Birdie & Alley: September 2009

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Something Stinks

Something smells terrible in my kitchen. I've looked and looked, and haven't found the nonviolent offender yet. Could it be a misplaced sippy cup? Rotten potatoes? A dirty diaper under the sink? My imagination won't let me ponder anything so mundane. Instead, I am searching for vampire remains or werepanther droppings.....

Homemade Chocolate Cake in 4 minutes!

I have seen this recipe on several blogs in the last year and resisted trying it. I tend to shy away from anything too trendy, only to embrace it a year later when everyone else is almost tired of it. Case in point--I just started wearing leggings under long sweaters. True fashionistas are probably tiring of this trend, but I am just adopting it. Anywho, I finally came upon a bonafide reason to try out this recipe. Last night Ash made homemade brownies. I wanted a brown with my whole heart. After asking Ashley multiple times to bring me one from Peoria, it became clear she wasn't going to acquiesce. Time for chocolate cake in a mug...in 4 minutes!!! The recipe follows:

Microwave Mug Cake
4 tbsp. flour
4 tbsp. sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg
3 tbsp. milk
3 tbsp. oil
3 tbsp. chocolate chips (optional, but hell, would I be making this concoction if
I HAD any chocolate chips? No).
Small splash vanilla

Measure flour, sugar, and cocoa in a large mug. Mix well. Add egg and mix well. Add milk and oil and mix well. Add chocolate chips and vanilla and mix well.

Microwave for 3 minutes. Take notice that your cake may creep up above the top of your mug, but shouldn't spill over.

Now if I just had some frosting for the top.....

Monday, September 7, 2009

Another Conversation with Ms. Ava

I am constantly amazed by this child.

Me: Ava, what do you think is good about daddy?
Ava: How he turns on my fan and my nightlight.
Me: What do you think is good about mommy?
Ava: How you pick up all my toys.
Me: What about Grandma Lisa?
Ava: How she gives me a drink in a special cup.
Me: What about Grandpa Dave?
Ava: How he falls asleep on his red couch.
Me: Grandma Rita?
Ava: How she makes me supper.
Me: And Grandpa Doug?
Ava: How he helps Grandma Rita make me mac n cheese.
Me: What is good about Aunt Ashley?
Ava: How she and Uncle Ryan take me to the zoo to see all the animals.
Me: What about Aunt Tess?
Ava: How she takes a shower in the mornings.
Me: And what about Alex?
Ava: How he makes silly faces at me.
Me: What about Grandma Shirley?
Ava: How she sits on our couch with us.
Me: And Grandma Marty?
Ava: She sits on her own couch.
Me: What about Grandpa John?
Ava: He takes me for good bike rides. That's good.