Great-Grandma's Favorite Bundt Cake

This cake is our family's favorite, and I thought that this year I would share it with our friends and co-workers. The thought of making 20+ cakes seemed crazy but I figured out a way to package them perfectly. In a jar. I made the cake normally and then filled each jar about half full. Baked them in the oven and they turned out fantastically! Then I put the sealing lids on them and waited for the "pings" (they took a while to come but it was so great to hear them.)

The cake is normally in a Bundt pan, but this did the trick. Here is the normal recipe for the cake. If you feel adventurous you can try the jars. Happy Baking!

(If you are reading this and thinking, "Where is my cake in a jar?," then you are probably not very good friends with me or live too far for me to hand deliver it. Most likely the latter.)

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (the more chocolate the better)

1 pkg instant chocolate pudding

1/2 C. white sugar

1 C. sour cream

3/4 C. vegetable oil

3/4 C. water

4 eggs

1-2 C. chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 bottle caramel ice cream topping

1 C. chopped pecans or toffee chips (depends on your preference)

1-2 C. Chocolate chips

1/4 C. cream

Combine the first 8 ingredients until well mixed and moistened. Pour into your favorite Bundt pan and bake in oven 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and pour can of milk and caramel sauce over cake. Allow to completely cool. Remove from pan onto serving plate/platter. Melt the last cup of chocolate chips with the cream. Drizzle generously over cake and then sprinkle pecans or toffee chips over cake.
Very moist, delicious cake. Enjoy!

Yield: 12 to 16 servings (depending on how many chocolate lovers are there)

Leave a comment if you made it or or will make it. Thanks!

New Christmas Tradition!

I did not think of this on my own, but I love the idea. I wrapped up 25 Christmas books (most of which James got from his library) and every night the kids unwrap one and we read it as a family. I have really loved doing this and the kids love it too! It's a bit of work in the beginning but well worth the effort. Here is where I got the idea. Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thinking about my blog I didn't want my last post, which is so negative, to be up there anymore. Things have been getting better. I joined the gym here and I have been going 5-6 times a week. I love taking the "me" time.

Also, at this time of year it makes me reflect on all the things I have to be grateful for, most importantly, my Family! I am lucky to a part of my children's lives.

I love them so much and try so hard to be a good mother for them. I am grateful for James and the love we have for each other. Life really is perfect when he is around (or at least the hard stuff is bearable when he's around).

I am also grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ, the direction it gives me and the knowledge that my family can be together forever. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and for His atoning sacrifice for me. I have so much to be grateful for at this time. Now as Christmas is coming and people get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of gifts I hope that I can remember to be grateful for life's greatest gifts.

There is so much to be grateful for, go out and give thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Life can be hard!

This last month has been hard for me. Things have just been really unsettling right now. James has been interviewing for new jobs, I am doing the Halloween party, and I have been trying to go running. I guess when I write it out it doesn't seem that bad but it sure has felt stressful. I have decided to only worry about the things I can control. I guess in life that is all one can do. I have upped my running schedule and James and I going back on the diet. The diet worked and we felt better on it. So as far a goals here goes:

1. Run for 30 minutes 5 times a week

2. Eat 600 calories or less every meal (that does not include fresh fruits or plain veggies)

3. No cake, donuts, CANDY (yes Halloween candy too), or any other types of sweets

4. Nothing fried

Really everything seems pretty reasonable except number 3. Today is my 8 year anniversary and what do I do with all my chocolate?

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

Apron Giveaway!

My friend Martha guided me to this blog and I am intrigued! There are recipes galore and I am in heaven! I have been spending the morning scrolling through all the fun posts. I thought I would share this giveaway with everyone. I hope you enjoy and best of luck!

Yoga, Run, Abs, Yoga, Run, Abs

I know that my last post suggests otherwise, but I took the week off from running. James was gone for half the week and I had a sick baby all week. But that doesn't mean I can't run and work out this next week. Now that James is home, and its cooling down, I think it will be a bit easier. So it is the same as last week.

