Date Chocolate Chip Cake

Posted in sweets, things we like to eat by mydaughterandiblog

We got this recipe from Vicki, the gal who has cut our hair for forever. Literally, she’s been cutting our hair since before I was born, so for 16+ years. Vicki is constantly baking, and always has a yummy treat to share when we go to get our haircut.

Date Chocolate Chip Cake was one of those treats, and it’s delicious. Right about now, you might be clicking away from this post because of that ominous word: dates. But keep reading, because this cake is more than worth it. Dates aren’t normally something that we like to eat around here, but this is a huge exception. The dates add a really unique flavor and a ton of moisture. The cake turns out rich and chocolate-y and super moist…in other words, it’s amazing.

Preheat oven to 350*. Put dates into boiling water, and set aside to cool.

Cream butter and sugar.

Beat in two eggs and add vanilla.

Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and cocoa.

The dates will look really weird once they have finished softening and are cool. Don’t worry, that’s how they are supposed to look- here is a picture of the dates once they have cooled…

Mix in cooled dates and water…

I know. This looks a lot like throw-up. But have no fear! That’s how it’s supposed to look, and it will be delicious once you’re done.

Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Pour into greased 8″x8″ pan and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips over the top.

Bake 55 minutes at 350* or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Travis was more than happy to help with this one…

Date Chocolate Chip Cake

1 cup (2 sticks) of butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup dates, dried and chopped

1 cup of boiling water

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350*

Put dates into boiling water, and set aside to cool.

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in two eggs and add vanilla. Mix in cooled dates and water, and flour, baking soda, baking powder and cocoa. Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.

Pour into greased 8″x8″ pan and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips over the top.

Bake 55 minutes at 350* or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Jordan

4Aug2013

Fashion Friday- Splurge Edition

Posted in Fashion Friday, obsessions by mydaughterandiblog

Yes. I realize it’s actually Sunday, but I thought late was better than never. I was at summer camp from Wednesday to Saturday, so I actually have a decent excuse for my lateness 🙂

Summer camp was absolutely incredible by the way…so many new friends made, old friendships strengthened, fun games- some challenging, some just plain silly (can you say Twinkie eating contest?!? Ohhh yeah), and the best of all: awesome teaching. God’s presence was so strong in that camp!

Anyways…. here are my Fashion Friday picks for last week- I chose to do a splurge edition this time- items that I’ll most likely never get up the nerve to buy, but that’s okay, since drooling is free, right?

Lady Lanes Cami

So sweet and pretty.

Elizabeth Heels

Oh these heels… I fell in love with them when I saw them on Penny Pincher Fashion, one of my new favorite blogs, and I haven’t stopped loving them since.

Michael Kors ‘Parker’ Watch

So. This is my mom’s addition to this week’s post. She loves herself a good white watch, but has yet to find one that fits all the criteria (not too large of a face, not annoyingly sparkly etc. etc.). She does love the nautical look of this one though.

Yarn Dye Swing Top

I love this one. Not only is it white, it’s also a tank top, so it’s pretty much a perfect shirt.

Eileen Fisher Alpaca & Merino Sweater

Some of you might know that I’m not a huge sweater person, mostly because I get hot so easily. My mom loves to tell about when this weird temperature phenomenon began to show itself: when I was a baby, she would bundle me up in long sleeves, a beanie and then swaddle me like a burrito. I lasted that way for a few minutes and then my face would get super pink and I would start to sweat. Apparently it started young 🙂

I just might be able to wear this sweater though because it looks so perfect. The color is one of my all-time favorites and it looks really comfortable.

Navy Polka Dot Toms

Toms have to be some of my favorite shoes, and I love the polka dot pattern on this pair.

I Work Out Tank Top

When I saw this shirt for the first time I couldn’t control my laughing. This is definitely on my wish list as the perfect work out top, but almost $30 seemed a little excessive. But most likely I’ll give in at some point because it’s just too funny to pass up.

Free People Shell Stitch Lace Henley

I thought this was really cute and comes in a lot of pretty colors.

Ex Boyfriend Tee

Ditto to the comment above, except I think I love it even more because it looks so comfortable.

