I've been tagged: 4th pic in the 4th folder

I tag Tamra, Laura, Kelly, and Amy.

By the way, does anyone know why you can't click on my pics and enlarge them? I don't think I'm doing anything differently than I used to, but it doesn't work anymore. What am I doing wrong?

Favorite Things

Tonight I have a MOPS night out called "Favorite things." We are all supposed to bring one of our favorite foods/dishes and recipes to hand out. I am really excited about all the eating I am going to do! I am bringing my favorite chocolate cake, Dr. Pepper Cake. It is my favorite because I love milk chocolate, not dark chocolate and this is very creamy and rich, yet not too dark. It is very moist, another gripe against many recipes, and has a cream cheese icing. How can you beat that? That's what I thought. So, since I had to type up the recipe, I thought I'd share. Here is how today's cake turned out:

Dr. Pepper Cake
from the kitchen of Kimberly Stringer

Cake:
1 box German Chocolate Cake mix
1 small box vanilla Instant Pudding
2/3 cup oil
4 eggs
1 can (12 oz.) Dr. Pepper
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and flour three 8’’ or two 9” pans or one 13x9. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients with mixer till blended – gradually adding each egg then the Dr. Pepper. Spoon the batter into your pan(s). Bake time: 3 layers – 20 min. , 2 layers – 25-35 min. , 13x9 40 min. or longer. Completely cool before icing.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing:
1 8oz. cream cheese
1 stick butter
¼ (or more) cup cocoa
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

In large bowl, mix softened butter and cream cheese till blended. Add vanilla and cocoa, blend. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. Cake and icing will keep at room temp. for a couple of days.

In Celebration of Laziness

My mom had both kids from Sunday to Thursday. What did I do? Reorganize my entire house? Clean the garage? Nothing. I did nothing and it was fantastic. Granted, Kyle and I both decided I need to stay off my feet more with this pregnancy because it is taking its toll this time, but really. Monday morning I set no alarm. I got up. I ate breakfast. I went back to bed. When I woke up again I had a movie marathon. I cannot remember the last time I have had no alarm, no children, and no job. It rocked. Of course, I wasn't that lazy the entire time, but it was still lovely. The only thing to spoil it was the pink eye I had, but that's okay. I did, of course, really miss my kids and am soooo glad to have them back. Thanks mom for the break!

More Christmas pics

I wanted these on the last post. I didn't realize there was a limit...

Blake the tiny elf...

Seth helping carry wood the men were splitting.

The Stringers, minus Gloria, who took the photo.

Gloria, grandkids, and Mallory Porter. The Porters came up and saw us for the day while we were there.

Seth and Mallory. This is shortly before he attempted to plant a kiss on her. She dodged him. Keep trying, son.

Christmas in photos

Sorry for the long drought in posting. Santa brought me a new camera (the Nikon D60, yea!!) and I just took the time to figure out how to upload all the holiday photos. So, here you go. For Christmas this year we had Christmas morning here and then drove up to the Stringer's in East Texas. We had a lot of fun. Friggs really got into everything this year and loved all the traditions. I make wassail and toffee every year and he got to help this time. He was such a joy.

Notice how the bottom has no ornaments. This is thanks to the dog, not Blake.

Seth and I made a gingerbread house...

The boys making Santa some cookies.

Blake helping himself to Santa's leftovers.

Seth enjoying his present from Santa.