Saturday, May 16, 2009

Cutie Pies and Yummy Cake

I'm sure you know about my friend Melissa who is a photographer. She and her husband Jamie are in our Sunday School Class and we have known them for years. She did our Christmas card and has taken all of our family/ kids portraits since Ollie has been born. She has a studio at her house and takes beautiful pictures there.

BUT, she also does school pictures and someone {*ahem* ME} got her hooked up with our pre-school 3 years ago because she always makes my kids look good. I figure if she can take some messy, scrappy, screaming boys and make them look cute, then she is a miracle worker and everyone else would love her, too. You can see several other adorable friends of ours in the facebook album, but since I happen to be the proud mama of my own snotty, scrappy, screaming children, I think I'll just go ahead and show you mine here:

Remember- these are their SCHOOL pictures! And there is no blue swirl or Saved by the Bell looking background. No cheesy teddy bear or fake flowers in sight! You've got to love that! I mean- you can frame these suckers in the nice part of your house! School pictures!

Thank you so much for your sweet comments lately about my crazy attempt to run a 10 K next Monday. You know your comments make my day, right? I try to comment back or reply, but can't always get it all done, so please know how much I love y'all! Oh, and my training is going well. I had to buy some new shoes, NOT THESE, but some new ones that wouldn't make my shins scream. Now I'm doing much better!

Since a few of you asked about the Marbled Chocolate Cake I mentioned here, I'll be happy to share the recipe. Just know that this had absolutely no part in my pre-10K diet. There's your warning. All the rest of you enjoy because it's delicious! Perfect for a party, bake sale, graduation shin-dig or celebration of completing a 10K {hint, hint}.
Marbled Chocolate Bundt Cake

Prep: 14 minutes Cook: 45 minutes {That's what Southern Living says, but it always takes me longer to prep things- I don't know about y'all...}

Ingredients:
1 (18.25 oz) package devil's food cake mix WITHOUT pudding
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate morsels
Prepare cake mix according to package directions {so you might need more stuff there- make sure you get that, too! Usually egg, water and oil.}; stir in vanilla. Pour batter into a greased and floured 12 cup Bundt pan; set aside.
Hillary's notes- I think all Bundt pans are 12 cup, so just use the one you have and don't stress about it. And the greasing and flouring is really important, so get all messy and have fun with that.

Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed of an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg, beating well; stir in chocolate morsels. Spoon cream cheese mixture into center of batter, leaving a border around outer edge. Gently swirl batter with a knife to create a marbled effect.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan and let cool completely.

Let me know if you try it, but don't tell me until after next Monday. Then you can invite me over to chow down!

13 comments:

Heather said...

I scrolled over the recipe with my eyes closed. I don't want Jillian Michaels to yell at me again, or eye me from the top of the entertainment center.

But, the boys look great!! I love the b&w pic of both of them.

Lindsey said...

those are the best and cutest school pictures (or plain pictures, for that matter!) that i've ever seen!! precious, precious!! sorry, i skipped the cake too. maybe sometime after i get this 30 pound baby out of me, i'll try it:).

Laura said...

ABSOLUTELY precious pictures!!

Hollie and Janie said...

Those are fabulous!! Of course, the subjects are pretty darn cute!!

Lydia said...

OH MY WORD!!! Those are awesome school pics! What I would give to have her photograph my little man!

pheather said...

Wow! Those pictures are gorgeous! Your boys are so adorable!

Melissa Stover said...

those are wonderful!

LeAnne said...

there needs to be a revolution in the school picture biz...they should all be so awesome!! GORGEOUS pics of your little men:)

Ashley said...

O My, Hillary, I LOVE the pics!!!! I need to suggest her to our school pics, we still have the kind of generic looking "school pics", wow, those are amazing, the boys are so handsome!!!!!!
Ashley

Emily said...

those pictures awe
AWESOME!!! what precious little boys! :)

Donna said...

Love the pictures! A little like Frasier and Niles Crane with the yuppy wear! Can't wait to hear about the 10k. And that cake would be great if I wasn't HUMONGOUS and needing to lose a lot of "baby" weight....okay it's just weight. :)

Lori said...

Great post! There's so many things to comment on... but I'm just amazed by those school pictures. WOW! The "Saved by the Bell" comment totally made me laugh. :) Enjoy those gorgeous prints - the kids in them!

The Stain Family said...

Nice pics! Those are awesome! :)

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Hillary

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