Birthday Cake MisAdventure

Yesterday was my birthday, and I was REALLY excited about making my birthday cake.  Years ago, I saw a recipe in Southern Living for a chocolate Groom's cake with blackberries on it- two of my FAVORITEST things.

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My mom made it for my 18th birthday party. My twin sister made it last year. For them, it was a beautiful confection of blackberry chocolate delight.

Mine? Well, it tasted good.

The recipe called for a chocolate ganache made by melting chocolate chips and butter together, then stirring in sour cream. That was a lumpy seized chocolate mess- twice.  The garbage disposal thought it tasted just fine though.

Not to be deterred, I called up Sissy, who is a much better baker. She told me to make a butter cream. Off I go, happily dumping cocoa, powdered sugar, butter, and chambord into my mixer.

Me: "How do I know if it's ready?"
Sissy: " When all the powdered sugar is incorporated"
Me: "Gee, this sure is sticky and doesn't want to spread"
Sissy: " You should put more milk in, it's too stiff"
Me: " Too late, it's all on top of the cake now! "

Cue the uncontrollable laughter on my part as this homely cake takes shape.

Nonetheless, it tastes good, and it's my birthday. Therefore it's perfect. I just may have someone else make it next year...

Happy Birthday to me!!!

I was at Lowe's Sunday to pick up some paste wax and saw this beauty in my routine swing through the lighting section.

My birthday is this TODAY!!, and this is my momma's gift to me!

I had happened to call her about the wax as I was walking in, so she was on the phone when I found Lyndsay. I've  been looking for a new kitchen light for over a year, so I was so glad to find her! She was the display model, and the last one left, so I got an extra $20 off!  Thank you so much Mom!!!

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

For our Cinco de Mayo Bunco Party, I made these yummy appetizers I saw on Annie’s Eats!

I followed her suggestion and added roasted red peppers and some black olives.

They were definitely a hit at Bunco, and I plan on making them again! They also freeze well, so they’re a good quick dinner with a side salad.

Go check out the recipe here.