#24 Tres Leches

Kate loves a good Tres Leches cake.  In fact, it was one of the two cakes she picked out for her birthday earlier this month.

I found a recipe for a Chocolate Tres Leches cake, but knowing Kate isn't a huge chocolate fan, I substituted yellow cake and vanilla puddings in place of chocolate.

Shopping List

1 box of yellow cake mix

2 small boxes of instant vanilla pudding

1/2 cup of veggie oil

1 cup water

1/4 cup milk

4 eggs

1/2 cup Eagle Brand Milk

4 cups powdered sugar

1 stick butter, softened

2-3 splashes vanilla coffee creamer or milk

1/4 cup caramel topping (the kind you use for ice cream)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease a 10 inch bundt pan

In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, puddings, oil, water, milk and eggs with electric mixer.  Pour into prepared pan and bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let cake rest on counter in pan 10 minutes. Then, invert the cake onto a serving plate to finish cooling.  While the cake is still warm, take the end of a wooden spoon and poke holes across the top of your cake (visualize each piece you're cutting having one hole in it...so about 14 or so holes).  Drizzle Eagle Brand Milk down over the top of the cake and into the holes.  Let the cake finish cooling.

To make the frosting, use an electric mixer and combine powdered sugar with butter, coffee creamer (or milk) and caramel until you reach your desired frosting consistency.  Add more powdered sugar if it's too thin and more milk if it's too thick.  

Frost cooled cake.

I like using my French Vanilla Coffee Creamer in the frosting instead of milk because it gives it just a little bit more flavor...but by all means, use milk if you don't have any.

*This cake was incredibly moist!  So much that I couldn't move it from the wire rack to the cake plate without fearing it would completely break apart upon transfer.  Nonetheless - we ate it straight off the wire rack and it was very good...just like a Tres Leches cake!*

#23 Sock it to Me Bundt Cake

I found this recipe on Pinterest.  In fact, I've seen it pop up quite a bit on Pinterest.  I have no clue why it's called 'Sock it to Me' Cake....but if you know why,  I'd love to know.  

Anyways, we (mostly Kate) made this bundt cake with Grandpa Morgan in mind.

He hasn't been feeling well, so we thought this cake might lift his spirits a little.

Kate just mixing away...

1 box yellow cake mix

1 c sour cream

1/3 c vegetable oil

1/4 c sugar

1/4 c water

4 eggs

1/2 c walnuts chopped

2 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp melted butter

1 Tbsp milk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

frosting - I used a container of vanilla frosting.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl combine the cake mix,sour cream,oil,sugar,water and eggs. Beat until smooth and set aside.

2. In a separate bowl,combine the walnuts,brown sugar,cinnamon,melted butter,milk,and vannilla mixing well.

3. Pour half the cake mixture in to a greased and floured bundt pan then add nut mixture. Then top with the rest of cake mixture. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until done. cool in pan before transfering onto cake plate.

I don't know why they didn't include a frosting with this cake because it definitely needs one.  I decided to get a container of vanilla frosting, microwave it for 30 seconds, then drizzle over the cake.

We placed the cake in the carrier, added the recipe and a little Get Well tag... 

...and off to Grandpa's it went.

Hope this makes you feel better, Grandpa!!  We love you!!

Cinnamon-Apple Cake

Last week I got an email from my friend, Emily, with this recipe attached.  I think I've mentioned before that when I get a recipe recommendation from Emily, I make it, no questions asked.  This girl cooks almost every single night (and I'm not talking microwave meals or bologna sandwiches).....I've lost count of how many times I've told her to start a 'food' blog!

Anyways, this recipe was Cinnamon-Apple Cake.  After I read her email recommending it, over the phone she said "serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream".....and I was sold.  Plus the recipe said I could use my 9" springform pan which I have only used one other time.....

