Chopin

Prelude in C Minor

Op. 28, NO. 20

Chopin

I love music. It touches me to the core. When I am listening to something - whether it is an instrument, somebody singing or a beautiful string of notes, I stop in my tracks, close my eyes and embrace it. It fills me, almost like air. I breath deeper, I smile more, I feel at peace... and I feel renewed and grateful for others that share their talents. I am not a concert pianist, but I love this song and wanted to share it. I just learned how to play this piece and I am glad that I got outside of my "regulars" and learned something new. Find something that you love and learn something new. It feels great!

Chocolate Cake Balls

Chocolate Cake Balls

I have been wanting to make these delicious little morsels since the first moment that I saw them on Bakerella. I just didn't have the time UNTIL .... I recently drove down to Texas with my mom and children to visit my sister and her family. My cute niece, "S" loves to cook and she whipped out the ingredients to make these Cake Balls. I was so excited. They do take a little bit of time, but they are simple and worth the wait. These little bite size pieces of heaven will cheer anybody up.. and a little goes a long way. One cake mix makes about 70 cake balls, so package some up and give to a neighbor or throw them in the freezer ... OR you will eat them ALL!

Bake a cake (any flavor)

After it has cooked and cooled some, smash it with a fork into cake crumbs.

1 bowl of cooked cake crumbs :)

Add one container of frosting (again, any flavor.... You can get really creative with combinations)

Mix the cake crumbs and frosting together

With your hand, roll crumbs and frosting into 1" balls and chill for a couple of hours

In a double broiler, melt some chocolate and dunk chilled cake balls in and coat.

After you cover the with the chocolate, place on a parchment lined pan and top with your favorite toppings. We used sprinkles, toffee, and white chocolate

Wha La! Enjoy!

My neice takes all of the ingredients babysitting and does this as an activity with the kids. They love it and everyone can participate.

Chocolate Banana Cake

Today was a great day. My mom, sister and I had a day of being pampered. Pedicures, hair cuts, girl time. It was so much fun. Later on while we were thinking about what to make for dinner, I noticed a large pile of very ripe bananas. Hmmmm. So, first I thought I would make my sister-in-laws Banana Cake, but there was no yellow cake mix to be found. HOWEVER, there was chocolate! I started thinking.... I love chocolate covered bananas and I love Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, so I was pretty sure chocolate would fit nicely into the equation. I mean, really, what does chocolate not go with? I was right! This cake is moist, flavorful and delicious - especially with the vanilla glaze. It really adds a nice sweetness to the cake! It was a perfect way to end our day of pampering. After all, any day that invovles being pampered wouldn't be complete without a little chocolate ... right?

Next time you have a pile of ripe bananas and don't want to make MORE Banana Bread.... Give this recipe a whirl. You'll love it!

Chocolate Banana Cake

4-5 ripe bananas
1 box chocolate cake
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup water

Vanilla Glaze

1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. melted butter
about 1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Mash the bananas in a medium size bowl. Add the baking soda. Add the cake mix, eggs, oil and water. Mix together with an electric mixer until well blended. Pour into a greased 9 X 13 pan. Cook in the oven on 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until baked through.

Mix glaze ingredients together and pour over a cooled cake.

** I put my glaze on while the cake was hot because I was ready to taste it, but it will look prettier if you wait until it is cooled... IF you can wait!