The New Do!

I cut my hair! For those of you who have seen me recently, you know how LONG my hair had gotten! I have been growing it out since Paul proposed to me on May 6, 2007. Now almost TWO YEARS later, it was UNBELEIVABLY long...it was halfway down my back. I have only had it trimmed over the past couple of years. I always told the hairdresser she better not take off more than half an inch! It was time for change...I got it cut into long layers, and had some bangs cut into it. It is also parted on the left now. These pics don't due it justice...I had been baking for over three hours when I finally stopped, pulled it out of the ponytail I had pulled it into and snapped some quick pics. I will have to add more later!

Valentine's Chocolate Cherry Cake


Steak, Lobster, Scallops!


Isaiah and his new fave slippers lol

We had a great Valentine's! It was our first as a married couple, and we enjoyed it!! I made Paul a chocolate cherry cake and he made me a delicious meal of steak, lobster and scallops with mushrooms and zuccini. Isaiah enjoyed his day too and loved his valentine's gifts from mommy & daddy, as well as Grandma Kathie & Pepe, Grandma Pat, Grampy, Auntie Allie & Uncle Mark. We love you all!

Valentine's Treats!

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

They are sweet and red and a perfect little treat to give on the 14th. And even better, they are super-easy! All you need is:

1 Box red velvet cake mix (or any cake mix, if you don't want them to be red). 1/2 Cup butter, softened to room temperature 2 Eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix ingredients until combined.
Drop spoonfuls of cookie batter onto baking sheet about two inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Cool.

Cream Cheese Filling: 1/2 Cup butter, softened to room temperature 1 8 oz. Package cream cheese, softened to room temperature 1 1lb. Box of confectioner's sugar 1 tsp Vanilla
In a mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla.
Gradually add sugar and mix until smooth.

Makes about 24 cookies or 12 cookie sandwiches

**I made these for Isaiah, as a Valentine's treat. He LOVED them. I substituted the eggs with cornstarch. 2 tablespoons of cornstarch equals 1 egg!

Delicious Mini Frosted Cookies!

OK, so we all know I love to bake...I decided I wanted to try a mini cookie recipe, because the bite sized cookies would be perfect for Isaiah, and also would be perfect to pop in my mouth and enjoy! Here it is! I put a little bit of chocolate frosting on some and vanilla on the others. It turned out great! The vanilla was definitely my favorite!

Ingredients

4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup(s) sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg(s)
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp table salt
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp canola oil
3 tbsp fat-free skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) powdered sugar
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

Instructions

-Cream together 4 tablespoons butter, ricotta and 1/2 cup sugar. Add vanilla and egg; mix thoroughly.

-Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, and blend into rest of mixture. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

-Place chilled dough on a strip of wax paper and roll into a 14-inch cylinder. Put in freezer for 2 to 3 hours.

-Preheat oven to 375ºF. Slice off 1/3-inch-thick rounds and place on a non-stick baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (cookies should stay pale in color). Cool on baking rack.

-For icing: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in microwave or over a very low flame. Mix with canola oil and milk. Sift powdered sugar, and blend into liquids. Divide icing into two bowls. To one bowl add cocoa and mix to blend.

-When cookies are cool, spread white icing on half of each cookie and chocolate icing other half of cookie, or cover each cookie completely with one type of icing. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!