Emily was right...this cake is AWESOME served warm with a scoop of ice cream....but in the days to follow, this cake got better and better.  It didn't need to be warmed up or served with ice cream...  I caught myself walking past the cake plate at all hours of the day, cutting myself a small slice and continuing on...  That explains my 8lb weight gain in the last couple of months...  STOP BAKING ANGIE!

I made this cake two days ago and it's now all gone.  So make it.  You'll love it!

• 1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup stick margarine, softened $
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract $
• 6 ounces block-style fat-free cream cheese, softened (about 3/4 cup)
• 2 large eggs $
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 cups chopped peeled Rome apple (about 2 large) $
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Beat 1 1/2 cups sugar, margarine, vanilla, and cream cheese at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 4 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, beating at low speed until blended.
3. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Combine 2 tablespoons cinnamon mixture and apple in a bowl, and stir apple mixture into batter. 

1. 
   
2. Pour batter into an 8-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray, and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon mixture.
3. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan. Cool the cake completely on a wire rack, and cut using a serrated knife.
4. Note: You can also make this cake in a 9-inch square cake pan or a 9-inch springform pan; just reduce the cooking time by 5 minutes.

Career Day

It's College Week at Ashlan's school.  Each day they get to do/wear something different, such as wear a hat representing your favorite college, etc...

Today is Dress As Your Career Day.  

Last year, Ashlan dressed as a Marine Biologist.  

See that post here

This year, for the past 4-5 months, Ashlan has been crazy interested in Air Traffic Controllers.

She watches online videos of planes landing, listens to air traffic control feeds online, etc..

We've gone to the small local airport twice just to sit along the fence and watch the planes take off and land. 

She's even gone out to visit some of Papa's friends at another local airport nearby to sit inside and explore the airplanes..

With all that being said, for Career Day this year, Ashlan wanted to dress as an Air Traffic Controller.

That's her dream right now...To work in the tower as an Air Traffic Controller.

We started by making her a lanyard tag.

She needed to have a Full Access Security Pass to get in/out of airport tower.

I used iron-on letters for the front of the shirt

And then ironed on a picture of a plane taking off 

in front of the Control Tower onto the back of the shirt.

And her much needed props were a headset with mic and a cup of coffee!

 Much have that cup of coffee to stay awake while on the job!

And off to school she goes to explain her career path of choice - Air Traffic Control

#22 Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake

It's January....that's why I went with the Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake for this week...

Seemed like an appropriate cake for a cold week!

I had the dry hot chocolate mix and the mini marshmallows already on hand, so it was a go!

Ingredients

Cake
• 2 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder 
• 1/2 cup dry hot chocolate mix
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 oz milk chocolate, melted
• 5 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
Glaze
• 6 oz milk chocolate
• 2 Tbsp dry hot chocolate mix
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 325°

Spray 10" bundt pan liberally with baking spray.

Sift together flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix. 

Set aside.

In large mixing bowl (or stand mixer) cream together you butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add in sugar and beat on medium about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.

In microwave safe bowl, melt milk chocolate on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring after each. 

Add to butter mixture and mix until incorporated.

Add in eggs, one at a time, mixing well in between each and then add vanilla.

Turn mixer to low and slowly add in your sifted dry ingredients.

When just mixed in, turn mixer up to medium and beat for 2 minutes.

Fill your pan with batter and bake for 1 hour, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool in pan and then transfer to wire rack.

Glaze
In small saucepan over low heat melt milk chocolate, 2 Tbsp dry hot chocolate mix, heavy cream and butter together until melted, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
Pour over cooled cake.
Garnish with mini marshmallows or Marshmallow Bits

Crockpot Lasagna

If you have a crockpot and you like lasagna, make this!!!!

Last week was the 3rd time we've had this and I can't believe I've never shared it before.

You will never make lasagna any other way after having it this way, crockpot style.

Just another perk to this recipe, you don't have to cook the noodles...huge plus for me!

