40 by 40 update

Just a few updates on my 40 goals by 40.  This is my own personal accountability more than anything else.

1) I completed another item - I took a CPR class on Thursday, Sept 16th and passed with flying colors.  It was much easier than I thought it would be and am glad I learned it.  I like that I can use a defibulator now too.  Which, by the way, never be scared to use one - they are all dummy proof.  Just open the case and turn it on.  It will give the directions to follow. 

2)  I located the music to Clare-de-lune.  The same music I used back in high school when I played it for my senior recital.  I'm excited to squeak out time to work on this song.  When I get it down, I will record it and post it so you can hear :-)

3) I e-mailed Lisa Laplant to see if I can get her to meet us for dinner :-)

4) I started reading my Bible through in a year - my start date was Wednesday, Sept. 15th, 2010

5) My quilt is coming along - I actually have it out of the basket it was in and had hoped to get the binding all pinned today but I ran out of time.  Maybe I can get that done tomorrow.  Than I just have to sew it :-)

6)  I'm doing research to find out how to get on the bone marrow transplant list too!!

That is what I've been doing :-)

On a seperate note - Fall Decorating.  I've been bit by the fall decorating bug!  I've been looking at so many blogs where the writers have decorated for the fall so I'm going to pull out what I have, try to make some things I've seen, and maybe check out the dollar store with my change jar (seriously . . ) and see what I can find.  My goal is to decorate the first weekend in October so I had better get busy :-)  I'll post pictures of what I do and links to crafts as well!

Show Us Your Life - Living Room

Another blog I follower, Kelly's Korner, is doing a weekly posting called "Show us your life" Fridays (Obviously I'm a day late!).  It looks kinda fun so I thought I'd try it.  Feel free to look up the info on her blog.  http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2010/09/show-us-your-life-living-rooms.html

So here is my living room:

So this is the view of my living room standing in the dining room (on the left) and standing at the end of the living room looking towards the dining room (on the right).  Yes, I have along living room and, in case you were wondering, we do have kids! LOL

Here's the toy corner a little closer - I love this storage unit.  It holds so much stuff neatly!  Eventually it will get moved into one of the boys rooms and I will get another one for the other room (that's how much I love them!)  and that will open up a nice space in the living room :-)

Opposite of the toy corner is my "office"  We turned our office into our baby room so I had to cut down and organize!! 

And our entertainment center.  I do love it but it is huge.  Eventually, when we can get a flat screen TV that we can hang on the wall, we'll get something more streamlined.  The only downside is I will lose my display area on top.  For now, I'm enjoying my things :-)

Finally this is the view into our master bedroom - the first door between the chairs (next weeks room!) and one of the boy's bedrooms. 

Hope you enjoyed your tour :-)

Too Much Chocolate Cake

I came across this recipe recently and yes, I admit, the name sucked me in because, really, can there  be "Too much chocolate cake"?  It's cool and rainy today so it seemed like a perfect day to check this out!

Too Much Chocolate Cake

1 (18.25oz) Package Devil's food cake mix
1 (5.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl mix together the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs, and water.  Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.  Bake for 50-55 minutes or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate.  If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar

(Yes there is a slice missing - I had to taste it!!)

Notes:  Sitting here, I got to thinking - I do believe I left the oil out of this recipe . .. because I don't remember pouring any oil but I could be wrong . . I know I set the oil on the counter but don't remember pouring it.  I wouldn't suggest trying it without it though, just in case I just don't remember??? But the cake is fantastic . .. so maybe I'll have to make it again and not put oil in on purpose . . the sour cream might be enough moisture. . ..
** I added 1 teaspoon of instant coffee to the water (I boiled the water and added the coffee) because coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate (I am not a coffee drinker and do not taste the coffee in the cake)
**I made a chocolate glaze for the cake (like it wasn't chocolate enough) using 3-4 Tablespoons of whipping cream and 2/3 cups chocolate chips.  Melt in microwave about 30 seconds and stir until melted.  Spread on cake allowing it to fall off the sides.
**Also, I used mini chocolate chips - I like them in cakes because they don't sink to the bottom of the cake and tend to melt making little pockets of chocolate instead of a firm piece of chocolate in the cake.
**I did not have a bundt pan so I used my angel food cake pan instead and it turned out fine
**This is an incredible cake - a great one to make for a gathering because it is so good!! (Or keep it all for yourself but it is RICH!!)