Many Little Links: February 28, 2010

Ten Beauty Products In Your Kitchen - Simple Organic

I haven't tried any of these, but they look like some fabulous ideas!

Make a Felt and Fabric Birthday Banner - Rosy ~ Posy

This is super cute project, and I love all of the pictures so I could follow along step by step.  You know, if I actually got around to doing a project that I thought was cool, instead of just linking to it.

25 Must-Read Homeschooling Articles for Newbies - Jimmie's Collage

Jimmie has compiled an amazing list of articles from around the web that would be great for homeschooling newbies.  But you know what?  They're great for homeschooling veterans too.  Not that I'm a homeschooling veteran, but many of the articles she picked were ones that I could remember having read before just by reading the title and description.

There Will Never Be a Good Time - Zen Family Habits

I think that I need to print this piece out and post it somewhere around my house.  It's a quick read, so go check it out.  It's quick, but a powerful reminder.

Space Art Projects - Early Bird Homeschool

I love the way these planet paintings turned out.  So, so cool.  I know, I should probably try to be more eloquent than that, but it is, indeed, very cool.

Thinking Ahead: Prepare for the Future with a Will - Amy Loves It!

Amy touches on some different methods for drawing up a will, as well as talking about some of the pricing with the different methods.  If you don't have a will right now, check out her article.

Language of God Grammar Series from Catholic Heritage Curricula

Language arts covers such a dizzying array of subjects — from spelling to composition, from grammar to vocabulary, just to name a few.  While, for whatever reason, we have gone primarily with secular sources for much of our language arts materials, we happily use Language of God for Little Folks from Catholic Heritage Curricula for grammar instruction.

(You can read the rest of my review at Curriculum Choice)

7 Quick Takes: February 26, 2010 (Vol. 31)

~ 1 ~

I've been a total Olympics junkie.  Since I'm always a fan of late night television anyway, I have had a fabulous time watching it.  Have you been watching the Olympics too?

I have to admit to being emotional when I watch it though.  Eric would say, "When aren't you emotional?"  But, I swear -- if any of those Olympians cry, I think I'm contractual obligated to cry with them.  I just can't help myself.  I cry with them in both victory and defeat.

I just love the Olympics.  I'm already looking forward to the summer Olympics in London.  (Although it is a little unsettling to realize that when the Olympics open in London in 2012, I'll be the mother of a teenager.  Wow.)

~ 2 ~

Molly and I have been talking about what instrument she would like to play when she is older.  Having never taken any kind of lessons when I was growing up, it's funny to me to just automatically think that she'll take music lessons.  But, with two kids already taking piano lessons, it seems like a given.

I told her that she has to start with piano, since she can start that the earliest.  Then, we were chit chatting about the possibility of the cello.  I always wanted to play the cello.  Of course, I should probably just take lessons, rather than live through her.  But, our piano teacher does those lessons as well, and we were able to look at her cello not too long ago.  Molly was pretty impressed.

This discussion made me think about a comedian we watched online talking about how much he loved playing the cello.  Well, except one particular song.  You must go watch the video (and then come back, okay?).  I would embed it, but that has acted funny lately.

(Just a heads up: It's just over five minutes long.  Up until four minutes, it is totally clean.  After that point, he does use three curse words.  All are ones that could be aired on primetime television, I have noticed.  However, that still doesn't mean that kids should watch it after that point.)

~ 3 ~

Why is it that once I turned 30, I had to start having pimples again?  Seriously -- that's not right.  I didn't have them very often when I was a teenager, and I felt lucky.  Flash forward and here I am with breakouts.  Boo!  So wrong.

~ 4 ~

This week, Noah came out on the Wii Fit as being "at risk for being overweight."  I was pretty distraught by this.  He is a big kid, but he's also a really tall 10 year old.  He was pretty bummed, and so was I.

All of the sudden, in the middle of the night that night, I said to myself (outloud), "Hey!  We've never changed his height in Wii Fit!"

