Cake Pops

I started getting Better Homes and Gardens randomly a few months ago (thanks, Dad!), and I LOVE the October 2011 issue. One recipe in it is called Ghoulish Delights. I made those today, but they turned out a little less cute since it technically is not Halloween season YET.

Basically, they are cake pops. And they are pretty awesome. First off, I feel the need to "apologize" for not posting more healthy recipes lately, but I just love baking!! Additionally, I have made many less "real" dinners as of late. Sorry.

I couldn't find a recipe that was exactly the same as the one in my magazine, so I'll just give you step-by-step with pictures!

STEP 1: Prepare any flavor 9 x 13 pan cake mix according to package directions. Cool completely, then remove cake from pan and crumble in a large bowl. Add a cup of frosting. Beat with a mixer on low speed to combine.

STEP 2: Roll into 1-inch balls. Melt an ounce of vanilla candy coating in the microwave on 50% power. Dip one end of a pop stick (which you can find at a craft store) in the candy coating, then carefully push into a cake ball. Repeat for each ball. Freeze one hour to set.

STEP 3: Melt about 2 lbs (I used a 1 1/2 lb block for the whole recipe and only had one ball not get coated) of vanilla candy coating in the microwave on 50% power, stirring occasionally until melted. (Took about 3 minutes total.) Dip pops in coating, gently shaking off any excess. (They set up FAST so if you want to add sprinkles or anything of the like, do it after each one.)

All done!! Not a ton of work, and a super cute and delicious result! Happy Baking!

It's happening!

Fall is coming! The air gets crisp, the leaves change colors, and I get happy.

In fall, I wake up and throw on Ryan's over-sized (for me) hoodie because I'm cold, not just because it's comfortable. I light candles entitled "Leaves" or "Autumn" and the scent of them actually makes sense. I wear jeans and shoes and I'm still a little chilly. I bake. Like crazy. (Why, hello, winter weight!) I can open the curtains without it roasting up the joint by mid-afternoon. I get to wear my cute jackets and long-sleeved shirts again. I get to decorate with pumpkins, leaves, and other richly colored items. I use the heat in my car (which is awesome because my A/C has been getting a little fussy lately).

I gladly embrace the changing season!!

Hurray!

As many of you may know, Ryan and I have been on the hunt for a place to live closer to where he works. We have looked mainly in Erie, which is 45 minutes south from where we live now. So not a massive move, but we are excited to branch out and expand our horizons.

Last March we looked at more than 20 houses, and chose one that we liked. Just liked, mind you. No serious lovin' going on. We decided to put an offer on it, but, long story short, the whole thing fell through in August.

The Saturday after we got back from Mexico we spent the day looking at about 5 homes. We fell in LOVE with the last one. It is located in a new development, and is a new house itself. Never been lived in. It's beautiful. After a short deliberation and good negotiations, we decided to go for it! We are losing nothing, short of a large backyard (which is nearly impossible in that area anyway), that we really had our hearts set on to have in our home. This is a house we could live in for forever, assuming that Ryan never works too far away from that area. And to top it all off, I'll get a gourmet kitchen AND the laundry is on the top floor. I will be one happy housewife!!

The interior is currently drywall, but the exterior is completed. Here she is!

I have no idea how to decorate this new home. It doesn't help that we don't currently have sufficient furniture to fill it, but what about colors? And nick-knacks? I love how our home looks now, but I want our new home to really shine. Any ideas or tips are gladly welcomed.

We are so excited to move into this house, which should be the first part of November. And you know what? I'm pretty excited to get to move into a place that does not have an "Apt" in the address.