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Mississippi Mud Cake

It is one of my favorites!

Mississippi Mud Cake showed up in my Pinterest feed this week, and it has been bothering me ever since.  Although I don’t need an excuse to bake, it makes me feel better to have one.

When I learned that Stephanie and Amanda would be in the neighborhood this weekend, I thought I just might have justification.  Then when Amanda announced that she and Stephanie should come over to swim, I knew I must create a special treat for them!

It’s what moms do!

~

Mississippi Mud Cake has three layers:  the cake layer, which is topped with marshmallows or marshmallow cream, and finished with a VERY sweet chocolate icing that is poured over the marshmallows.  I have tasted recipes where a boxed cake mix is used, but, to me, a made-from-scratch chocolate cake is so much better.

 

This recipe I used is an interesting process.  There’s a lot of butter

There’s a lot of cocoa.

Just after the cake comes out of the oven a whole bag of marshmallows is sprinkled on top.

Perfect!

Then back into the oven, under the broiler.

I didn’t put the marshmallows under the broiler, because I have trouble with the broiler.  I tend to set off the smoke alarm when I use it.

Instead, I pulled out the blow torch.  LB joined in the fun and set the marshmallows on fire.

He likes things well done.

After the marshmallows are nicely toasted, it is time for the icing.More butter, cocoa, and FOUR cups of powdered sugar!

Here is the recipe that I used posted on the food network courtesy of one of my favorites, the Pioneer Woman:

Mississippi Mud Cake

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

Cake:

Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dish

2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter

1/4 heaping cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup boiling water

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

One 10-ounce bag mini marshmallows (about 6 cups)

Icing:

1 3/4 sticks (14 tablespoons) salted butter

6 tablespoons whole milk

1/4 heaping cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  1. For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. In a saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the cocoa powder, then the boiling water. Let it bubble up for a few seconds, then turn it off and set it aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar and salt. Pour the chocolate mixture over the flour mixture and stir a few times to start to cool the chocolate.
  4. In a separate small bowl, mix the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and eggs. Pour over the flour-chocolate mixture and mix until everything is combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler.
  5. Sprinkle the marshmallows over the cake, then return the dish to the oven to broil until the marshmallows start to turn golden, about 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
  6. For the icing: Melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the milk and cocoa powder. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar in 4 to 5 additions. Stir in the nuts and vanilla.
  7. Pour the icing all over the marshmallows, allowing some marshmallows to remain visible. Let the icing set, then deliver or serve.

 

 

It is ready when you get here girls!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

Today is the third Friday of June, which means it is

National Flip Flop Day!

While this should be my Favorite #ONE, I haven’t had the pleasure of a pedicure in some time, so my flip flopped feet are not suitable for photographing.

Nevertheless, as a Floridian, I celebrate #NationalFlipFlopDay everyday!

~

This morning we had our weekly team conference call.

The good new is: [currently] there is no talk of returning to the office.

 

via GIPHY

That is FINE with me… I am just as happy as I can be working from home!

So happy in fact, working from home is my

Favorite #ONE

I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.

Now that I’ve put that out there, something will probably change.  We shall wait and see.

~

These days there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to talk about.  Even LB and I seem to spend a great deal of time talking about the weather.  Earlier this week I spent some time chatting with someone I’ve been friends since my 1970’s Sunday School days.  This is one of the things I shared:

My

Favorite #TWO

My new juicer!

I suppose I’m about as interesting as anyone else who has been in quarantine since March.

~

Before my Favorites went any further downhill, my daughter-in-law rescued me.  She sent videos of my favorite little girls playing in the park.  I snapped a few photos to share my

Favorite #THREE

This little climber and her protective Daddy.

Richard is helping his little one learn where to place her feet, so she will be able to safely climb to the top.

Lydia is so brave, and she wants to climb to the top all by herself.

Richard stays right behind her, ready to catch her if she falls.He is such a good Daddy!She made it!  Good Job!