1. Do yoga 4 times this week.

2. Go running at least 3 times this week.

3. Do the abs/buns workout 4 times this week.

On a side note, after the last few movies I have watched and books I have read I am grateful that I live in this day and age. History has shown us that being born a woman stinks. This isn't a new revelation to me, I am just glad I am alive now and not then. And that I am not in the American wild west in 1850, England circa 1150 a.d. or even the middle class suburbs of 1950's. All times are romanticized by authors but I know the truth-it wasn't fun for women!

I have to do this again.

I am really irritated with myself. This last summer I worked really hard to run, do yoga and get fit and now I have lost all motivation. I am now running once, maybe twice, a week. All the work I have done will go to waste if I don't do something about it. The only thing I can think about is to be accountable to my blog, it worked in the past. I am going to put my goals on the website and then check in at the end of the week to see how I did. Let's hope this works!

1. Do yoga 4 times this week.

2. Go running at least 3 times this week.

3. Do the abs/buns workout 4 times this week.

There is a bright light, a little hope. Lucy, 4 years-old, has decided to be a runner for Halloween. If that is not encouraging I don't know what is.

Yeah!! He's walking!

Okay, so not walking completely but at least he is trying. That's a step, right? (excuse the pun)

By the way, I love it how Dylan claps for himself. He is so proud, as are we.

Dilly Dance

This video is too cute. This is Dylan's version of dancing. I Love it!

Tender Mercies

Life has been a bit crazy. Yesterday, James and I thought we would take a quick trip to the mall for some shopping. We got a flat tire on the way down there. We changed the tire and then the spare blew out. Finally, after an hour, the car was towed and a brand new tire was put on. We are so glad that we have a cell phone. It made life a little easier.

The amazing part was that my friend Jaime pulled up as we were getting the car on the jack. I couldn't believe that she was inspired enough to go shopping. Yes, shopping can be inspiring. She asked if she could take the kids (I ended up going with her too) which was great! Had the kids stayed with the car we all would have been stuck on the side of the freeway in hundred degree weather for about 40 minutes. Instead, the kids and I went to Sam's Club and Bath and Body Works. Poor James stayed with the car and suffered the heat and waited and waited.

All in all everything is fine and there weren't any major issues. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father was looking out for our little family and sent some mercy. We are so blessed.

So as far as my workout goals, I was not very successful last week. I got my running in but not the yoga. This week is going to play out a little differently. We have a family reunion in 6 weeks, therefore I am doing a crash diet and extra workouts to look good for the reunion. Once at the reunion I will calm things down a bit. So goals this week are as follows:

1. Abs of steel, 15 minutes 6 days this week

2. Running, 30 minutes 5 days this week

3. Yoga, 30 minutes 6 days this week

4. 1600 calorie diet

Wish me luck, with school ending this week I really hope I can do this.

Running

I didn't complete my goal. I ran only three times last week and did yoga three times. In my defense it was my birthday this week and I did a lot of baby-sitting for some friends that are now gone. -boo hoo :( I hope that I can do my goals this week. My goals this week are the same as last. Wish me luck.

1. Run 4 times this week, 30 minutes each time

2. Yoga 4 times this week, 30 minutes each time

On the road again.

I have taken the last few weeks off from running. I am not really sure why but I have felt the affects from not exercising and I am ready to get back in the saddle. With my monumental birthday coming up it made me think that I want to be a person of movement. Plus, I feel a hundred times better when I workout. My goal this week is to run four times and do yoga. Let's see if I can do it. I hope I am not setting myself up for failure. Wish me luck.

1. Run four times for 30 minutes each time

2. Yoga four times for 30 minutes each time

Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do!

I Love Lost! James and I are in disagreement about what happened to the characters in the last episode. Will we be seeing more of Sayid? How about Lapidus? Please comment and let me know what you think.

I need a second (and third) opinion.

Are his eyes blue? Green? Or both?

What do you think?

(by the way do you see his third tooth?)

A Red Letter Day!