Yep, that's what it was.  The next day, I measured his height (4'11", if you're interested) and then we went in to Wii Fit and added in his extra inches.  Apparently he was 4'5" when we got the game.  Let me tell you -- six inches makes a pretty huge difference in BMI measurements.  He was pretty thrilled, and so was I.

We also had to change Jack and Molly's heights, as long as we were at it.  Jack had grown five inches since we first bought the game, and Molly six inches.

~ 5 ~

I told the kids that I forgot about changing heights in the Wii Fit because I am not getting any taller.

"I'll never get any taller than this," I told the kids.

Jack chimed in, "Yeah - but I have heard that when you get older, you shrink."

Thanks, kid.

~ 6 ~

My sister-in-law has been sending us some videos of their new baby, Elizabeth, with their new flip camera.  Does anyone have one of these?  (The flip camera, not baby Elizabeth.)  Do you like it?

I go between thinking it might be something fun to have and we don't really need it.

~ 7 ~

Watching the Olympics has reminded me that I need to teach the kids the words to The Star-Spangled Banner.  It's funny the things that you realize that you need to teach the kids when you homeschool.  For this very reason, we started doing the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of our homeschool co-op this school year.

It may not be a surprise, but singing The Star-Spangled Banner makes me cry.








This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

photos by: Olympic Rings - Miss Barabanov / cello - FaP ;-) / wii fit - nataliej / American flag in Chicago - Angie @ Many Little Blessings

The Valentine's Dance

Since Eric and I have been dating since high school, all of my memories of formals and semi-formals include him.  That's kind of fun, I think.  I don't have to say to people, "Oh yeah -- do you remember when I went to prom with that guy?" 

I can remember picking out the special dresses, getting hair done, and evenings filled with dancing and friends.  They are great memories.  I'd even go so far as to say that they were definitely some of the finer things in life.

But, I have to say that without a doubt, even more special a memory will be the Valentine Dance that Eric went to this year.  He took another girl to the dance though, but that's okay.  At least I got to help her get ready.  (I even picked out her corsage that was made with sweetheart roses and sprayed with glitter, though Eric got all the credit.  But, I was pretty darn okay with that too.)

So, yeah -- my man took another girl to a Valentine Dance.  But, it was definitely one of the finer things in life.

How Do You Get Caught Up?

I don't know if it's the weather or so much sickness going around or just the time of year, but it seems like a lot of people that I have talked to lately report just feeling behind in just about everything.  I am feeling like that too. 

So, of course, I know that none of us can "do it all," but I would love to hear some of your best tips for getting caught up when you are feeling behind.  Mind you, it doesn't have to be how you get totally caught up, maybe just a tip or two to help in getting caught up.

 (Oh, and on a side note -- Happy Birthday to my wonderful, amazing, super cool Mom!  Love you!)







photo by Sybren A. Stüvel

Earn Money with Sponsored Tweets on Twitter

Before I give my Works for Me Wednesday tip this week, please let me say that I don't want this to come off as saying, "Spam all of your friends and followers on Twitter."  Please take this advice to an eye toward not filling your twitter statuses with advertisements.

Okay, that said, let me continue...

I signed up for Sponsored Tweets, which is a service that connects you with advertisers who will pay you to tweet about things like their company, a giveaway, and free samples.  The nice thing is that you set your own price per tweet, and you can decide which offers you want to tweet about and which you would rather decline.

The writing has been easy, and I have only done tweets that I feel comfortable with (and that I think my followers would actually be interested in), which is nice to have the option.  Also, I am careful to not do more than about one per day, as to not have my statuses turn into ad after ad.

If you are active on Twitter, a sponsored tweet from time to time is a nice way to make a little bit of money. (On the flip side though, filling your statuses with ads is not cool, so don't do it.)

In interest of full disclosure, the links to Sponsored Tweet are my referral link.  If you sign up, I would love if you used me as a referral.  Thanks!