~

Favorite #FOUR

This little climber who stopped to pose for the camera after she reached the top of these stairs!  She looks like a little Southern belle.

Speaking of Southern belles, there is one in particular that comes to mind.  She is the most famous fictional Southern belle and was the heroine in a story that is my

Favorite # FIVE

Gone with the Wind

is a classic and a great story.

I know a lot of people have watched the movie, but I only know of one who has read the book:

“Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm…”

(she is beautiful in the movie)

It is a LONG story, but well worth the time.

LB ordered the DVD last week, because you just never know if it may disappear.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

This Little Book

Right now there seems to be no way to watch television without being faced with some sort of doom and gloom.  To get a really good dose, listen to talk radio.

I am so ready for peace and for things to be happy in the world again.

During our extended stay at home, I’ve have been cleaning [a lot] and going through cabinets, closets, and drawers.  During one of these cleaning sessions I came across a little book…

The Mother’s Topical Bible.

Yesterday, in an effort to manage my thoughts, I picked up that little book.

Inside are specific bible verses, for specific needs.

When you need to forgive…

When you need personal comfort…

When you need inner peace.

I was looking for something that would speak to my current state of mind, and any of these would have been good.

But one topic caught my eye:

When You Think People Are Weird

Being that I do, I turned to page 317 and began to read 1 Corinthians 4:5…

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (KJV).

As I continued reading, the topic title caught my eye once again.  I had misread.  The topic was actually

When PEOPLE Think YOU Are Weird.

Well… that works too.

This is The Mother’s Topical Bible

This is a special little book that was given to me by Mama and Daddy…. “signed” by both.

I’m glad that it is back in my hands.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

 

Friday Favorites Birthday Fun

Last Thursday, Richard, Emily, and the baby girls came to town for birthday celebrations.  Other than face-time calls, this was the first time I’ve seen them since February.  Before heading to Mema Mary’s house, for birthday celebrations, they stopped to see Glammy.  We played with the Barbie estate for for a few minutes.

The next day, when I walked into the ‘playroom’ I saw this

Favorite # ONE

Thinking back, I remember that while we were playing, Rory was trying to load the Barbie car with a Barbie doll, Barbie’s baby, and a toilet.

Seeing this just made my day.

Apparently traveling with a potty is paramount.

~

Later we went to Mema’s house

where the whole family gathered to celebrate.

On this occasion we would be celebrating my birthday and Emily’s birthday.  There are several June birthdays in my family.

One that would happen on the next day was…

Favorite #TWO

This little one is two years old!

Happy Birthday Adrian!

~

Favorite #THREE

Birthday CakeThe pink candles were mine and the yellow ones for Emily, whose birthday is June 6th.

I’m thinking about it right now and wish I had more!

Amanda told me that it came from Biscottis.  I looked it up on their website.  Biscottis cakes start at $65.  Now I know I need to get into the baking profession.

~

For my birthday, LB surprised me with

Presents!

This is my

Favorite #FOUR

A new wallet by Hobo

(Lauren clutch wallet/Velvet hide/Color: Dew)

Then when we returned home LB surprised me again with a belated birthday present.

My

Favorite # FIVE

The One Heart Charm bracelet from Brighton

I like the combination of silver and gold.  It is very pretty and was very thoughtful of LB!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Thank You Ma’am

Didn’t your Mama teach you to say “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am”?

We were at the Treasure Island Resort on the morning of my birthday.  Hoping for eggs Benedict (my favorite), LB and I made our way to the BRGR restaurant.

(this is the view from our suite)

Walking in, we saw a sign that read:

“Please seat yourself”

LB and I thought that, under the [COVID19] circumstances, we should sit outside.

There was only one other couple in the entire restaurant, and they were also outside.  We looked for a small table, but there was only one, and it was right next to the other couple, and did not seem to be an adequate 6 feet away.

So we chose a larger table… a table for six.

A female server emerged and asked if we were expecting others to join us.  I answered, “no, it is just the two of us”.  With no words, she waved her arm and motioned for us to move, as she pointed to the smaller table and declared that the tables we had chosen were meant for a larger group.

