TICK,,, TICK,,, TICK,,, TICK,,,

Do you ever hear this clock going off in your head and feel things aren't getting done as fast as you would like and this overwhelming feeling says there is not going to be enough time to do all that you want to do..... yep,,,,, I'm there. It is only the 1st of February and I feel I don't have enough time to plan a wedding in June. Now we all know, that is ridiculous. After all, my mom planned 2 weddings in 13 days! and everything was great!!!
This is on a bit bigger scale than mine though and it is an out-of-town wedding.


So we got the venue, check....


and we found the dress, check.....


and I am just going to keep going down the list! There is a wonderful site, The Knot, that helps you get completely organized.
I did make Tracy a notebook to keep all info in...



and WE started to think about all the parts and pieces of the reception. Now we just have to find an officiant. Since the wedding is in the ballroom of a convention center, we need someone that will come there instead of an actual church.... Hmmmmm..... I will have to think about this one.... Got a few ideas though...
So on with the planning and with God's help, I will stay calm and collected....
Oh so her colors are black, purple, silver and white... I said okay???? as I thought this could be VERY ELEGANT orrrrrr...... HALLOWEEN DRAG,,,,, HMMMM.... LET'S STICK WITH ELEGANT!!!

TRAVELING COMPANION.....

As I was reading blogs this morning and came across Keetha's (I just love reading her blog) about her laptop, I decided to let you in on how wonderful it was to have a new travel companion with me. We go everywhere together anymore. I can be in touch with the world at a moment's notice all because of one little teeny tiny gadget. Prepaid Mobile Broadband.... you heard me right, see the box! No long term contract!



Sure there is a start up cost,,,,, there always is, but I now can take this baby anywhere and I don't have to rely on anyone else to provide me with service. And as long as you have a firewall installed, I think it is safe to use anywhere. (of course, I don't keep vital info on my lappy anyway). I know this isn't new to some of you, but the idea of no contract might be.






Oh glory days!!!!

LIGHT N' CREAMY CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL

I haven't done a post regarding any type of food for quite a while. So, since I was having a craving for chocolate, but I am trying really hard to stay half-way away from large quantities of calories, I chose this recipe from Cooking Light.

FYI: I honestly would much rather have homemade Angel Food Cake and make my own whipped topping but for the sake of this recipe, I purchased the products that the recipe called for. It actually did taste just fine.



LIGHT N' CREAMY CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL



Cake:
3 TB.unsweetened cocoa
1 pkg. angel food cake mix
Cooking spray
1/2 C. powdered sugar

Filling:
2 (1 ounce) bars unsweetened baking chocolate
1 (8 ounce)block 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1 C. powdered sugar
1 (8 ounce) container frozen fat free whipped topping, thawed
1 ts. unsweetened cocoa



To prepare the cake, combine 3 tablespoons cocoa and cake mix in a large bowl. Prepare the cake mix with added cocoa according to package directions. Coat a 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan with cooking spray; line bottom with wax paper. Pour batter into pan.


Ladies, if you haven't purchased one of these new beater blades for your Kitchenaid,,, oh you must! It is quite the treat when mixing. It is like a new best friend!!

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool the cake in pan 5 minutes.




Loosen cake from sides of pan, and turn out onto a dish towel dusted with 1/2 cup powdered sugar; carefully peel off wax paper. Cool the cake 1 minute.


Starting at narrow end, roll up cake and towel together. Place, seam side down, on a wire rack, and cool completely (about 15 minutes).


To prepare the filling, place baking chocolate in a glass bowl; microwave at high 2 minutes or until almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Cool. Place the cream cheese in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the melted chocolate and 1 cup powdered sugar, beating mixture well (mixture will be very thick). Gently stir 1/2 cup whipped topping into the filling, and gently fold in the remaining whipped topping.


Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread filling over the cake, leaving a 1/2 inch border around outside edges. Re-roll cake, and place, seam side down, on a platter.


