Oh yeah, I found yet another amazing sound dessert creation to make! It's called a Cookie Cake Pie and it pretty much is just what it sounds like. You take a round pie pan, and roll out a homemade or store bought pie crust on the bottom. You take chocolate chip cookie dough and spread it on top of the pie crust until it's about an inch thick. Then, you mix up some Funfetti cake mix and pour it on top of the cookie dough until the pie pan is about 2/3 full. It will spread and rise while baking.
After its cooked in a 35o degree oven for around 30-40 minutes, remove and let cool. One completely cooled, spread buttercream frosting on the top and put some fun sprinkles on top! I'm making this concoction for a graduation party I'm attending on Saturday. Needless to say, I've been sneaking bites of the cookie dough since I bought it on Wednesday. I'll take a picture when it's complete and let you know how it tastes. It may be coming to a party near you if it gets approval this weekend!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
5 Days!
Only 5 measly days until my trip up North! Oh how I've been anxiously awaiting this trip and getting to see my high school friends T & C. I fly into Philly on Wednesday and later that evening we have reservations at our favorite Moroccan food joint called Casablanca. For $22, you get a 6 course authentic meal that will rock your world. Thursday we'll head to H&M for some tax-free shopping and then after lunch we're catching a bus into NYC.
Our original plan was to drive to New Jersey, park in a parking garage and catch the ferry into the city. However, upon learning the price was close to $50 a day to park, we quickly vetoed that idea. It's cheaper to catch the 2 hour bus into the city and we'll head right to our C's apartment in Manhattan. Friday we're going to sight-see and take advantage of the pay what you can event at the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). The rest of the trip will be more sightseeing, shopping and eating. I'm so excited!
I was quite interested to learn that starting on the 25th, Times Square will be closed to cars. It's been transformed into a "Pedestrian Promenade" until the end of the year. Times Square is a crazy, loud packed place where pedestrians fight with cars to get across the street. The mayor hopes it will reduce accidents and bring back the old charm of Times Square. They have set up tables and beach chairs for people to relax at during the day.
*picture found on Yahoo news*Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Vampires Everywhere
I went to Barnes and Noble last night in an effort to stock up on books to read on the airplane next week. My favorite thing is to peruse the sale rack and snag books for $4-5 that look good. I could spend hours in the bookstore looking at the covers and reading the synopsis on the inside of the book jacket. I don't really have a method to my madness for picking books, I just try to find ones that look interesting.
While I was roaming the store, I couldn't help but notice the ridiculous amount of books that deal with vampires. You can definitely blame it on the Twilight series, as there were never that many books being shown so predominately in the store. It's almost a blatant in-your-face, if you love Twilight and you love vampires you'll love my book, kind of deal. A friend of mine had suggested reading the Sookie Stackhouse series, which is the basis of the HBO vampire series True Blood. I picked up the first book in the series because it's apparently very humorous and entertaining to read.
What's funny to me is that most of these vampire books are targeted to the "young adult" readers. It would appear that us older and more mature readers would have no interest in the vampire lure. Twilight was tarted to young adults and I would guess about half of it's loyal readers were over 25! The Sookie Stackhouse series is targeted to the older crowd, so I'm excited to start reading it next Wednesday. My dang plane leaves at 6am, so I'll be needing something to keep me occupied while I wait for the plane to depart.
While I was roaming the store, I couldn't help but notice the ridiculous amount of books that deal with vampires. You can definitely blame it on the Twilight series, as there were never that many books being shown so predominately in the store. It's almost a blatant in-your-face, if you love Twilight and you love vampires you'll love my book, kind of deal. A friend of mine had suggested reading the Sookie Stackhouse series, which is the basis of the HBO vampire series True Blood. I picked up the first book in the series because it's apparently very humorous and entertaining to read.
What's funny to me is that most of these vampire books are targeted to the "young adult" readers. It would appear that us older and more mature readers would have no interest in the vampire lure. Twilight was tarted to young adults and I would guess about half of it's loyal readers were over 25! The Sookie Stackhouse series is targeted to the older crowd, so I'm excited to start reading it next Wednesday. My dang plane leaves at 6am, so I'll be needing something to keep me occupied while I wait for the plane to depart.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Weekend Wrap-Up
Another busy and fun weekend for the books. Friday night we went to a neighbor's BBQ in the hood and had a good time. Saturday managed to fit in the gym, and then went for a boat ride with Hubby. We got caught in the rain for over an hour and finally decided to make a run for home. Poor Hubby was getting pounded by rain as I sat down in the cabin all nice and dry!
We had a full boat group on Sunday, over 14 of us, and we were going to have to make two trips to the beach. Unfortunately, the minute we stepped foot on the boat, it started to pour. We attempted to wait it out, but it went on for a good 40 minutes before we gave up. It had turned cooler and the sun was hidden behind some thick, dark clouds. We decided to head back to our house and have a cookout. We made awesome burgers and ate chips and dip and talked until the sun came out about 4ish. A group decision was made to attempt the boat again, and we went to Turtle Cove for about 3 hours. The smaller group of friends took off after that, which left 6 of us to party. We went and got some awesome ribeye steaks and potatoes and finally ate dinner around midnight. We felt very European! Talking, laughing and singing ensued until around 2am, when most of us called it quits. Hubby and two friends headed to the Man Cave out back to watch the movie Team America.
We rolled out of bed around 9am on Monday and headed to the Lakehouse Cafe for some yummy breakfast. The boat was loaded up around noon and we set sail for the beach. The weather was beautiful and we were so happy to get some sun. We took the two small dogs and one big dog and they had a blast running around the beach. Plenty of food was passed around between the three other boats that met up with us. We lounged on the beach and in the water, which was the perfect temperature. We finally called it a day around 6pm and headed back to the house. Our friends packed up and left, and Hubby and I crashed on the couch to relax. Even with the rain, it was a very fun Memorial Day weekend.
