My baby is 15 today - let's eat cake - Texas chocolate cake

My first born is 15 years old today.  It's hard to believe and, indeed, time goes very quickly.  We jumped into his bed this morning, dogs and all, to sing him happy birthday.  This truly is what teenagers love...not, but he took it in stride.

I slipped on his shoes the other day as I took the dogs out.  He has man feet.  My feet (none too small at size 8) swim in his shoes (size 13).  My baby is grown up. He's not even finished growing. Sigh. I guess this is what they do.

Happy Birthday, Max! We love you dearly!

As is our tradition, he has chosen his bday dinner (sushi) and requested his cake - Texas Chocolate.  This recipe is from my mom and was a favorite of mine when I was a kid. Warning: this recipe isn't for the faint of heart.  It's rich, moist, delicious. Rich.  A treat once or twice a year.  Much more than that, I'd recommend consulting your cardiologist.  What's a cake if not a treat?!

I'll add a photo later, once I've made it.

Texas Chocolate Cake

cake ingredients:
2 sticks butter (1 cup)
1 c water
1/4 c cocoa
2 c four
2 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 c sour cream

Bring to boil butter, water, and cocoa.
Combine dry ingredients - flour, sugar, soda, salt. 
Add hot mixture at once to flour mixture
Lastly add beaten eggs and sour cream.
Mix well.

Pour into greased 9.5 x 13.5 (3 qt) baking dish. 
Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Make icing while cake is backing and frost while warm.

frosting ingredients:
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
6 tbsp milk
2 tbsp cocoa
1 box powdered sugar (2 cups)
1 tsp vanilla

Bring to boil butter, milk, cocoa. 
Add all at once to powdered sugar.
Add vanilla.
Mix well and pour on warm cake (icing will be runny and ooze into the corners - the best pieces).

40 is the new 30, birthday boy!

 card by Offensive+Delightful

Today is the love of my life's 40th birthday! We've talked about 2011 for a long time. Not only is this a special birthday year, but it's the year Chris finished his long residency and is starting his new career.  I'm so proud of him!

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!
 

One of my longtime favorite card lines is Offensive+Delightful {oplusd}.  It is a wonderfully refreshing line of cards and notebooks that are, well, offensive yet delightful.  The card above would be on the delightful side.  I so wanted to use something offensive but I'll save those for my personal purchases.

Hump Day Humor: Photo fun for Sophie's birthday.

click photos for larger view

Happy Birthday, Sophie!  Hope it's a blast!

Fleeting moments- OM [one moment] meetup #19

This week, my brother-in-law and 3 yr old nephew visited us from Park City, UT. They came last Saturday as it started to rain and left on Wednesday when the sun finally started showing itself. Regardless, we had a great time seeing them and simply spending time together.

X is a cutie pie. He's a 3 yr old ball of energy that brought back tons of memories of when my boys were that small. I could not get enough of his innocence and little phrases such as, "no way" and "I so love you." He ran around trying to keep up with his big cousins he called "my friends."

M's shoe and X's socks - toe to toe

My boys have grown so quickly. Time doesn't fly, it soars. My youngest, E, turned 9 this week.

My oldest, M, surpassed me in height this summer. It seems cliche to say, "seems like yesterday," but it is so true. When people mention high school and college, I shudder. I know we'll be there very soon.

 Head to head

Savor each moment for they are fleeting.

What was your 'one moment' this week? What took you out of your present moment and made you reflect, remember, reminisce?

Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below) or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter, I've started a hash tag - #omMeetup so that we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!

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My big birthday surprise

Update: Here is the third photo! LOVE IT!

Last Thursday, for my birthday, I was surprised beyond words. C had read my blog post about the lovely portraits by Tali (aka Tush Tush) and commissioned 3 portraits for me: one each of my two boys and one of the two of them together.

Here are two of the three. When I saw them, they brought tears to my eyes. I cannot wait to have them in hand and install them on my wall. Thank you, boys and Tali!

I'll post the third when it is finished! [updated above]

Happy Birthday to two incredible people!

M&M, happy 13th birthday! Teens...wow, I can't believe it! Time has flown and watching both of you grow and become young adults has been an absolute pleasure.

[MD (my son) and MK (a best friend's daughter) were born on the same day. Our families didn't know each other until 9 months later when we became lifelong friends. MD & MK grew up like siblings (they even look alike) and share many things in common, one of which is that they are both 1/4 Asian. The photos above were taken when they were 2 yrs old. The top photo was at their huge 2nd birthday bash - 50+ people...what were we thinking?! It's been hard to top ever since! Click image for larger view.]

Although we now live many miles apart, it is fun and fascinating to see you both on the same trajectory in life.

MD, I don't know what I did to deserve you as my son. I'll save you the mush and embarrassment (for later), but I'm so very proud of you. I tell you this all the time, but at 13 you are already more self assured, mature, level headed and kind than I ever was even in college (maybe even today). I love you with all my heart.

MK, You are like a daughter to me. What a beautiful young woman you've become (both inside and out). You are talented and kind hearted with a grace that many strive to acquire throughout their lifetime. I know you will accomplish anything and everything your heart desires.

The stars were aligned on December 5, 1996, and two extremely smart, kind, and genuinely good humans entered the world that day. I am forever grateful to be a part of their world.

On the grid but just a little...

Although I'm back from vacation, we now have some good friends visiting us from Chicago. Picture a house full of 5 kids (including the two oldest who were born on the same day and were best friends for the first 6 years of their lives). We are cramming years of catching up and great laughs.I still have one more week of summer vacation with the kids next week, then off to school they go. This summer flew by, didn't it?!

So, enjoy the weekend. I hope to be back to my usual online obsession next week.

Oh, and stop by my friend and fellow Arts in RI teammate's blog to wish her a happy birthday! Happy birthday, Kristin!

Leo birthday card, by Kristin Crane

Happy 7th Birthday, E!

Wow, my youngest is 7 today! Yep, I can't believe it. This week has been exciting for him as he lost his two front teeth and is looking forward to a weekend birthday extravaganza.

I had planned to take the day off to go putt putting with him. His grandfather took him to the store for his birthday so he was completely preoccupied with his new toys. So, I did some bookkeeping (note: don't let your bookkeeping pile up...it's not pretty and only causes more stress).

I just finished a good book last night that I'd recommend if you are wanting to own your own business. The Boss of You, by Emira Mears and Lauren Bacon. Visit their website, http://www.laurenandemira.com/, for more details. If I haven't mentioned it before, I love QuickBooks.

Have a fab weekend!