Monday, August 26, 2013

BP meets the family

The time finally arrived - BP and I were making a trip up north so he could meet my family.  Strangely enough, neither of us were nervous about it.  BP was more excited than anything because he had never been to Cape Cod before, or Massachusetts for that matter.  We set the date with my parents since we were going to be staying with them and then made plans for what we wanted to do while on our quick vacation. 

First up, a night in Atlantic City.  Since we decided to do this trip last minute, we were driving.  And why not break up a 9 hour drive by staying a night in one of our favorite places?!  We both love to gamble, so this was a no brainer.  Off we went - complete with a mix CD courtesy of BP. 


Yep - I hit it big!! Next morning I ended up winning $84


After our late night of an awesome dinner, comedy show and some gambling, off we went.  Only to be hit with some major traffic.  It was not a pretty ride up.  We looked at each other at one point and both agreed that we will NEVER drive up again.  Flying all the way next time.  We left Atlantic City a little after 10, and got to my parents at 7 PM - way too long if you ask either one of us. 

We had a jam packed trip - complete with Whale Watching, Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory Tour, lobster races, my Dad's birthday - which of course I had to bake for, and meeting up with some of my friends. 

Now, we all know that my Dad has been missing me, but missing my baking for him a lot.  Every time I would talk to him he would always start and end the conversation with 'Love you.  Need some cake.' Needless to say, his favorite cake was going to be made. 

First up, Rolo Brownies.  I get my love of Rolo's from my Dad - we can go through a bag of them in under an hour.  It's wrong, I know.  But it's one of my few things that I truly love and can't get enough of.  So I try to limit myself to only having Rolo's every now and then. 

Brownies were in the top oven and I started on the cake.  Now, let me say I've made this thing a million times.  I made it like I always do and put the 2 cake tins into the oven.  I went outside on the deck to relax for a little bit and when I went to check on the cake and the brownies I could smell it.  My heart dropped.  Something was burning.  I opened the top oven - brownies were ok.  Perfect actually.  Then my heart dropped some more.  I opened the bottom oven and it happened - smoke came pouring out and so did that awful smell.  The cake had overflowed and half of it was now all over the bottom of the oven. 

womp womp womp

This would of been the perfect time to have a drink.  A big one.  With a straw.  But in the middle of my freak out, BP walks in and pulls me into his arms.  All we can do is laugh and he tells me everything will be ok and we can start it again.  All I can do is let the cake get crispy on the bottom of the oven and smoke away as it burns everywhere and shut the oven off and let it cool.....and wait. 

That part was not fun.  Once the oven was cool enough, I had to scrape burnt cake off of everything.  And then clean it.  And then try not to freak out as I started all over....again.  But this time when it came to put the cake into the oven, the batter went into 3 cake tins instead of 2.  And FYI, one of them overflowed again.....I have no clue what was going on that day.  I did everything like I always do.  I guess it was my time to have a giant SNAFU - I was due and the baking gods weren't going to let me get away with not having one. 

OK, breakdown - check.  Cake burned in oven cleaned up - check.  New cake baking away in oven - check.  Cake actually coming out the way it should - check.  Frosting time!!

Clearly my decorating skills have improved
My dad was so excited for the cake.  And I have to say when we finally had a piece - it was pretty damn good.  His year long wait for this thing was over and he was happy.  And it was the first time BP got to try this cake.  Needless to say he was a fan of it. 

Happily, everyone loved finally meeting BP, and they all approve of him :)  Heay's said it best about BP and I, "Clearly you two are so in love with each other, and you are so happy with each other.  He is so nice and cares about you deeply.  I've never seen you so happy.  Of course we love him'. 

Sadly our trip came to an end.  And another long car ride home, where BP and I both agreed that we will be flying for our next trip to my parents.  And that it will be in the winter, because my parents don't have any AC in their house - just some fans to keep us all cool.  But all in all, it was a great trip.  We had our fill of amazing seafood, fun times, and great time with family and friends.  And of course we bought lots of things to bring back for us and BP's dad :)  

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Pumpkin Pancakes

The weather has been cooler here, which is a rarity for August.  With the cooler weather, it put BP and I in the mood for fall things.  And for BP that means pumpkin.  The man loves pumpkin, and I love making pumpkin anything for him.  The man has been craving pancakes lately, and one of our text conversations was about him picking up some pumpkin at the store and that we were going to have some pumpkin pancakes over the weekend.  I was looking to redeem myself for the first pumpkin pancakes I made for him months ago.  Let's just say they weren't so good.  I mean I didn't even post about them on here so that should tell you how not good they were.  But he sweetly ate them all up anyways.  That's love :)  The bar had been set pretty low, so I was looking to really have these bad boys be the ones that I make over and over again. 

Saturday morning rolled around and it was breakfast time.  Really it was a two-fer for me, making pumpkin pancakes and serving BP breakfast in bed.  I love making him breakfast in bed.  For a while we were on a good roll with it and then we hit a dry patch due to us being busy.  So I looked at BP Saturday morning and asked if he was hungry and if he wanted breakfast in bed.  He got the most adorable look on his face and a huge smile and said 'OK, I'll be right here waiting'. 

Down I went to make what turned out to be some amazing pancakes.  These bad boys are a triple threat: easy, quick and damn tasty. 

nom nom nom
Coffee: check.  Pancakes: check.  Syrup: check.  Off I went upstairs to deliver breakfast in bed to the love of my life.  I opened the door to the bedroom and there was the cutest thing ever - BP sitting up, huge smile on his face, anxiously waiting for me.  Couldn't get any better.  These bad boys didn't last long by either of us.  Extremely tasty.  I highly recommend these.  So next time you're in the mood for a fall treat, these will be perfect.

Pumpkin Pancakes
makes 6 servings
 
 
2 1/3 cups Bisquick mix
1/3 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
 
  1. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat.  In medium bowl, stir all ingredients together until well blended.  
  2. Take a tbsp butter and melt it on hot pan.  Pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter onto hot surface.  Cook until edges are dry; flip and cook until other sides are golden brown.  Top with syrup.