Where I Officially Revise My Lenten Sacrifice

Oh yeah -- this is me.  I'm on the computer and this was going to be my day to shun the computer from when I woke up this morning until I wake up tomorrow morning.  But, still, here I am -- on the computer.

Did I give up and already break what I thought was going to be a really difficult Lenten sacrifice?

Surprisingly, no, I didn't give up.  It was actually shockingly much easier to skip out on the computer today than I thought.  (Although, it was softened a little bit by a few back and forth texts with Brenda.)  The only difficult moment was when I actually had a reason that I had to open my email account today and then saw emails from friends that I really wanted to read.  But, knowing the sacrifice I made, I didn't open them but just looked for the thing I had been on for.  That was my only computer today.

So, if it was so darn easy -- why am I sitting here now, you might ask.

I realized that I had to revise my plan.  I realized that one of the biggest benefits to my sacrifice was that I would be more present to my family and to the tasks I need to do around the house.  And, it was hugely successful for that today.  I didn't feel the urge to pop over to the computer to check "for just a second" that would turn into much more than just a second.  I was present today.

But, if I would suddenly be able to use the computer tomorrow morning, I knew what would happen.  School would start late.  I would be distracted trying to catch up on what I missed from a day away from the online world.  So, after talking to Eric tonight, we decided that it would be better for everyone if I turned off my computer from waking until after everyone except for myself went to bed (that includes after Eric goes to bed, not just the kids) on two days a week throughout Lent.  But, after everyone went to sleep, then I would be able to check up on the day's happenings in my email and online.

While I initially felt like this would be cheating, Eric pointed out that the revised sacrifice was really going to be much better for everyone, and would actually involve more time away from the computer.  And, when he put it that way, it was hard to argue.







Photo by daviddumas

Is The World Changing or Are We Raising Nerds?

My boys were pacing the house as they were busy pretending.  This is a favorite past time of theirs.  They walk around and come up with elaborate scenarios.

On one recent walkabout the house, I overheard Jack coming up with an idea.   

Noah then said, "Can we do some beta testing on that?"

Beta testing?  

Where do these kids get this stuff?  Either the world is changing or we're raising nerds.  Then again, it could be a little bit of both.

Many Little Links: February 20, 2010

Catching Velcro Balls with our Heads and Edible Playdough You Will Want to Eat - Make and Takes

Two fabulous and fun links that I think most kids would just love!

Drink More Water - Organizing Your Way

Great tips for getting some more water in your day.

Under the Microscope - Curriculum Choice

I enjoyed reading this review about a handheld microscope that is really reasonably priced!

 

 Play Make Up Kit - Chasing Cheerios

I have got to make a set like this for Molly!  Too bad I don't wear make up so I don't have old compacts to use.  

Blogging Related Deductions - Ask the Taxgirl

Great resource for bloggers here at tax time!

33 Essential Items for Your Bug Out Bag - Frugal Dad

Starting an emergency kit? Here is a very big list of what you might need.

Make Your Own Colored Sugar - Catholic Icing

Am I clueless that I didn't know you could make your own colored sugars?

7 Quick Takes: February 19, 2010 (Vol. 30)

~ 1 ~

The biggest event of the week around our house has been sickness.  Lots and lots of coughing and stuff noses.  Quite frankly, with three of the five of us on antibiotics, I'm getting really tired of it.  

As I mused on Facebook the other night, "I think my lungs are trying to stage a mutiny.  Don't they know they need me to survive?"  I'm just praying that we'll be a lot healthier by next week's Quick Takes.

~ 2 ~

So now, with being sick, I have found that I am considerably less enamored with the snow.  Eric and I talked about how at the beginning of the winter, we loved the big snows that were coming in.  But, now we're cringing as they talk about things like "significant snow" next week.  I told him that it reminded me of the first two verses of the song "In Like a Lion (Always Winter)" by Relient K.

