I put a spoonful of flour in the pan and shake it all around until the flour is well coated all around the pan as shown:
These are my two well coated buttered and floured pans:
Now for the ingredients---use a measuring cup and measure out the amount of flour and use a butter knife or the side of the jar to measure evenly:
Pour the flour into

a bowl: salt:
Baking powder--put the bowl of dry ingredients aside:
In a mixing bowl put your room temperature butter or margarine in a mixing bowl and beat for about 30 seconds. I used a hand mixer, but you can also use a stand mixer or your own hand:)
Then add the sugar and the vanilla and beat until well combined:

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing one minute after each:

Add milk and the dry ingredients alternately, little by little, beating each time:
Beating:
Adding some of the flour:
All the ingredients are all together now:

Pour the mixture into the floured pans, and use a spatula to get every drop:

Here are the pans filled with the cake batter all ready to go into the oven:
Cook the cake at 375' for 30- 35 minutes---only you know your oven, so you will have to keep an eye on your cakes, my cake was actually done cooking at 26 minutes: I use the toothpick trick to make sure the cake is cooked all the way through. Stick a toothpick in the center and if it pulls out clean your cake is done:


See the toothpick is clean--cake is done--yay!!! I let the cake cool on that wire rack for about ten minutes, then I turned them over onto two plates and let them cool completely before I frosted them:

Tomorrow, I am going to show you step by step how I made the lemon frosting to go on the cake:) I hope you enjoyed my cake making adventure--have a wonderful Tuesday my friends!!!