1

pound bulk Italian sausage

1

medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

3

cans (15 ounces each) Italian-style tomato sauce

2

teaspoons dried basil leaves

1/2

teaspoon salt

2

cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)

1

container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese

1

cup grated Parmesan cheese

15

uncooked lasagna noodles

1. Cook sausage and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, basil and salt.
2. Mix 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses. (Refrigerate remaining mozzarella cheese while lasagna cooks.)
3. Spoon one-fourth of the sausage mixture into 6-quart slow cooker; top with 5 noodles, broken into pieces to fit. Spread with half of the cheese mixture and one-fourth of the sausage mixture. Top with 5 noodles, remaining cheese mixture and one-fourth of the sausage mixture. Top with remaining 5 noodles and remaining sausage mixture.
4. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours or until noodles are tender.
5. Sprinkle top of lasagna with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into pieces.

Makes 8 servings

Buy some garlic bread and a salad to add to this already delicious dinner!

I Spy...

I spy a cute boy in the Richardson Living magazine.

Since we don't live in Richardson, we don't get a copy....

Thanks for the picture and the heads up that it's out this month, Lisa Cheeks!!

Somehow I'll manage to get us a copy...

#21 Irish Cream Bundt Cake

This week's bundt cake is Irish Cream, and not because it's an early St Patrick's Day celebration for us.

It is because Notre Dame plays in the Championship game tonight against Alabama!

So tonight's menu will be Irish Stew and Irish Cream Bundt Cake for dessert..

I had Irish Cream liquor on hand, luckily.

I know the icing looks a bit slimy, but it's not.  Just looks that way.

I am so excited to take a bite out of this cake tonight. It smells sooo good!

Irish Cream Bundt Cake Recipe 

1 cup chopped pecans
1 (18 1/2 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup irish cream
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup irish cream (eyeball it)
Green Food Coloring and Green Sprinkles ~if Desired

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
3. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over botttom of pan.
4. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix.
5. Mix in eggs, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup oil and 3/4 cup Irish cream liqueur.
6. Beat for 5 minutes at high speed.
7. Pour batter over nuts in pan.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
9. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert onto the serving dish.
10. While the cake is still hot, prick top of the cake with a straw ; (Preferably one of the large ones that come with the Slurpees from 7-Eleven) slowly pour 1/2 of the 1/4 Cup of Irish cream slowly down each hole. (Straw should be 1 1/2 to 2" deep.
11. Allow Cake to cool completely before making the Glaze.

To make the glaze:
In a saucepan, combine butter and 1/2 cup sugar.
Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in 1/8cup Irish cream and food coloring.
1. Spoon glaze over top and brush onto sides of cake.
2. Allow to absorb glaze repeat until all glaze is used up.
3. Coat the top of the cake with Green Sprinkles.

Let's Go Irish!!!

State Quarters

One day, as we were searching the house for coins laying around, Ashlan noticed most of the quarters had different states on them.  She immediately started separating the coins to see what states she had and didn't have.  She was keeping note of all the states via paper and pen.  That's when I remembered seeing a book, at one time, where you could collect and store your quarters..

So, I went on Amazon and found this...

Perfect.

We ordered it and it arrived 2 days later.  Ashlan immediately screeched with excitement, got down on the floor, and starting placing her quarters in the correct state spots..

I love this collectors map.  Not only does it display your quarters for you (very securely, I must add), it also gives several fun facts on each state.  A great learning tool, along with lots of fun!

Now Ashlan can see what states she has and what states she still needs to find...

Currently, she has 42 of the states!!

She can't wait to complete her collectors map!

Kate is a Teenager!

On Jan. 3, Kate turned 13. 

 She had been looking forward to this birthday for a LONG time! 

Eager, eager to be a teenager!

For her birthday cake, she didn't pick your traditional white or chocolate cake.

She opted for two different cakes.

1. Tres Leches

2. Pineapple Upside Down

Yum!

Flashback to the day before her birthday....