It's always nice to look out the window

And see those very first few flakes of snow

And later on we can go outside

And create the impression of an angel

That just fell from the sky

When February rolls around I'll roll my eyes

Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies

And by the fire, my heart, it heaves a sigh

For the green grass waitin' on the other side

~ 3 ~

I have decided on something to give up for Lent that already makes me nervous to think about.  That must mean it's a big sacrifice if it makes me nervous when I haven't even done it yet, huh?

I decided that starting with the first full week of Lent, I will be giving up the computer for one day each week.  It won't always be the same day each week (not always Mondays, for instance), but it will definitely be one full day each week.  Although I would have loved to have counted from midnight to 11:59 pm as a day, I know that for me (and my crazy sleep habits), I had to say that a "day" will be from when I wake up until I go to sleep for the night.  

I'm hoping that this will allow me at least one day a week to really focus on non-computer things.  Who knows -- maybe I'll keep it up past Easter.  (Somehow, I doubt that.)

~ 4 ~

I was struck by two things this week while at Ash Wednesday Mass.  They are the same two things that strike me each year.

The first is one that I can't even seem to put into words.  There's just something about seeing the parade of people walking by after having been freshly marked with ashes (and told "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return").  There are babies and there are elderly people.  Rich people and poor.  Our mortality is something that nobody can hide from.  But, there is also a sense of unity in seeing it too.  

The second, on a lighter side, is that at some point while waiting for our turn to go up front, I always have to turn to Eric and say something along the lines of, "Is this church a clown car?  Seriously -- where does this endless line of people keep coming from?"

~ 5 ~

Speaking of faith related items, it's coming up on First Communion time soon.  If you're working on First Communion banners this year, you might want to check out some of my popular past posts about this topic:

How To Make a First Communion Banner

More Than 40 First Communion Banner Examples

First Communion Banner Examples

I can't quite believe it, but it's the first time in three years that we don't have a First Communion in our family.  Granted, it was very different for us, but Eric and I both had our First Communion in 2007, then Noah in 2008, and then Jack in 2009.  It seems a little odd to us that we aren't busy with it this year. 

~ 6 ~

I can't believe that I almost forgot one cool thing from this week -- Brenda and I launched a free toolbar for Catholic families/homeschoolers.  I'm really excited at the kind words that people have been saying about the toolbar.  I can't wait to watch as the resource grows.  (If you know of great sites that should be added, please pass them along.  We already have a list of more sites to add, but the Internet is so big that it's impossible to be aware of all the gems out there.)

~ 7 ~

Do you ever feel like you just can't keep up?  I would love to say that it's the illness talking, but I know that's not it.  (The strong cough medicine probably doesn't help either.  So, if this has all rambled, please blame that, as I took it right before writing this post.)  

Every so often I just feel like the things that I think are my priorities are a little out of whack, and like I need to do some things to bring things back to how they should be.  I know where some of the issues are, but I guess I just need to figure out what to do about it.

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday.

photos by:  snowflake - circulating  /  keyboard - julian-

Easier Measuring for Liquid Ingredients

Right now with a rattling cough, full sinuses, and eyes that burn, as well as two kids taking antibiotics, we are using medicine dosage cups a lot lately for their intended purpose.  However, my favorite (and most used) way to use medicine dosage cups is a whole lot more fun.

Although I love measuring cups and spoons (I have several sets of each), my favorite way to measure smaller amounts of liquid ingredients is to use all of those medicine dosage cups that come with all of the children's liquid medications. 

Most of the cups can hold three teaspoons (which is one tablespoon), and have lots of markings for a variety of measurements.  So, instead of having to use a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon three times for 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract (and worrying about overfilling) or dirtying both a teaspoon and the 1/2 teaspoon, I just use a medicine dosage cup and fill it to the 1 1/2 teaspoon line.  Not only do I have fewer spills, but it's also great for allowing the kids to put in these ingredients (and I know it will be easy for them to pour in).

If your household is like mine, you have lots of these little cups sitting around.  Every so often, we'll throw some in the recycling bin, but we usually keep them for an easy and frugal way to measure out smaller liquid ingredients.