Yeah, I ran my first 5K today! It was really fun and I can't wait to do it again. There were about 100 people that ran in this race and James was able to place 2nd in his division. Good for him!!! They had some "technical difficulties" and therefore had the time for only the first twenty five that crossed the finish line. Unfortunately, I was not in that "elite" group (hey at least I wasn't last.) So I guess it is better that I don't know my time, because it was a hilly course. So I didn't place in my age group (I was running against all the fit college girls) but maybe in a few months when I change divisions that might change. (Although I was probably the first lactating woman to cross the finish line. That has got to count for something, right?)

A Camping we went.

For Spring break we went camping with some friends we have here in Texas. We froze at night but had lots of fun. Dylan wasn't too fond of the paddle boat ride (which we just about lost our camera on), but everyone else had a BLAST! We need to go again now that the nights are warming up.

Happy Birthday Lucy!!!

I want to wish my sweet little girl a very happy 4th birthday. We will be having a princess birthday party this afternoon with some of her friends. Lucy is a little spitfire bright star in our family and I love her tenacious spirit. She loves picking flowers for me and loves animals, especially puppies. She has a great sense of taste and will accept nothing less than chocolate. I love her so much and I am so grateful and honored to be her mother!

April Fool's

Dinner: Cupcakes (meatloaf and mashed potatoes, Buttered noodles (julienned Zucchini), and Sunny side up Egg (Pureed cottage cheese and a peach), Surprise Colored Milk

Dessert: Sushi (rice crispy treats, fruit roll ups and dried fruit)

I Crossed the Bridge!

About ten minutes into my run there is a hill, a big one. I am always afraid to run down it because I will have to run back up it. At the bottom of the hill there is a bridge, and a little beyond that there is a house that I use as a landmark to indicate 1/2 of a 5k. I have only run down the hill a handful of times. On Friday I went all the way down to the 1/2 5k marker, then turned around and ran home. I ran my first 5k (3.1 miles) in 41 minutes. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. James and I are going to run in a real 5k in two weeks. I am really excited to train for it. I hope to beat my time of 41 minutes. That puts me at my goal for this week. I will run four times this week, each time running my 5k in hopes to improve my time. I will supplement my running with 30 minutes of Yoga. Wish me luck, anytime I add another goal to running I come up short.

1. Run a 5k 4 times this week

2. Do Yoga 4-5 times this week, 30 minutes each time

*Coming soon* April Fool's Dinner pictures, camping, and Lucy's Birthday!

This is the Week!!!!

My new year's resolution has been to run for thirty minutes, 4 times a week. I have been on a ten week program to get me to running 30 minutes straight. This is the week I have been working for. I have been doing the program faithfully and this week I will be running for thirty minutes straight (hopefully). If I am successful I will get a pedicure and maybe a manicure. If not, then maybe I will treat myself next week. So here is hoping I can do it. I highly recommend the program. Here it is if anyone would like to try:

Each week of the program, do your run/walk workouts on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and take Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday off.

10-WEEK TRAINING SCHEDULE

Week 1
Run 2 minutes,
walk 4 minutes.
Repeat 5 times.

Week 2
Run 3 minutes,
walk 3 minutes.
Repeat five times.

Week 3
Run 5 minutes,
walk 2.5 minutes.
Repeat four times.

Week 4
Run 7 minutes,
walk 3 minutes.
Repeat three times.

Week 5
Run 8 minutes,
walk 2 minutes.
Repeat three times.

Week 6
Run 9 minutes,
walk 2 minutes.
Repeat twice, then
run 8 minutes.

Week 7
Run 9 minutes,
walk 1 minute.
Repeat three times

Week 8
Run 13 minutes,
walk 2 minutes.
Repeat twice.

Week 9
Run 14 minutes,
walk 1 minute.
Repeat twice.

Week 10
Run 30 minutes.

By the way, this week I am just going to do the running for my goal. I think that will be good enough.

What is my problem?

