Wednesday, March 05, 2008

New Favorite CD
+
That Chocolate Cake Recipe


I *love* music of all kinds and my current "on the radio" favorite is Sara Bareilles' "Love Song." I decided it was time to treat myself to a new CD, so off I went in search of Sara's release. I'm so happy I have discovered her; the CD is a gorgeous collection of songs and music and voice. I highly recommend it!

Although "Love Song" was the song I knew (go HERE to see that video), I quickly found some more favorites.

Like this one:



Her voice, and her words, just make me feel good.

{And speaking of music, are many of you watching "American Idol" this year? I was totally blown away last night by David Cook; he took Lionel Ritchie's eternally sappy pop ballad "Hello" and turned it into something rockin', and I am totally in love with Jason Castro. He's been my favorite since the beginning (he's the dreadlocked Texan!), but I like him more each week. I decided to search around online about him and discovered that he plays a lot at his church. I love him now even more!}

This is David's performance from last night ... "Hello"

(sorry you're having to watch the clips of their "most embarrassing moments." Get to the music already! :-)

And Jason's from last night (love it!!)... "Hallelujah"

And by the way, I asked Sydney who her favorite singers are and she answered, "Ramiel, the short girl, and the Ahhs=tralian guy." (When "the Aussie" sang last night, she actually "squealed" and said, "He's cute." It's amazing what an almost-four-year=old picks up from her preteen and teenager sisters! lol)

And now, since I've given my Music Recommendations for the day, how about a Recipe Share?

Several of you asked that I share my recipe for the chocolate cake I made last weekend for my friend Allison. It is super-easy, and the frosting is officially TO.DIE.FOR (just warning you!).

Simply start with your favorite chocolate cake recipe. (If you don't have a favorite, THIS is a really yummy basic chocolate cake recipe that I have tried before.) If you don't have a fave recipe or you prefer to go the easy route, bake your favorite boxed cake mix (that's what I did for this cake and I do that often! Just too busy a lot of the times). Anyway...the frosting is the Main Event anyway.

Frost with this and be ready for the moans of pleasure coming from yourself and your guests...

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

2 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 box confectioner's sugar
5 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer until smooth. In separate bowl, mix confectionery sugar and cocoa. Gradually mix that into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Add vanilla.

I'm giving that a Two-Thumbs-Up, Five-Star Recommendation and promise that you will love it (if you love chocolate!; if not it's verrrrryyyy rich!).

That's it for now...

Stay warm (we are freezing here), keep smiling, and see ya soon!!!

19 comments:

Unknown said...

OOOOOO your chocolate sounds DELIGHTFUL! I am supposed to be on a diet, and things are NOT going so well today! LOL Now, I want some CHOCOLATE! LOL

Adrienne said...

YUM! I can't wait to hear her CD!

Anonymous said...

I really do like the "little" David on American Idol. He has a great voice.
The cake sounds delicious.

Bella said...

Cheryl, that song is beautiful. I think it's cool that you posted it. I need to check it out.

Thanks!,
Bella

Linda said...

ooooo that totally sounds delish. And I can just see Sydney squealing. Little girls just get the hang of checking out boys at a VERRRRRRY early age.

Andy said...

i really like that song "love song" too. i first heard her on regis and kelly one morning and just love the song.

Monogram Queen said...

I am so bummed I missed Idol last night. I've got to get to watching some TV. I'm so "out of the loop" it's not funny!
That frosting looks YUMMY!

hippo chick said...

Jim and I are about to start "Weight Watchers" at home. Bad timing, but I am going to copy this down! Yum! I haven't been watching Idol. Maybe I'll have to start.

Have a great day and week!!!

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

I LOVED David's version of "Hello", too. I thought it was totally awesome. And that little Jason is as cute as he can be. (I sound like such a Grandma when I say that. lol) I've never heard of Sara Bareilles but I'm off to listen to her right now. Thanks for the recommendation!
Kari

Auburn Kat said...

Yum! I'm definetely going to make that! Thanks for posting!

Edleen said...

that song is playing on my blog at the moment! very upbeat and Happy song :)

Thanks for sharing the recipe Cheryl. sounds easy and Yummy!

have a great Thursday :)

Mississippi Songbird said...

That recipe sounds yummy.. Thanks for sharing it.It's late here and I am about to turn in.. Good night.. Have a great day tomorrow..

Kingcover said...

I saw the word "cake" and skipped down to the bottom. Now I'm trying to eat the computer! Can you throw some more icing on it? The electronic circuitry is a little too crunchy for my taste at the moment :-D

Mz.Elle said...

Mmmmmm,must.have.chocolate.now!

Phats said...

Lets be clear here, I didn't ask for the recipe I asked you to make it and send it to me! haha

I like this love song, it's a good one

Yep, watching Idol I actually just posted about it myself. David Cook has ties to Indiana so I like him for that reason. I picked the "aussie" to win it so sydney would like me

Jeff said...

Glad to see you discovered Sara. She is awesome! We had the opportunity to know her when we lived in California and she sang with her sister at our commitment ceremony (they did "I'll Cover You" from Rent). It's been a thrill to see Sara make the big time.

Anonymous said...

Soooo fun! And your layouts are FABULOUS!!!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you shared your recipe. Can't wait to make it!

I am watching Idol and think this year is the best by far! Well, except for Chris Daughtry! lol

Anyway, my favs are Michael (the Aussie) and Amanda (the skunk rocker). I loved the David version of Hello so much that I went on I-Tunes and bought it!

Jax

Trish said...

I was so happy to see this post because I had made a mental note to look her up on You Tube tonight, but I couldn't think of her last name. I stuck the video in my favorites so I can listen to it until I can get to the store and get the CD in a day or two. She is awesome!