Shhhh, don't tell!

Since I know Aaron never, ever reads my blog, I can share a little secret.

I've got plans. Big plans.

It's a long ways off, but if I can do this, it will be so awesome!

The plan: Aaron is in the middle of law school/business school applications right now and I got to thinking. We're going to need a serious vacation once he's done with all this. So, I'm starting my little savings right now so that after he graduates, I can surprise him with plane tickets and a week or so away with me! My goal is to save some money every month, $50 minimum. I'm thinking an Alaskan cruise - the only kind of cruise we're interested in. He could use the free time by then, I know.

So no blabbing to him. This is going to be awesome!

Cake Results

Here it is, in all it's glory. Devil's Food Cake with a caramel sauce and chocolate ganache between the layers. Used the extra cake layer to make cake crumbs that I then toasted to coat the outside of the cake with. As I was about to build the cake, Aaron suggested I sprinkle Heath Bar bits on top of the ganache.

The results: good, very rich, but the Heath bar bits were a smidgen over the top. Drink a large glass of milk with this one. I do like the caramel layer though. Makes the cake more than just chocolate.

Pancake Heaven

We love love love pancakes around here. Breakfast, dinner, whatever. Just plain ones - although I wish they'd let me be a smidge more adventurous and make my favorites - blueberry cornmeal! But I digress.

Last year, I discovered some Christmas pancake molds at Williams-Sonoma. A snowman, Santa and a reindeer. So much fun and the start of a new tradition. We got some hearts at Valentine's Day but haven't expanded the collection until now.

Jungle Pancakes - Lion, Monkey and Elephant

Halloween Pancakes - they just might have to endure pumpkin ones this time!

Bugs - no bumblebee though. Why on earth would a snail be a better idea than a bee? Crazy! I'm petitioning them to make some transportation ones - airplane, rocket ship and train. We'll see how far I get. If I end up with a train one, I know which one I'll be making for Will and James. All. The. Time.

We do enjoy the filled pancakes as well. Another post, another day. Mmmmm. Raspberry filled pancakes with Nutella sauce. For breakfast! Life can be wonderful at times.