I think I've figured this out... maybe!

Two years ago this month, my PaPa (my Mom's Dad) passed away.  I miss and think about him often.  He was such an influence on me, and him and my MaMa both have done so much to help me be who I am today.  My PaPa was someone that walked into a room and demanded attention - he was larger than life in so many ways.  I have a great family - and I don't say it often enough out loud how much each and every one of my family members mean to me.  I don't want to get all crazy emotional, though, so onward we go!

It's been another day of baking, baking, baking!  I made several treats today with the full intent of taking them all to the local Ronald McDonald House.  I'm a volunteer there, although I have to admit that since I experienced a life change last November (future blog topic!), my ability to physically go volunteer at the House on a regular basis has been difficult because of work demands.  So I bake a load of good stuff and take it in every so often.  Sometimes I take a car load; sometimes I just go in with a couple of batches of cookies.  Either way, it's something I love doing.  And they never tell me to stop, unlike some of my poor co-workers, one of who blames me for her only having one pair of jeans that now fit.  Drats. 

So, here's a picture of the car load (this time) of goodies that I took in today:

There's Banana Peanut Butter Bars with Chocolate Frosting in the bottom corner, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies in the center, some Zucchini Nut Bread in the upper right hand corner, and next to that, some Vanilla Cherry Bars.  At this point, you may be asking yourself, "Prey tell, Traci! What is that glorious thing in the upper left hand corner?"  Oh, oh, oh...  you will be so glad you asked!  That, my friends, is the Chocolate Bliss Bundt Cake.  Here, let me give you a close up!

This beauty is LOADED.  It has chocolate pudding, chocolate chips, chocolate ganache, some caramel sauce, and just to make it over-the-top, a chopped up Snickers bar on top!!  A friend of mine at work (lovingly) calls it "The Diabetic Coma Cake."  Ya wanna know how to make this decadent creation?  Here's the link!
Chocolate Bliss Bundt Cake

This recipe originated from Betty Crocker, but originally used a cake mix.  I modified the recipe to be a from-scratch cake because I just don't keep cake mixes around, but I always have all the makings for an improptu bake-off. 

As I wrap this up, I do have a horrible confession to make.  My Weight Watchers effort has not been so successful.  I'm not giving up...but, my initial enthusiasm seems to have left my being.  Double Drats.  Oh, and as a sidenote, I have made the Chocolate Bliss Bundt Cake several times, but have never tasted it even once; I'm diabetic and I at least try to be careful about the sweet treats that I taste.  I've steered clear of this one so far, out of pure and unadulterated fear that I will cave and it will live up to it's nickname that my co-worker has coined for it!  I felt like I should add that little bit in, as it seems kinda funny that I'm showing such an insane recipe followed by my woeful cries of WW failure.

Ok.  Enough of that.  Back to the good stuff!  I also planted a garden for the first time in forever and have been getting a few lovely zucchini squash from it.  Isn't it just amazing how things always just taste better when they come straight from your own labors?  Once long ago, I remember having zucchini boats, and I thought they were fabulous - so I was adequately motivated to go get some ideas on making my own delicious concoction.  The husband doesn't like squash, so I'm on my own with this one.  Who would have thought that his dislike for squash would be stronger than his love for bacon?  I, for one, am shocked. 

I personally think that the bacon and the onions are key to the flavor, but the bacon could be left out for a nice vegetarian meal.   And for anyone wanting the link, here it is:  Cheesy Bacon Zucchini Boats

Enjoy!

"With the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible."- Julia Child

Summer's here, finally. Kinda. I think.

Summer has been a long time coming for those of us in the Pacific Northwest.  While I'm hearing reports of crazy heat in other areas of the U.S., we're still having very nice, mild, and sometimes even chilly weather.  Today, though, we were in the mid-80's and it meant a day outside for the whole family!  Tommy mowed the yard, I messed around in my little bitty garden, the cats sunbathed, and Bender had a pool party! 

Oh yeah, we live the high life here!  This pup loves his pool and is very content to lay in the frigid waters from the hose with his tennis ball floating nearby.  And, this is the new hard shell pool that we bought for him after his pool from last year sprung a leak.  Oh, and after we returned that monstrosity that the husband purchased a couple of weeks ago. 

With it being oh, so warm today, I opted for the simple dinner dish of taco soup. 

Tommy (aka "The Husband) was quite uncertain about this, thinking that taco in soup form sounded not so appetizing.  After giving it a taste, he has given it his own personal seal of approval.  I know a lot of times taco soups are served with tortilla chips and a dollup of sour cream, maybe cheese.  This had such good flavor that I went with a sprinkle of cheese and called it good!  If you'd like the recipe, you can find it here:  Fiesta Taco Soup

Enjoy!

"With the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible."- Julia Child