Bewildered, LB and I followed as she put us right next to the other couple.  This interaction was the first clue that we were to be waited on by someone who is completely lacking in ‘social skills’.  Neither one of us liked the way this was handled, but being that I do not deal well with conflict, and it was my birthday… no argument was given.

She brought our coffee and she took our order.

LB ordered the frittata sandwich.  He mispronounced the word frittata, she abruptly corrected him, but brought him his order. Eggs Benedict was not on the menu, but my breakfast was excellent!  Kudos to the chef!

I had a bacon, cheddar, onion, and spinach omelette…

that came with a loaf of bread.

As our server patrolled through the outdoor dining area [checking on ALL TWO of her tables], she would occasionally stop to ask if anything was needed.  If she provided LB with a coffee refill, or anything, he would respond as any southern gentleman does, with a friendly “Thank you ma’am”.  Each time she replied. When she replied, she would do so quietly, and beneath a mask.  I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like she said the word ‘BRANDY’.

It wasn’t until LB got the check that we saw that the server’s name was BRANDI and he realized she had indeed been correcting him when he would say, “thank you, ma’am”.

I had picked up on this a little earlier, but said nothing because

I wasn’t sure that I was really hearing what I was hearing.

Brandi brought our requested take out boxes and we filled them with half of our breakfast and left the BRGR restaurant that morning.  Brandi was rewarded with a good tip, but in my opinion should have been rewarded with a “can I speak with your manager?”

When LB and I discussed this as we left the restaurant, he was [for lack of a better expression] BLOWN AWAY that he had apparently offended this young woman.

LB and I later discussed my thoughts on being called “ma’am”.  I told him that although I’ve never confronted anyone, it does make me feel old.  Albeit, I understand the use of yes ma’am, no ma’am, thank you ma’am.

If you want to thank me, and you say,

“thank you ma’am”

I’m okay with that.

  LB had no idea that this was ‘a thing’ until he googled “Thank you ma’am offends”.

In the article he shared, the writer, Kelly Kazik concludes, maybe we should not be offended by this (manners are a good thing after-all).

Although the Treasure Island Resort was beyond impressive, unfortunately, the resort’s only restaurant left us feeling a little disconcerted.

We wouldn’t go back to the BRGR restaurant during our 2020 stay at the Treasure Island Resort, but we did enjoy the other half of our breakfast, in our suite, the following day.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Fifty Four Facts

About ME!

No, I didn’t just pull the number 54 out of the air.

I remember when I turned 30, my mother-in-law joyfully told me “in 20 years you’ll be 50!”

Apparently I didn’t think it was possible.  It must have been that I was still in the invincibility stage that most people experience during youth.

Today I am going to engage in an exercise of self-awareness and share…

54 Very Random Facts About Kim

Here goes…

  1. I’ve lived on the “Westside” of Jacksonville all of my life.
  2. I was born on the same day as Marilyn Monroe, different year, of course.
  3. I used to have a problem with sleepwalking.
  4. My tonsils are long gone.
  5. Mexican cuisine is my favorite…
  6. However I could live on rotisserie chicken and diet orange soda.
  7. I fainted when I got my ears pierced.
  8. My Aunt Linda pierced my ears with two giant needles.
  9. Autumn has always been my favorite season; this year spring is a close second.

  10. Peanut M&Ms is my favorite candy.

  11. I graduated from Edward H. White high school in 1984.
  12. As a senior in high school, I joined the girls cross country team.  Today I’m still running.
  13. I have successfully completed a half marathon.
  14. At the age of 18 I was married; just after I turned 19, I became a mom.  Think about that for a minute.
  15. I am 3 credits (1 class) short of attaining my bachelor’s degree.
  16. I have an Associates degree in Interior Design Technology.
  17. When my son broke his arm, I fainted in the ER.
  18. I auditioned for and joined the Chancel Choir at First Baptist Church Jacksonville.
  19. At one time I was a bank teller.
  20. My first job was a proof operator at the bank where my Daddy was the Executive Vice President.

