Obsessions

So, I think I have kind of an obsession problem. I go through spurts with things (food, TV, clothing, etc.) and can't get enough of a particular thing for weeks at a time. For example, during strawberry season, I went through an oatmeal obsession and ate oatmeal with fresh strawberries everyday for over four weeks.


Here are my most recent obsessions:


1. Bunheads. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this show! I'm actually watching it as I am blogging. If you haven't watched it, catch up with it online. It was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who created Gilmore Girls. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't get enough Gilmore Girls. I'm still going through withdrawal and the show has been cancelled for years. Sutton Foster is an amazing actress, singer, and dancer and she is even a Tony award winner. Okay, seriously... GO WATCH IT! NOW NOW NOW! New episodes every Monday at 9pm :)

2. Brussel sprouts. A couple of weeks ago, my boss brought me lunch and there were brussel sprouts involved. As of today, I have had brussel sprouts for at least one meal for the past four days. 

2. Claussen dill pickles. I have one dill pickle spear every day when I get home from work to hold me over until I am done making supper. Can't just be any dill pickle -- MUST be Claussen, "never heated," dill pickles.

3. Starbucks Pike Place roast K-cups. I actually don't like Pike Place roast brewed from Starbucks, or even when I brew it in a normal coffee pot at home, but I LOVE the K-cups. I think that when it's brewed normally, it's a little stronger than I like my coffee, but since I don't think normal K-cups are strong enough, the Pike Place K-cups are perfect. 

4. My Smith+Nephew Bone Healing System. It is a low frequency ultrasound machine that I strap to my leg with the hopes of my Tibia actually healing. The theory behind it is that the low frequency ultrasound increases blood flow to the area, blood flow promotes bone healing, and (hopefully) heals my stubborn Tibia. I have to do it at least once a day, preferably two, for 20 minutes. It's a $4,000 machine -- THANK GOD for health insurance. 

5. My "heatwave orange" broken in straight fit khakis from the Gap. I change into them when I get home from work several times a week. Jordan made some comment about me wearing the pants three or four days in one week. I am considering getting a second pair, but it's hard to think of another color to get when I already have the best color the pants came in. LOVE them, and even though they are orange, they go with a lot of colors. It's weird that I own orange pants because for the most part, the only colors I wear are white, black, navy, and gray; but all those colors look cute with the orange. Hah!

Anniversary Cake

As I mentioned in my previous post, Pap and Grandma celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last month. I didn't know what to get them, so I decided to make them a cake to celebrate! Making a cake is truly a labor of love for me because I really don't enjoy making cake, or cupcakes, or anything cake like. I'd make 8593085943 pies over making one cake. 


I decided I was going to go balls-to-the-wall and make a really special cake that Aunt Lori always makes her family. It's a toffee cake that she got from Taste of Home. I LOVE it, but it is a lot of work. It's not hard at all, just a lot of tedious steps. I probably wouldn't make it again unless someone specifically asked for it or if I just wanted it myself -- HAH!

Tiramisu Toffee Torte


Ingredients


For the Cake:
1 package (18 1/4 ounces) white cake mix
1 cup strong brewed coffee, room temperature
4 egg whites
4 Heath candy bars (1.4 ounces each), chopped


For the Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup chocolate syrup 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream
6 Tablespoons strong brewed coffee, room temperature
1 Heath candy bar (1.4 ounces), chopped


Directions


Line two greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, coffee and egg whites; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Fold in chopped candy bars.


Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.


For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the whipping cream. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.


Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the coffee. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat twice. Top with the remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with chopped candy bar. Store in the refrigerator. 


Yield: 12-14 servings.

It's Been Too Long...

I know... I have REALLY sucked at blogging lately. I really have no excuse. I went back to work after being off for over 8 months because my car accident, and the last thing I want to do when I get home is blog. Not because I don't enjoy it -- mostly because I don't have the mental capacity to think of anything to write about after working for 8 hours, making dinner, and cleaning up. 


Today, Jordan and I, along with the rest of the family, made a last minute trip down to Aunt Lori's house to bring some of her old furniture up for my brother-in-law who recently moved into a new house just down the road from me. It also happened to be her husband, Jeff's, birthday, so she had a little party for him, too!

Happy 55th Birthday, Uncle Jeff! 

We had BBQ pork sandwiches, BBQ ham sandwiches, meatball sandwiches, steamed clams, potato salad, chips and salsa, etc. And for dessert, Aunt Lori made a home made coconut cake, oreo cupcakes, and had ice cream from the Penn State creamy to go along with the cake. Everything was amazing and I practiced absolutely no self control. 


She also had an "anniversary pie" for Pap and Grandma's 55th wedding anniversary. Pap and Grandma's anniversary is actually in June, but this was the first time the majority of the family has been able to get together to celebrate.

Pap, Eve, and Grandma blowing out the candles on the 55th Wedding Anniversary Strawberry Pie!

Anyway, it was a looooong day for me. It was hot and humid out, I definitely over ate, and sitting next to a talkative 3-year-old for a 2 hour car ride is exhausting. Eventually Eve tired herself out, too!

Sleeping Beauty :)