dinner divas eat pizza

My sister Kandis started this dinner group with 6 girls, meeting once a month, and we each bring a dish specific to the theme for the month. Last month it was apps and this month it was pizza. Well only half the group could meet last Wednesday so we brought the husbands along to taste-test. Kandis made a Gourmet White Pizza, I made a Smoked Gouda/Bacon/carmelized onions Pizza, and Marissa made the Classic Margherita Pizza. They were uber-tasty and it was great trying out new recipes to add to the arsenal.


Kenedee trying to kiss Jaxson


A good round of Tiger Woods Golf to top off the evening.

colour like no other

Click here to check out this brilliant ad by Sony for their Bravia flat-screen TVs. Click on "watch Play-doh ad" and then watch the "making of." Then if you're feeling colorful still, click on the Colour Room and watch the Paint Ad and Balls Ad - SOOOO COOL!

what's your vote?

click pic to view larger image.....
REMEMBER: You don't have to be a blogger to vote. (Click on comments below, then click other, and type in your name)

you have to make this cake

My sister made this Sunday for our pumpkin carving contest event and it was the best pumpkin dessert EVER!!!!!! Make it now, or you will be sorry.
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CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN CAKE
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MAKES 14 SERVINGS | WORKING TIME 20 MINS | TOTAL TIME 55 MINS

CAKE
1 ½ cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup buttermilk
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks) softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, plus one yolk

Heat oven to 375ºF. Line the bottoms of two 8-inch rounds with parchment paper and lightly butter. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Stir the buttermilk, pumpkin, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Beat the butters and sugars together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and yolk, one at a time. Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately beat in the flour and buttermilk mixtures in thirds. Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake until a tester, inserted in the center, comes out clean – about 35 minutes. Cool layers completely before frosting the cake.
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FROSTING
6 ounces cream cheese
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons cocoa
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ teaspoon vanilla

(separate bowl)
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¾ cup powdered sugar
orange food coloring

Beat 6 ounces softened cream cheese using a mixer set on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 2 ¼ teaspoons cocoa, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¾ teaspoon vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined. In a separate bowl, beat 1 ½ cups heavy cream with ¾ cup powdered sugar and orange food coloring on medium-high to soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined. (may need to add more orange food coloring to your liking). Spread 1 cup frosting between the two layers and use the remaining frosting to ice the top and sides of the cake. Makes 3 cups. Chill 30 minutes and proceed to glaze the cake.
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GLAZE
4 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate or semi-sweet)
1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter
3 tablespoons corn syrup
½ cup heavy cream

Place 4 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate, 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, and 3 tablespoons corn syrup in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring ½ cup heavy cream to a boil, pour it over the chocolate, and let sit for 3 minutes. Gently stir until smooth. Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes, until the glaze thickens slightly. Pour the glaze onto the center of the frosted cake and smooth out to the edges to allow the glaze to drip over the sides. Makes 1 cup.

80º and a plethora of pumpkins

UPDATE: We had the best Saturday eating caramel apples, boiled peanuts, and apple pies up in Ellijay. It really was 80º and we got a little sun. There were TONZ of people there which made it fun seeing everyone in the Halloween spirit. We even saw our friends the Councills there. The warm weather is nice but I wish we were wearing coats and beanies and sipping hot chocolate...soon I hope!





We're headed up north Saturday for the annual Burts Farm Pumpkin Patch trip, Apple Festival, and Amicalola Falls with the Clarks, Kelleys, and Barlows. The weather is still warm here (thumbs down) so we might be wearing shorts while buying pumpkins.

working on our short game

We went to Mountasia with the Barlows and Howells over the weekend to hit up a good round of Mini-golf. I think Brian won. It was a little on the chilly side ( we didn't bring jackets ). Kenedee and Jaxson were running all over the greens with their clubs. "How come we don't go golfing more?" lol.

for the love of coke

We hit up the new World of Coke with the fam over the weekend, and it was sooooo cool. Way better than the one from the 80s. This new place had awesome architecture, design, materials, and everything was just neat to look at. And you can't beat trying coke flavors from all over the world.

coca-cola M5

In 2005 Coke commissioned five talented young design groups from five continents to rethink their packaging with an eye towards hip urban flair. The Designers Republic (U.K.), Lobo (Brazil), MK12 (U.S.A.), Rex & Tennant McKay (South Africa) and Caviar (Japan) have each offered their unique vision for new aluminum Coke bottles to be found only at "the world's most exclusive clubs and lounges." The project, named "M5," served as a visual rebranding aimed at discerningly creative consumers. I thought these were the coolest bottles, found while touring the new World of Coke.

yummy breakfast

So I made breakfast on my birthday because cooking is one of my favorite things and I wanted to make this good meal while my parents were here. I made Lemon and Basil Eggs over Foccacia, Breakfast Pizza, and Italian Breakfast Skewers. It was all delicious and fun to make.

whirlyball = F-U-N

For those of you who don't know what whirlyball is click here
Then google whirlyball and see if you have it in your city, it is the best game ever! We played Thursday night with my parents and Kate and it was a blast. I think my dad may go PRO - lol.

happy birthday to me

I turned 28 years old on Friday! 2 years and counting til 30, yikes!


Steve gave me new gym shoes and a new ipod shuffle (my old one is dying). I got classic money from the parentals, and kitchen stuff from the Barlows and Kelleys. It was a great birthday. We went out for my favorite - THAI FOOD - for dinner.

YAH for VISITORS

UPDATE: The fam hanging out in ATL! We love having visitors but no one ever quite makes it out here (besides my parents.) Anyone that wants to come visit, we challenge you to make the trip. Where's the love ?!
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My Mom, Dad, and Kate are coming in town tonight to visit for a few days. We always have a blast when they come and we're looking forward to some pool days, eating out, and having fun. (Don't mind cousin Jake in the background)