Valentines Day Its All About Love

What is it about valentines day that makes some people panic ( mostly men, sorry to those fellas who read my blog). I don't think my husband feels any pressure on valentine's day. If he does he has never expressed it.

He always picks a beautiful card and writes something sweet inside that usually makes me cry...sigh... he has a way of sharing his heart through words that always brings a tear of delight.
He usually buys me flowers. I love carnations. They are often referred to as the poor mans rose. But I just love them. He does like to give me roses too. Because he likes the tradition. Then we have a nice dinner. We either make something we both enjoy ( this year steamed crab legs and seared scallops) or he has me pick a restaurant. Easy peazy.

For me I usually make him something. His favorite over the years was a simple jar wrapped with ribbon and filled with little notes. Each note had something I love about him written on it. I think I wrote on about a hundred pieces of paper that year. I could have kept writing, but it's nice to save some things for another time. I have made cards,pies,cookies,cakes, videos, paintings,drawings,photographs, written poems, etc. He prefers something I make, and it always feels good to know that I created something just for him.

So what's the big fuss? Relax, tell someone you love them. Give them a sweet note or card and spend some quality time together. If you're feeling crafty make a little something. It'll be the best valentines day ever.

If you don't currently have a partner ( or want one) it's the perfect time to do something special for yourself. Read a great book, watch a movie, soak in the tub. The possibilities are limitless. 

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Wordless Wednesday 70th Celebration Wish

Mom's Birthday Celebration 2010

Wordless Wednesday Cupcakes

Decadent Chocolate Cake

Decadent Chocolate Cake

What You Need

*Cake
Unsalted butter, softened (for pans)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (plus more for pans)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
3/4 cup warm water
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Sifter
Wire cooling racks
Mixer (or Bowl and hand mixer)
2-8 inch round cake pans (2 inches deep)
* Chocolate frosting (recipe follows)
Before You Start: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter cake pans and dust with cocoa

Lets Make It! Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined. Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.. Divide batter between pans. Bake about 35 minutes (until set and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean). Let cool for 15 minutes. Turn out from pans. Transfer, faceup, to wire racks. Let cool completely. Spread 2 cups chocolate frosting onto top of 1 cooled layer. Top with remaining layer; frost top and sides with remaining 2 cups frosting.

*Frosting

2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt (about ¼ tsp)
6 oz. cream cheese, (softened)
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
9 oz. bittersweet chocolate (melted and cooled slightly)
3/4 cup creme fraiche (or sour cream)
Lets Make It! In a bowl sift together sugar, cocoa, and salt. Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Reduce speed to medium-low; gradually add sugar-cocoa mixture, and beat until combined. Pour in chocolate in a slow, steady stream. Add creme fraiche; beat until combined and smooth.

Super Simple Mud Pie

Super Simple Mud Pie

What You need 

• 24  chocolate sandwich cookies ( Oreos or Hydrox), finely crushed
• 4  tablespoons unsalted butter( melted)
• 2  pints vanilla ice cream
• 2  pints coffee ice cream
• 12  chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos), coarsely crushed
• 1  cup bottled fudge sauce( at room temperature)
• 1/2  cup plus 2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
• 2  cups heavy cream
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1/2  teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate sauce, for drizzling 
• 9 inch Pie Plate
• Food Processor

BeforeYou Start : Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lets Make It!

Crust: Finely crush cookies with food processor.  In a medium-size bowl, stir melted butter into cookie crumbs until moistened. Press into the bottom and up the sides of  pie plate.

Bake crust at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes. Filling: Remove ice creams from freezer; soften for 5 minutes. Transfer vanilla ice cream to a bowl; stir until good spreading consistency. Repeat with coffee ice cream. Spread vanilla ice cream into cooled crust and spread level. Sprinkle with coarsely crushed cookie crumbs and spread coffee ice cream over top; spread level. Freeze for 2 hours.
Carefully spread top of pie with fudge sauce; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the almonds. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
 Remove pie from freezer. Let stand at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
 Meanwhile, whip heavy cream, sugar and vanilla extract on high speed until medium peaks form. Spread whipped cream over pie. Sprinkle with remaining almonds and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

Find more yummy recipes at GO ASK KATIE

Chocolate Spiders

Easy to make chocolate spiders. A fun and yummy Halloween treat

What You Need:Chocolate-covered cream-filled snack cakes
Mini chocolate cream-filled snack cakes
Black licorice laces
M&M's
Chocolate and vanilla icing ( icing piping bag) or icing in the tube
Toothpicks

Let's Make them:

Use a toothpick to poke eight holes in cake, insert licorice laces into holes and trim ends to desired length.

Attach M&M's as eyes using dots of icing. Pipe dots of chocolate icing for pupils and create fangs by piping small bits of vanilla icing.