Lovely Florida Things

The leaves are thinking about changing in Utah, but here in Florida—Summer is still going on.

Florida 060

I think they do this warm, wet sunshine thing all year long.

Florida 062

The land is so green and lush and beautiful, but–I could swear I saw an alligator in every drop of water. Sorry. Personal problem manifesting itself.

Florida 064

We positively do not have swaying palm trees where I come from. But we also don’t have sharks, so it’s fair.

Florida 092

Something so great about standing still while the ground beneath you slides away.

Florida 099

This sea weed looked like hundreds of tiny birds’ nests scattered on the shore.

Florida 098

It rained a bit every day that we were here, but even with the clouds it was beautiful…maybe especially with the clouds…

Florida 149

No idea what kind of bird this is. If you know, then tell all of us so that we can be enlightened.

Florida 138

The Miami skyline may not look the same asĀ  all the natural beauty, but there is something about it that makes me think of growing up in LA. It’s like standing among a thousand giants and still feeling snug and safe.

Florida 095

All nostalgic pining aside, I would still rather wake up with this in my backyard than the busy city any day. Not interested in alligators. Terribly not interested in sharks. Not particularly thrilled about barracuda. Other than those spooky things–which I never saw—Florida is a keeper.

Chocolate Tsunami

One day, a package arrived on our porch for Jillian. A mysterious package from a faraway land…

August 7 008

sent to her by a dear, sweet friend in England. Not an ordinary package–oh no.

August 7 009

It was obviously a most wicked, dreadful, dangerous package. Needless to say…we were terrified. Shaking even.

August 7 013

We…

August 7 010

got…

August 7 016

over…

August 7 015

it…

August 7 017

pretty…

August 7 019

dang…

August 7 020

fast.

August 7 022

We spread it all out to look at it.

August 7 021

We thought about inviting people over to share.

August 7 026

There was, after all—so much fabulous stuff!

August 7 027

But then a really strange thing happened.

August 7 028

One by one, all the beautiful melty chocolate and sweets started mysteriously disappearing.

August 7 023

Not exactly sure what really happened. It was like a whirlwind or tornado or hurricane sweeping through the place gobbling up all the gooey, sweet, yummy…I mean…it just…we couldn’t….sorta…

rats.

August 7 025

I swear. We did try.

 

 

PS Please remember to vote for us over at Divine Caroline’s “Love This Site” awards! Click on the pink button on the sidebar, register (it’s free) and cast your vote!

A Special Something…

about the glossy ads…

Ausust 31 114

when you think no one is looking…

Ausust 31 116

and you’re completely free to check out the bargains…

Ausust 31 115

or nibble on them.

Ausust 31 119

It’s just so hard to be patient and wait for all those sales…

Ausust 31 118

especially when you’re really hungry right now…

Ausust 31 117

and you still think no one is watching.

Ausust 31 120

But Baby Chompy…here’s something you need to know.

Ausust 31 111

Your good mama is always watching.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Ahhhhhh….don’t you just love having to eat your vegetables?

The original recipe called this “Bread.” Let’s be serious guys—this ain’t bread. Bread is lovely but it tries to behave itself. This little number is moist, chocolatey and positively wicked–with no shame whatsoever.

Cake I tell you…cake.

Now then—tell me again. How many servings of veggies are we suppose to have each and every day? I want to be sure to get them all in.

Heh, heh, heh.

Ā 

Ā 

Zucchini Cake

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups softened butter
3 cups grated zucchini
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the eggs and butter, mix well. Fold in the chips and zucchini until they are evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool cake completely before frosting with your favorite frosting or sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake
 
:
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 eggs
  • 1½ cups softened butter
  • 3 cups grated zucchini
  • ¾ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the eggs and butter, mix well. Fold in the chips and zucchini until they are evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool cake completely before frosting with your favorite frosting or sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Ā