She got to attend a Basketball Camp with Nancy Lieberman

 On her birthday eve, she went to a friends house where several friends were having a party for her....

While she was over there, Ashlan and I decorated her room...

Then Kate and her friends came back to our house to spend the night..

Kate was excited to be able to WAKE UP on her birthday with her best friends by her side..

The girls stayed up until 4:30am playing in the hot tub...

(blurry picture with my phone)

 ..constant talking and giggling...

...and watching lots of movies...

Happy 13th Birthday, Kate!!  We love you!!

My Favorite Things

I know you are aware of Oprah's Favorite Things....in fact, I think Ellen Degeneres now shares her favorite things in her 12 Days of Giveaways shows in December.

Then I got to thinking.....If I had my own show and could give away my favorite things, what would they be??  Honestly, it didn't require much thought because I know exactly what my favorite things are...

Here is what I would give away, if I had my own show....

My Favorite Things

Hunter Boots

I love my Hunter boots.  I wear them in the rain, snow, and cold weather.

Last year, I remember walking the streets of Montreal on a rainy day and I kept spotting all these pedestrians wearing boots that said 'Hunter' at the top.  They were TALL boots and seemed to come in all colors.. I think 'Hunter' boots had been popular for awhile, but I'm not a shoe snob so I wouldn't know.  In fact, I'm doing good if I walk into the Nordstrom shoe department once a year. 

Anyways - in Montreal, I made a point to tell Brent 'look at the boots all these girls are wearing (kids too)'....to which he replied 'Let's find a store right now where we can buy some for you'.  I love that man.  And that's where the Hunter Boot love started - in Montreal on a rainy day.  I would love to have a pair in every color!  

Clarisonic

I have had the Clarisonic for over a year now, and I use it twice a day.

I am here to tell you it makes a difference!!!!  It's the ultimate skin cleanser.

I get facials once a month and my facial girl had been trying to convince me for over two years to purchase one.  

I never would.

Then one day, something clicked. I bought it.  Best decision for my face, ever!

Hand Mixer

Yes, just the basic hand mixer.  Nothing fancy, and it's my favorite. I bake almost every single day.

I can't live without my hand mixer.  I'm not even willing to branch over to those huge, expensive KitchenAid stand mixers

My simple hand mixer is simply amazing....

Fekkai Hair Products -Summer

I love Fekkai Products.  They are my summer hair products. Plus, we travel to tropical destinations every year, and these products travel right along with us.  From spray conditioner, to getting the perfect beach wave hair - if you are out in the sun a lot getting your hair wet (pool or ocean), you need to try these products!  I won't use anything else when I get out of the ocean or pool!

Nikon D7000

Best camera ever.

(sorry about blurry picture)

Sexy Little Things - NOIR Body Wash, Lotion and Spray

I don't think I could live without this stuff.  It smells the BEST!

I don't wear perfume, but I will drown myself in this stuff.  Love it!

It's on my Christmas/Birthday List every year, PLUS whenever I walk into Victoria's Secret, I buy some whether I'm running low or not.  Seriously, I probably have a year + supply on hand.  Okay, it's an obsession.

Altar'd State

Best store EVER!  Buy online or go to the closest location (mine is Stonebriar Mall in Frisco)

I love their clothes, shoes, accessories, books....

I've heard this store referred to as "A Jesus Loving, Cheaper Version of Anthropologie Store"

Not only are their clothes SUPER adorable, they are Christian!  They love God!

You can find devotionals at the check out counter, Christmas music playing overhead, phone covers and key chains that say "With God, Anything is Possible", etc.....

Oh, and a huge positive - Monday's are Mission Monday....a percentage of their sales on Monday go to missions...AWESOME!!!  Go check them out!  Click on Altar'd State above, it'll take you to their website.

If I had my own show, I would give out HUGE gift cards to this store!

Eminence - Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer

I use A LOT of Eminence products, from facial cleaners to sunscreens..

But a favorite of mine that I can't live without is the Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer.