  21. The first time I took my drivers test, I failed.

  22. I was apprehensive about retesting with the same instructor.  Mema Reid encouraged me by saying, “better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t”.
  23. Red-orange is my favorite color.
  24. I’m terrified of reptiles, and sticks that look like reptiles.
  25. I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover, excluding the index.
  26. Although I took lessons for many years, I cannot play the piano.  Much.
  27. As a little girl, I signed my Mama up for piano lessons.
  28. I was the first one in my family to beat BOWSER [Super Mario World]!  When it happened, everyone screamed.
  29. I love to cook and bake.
  30. I’d love to manage my own bakery.
  31. Every morning I drink a cup of warm lemon water with cayenne pepper.

  32. I have a giraffe collection.

  33. My house was built on property that has been in my family since 1912.
  34. I DO NOT LIKE water chestnuts.
  35. At one time, rollerblading was a favorite pastime.
  36. I home-schooled my children.
  37. When I was young I wanted to be Marcia Brady.
  38. I played softball positions pitcher, catcher, and second base for my church softball team.
  39. I’m a shopaholic.  It is bad.
  40. As a victim of the Backmasking era in the eighties, I burned all of my records.

  41. I’m obsessed with my cat.

  42. I’ve maintained an exercise regimen since 1983.
  43.  I believe I can do anything that I put my mind to.
  44. I polish my nails just before I board the treadmill.
  45. While engaging in regular treadmill time, I watch the 4th hour of the TODAY show.
  46. I have worked as technical support resolving DSL connectivity troubles.
  47. The first movie I attended was a showing of “Bambi”.  I was six months old.
  48. Eighties music is my favorite.
  49. My worst habit is grinding and tapping my teeth.
  50. I’ve owned three white Nissan Altimas (2004, 2007, 2014).
  51. My eyes are green.  My Daddy used to call me Green Eyes.
  52. I do not have any tattoos (you wouldn’t put a bumper sticker on a Bentley).
  53. In 2015 I became “Glammy”.

  54. Today is my birthday.  I was born on a Wednesday in 1966 at 7:52 AM.

Every June 1st at 7:52 AM, my Mama calls me to wish me a Happy Birthday.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

I Love Everything About My Birthday

This morning I opened  a birthday card

and read this:

I Love Everything About Being Us

A kiss that leaves me smiling.

A joke that  makes me laugh

A text, a call, a message.

A random photograph.

A heart-to-heart discussion.

A getaway for fun.

Our running list of projects

or one that’s finally done!

Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss…

celebrating every day

of us just being us.

Happy Birthday!

~

I read this little card aloud with a lump in my throat, as I periodically paused to laugh out loud.

I Loved it!

~

“A getaway for fun”

is mentioned in this card and we did just that on my birthday this year.

Originally we had planned to visit Yosemite National Park, but with all of the COVID19 hullabaloo, the reservations were cancelled a few weeks prior, and new, airplane-free plans were made.

We were able to make those plans happen and enjoy a couple of nights in a resort on the Gulf of Mexico.

~

The suite was amazing.

WOW was the word of the day.

This is the entryway…

And this is our arrival selfie from the living room…

“A random photograph”

I wasted no time checking everything out.

There were 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 3 balconies.  Also a small kitchen/dining area with an adjoining living room.

~

On birthday Monday, we hit the beach.

We spent most of the day under the umbrella, but would occasionally have to walk to the ocean to cool off.  On one occasion, while walking back to my chair, I noticed a patch of shells.

I stopped to run my fingers through, and while there, was met by a new little friend.She was interested in my “combing” through the sand, and decided she would help me.So much for social distancing!

We had a little chat about pretty shells and then she went on her way to enjoy her June 1st day at the beach.

Later in the evening, LB and I took a walk that would eventually lead us to a MEXICAN restaurant!Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant

The sunset over the ocean later that evening was the perfect end to a perfect day!

“Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss”

…celebrating MY Birthday

by us just being us.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

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