We had a full boat group on Sunday, over 14 of us, and we were going to have to make two trips to the beach. Unfortunately, the minute we stepped foot on the boat, it started to pour. We attempted to wait it out, but it went on for a good 40 minutes before we gave up. It had turned cooler and the sun was hidden behind some thick, dark clouds. We decided to head back to our house and have a cookout. We made awesome burgers and ate chips and dip and talked until the sun came out about 4ish. A group decision was made to attempt the boat again, and we went to Turtle Cove for about 3 hours. The smaller group of friends took off after that, which left 6 of us to party. We went and got some awesome ribeye steaks and potatoes and finally ate dinner around midnight. We felt very European! Talking, laughing and singing ensued until around 2am, when most of us called it quits. Hubby and two friends headed to the Man Cave out back to watch the movie Team America.
We rolled out of bed around 9am on Monday and headed to the Lakehouse Cafe for some yummy breakfast. The boat was loaded up around noon and we set sail for the beach. The weather was beautiful and we were so happy to get some sun. We took the two small dogs and one big dog and they had a blast running around the beach. Plenty of food was passed around between the three other boats that met up with us. We lounged on the beach and in the water, which was the perfect temperature. We finally called it a day around 6pm and headed back to the house. Our friends packed up and left, and Hubby and I crashed on the couch to relax. Even with the rain, it was a very fun Memorial Day weekend.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bunko Babes
Last night was our monthly Bunko meeting in the neighborhood. T picked me up and we headed over to eat some yummy food, drink Pina Colada's, admire the view, and play Bingo. Normally we play the dice game called Bunko, but we switched it up this time and played Bingo. A friend had borrowed an old-school Bingo machine and cards. I feel sorry for the next-door neighbors after last night. We were hooting and hollering and making a lot of noise. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt!
After someone one a game, we all smacked our cards against the tables and sang the kiddie song "Bingo." Oh yes, did I mention the drinks were flowing freely? The hosts daughter surprised me with a birthday present. She is an amature photographer, and had taken a picture of me on the boat a few weekends ago. She found a photo she liked, transferred it to thick paper, and made a black and white copy. She then used photo pencils and colored it in to really make the photo pop. This is a crummy version, since it's from my phone, but the original is amazing.
After she turns it in today for a grade, she's giving me the original! I was totally shocked and thrilled, you could tell she put a lot of time and effort into the piece.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I'm In Love With This Song
It's called "When The Wind Blows" by All-American Rejects. Check out this slice of musical heaven:
Fortune Cookie Wisdom
"A quiet evening with friends is the best tonic for a long day." Oh mister fortune cookie, you have no idea! That quote was from my fortune cookie from last night's dinner. My girls took me and T to P.F. Changs to celebrate our birthdays. It's always the longest day in the world when I have an event planned with the girls. The clock ticks away and the day drags on, and I probably send a million emails bitching about how long it was taking to get to 5 o'clock.
We all laughed and ate our way through the appetizers when K announced she had a game for us. We all about fell off our chairs because K is not a big game girl, so we figured hell had frozen over! She let us know there was something for each of us and it had an underlying message. Being the bossy girl I am, I grabbed the bag, reached in and pulled out a small baggie. When I pulled the bag out, there was a little cookie in the shape of a foot. Perplexed at first, I read the inscription, which read, "Aunt G." It took all of 5 seconds for me to get the message, and I hid the cookie and passed the bag along. T got the bag next, pulled out her cookie, and we immediately bust into tears. K was announcing her pregnancy to the group!
Needless to say, lots of cheers, laughs, tears and hugs ensued for the next 10 minutes. It was the most adorable way to let us in on her secret. We proceeded to shoot the shit and make summer plans throughout dinner. From seeing Mamma Mia, celebrating K's bday on the boat for the 4th, and our girls trip to Lost Pines. Being surrounded by these wonderful women and friends is amazing, and I feel so blessed to share these important moments with the group.
I look forward to many quiet evenings with friends (lord knows they're never really quite thought) and hope the traditions we're forming and love that we have for each other lasts a lifetime. Now that the girls are popping out the next generation of LC's, we have a lot to look forward to!
We all laughed and ate our way through the appetizers when K announced she had a game for us. We all about fell off our chairs because K is not a big game girl, so we figured hell had frozen over! She let us know there was something for each of us and it had an underlying message. Being the bossy girl I am, I grabbed the bag, reached in and pulled out a small baggie. When I pulled the bag out, there was a little cookie in the shape of a foot. Perplexed at first, I read the inscription, which read, "Aunt G." It took all of 5 seconds for me to get the message, and I hid the cookie and passed the bag along. T got the bag next, pulled out her cookie, and we immediately bust into tears. K was announcing her pregnancy to the group!
Needless to say, lots of cheers, laughs, tears and hugs ensued for the next 10 minutes. It was the most adorable way to let us in on her secret. We proceeded to shoot the shit and make summer plans throughout dinner. From seeing Mamma Mia, celebrating K's bday on the boat for the 4th, and our girls trip to Lost Pines. Being surrounded by these wonderful women and friends is amazing, and I feel so blessed to share these important moments with the group.
I look forward to many quiet evenings with friends (lord knows they're never really quite thought) and hope the traditions we're forming and love that we have for each other lasts a lifetime. Now that the girls are popping out the next generation of LC's, we have a lot to look forward to!
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