Live list

So, for a few weeks I've been thinking about all the goals I want to accomplish or things that I want to do before this year is through. I was wondering how I would compile a list of these things, without getting too overwhelmed. I didn't want to call them resolutions, because I knew it would feel like a burden as opposed to something fun. Then I was looking at Rachel and Nick's blog (BTW, they're looking to adopt, so if you know someone searching for a good couple, point them in their direction!) and I realized what I needed to do. I needed to make a "live list", a list of things to help me enjoy life, and LIVE it, instead of just going through the day-to-day motions. So this is my "live list" for 2010:

• Find a new “hole in the wall” (local restaurant, family café, etc.).
• Take a cake decorating class.
• Make a cake for every special occasion. No store bought cakes this year!
• Dedicate more time to reading. My list includes: Glenn Beck’s Common Sense, The Lovely Bones, and Arguing with Idiots.
• Go to a Jazz game.
• Go to a Stingers game.
• Learn to crochet.
• Take a day trip to Park City.
• Take a day trip to Ephraim.
• Make all of Aiden’s baby food.
• Do a puzzle.
• Take Katelyn to her first day of Kindergarten.
• Escape on an overnighter with my hubby ;)
• Go to the park with the kids.
• Go to a laser light show with Nate.
• Go to the beach.
• Go to Oregon and visit family and friends.
• Play a board game.
• Meet my new niece/nephew (aka Bubbles).
• Learn to make jewelry.
• Go on a double date.
• Paint the girls’ toenails.
• Learn to can a new food item this summer.
• Go to the zoo.
• Go bowling.
• Reach my goal weight.
• Get a pedicure.
• Take a picture with my husband on our anniversary.
• Ride FrontRunner to Ogden.
• Go to Frightmares.

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows." ~Thomas S. Monson

This list is subject to change, but only if I have something to add to it! As they year goes on, I will try to post pictures of what I've done, so you all can follow my journey! :)

Chocolate Malt Cake

Because I'm a malt addict, I found myself wondering if a cake recipe existed out there that featured malt. Thank goodness for Google (oh Google, how I love thee), or else I might have never known! So, OF COURSE, I had to try this out and see how it really tasted! Here's the recipe, for those of you who were asking for it!

Batter:

2¼ cups all-purpose flour

¼ cups sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1½ teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 cup malted milk powder

1 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting:

1 cup unsweetened butter, room temperature

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¾ cup whipping (heavy) cream

½ cup malted milk powder

5 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare 2 9-inch round layer cake pans, lightly grease.

Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; whisk together to mix. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine milk and malted milk powder, stirring to dissolve. Add milk mixture, vegetable oil, and eggs to flour mixture; use an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; beat just until mixture is combined. Spoon the batter into prepared pans. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Chocolate Malt Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter and cocoa powder until creamy. In a small bowl, combine whipping cream and malted milk powder, stirring to dissolve. Add cream mixture to butter mixture, use an electric mixer and beat until combined. Gradually beat in confectioner’s sugar until smooth.

Verdict: YUM! The frosting tasted just like Whoppers, it was unreal! I was a little panicked Saturday night when I baked the cakes because they weren't very sweet at all. Once I made the frosting Sunday afternoon, I knew why! The cake isn't terribly sweet on purpose, the frosting completely makes up for it! I accidentally used a bit more whipping cream in the frosting than I was supposed to, so it made decorating the cake a bit difficult, but it still worked out okay. I took the cake over to my dad's for it's taste testing (since I consider my dad the utmost expert on all things malt related) and it was a hit! That cake was snarfed up in a hurry!

More to come

Hmmmmm...I've been quite the slacker, haven't I? I love keeping all of you updated on everything, but life has sure escaped me these past few months! It's a new year, a new month...so I'm going to re-commit myself to keeping my blog updated. It's a good way for me to reflect on the happenings in my life and also doubles as a way to keep you all updated on our life events!

There will be more to come in 2010... :)