(this was my idea.. I rolled a plastic cutting sheet around this roll, put rubber bands around it, then chilled).
Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon cocoa. Cut the cake into 10 slices. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired.

Yield: 10 servings



O.H. S.O. G.O.O.D!!!!! chocolate crave cured!!!

3rd POST OF THE BLOG-A-THON THANKS FOR THE AWARD

Thanks Kathia for the award!!!

Here are the rules for the award:
-List 10 things that make you happy
-Tag 5 blogs ( I am not sure if is 5 or 10 Blogs, I choose 5)
-Put in a link to their blogs and notify them.

Okay so short and simple:

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Food

4. Travel

5. God

6. Flowers

7. Funny stories

8. Friends Candle Shed

9. Sunshine

10. Kitties

I will pass this on to some newcomers to my blog. They are wonderful people that I am just getting to know. Go to their blogs and get to meet them too.

1. T's Daily Treasures

2. Places with Character

3. Daily Photo Barcelona

4. The Middlest Sister

5. Ballet News

These blogs are very interesting to follow, very interesting content. They have become daily reads (or I should say I try to read daily). I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!!

CONTINUATION RE: AWARD!!!

Debby at Just Breathe sent me this award just before I left for San Diego and I didn't get to properly finish the post so here is continuation from that January 10th post.
I was supposed to list 7 things about myself, and pass the award along to 7 beautiful bloggers.

1. I LOVE COFFEE!!! No, I don't think you understand, I L-O-V-E coffee....
2. I have a real passion for kids.
3. I love to do crafts of all sorts.
4. I love God.
5. I come off as being organized, but in truth, NOT AT ALL!!!!
6. I like to travel, but I thought I would like it more.
7. I am a procrastinator and a throw-n-go kinda girl. So then I have to finally stay home and get
everything put back in it's place.

Okay, now for 7 bloggers, in no particular order. These 7, I try to visit daily as you would maybe like a next door neighbor or a close friend.

1. Sweet Repose, bestest friends in blog world and in person.
2. Main Street Memories, please go to her blog, Colleen will have you smiling in no time.
3. Cohagan Chronicles, Mary and I have become wonderful coffee buddies.
4. Pink Little Cake, Love, Love her work... Her children's cakes are the best.
5. Common Ground, Debra is such a positive, uplifting person. I love to read both her blogs.
6. A Joyful Chaos, I just love her blog. Interesting, a wonderful read.
7. SimplyIowa, Barb and I have a wonderful love for so many of the same things. She is such a
sweetheart!

I have such wonderful friends in blogworld and I wish I could just list each and everyone of you. But honestly, my computer time is just gone, so anyone reading this, please take this award and pass it on to others. Hopefully you will visit the blogs I have listed and enjoy a few of my best friends like I do.

BACK FROM VACA,,,, PART 2

Continued from last post.....


We went to Balboa Park

Went to Moonlight Beach

watched the surfers

Went to CBS Studios and got a personal tour. GOT TO SPIN THE WHEEL!!!!

(Yeah.... ignore the face.... I only had one picture)

Got to drive by famous streets. (sing with me and Sheryl Crow, You know the song!!)

We can't wait to go back, see some more stuff.

Thanks so much for such kindness from family, great conversation, great food, wonderful weather, just an amazing trip with pictures of a lifetime. Holt family, you made our trip unforgettable, something we will always treasure!

BACK FROM VACA.....

Well, we are back from vacation in San Diego. I took tons of photos and can't wait to share them. But of course, since tonight I have time to do this post, for some reason I can't download pics. WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!! I have tried to get this thing to work without any luck twice. One more try.....

whew!!!

We got to San Diego, picked up our car and headed up to Encinitas. The Garmin (GPS) became our best friend. It led us right to our destination. This was a part of the highway with 16 lanes total going in all directions.

We visited with family

went to the beach

took a harbor cruise.... more to come..... the weather must be affecting my computer, so after working on this post for 1 1/2 hours when it should have only taken 20 minutes, I GIVE UP!!!!!

MORE TOMORROW