Do you have any "odd" uses for everyday household items?










This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Frugal Friday.

photo by justmalia

Catholic Resource for Families

Guest Post by Brenda from The Tie That Binds Us.

Angie and I have been working together to create a resource for Catholic Homeschoolers like none other. It is a toolbar that sits at the top of your computer and guides you to some of the best Catholic sites and blogs available to Catholic families.

The toolbar itself has many components that are geared towards families, but it also has a huge homeschooling emphasis.

Take a look at all that you get when you download this resource:

• Family planning sites
• Sites on the sacraments and saints
• Web pages about the holidays and feasts
• Links to crafts for Catholic children
• Forums that you can join to meet other Catholic families
• A drop down menu dedicated to homeschooling - encouragement, curriculum reviews, email lists, suppliers, and magazines
• 50 Catholic blogs, plus more on the way!
• RSS feeds to daily readings, Catholic Icing, The Homeschool Classroom and more
• Email notification for all your email accounts
• A radio player that features Catholic radio stations plus your local ones too
• Weather updates

We are still adding sites daily to this free resource. If you download it and you would like to suggest an addition please email us @ hslifemedia@gmail.com

Did I mention that this resource is free?

To download this toolbar visit the page: http://catholichomeschoolingmoms.ourtoolbar.com/

Wait! There is a give-away!

Remember that pretty rosary that was at the top of this post? For your chance to win it you may leave a comment that you have downloaded the toolbar for a chance to win this beautiful rosary hand made by Angie. You may leave one comment (on the original post about The Catholic Family Toolbar at The Homeschool Classroom, comments on this post here at Catholic Mothers Online are closed) if you do any of the following:

• download the toolbar for one entry
• twitter about the toolbar for another entry
• blog about the toolbar for another entry
• leave 5 or more Catholic sites that are not included that should be on the toolbar for one entry

Entries will be closed on February 23rd.

Brenda can be found writing at The Tie That Binds Us.  She is also the founder of Curriculum Choice and Joyful Holidays, and co-founder of Homeschool Lifestyle Media.

My #Blissdom Recap

I have been home from Blissdom for over a week now, and I feel like I have probably put off writing this way too long.  So, in between horrible coughing that is making me have to cross my legs (you Moms out there -- I know you know what I'm saying), I'm going to try to write up some general thoughts on my trip.

1. The Trip -- I had a great drive to and from Nashville.  With almost all of the trip being interstate driving and having my friend Amanda with me, it was hard for it not to be a nice trip.  Well, that is until we both freaked out as we got to the Opryland Hotel and couldn't figure out where we were supposed to park the van while we checked in.

2. The Hotel -- Amazing!  But, overwhelming too.  Amanda explored while I was at the conference and then had to help me find my way around every time I needed to get somewhere new.  The staff at the hotel was also very helpful as well.  But, I do have to admit, I didn't think the rooms were worth the $125/night that we got as a conference rate, let alone their actual $200/night price tag.  Then again, I guess you are paying for a whole lot more than just your room.

3. The Attendees -- I wanted to write about everyone I met, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  I'm so afraid that I will skip over someone and that person will feel bad.  Maybe later this week I'll try to put together a little highlight of some people I met, because there really are things that I want to say in this area.  Let me just say for now, however, that meeting other bloggers and connecting with people you have already met online, as well as people that you are meeting for the first time, was by far the greatest part of Blissdom.

4. The Speakers -- I'll admit it, some of the talks were more useful to me than others.  (And I was really disappointed in one of the two Wisdom Workshops that I signed up for.)  But, that being said, overall it was great.  Sometimes it was things that I knew, but they sounded different coming out of someone else's mouth.  And, other times, I heard things that I hadn't even thought about.  Some ideas came up again and again, but that just cinched it to me that those were some of the things that were important takeaways.

5. The Food -- Yum-o!  The meals were just delicious.  And you know what?  Nobody said, "Mom -- can I get some juice?" at anytime during my meals.  That alone would have made them great.  Seriously though -- best food I've ever had at a conference.

