Thanksgiving Wrap-up

Well, I just got back to Tuscaloosa after a wonderful Thanksgiving break. I wish there were two Thanksgiving Days, though because then I feel like it would have been a little more wonderful. Since Cory and I have been married we've been alternating who's family's Thanksgiving dinner we'll go to. This year it was my family's turn. I really enjoyed seeing my extended family and catching up with them but I did miss seeing Cory's side of the family. Good thing that Christmas is just around the corner. :)

Thank you to anyone who said a prayer for me since my last post. I was really stressed that week but things have simmered down a little. Since it was such a stressful week at school I decided to take off the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (we had to go to school on Mon & Tues). I'm so glad that I did because I got to see my sister, Angie, an extra day. I had not seen her since March and I won't get to see her until probably June, since she'll be with her fiance's family during Christmas. I tried to spend as much time possible with her and we had a blast. I hate that I missed seeing some friends who were in town (or live in town) but I'm hoping I'll see them during Christmas time and after since I'm MOVING BACK :)

Driving back to Tuscaloosa is always a little hard, especially after being home for almost a whole week, but I had a few things that made me smile along the way:

1. Christmas music playing (I heard almost all of my favorite Christmas songs)

2. The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining so bright and there were plenty of trees that still had their pretty red, orange, and yellow leaves on them.

3.I saw a calf getting a drink from his mother.

4. The Cujo-looking dog was clean and not so scary....Here's the story on this one. Have you ever seen the Stephen King movie Cujo? If you haven't then you're probably better off. It's about a Saint Bernard who's got rabies and lives at an abandoned house and terrorizes this family and town. I don't know what made me watch it but I did and it freaked me out. Cujo is really bloody and dirty. Here's a pic of him.

Well, a few weeks ago as I was driving to the Shoals I saw a dog that looked like Cujo (dirty dog minus the blood) outside of an old, run-down house. I wanted to take a picture of him but feared a movie reenactment and went on my way. I had not seen Cujo the last two times I've made the drive from Tuscaloosa to Muscle Shoals, but today I did! And he was clean and not so scary. It made me happy that the dog was not rabid and had some owners who kept him clean....wow, sorry for the random rant. Back to my list...

5. This should be my last time having to drive back to Tuscaloosa to our apartment!!! (knock on wood) Cory will be coming here the next few weekends to load up our furniture. Whoo hoo!

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. :)

Stressed

This is pretty much what I feel like right now. I've got "stressers" coming from many different angles and it makes me feel crazy! I would appreciate any prayers right now. I know things will be fine. Just needed to semi-vent.

On a happy note, I will be moving back home (with Cory) in 35 days! I can't wait!

Butterfinger Cake

Sunday is my cutie-of-a-husband's birthday. I can't believe Cory will be 29. We really are knocking on 30's door. For Cory's birthday this year I have made him a Butterfinger cake. I have chosen this cake for two reasons: one being Butterfingers are delicious and two it's an easy cake to make and doesn't require a cake saver. I guess that could be three reasons? Anyway, Cory is sweet and will forgive me for not making him a decorated or layered cake this year because I don't have any cake savers at our apartment now. I have already started packing up our apartment (because I move in Decemeber!!!) and the cake savers are currently being stored away.

This cake is really yummy and as I said before very easy to make. I got this recipe from my home church's cookbook a few years ago. I just love church cookbooks because they have the best recipes that normal people have made.

Here's what you need for the whole thing: (you can notice that the outlet in our apartment is upside down)hehe

1 box Devil's Food cake mix (and ingredients to make cake---eggs, vegetable oil, water)

1 (8oz) cream cheese, softened

1 (12oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed

1 can condensed milk

8oz caramel topping (you can just buy the 8 oz jar but I like the squeeze bottle)

4 large Butterfinger candy bars, chopped

Directions:

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Pour the cake in a prepared 9x13 pan and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
While the cake is baking you can chop your Butterfingers.
When the cake is done take out of the oven and start poking holes in it with a straw. You can do this while the cake is still warm. I love not having to wait for the cake to cool off! No, there's not a ghost at my house who poked the cake for me...I guess I'm just that pale. eew
It's pretty fun poking the holes. Sometimes I get carried away.
Now mix the condensed milk and caramel together (if you're using the 8 oz jar save a tad bit of caramel to drizzle on top).
Pour this mixture over the entire cake. See what the holes are for now? To help the cake soak up the yummy goodness. :)
Next brush 2 chopped Butterfinger bars on top of the cake.
Now mix the cream cheese and Cool Whip together.
Spread the topping on the cake.
Top with the other 2 candy bars and drizzle some caramel on the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Tada!
And to make it birthday appropriate:
Happy Birthday, Buckshot! You are the best and I'm super blessed to get to spend the rest of my life with you.

Carrot Cake

My mom’s birthday is today and I made her a Carrot Cake for our little celebration. For the past few years I have made mom a Carrot Cake because it’s one of her favorites. I’ve used different recipes for the cake but the one I’m sharing today is probably the easiest and very yummy. It’s easy because it uses a cake mix (mixed with other ingredients). I’ve made cakes from scratch plenty of times but I really like starting from a mix because you don’t have to worry if your baking soda is still good. :)

To make this cake you'll need:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 box vanilla instant pudding (3.4 oz)

2/3 cup orange juice

½ cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 tsp cinnamon

3 cups shredded carrots (about 5 carrots)

½ cup raisins

½ cup pecans or walnuts

Directions:

With an electric mixer combine the cake mix, pudding, orange juice, vegetable, eggs, and cinnamon together for about 3 minutes or until well blended. The smell of these ingredients combining is incredible. My mouth was watering as I was mixing.

Now fold in the raisins, carrots, and pecans.

Pour into two 9 inch greased cake pans.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool on a wire rack for about 35 minutes.

Now for the yummy cream cheese frosting:

2 (8 oz) cream cheese packages, room temp

1 stick butter, room temp

1 (16oz) box Confectioner sugar

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

Mix the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until fluffy then gradually add the sugar.

Mix until well combined.

If you’re using pecans you can fold them in.

I like to save mine for the sides of my cake.

Now frost your cake!

I’m usually pretty reserved when frosting the first layer because I’m always afraid I’ll run out of frosting so this time I was fairly generous.

This caused me to run out of frosting for decorating the top of the cake though.

Whoops!

I just filled in the center with some leftover pecans.

Well, I’m sure mom doesn’t mind that it looks kind of goofy.

I hope you have a fabulous birthday, Mom. Love you!