One container of this will last you a year.  I put this moisturizer on every night before bed.  It's thick and creamy so you don't need much at all.  A little bit of this goes a long, long way.

Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara

One thing I don't splurge on is cosmetics.  I only wear powder, blush, lipstick and mascara (occasional eye liner for special events).  I do not wear or even own foundation or eye shadow.  First of all, I can't apply eye shadow.  It's a shame I know.  I've even gone to the MAC and Clinique counters and had them show me how to apply eye shadow.  I left both times eager to take it off.  So I stick with powder, blush, lipstick, and mascara ALL from the local grocery store cosmetic aisle.  One thing I don't like to switch out for something new is my Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara.  It works exactly like I want it too.... I have tried lots and lots of mascara's over my years....this is my favorite.

The Big Bang Theory

It's true.  I love this show! I don't miss an episode.

Our whole universe was in a hot dense state,
Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started--Wait!
The Earth began to cool,
The autotrophs began to drool,
Neanderthals developed tools,
We built a wall (we built the pyramids),
Math, science, history,
Unraveling the mystery,That all started with the Big Bang! BANG!

If I had my own show, I'd give every audience member the box series of this show!

Instagram

In my small opinion, Facebook is OUT and Instagram is IN

Instagram is all about life through pictures!!!!

And I just love it!!!

I'm not sure how this falls into my 'Favorite Things' List because it's not really a thing...

It is free, though...and I'm a huge fan!

Follow me at angiemorgan77

Pearl Earrings

Ah, the classic pearl earrings.  Pearl earrings are my earring of choice.

It's my every day earring, actually.  If you spot me at the grocery store, or the local mall,  school function, or the  movie theatre, check my ears - I'll be sporting small pearls.  And no, they won't be real.  I have 5-6 pairs of fake pearl earrings that I wear constantly.  A simple small pearl earring makes any velour outfit, sweat pant day, or work out clothing day seem a touch fancier.  I even sleep in them...

Keurig Coffee Maker

I'm not the biggest coffee fan, at all.  I don't really care for the taste.

But I do drink it every day. Sometimes more than one cup. Don't ask me why.

I do love this coffee maker.  It seems to be so popular - does anyone NOT have one?

I think it's fun to buy different flavor cups of coffee, hot cocoa, apple cider, teas, mochas, etc...

Target Sunglasses

Yes, I am that girl who spends half an hour trying on sunglasses at Target.

Do I have designer sunglasses?  Yes.  In fact, several pairs...  Do I lose them?  Every time.

So the designer glasses I have managed NOT to lose yet - I don't wear.  They are in their cases in a drawer.

Those 5-6 pairs of Target sunglasses I own - wear them every day.  Never lost ONE PAIR.

I love Target sunglasses.

Michael Kors Watch

My favorite go-to watch.  It's a favorite thing of mine that I've had for a few years and I hope it lasts a lifetime!

You'll almost always see me wearing it.

Chanel Handbags

Okay, this is where I allow myself to splurge.  Not on shoes, not on sunglasses, and not even on designer clothes....

I'm a sucker for Chanel handbags.  It's not my fault.  The blame falls on my husband. It's all his fault.

Two years ago for my birthday he came home with a Neiman Marcus bag.  WHAT IS IN THAT?  I hardly ever walk through Neiman's....WHAT DID HE GET?

The boy got me the most beautiful Chanel purse.  (not the one pictured below...I just happened to find that Chanel image and posted it here - although it is a pretty bag)

I had never mentioned Chanel to him, nor owned anything Chanel.  Come to find out he wanted to surprise me with something different  - and that he did.

I fell in love.  I loved that purse so much that I raved about it to him day after day after day...

I guess he took it as a hint because for every birthday and holiday thereafter, I've gotten another Chanel bag from him.

They are my favorite!!!

So now you know what my Favorite Things are...  

If I ever get my own talk show (not planning or dreaming about it though), I hope I can get each and every one of you those things listed above!