I really think I have the "running thing" down, but when I add ANY other goals to that I fail. I was able to run this week. Actually, I ran 5 times this week, and by Friday I was tired. As for my other goals I have failed. I don't know why I can't do the throw downs or the Abs of Steel. It just doesn't happen. I think I need to change my approach.

This time I am going to try a new angle, food. On top of running 4-5 times this week I am going to eat 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables a day. The average American diet has about 14 grams of fiber. The recommended amount is 25-30 grams fiber per day. And I know that I don't eat enough fruits and veggies.

Here's the challenge:

1. Run 4 times this week-30 minutes.

2. Eat 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables every day

Babies really do a number!!!

I know I haven't been in the best of shape, but with running I have really improved. I went to the doctor this week and found out I have lost two pounds in two weeks and three pounds since December. But better than that, my clothes are starting to get really loose and all of my pants aren't even staying up. Crazy, huh?

I also realized that I love running. I never thought I would say that but I miss it when I don't go and I look forward to my runs. I love it. I made my goal of running 4 times last week and I will carry that over to this week.

As for the throw downs--that is a different story. My stomach muscles are shot after three pregnancies and it is going to take a lot of work to undo the damage. I only did them twice last week. So this week I will up the ante just a bit and throw in some Abs of Steel workouts. We'll see if that will be a bit nicer to my tummy. Here is this weeks Challenge:

1. Run 4 times this week, 30 minutes each time (maybe even five if I feel so inclined)
2. Do two sets of "throw downs" 3 times this week
3. Do 15 minute Abs of Steel workout-twice

The Sun will come out Tomorrow...(More like this week)

I took last week off from running, thanks to some of my friend's advice. I used the week to recover from a nasty, lingering cold. And yes, I still have it, but I can't rest anymore. I went running on Saturday and loved it. This week is going to be similar to last week. I am going to run 4 times this week. The first time being this morning.

Also, I am going to do "throw downs" with James every night this week. Now before you dirty minded people start getting carried away, throw downs are when you lay on your back and the other person stands at your head. You hold on to their ankles and lift both legs up to your head. Then the person standing "throws" or pushes your legs down to the floor and you have to not let your legs touch the floor and then again raise your legs up. My roommate in Logan taught them to me and it is a VERY effective stomach exercise. Go ahead try them, they are hard, huh?

Anyway:

1. Run for 30 minutes, 4 times this week

2. 2 sets of throw downs 6 days this week

I have had better Weeks.

I did not make my goals this week. Life has been pretty busy around here. I was sick all week (and still not better) and I have been working on two callings. Like I said, crazy! But I did get my running in last week, just not the spot training. So this next week I am going easy on myself. I will just do the running. Once I get that down solid maybe I can add something else.

So here it is:

Running for 30 minutes 4 days this week.

Should be easy, right? Anyway, wish me luck!

My new goal.

I have been running for the last 6 weeks. I have been posting my goals here but I have decided to move over to my blog. This week my goal is to run 4 times this week and do my abs/buns of steel workout four times this week. So here it is:

1. Run for 30 minutes 4 times this week

2. Do 15 minutes of "Abs/buns of steel" 4 times this week

I am not sure how I will do because I have been sick for the last few days. I guess only time will tell. See you next week.

Bedtime Stories

Always, when I have a million things to do, Lucy does the cutest things. She wanted to play house and I was the daughter. It was time for me to go to sleep and so she decided to tell me a bedtime story. I was lucky enough to record it. I think if we let her she could talk forever. Enjoy!

**UPDATE**

So really sad, I tried to upload the video and for some reason I completely deleted it. I was really bummed. So here James is trying to get the story from her.

Cheers

Sorry to be such a dud on my blog. I have been taking a break from blogging and I am still not ready to come back. I have been focusing on my kids, scrapbooking, running and my new calling (Relief Society Secretary) Not to mention James' new BUSY calling. I am sorry I haven't posting anything in a while and I didn't want my last posting to be so "blah." Now that you know where I have been you can stop worrying. I still like emails and phone calls (and I am still checking other blogs.) So farewell for now, -cheers.