Goal Number 98-Complete!!! We Finally Had Snow!

So technically I finished this goal 2 months ago but I have had a hard time keeping up with my blog these days.  Goal Number 98 was to go snow sledding.  It's not that I haven't done this before but it had been a long time and it seemed like a good way to help bring a little more fun into my life.  Well thanks to my lovely friend Sheral I was able to mark this goal off my life.

On February 4, 2012 Sheral and I headed to Garden Valley bright and early for a fun day in the mountains of Idaho.  We spent 2 hours flying down some awesome sledding trails.  I had sooo much fun, even when I was hurtling down the mountain off said trails!

After sledding we continued on to McCall, Idaho for the annual Winter Carnival.  So much fun was had.  I ended up deleting (on accident) most of the pictures I took but the two posted remained.  These are of Sheral and I playing on frozen over Payette Lake in McCall.

Sheral

Snow Bunny Cindy

Goal Number 37-New Recipe #14

Triple Chocolate Pound Cake


Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream OR 3 to 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 Tbsp. half and half
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 to 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.  In large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sour cream (or cream cheese).  Add sugar and blend well.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one.  Add half and half, blending well; stir in cocoa powder and mix well.  Add the flour and blend well; then fold in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Put batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake at 325 degrees for 70-80 minutes, or until toothpicks inserted in center comes out clean or almost clean.  Cool in pan for about 10-15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.

RICH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING


1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. half & half
1/2-1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips for garnish

Cream the softened butter and powdered sugar.  Then add in the cocoa powder and blend well.  Add 1 Tbsp. half & half and mix well (if you prefer a thinner consistency, just add more half & half).  When cake is completely cool, frost cake with a nice thick layer of frosting and then garnish by sprinkling the chocolate chips down the center of the cake.

**I used milk instead of half & half and garnished with powdered sugar instead.  This is a SUPER RICH cake and honestly not the best I have ever eaten.  My mother said it tasted a bit like a candy bar and my dad said I should never make it again (to be fair he doesn't really like chocolate).  I will simply say, if you choose to make this cake make sure you have plenty of milk to drink with it.

Goal Number 37-New Recipe #13

So, Christmas Eve this year was spent with my sister Annie's family and I made the most delicious and super easy soup.  Seriously, try this tonight!!!!  So YUMMY!!!!!!

EASY CROCKPOT POTATO SOUP


1~ 30oz. bag of frozen, shredded hash browns
3~ 14oz. cans of chicken broth
1~ can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1~pkg. cream cheese (DON'T USE FAT FREE, IT WILL NOT MELT!)


In a crockpot, combine everything EXCEPT for the cream cheese.  Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat.  About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese and keep heated until thoroughly melted.  Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, or whatever else you think would be good!!

2012 Resolutions

2012 is the year of Cindy!  This year I actually spent some time making resolutions that I intend to keep.  It is all about creating the best life possible.

1.  Have a date for New Year's Eve 2012.

2.  Stop drinking soda.

3.  Find JOY and PEACE in my home and occupation.

4.  Be STRONG and Healthy in body and mind.

5.  Learn to stand up for myself.

I read a quote today by William Jame, American psychologist and philosopher, that I am going to keep in my mind over the coming year.  "The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."

And by the ever poetic Selena Gomez, "You've got every right to a beautiful life."

AMEN!