6. Savvy Blogging Round Table (which was not an official Blissdom event, but happened on Friday night courtesy of Savvy Blogging)  -- It was worth missing Harry Connick Jr. for.  I didn't even feel bad. 

7. The Swag -- So much great stuff to bring home!  From coupons to snack foods to an Amazing Blissdom bag to gift certificates and so much more.  I filled my kitchen table with stuff when I came home.  It was crazy and fun!

8. Conclusion?  I've already got my eye toward next year's road trip to Nashville.

Later this week, I'll write up some messages that I took away from various sessions.  And, I'll try my best to get over my fear of leaving people off of a Blissdom people list.

7 Quick Takes: February 12, 2010 (Vol. 29)

~ 1 ~

I still haven't gotten caught up from Blissdom 2010.  I promise that it is my intention to write about it very, very soon.  But, here is a sneak peek of my Blissdom experience (one of the few pictures I got)...

 

That's me, George Duran (formerly of Food Network's Ham on the Street and now on TLC with Ultimate Cake Off), and Holly from Saving For Eight (who is super sweet and was a pleasure to meet).

~ 2 ~

In my quest to get caught up on life after Blissdom, I was almost relieved to have not one but two snow days this week.  I have a strong stance on taking snow days in our homeschool, although by the second day, I did ask the kids if they wanted to go ahead and do school anyway.  I was not surprised to get an immediate, "No," from them.

~ 3 ~

In all the busyness of getting ready to go out of town, being out of town, and then trying to get caught back up, I have over 800 entries waiting to be read in my Google Reader.  *gulp*

Have any great tips for working through it more quickly (short of just hitting "mark all as read")?

~ 4 ~

I have a confession to make.  I am 33 years old, and I bought my first pair of high heel shoes about two weeks ago, per Eric's request, after we went through and got rid of about 1/3 of the clothes in my closet.  They are about 2.5 inch heels, and that allows me to wear them and be a lot closer to looking Eric right in the eye.  Very fun. 

And then, after wearing them to church one evening, along with a dark pair of flaired jeans, a black blazer, and a red top, I got several compliments (including someone who noticed that I had lost some weight).  This was definitely a sign that we were right in trying to cull some of the things out of my closet and find better choices of what to wear.

~ 5 ~

Are you a Catholic homeschooler or Catholic Mom of children who are still at home?  Would you be willing to check out a cool resource that we've been working on?  If so, drop me an email.

~ 6 ~

I'll never be one of those women that can go to the grocery store and get $400 worth of groceries for $1.85.  It's just not going to happen.  But, I was thrilled this week to go to Kroger and get $300 worth of groceries for $200.  WooHoo!

Between some great coupons, Kroger plus card sales, and then a deal they were having where you got $5 off for every 10 items you bought from a certain list of items, I saved us $94 on our grocery bill. 

But, don't feel bad if you're not a great grocery shopper -- I'll spend way too much money next time I go, I'm sure.  So, it will all even out in the end.

~ 7 ~

A tiny little Blissdom take away message that really spoke to me (about why people come to your blog)...

They come to hear your voice.

 

 

 

 

 

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

photos by: shoes mania  /  piggly wiggly supermarket

Mollyism: "I'm Not Turtle..."

I just love the age that Molly is right now (she's five) -- she's just at that point where she is getting so much more grown up, but still says things that make me giggle all the time.

Today, she and the boys were playing a game when they were all animals.  Molly walked through the living room and declared to them, "I'm not turtle."

Okay, I thought, she had narrowed down to simply not being a turtle.  But, no, I was wrong, because she continued.

"I'm not turtle.  I sleep during the day, and I'm awake at night."

In her defense though, I do have to admit that though nobody corrected her, she did later say nocturnal instead.  But, I kind of think that I liked "not turtle" best.









photo by TarikB

Mixing Flours as a Healthier Choice

 

I promise to post later this week about my Blissdom Conference experiences, but for right now, I wanted to share a quick kitchen tip that has definitely been working for us.

