Whoopie Sandwiches

I started out making these for Ashton's class. Tomorrow is the Valentine's Party at his school. His *first* Valentine's party. (cue mommy getting so excited over Ashton's first V day party that she attempts something WAY over her head.) Everything started off great.

First, I mixed these up in a mixing bowl.

Then, I creamed these together in my standing mixer.

Next, I blended these in gently.


I then got festive and used this to pour in the buttermilk.

Finally, I squirted in a whole bunch of this and mixed it all up with the dry ingredients.

And then, disaster ensued. These were supposed to be hearts. After the first 5 weren't working out, and I was sweating, I decided to improvise. So I ended up with these. Yeah, I'm messy.

They actually came out looking pretty good! So, I decided to continue with my improvisation. I cut them in half and then cut off the edges to give them more of a sandwich feel.

Emory helped me discard of the little edges that I cut off. Yes, she was still in her pajamas. Yes, it was noon. It is pouring rain today and 40 degrees outside. Great day to stay in and bake in our PJ's all day!

After the "sandwiches" were cut, I "whipped" up (ha) the cream cheese icing. I added two drops of the red food coloring to it to give it this pinkish tint.

Then, I assembled.

And tried not to eat too many of the cut off edges.

They are all packaged up and ready to go for tomorrow!

When Ashton wakes up from his nap we are going to decorate and address Valentine's cards for all of his classmates. Not until I became a parent did I realize just how emotional the small milestones can make you.

in the kitchen

I really like it in the kitchen. Fortunately (unfortunately for my thighs), my husband really loves it in the kitchen. He does 90% of the cooking. I am very spoiled by this. I must assure you, however, that I am not sitting in a corner with my feet propped up, eating chocolates and requiring that he do so. He looks very forward to this part of his day. He unwinds when he cooks. His mind doesn't spin with the millions of stresses that come with owning a business. He lets himself relax. AND, he is a fabulous cook! (my mom would argue that he is really a chef without the title). So, it really leaves me little oppurtunity to get in the kitchen. Lately I have really been getting a hankering to do so. So, the other night, I took the reins. I plan to up my culinary expertise. Watch out hubby.

Last night I made this. It. was. delicious. And I am not tooting my horn here. I followed a recipe step by step, so I really don't feel that I can take full ownership for it's awesomeness. I defintely will be filing it away, though. As well as being yummy, it was SO easy.

Behold the Sweet and Spicy Asian Pork Shoulder.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/sweet-spicy-asian-pork-shoulder-00000000028082/index.html

Heart Milk

His name is Ashton and he is addicted to milk. Heart milk, that is. When Daddy and I took our trip to Napa this past October, Grammie and Papa came to Houston to stay with the kiddies. Grammie (my mom) noticed that Ashton was going through packs of organic vanilla milk like no one's business. And then, one morning, the inevitable. They were out. Before the stores opened. (cue Ashton dramatically flailing himself on the ground in pain and agony). So, my mom being the ever inventive, awesome Grammie that she is, had a brilliant idea. Why not just add a touch of vanilla flavored creamer to some milk, put it in his cup, and call it a day? Hence, the birth of heart milk. Heart milk gained it's name because the creamer bottle that she used that historical morning (I believe it was coffeemate) had a red heart on it. Apparently that night, he stuck his little nose up at the vanilla milk and requested "heart milk". Now, I KNOW it sounds terrible. Giving my child coffee creamer. However, after looking at the label on the organic vanilla milk, I realized he was actually getting LESS sugar AND sodium with heart milk. Score! Sooooo, if your child requires milk ad nauseum, try heart milk. ;)

Shrimp, not Lobster

John came home with this monstrosity the other day, and was so proud, that he took a picture.

Ashton Kerr, Chef Extraordinaire!

Ashton helped me cook dinner tonight :) It was SO sweet! He was such a great little chef. We made roasted chicken and vegetables. I pulled his step stool into the kitchen, from the bathroom, and he climbed right up and quietly watched me chop carrots, potatoes asparagus and celery. Daddy had already cut up our chicken when he came home for lunch, so I had the chicken pieces placed in the dish. After I cut everything up, Ashton helped me spread all the veggies around the chicken, and was SO into his job. He would take a piece of carrot and look all around the dish before deciding exactly where he wanted to put it. After we were done with that, I gave him a herb seasoning and let him shake it over everything. Then we went out to the garden and picked some thyme and rosemary. I brought him back in (after being temporarily distracted by his slide; hey, chefs need breaks too!) and let him set the garden herbs on top of everything. It was such a fun experience and I can't wait to do it again and again!!!! Oh, and on a side note, dinner turned out delicious!! As Ashton would say... Go, Ashton, Go!!

Yummy Pears!

Little Miss Emory Anne ate pears today! Mommy was so proud :) We mixed a little bit of organic pears that I made in my new "baby cook" with her rice cereal today at lunch time and she LOVED them! Oh, how can it be that my little baby girl is ready to eat food? Not sure if the picture shows well enough, but, yes, half of the pears ended up on her face and bib :) She gets that from her momma...