Jordan

1Aug2013

August Fitness Challenge

Posted in Fitness, obsessions, other obsessions by mydaughterandiblog

I debated on where I should post my August fitness challenge; important stuff or obsessions? I think obsessions was the right category. I work out, a lot!

For the month of July, I started a squat and lunge challenge with a few of my boot camp buddies. The challenge was doing 50 squats or 50 lunges everyday in the month of July, alternating so you complete one set each day. It was great and sometimes quite difficult to complete after a really hard boot camp or barre workout. But I persevered and so did my buddies!

Well, August is here and so is the new challenge. This starts out slow, but doing a plank for 5 minutes, eek, I’m afraid! Anyone interested in joining too?

You can check out other challenges at http://www.tribesports.com

31Jul2013

Peach Jam

Posted in extras, things we like to eat by mydaughterandiblog

We are fortunate to know several people with peach trees and we were blessed with a bunch this year. When you get that many ripe peaches, you better get eating/cooking right away. We made peach smoothies, peach crisp and this yummy peach jam. I love the way this jam turned out. It had a great flavor; the vanilla and cinnamon was so perfect with the ripe peaches. The recipe didn’t call for all that much sugar – compared to some recipes.

Peel and slice peaches. Place sliced peaches, sugar, and lemon in a bowl.

Cover and let sit for one hour, so the peaches will release their juices.

Place peaches, cinnamon and vanilla into a large pot and bring liquid to a boil.

Using a potato masher begin to mash peaches down.

Use a wooden spoon to continue stirring as peaches cook. We cooked ours 30 minutes.

While your peaches are cooking down, sanitize your jars by placing in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat, but keep jars in and add lids to the warm water until you are ready to can.

Right before canning, remove your jars and lids from the water. Ladle hot fruit into each jar, leaving a 1/2 inch at the top of the jar. Wipe the rim and screw on lids securely, but not too tight.

Place in boiling water for 5 minutes (the water should completely cover the jars).

Using tongs, remove jars carefully from the water and set on the counter. As the jars cool and seal, you should hear them ping.

Peach Jam

4 pounds of peaches (7 cups or so)

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Peel and slice peaches. Place sliced peaches, sugar, and lemon in a bowl. Cover and let sit for one hour, so the peaches will release their juices.

Place peaches, cinnamon and vanilla into a large pot and bring liquid to a boil.

Using a potato masher begin to mash peaches down. Use a wooden spoon to continue stirring as peaches cook. We cooked ours 30 minutes.

While your peaches are cooking down, sanitize your jars by placing in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat, but keep jars in and add lids to the warm water until you are ready to can. Right before canning, remove your jars and lids from the water.

Ladle hot fruit into each jar, leaving a 1/2 inch at the top of the jar. Wipe the rim and screw on lids securely, but not too tight. Place in boiling water for 5 minutes (the water should completely cover the jars).

Using tongs, remove jars carefully from the water and set on the counter. As the jars cool and seal, you should hear them ping.

29Jul2013

Corn Casserole

Posted in side dishes, things we like to eat by mydaughterandiblog

Hey! I can’t believe that we are almost through July. Where has the summer gone? Because of everyone’s different schedules, we just haven’t had an opportunity to do some of our regular summer routines, such as camping. So sad! But we can enjoy summer food and when I think of summer food, I think of corn. We love this creamy, rich and super easy recipe. I think several people in my family would say that this is one of their favorite side dishes.

It takes about 5 minutes to whip up, so you can pull the rest of your dinner together while it is baking. The day I made this, I grilled some chicken to go with it along with a green salad and some fruit. Easy and delicious!

Mix all the ingredients together…

and pour into a casserole dish.

Bake uncovered at 350* for about 45 minutes or until cooked through. The top and sides should be lightly browned.

We tend to prefer it as listed above, but this dish would be terrific with green chilies, jalapeños or green onions mixed it.

Corn Casserole
2 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels
1 -15 ounce can cream style corn
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 – 8 ounce box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350* for about 45 minutes or until cooked through. The top and sides should be lightly browned.