I had been wanting to switch to whole wheat flour, instead of the unbleached white that I usually use.  But, I was afraid of what everyone's reaction might be in the house (and even my own).  So, I decided to start by just mixing half white flour and half whole wheat flour in my flour container.  

I have now been doing this for over six months, and nothing tastes different.  Every so often, if the thing I'm making is very light colored, the whole wheat flour changes its color just a little bit, but even that is not a big deal.  Nobody is noticing any differences, and I'm thrilled that I'm moving us toward a healthier flour option.  (Of course, full whole wheat would be better, but 50/50 is better than all white flour.)  I'm starting to think we might move to a little more wheat flour and a little less white in the mixture soon.  Wish us luck!

Do you have any other tips for little ways to change to healthier options in foods?

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

Photo by The Stakhanovite Twins

Double Fudge Coca Cola Cake Recipe

 

I have actually only made this cake once, but I've had it many times, since it is my Mom's favorite cake.  Oh man -- it is good.  Crazy good.

I made this last week for the first time when we were having dinner over at our friends Amanda and Keith's house with a priest friend of ours.  So, knowing that I was making dessert for 14 people (there were nine kids), I wanted something that could go a long way.  (Incidentally, I made Rice Krispie Treats too, just because I can't help myself.)

I like that this recipe gets better as time goes on.  So, since we were having dinner on Friday night, I actually made the cake on Thursday.  (When we worked on the last of the leftover cake on Sunday night, it was even better!)  My Mom has also had great success with cutting this into pieces and freezing individual pieces.

Ingredients for Cake:

- 1 cup Coca Cola

- 1/2 cup oil

- 1 stick butter

- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

- 2 cups sugar (white)

- 2 cups flour (I used half unbleached white & half whole wheat, though you can use whatever your preference is at your house)

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 2 eggs

- 1/2 cup buttermilk 

- 1 teaspoon baking soda (careful - this is not added in with the other dry ingredients)

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions for Cake:

1. In a sauce pan, bring oil, butter and cocoa powder to a boil.

2. Move to a mixing bowl after items in step one have come to a boil.

3. Mix the sugar, flour, and salt.  Pour them into the mixture that you just put in the bowl.  Beat well.

4. Add in Coca Cola.  Blend well.

5. Add eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla.  Beat well.

6. Pour into a greased and floured sheet cake pan.  (I used a 16-inch cookie sheet that had one inch sides.  A jelly roll pan is also a great option.)

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 -  25 minutes.  (My Mom specifically says 22 minutes though, and that did work for me.)

Ingredients for Frosting (start making this when the cake has about four or  five minutes left to bake -- you'll be frosting this cake while it's still hot!):

- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter

- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

- 6 tablespoons cream or milk (honestly -- I used skim milk.  I used it to make the buttermilk too.)

- 1 teaspoon vanilla

- 1/2 - 1 cup pecans, chopped (optional - I don't use them)

- 3 3/4 cups (3.75 cups) confectioners (powdered) sugar

Directions for Frosting:

1. In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa powder, and milk.  Heat until butter melts.

 

2. Beat in the remaining ingredients, and spread on the hot cake.

3. Cool cake before cutting.

The yield on this recipe all depends on how big of pieces you are cutting.  I would imagine you could make large pieces and cut 30 pieces.  I cut it so that I got around 40 pieces of cake from the pan.

Enjoy!

 

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

Many Little Blessings: January 2010 Recap

It seems like January just begun, and now it's already over.  I wanted to take this time to thank all of my readers and visitors!  A special thanks to the top ten referrers to Many Little Blessings during January 2010:

1. We are THAT Family

2. The Homeschool Classroom

3. Life as Mom

4. Facebook

5. Conversion Diary

6. My 3 Boybarians

7. Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

8. Catholic Mothers Online

9. A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

10. The Finer Things in Life