Mud Pie

So for Dylan's birthday... he requested an ice cream creation. He loves ice cream and dislikes cakes and most pies. So I came up with the idea of Mud Pie. Jeannie was making a splendid dinner so I was in charge of dessert... always my favorite. I remember when my dad would bring home a monster piece of Mud Pie from Peabodie's. It was a mile high, oozing with fudge, whipped cream and coffee ice cream.
I used one of my brand new toys to create homemade coffee ice cream for one layer. I didnt have the time to make homemade fudge or caramel sauce (although i would have!!!) so I used store bought. It did come out pretty good! This recipe is just by my scattered brain so sorry if it doesnt make perfect sense :)

Mud Pie

Crust: crushed up oreos. Peel open half a package of oreos and scrape off the frosting. Crush the cookies into little pieces. Layer on the bottom of a spring-form pan as tight as possible.

Fudge Layer: Heat up a jar of hot fudge sauce and try to drizzle over the oreos to bind them together. I used half the jar!

Homemade Coffee Ice cream:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 5 Tbsp coffee extract

I used an electric ice cream maker. Just pour the ingredients in and let it go. When the ice cream is soft, pour on top of the cookie crust. Let that freeze for about 2 hours.

Caramel Layer: heat up a jar of caramel sauce. The jar i used was pretty soft so it didnt need heating. Pour on top of frozen coffee layer. Freeze again for another 1/2 hour or so until firm.

If I had time I would have made homemade vanilla ice cream but I ran out of time. I had to use some great vanilla ice cream from Trader Joes. Just layer it on top of the caramel layer and freeze again till firm.

When you are ready to serve it, just unlock the spring-form pan and cut into it with a knife. I drizzled some extra fudge sauce on top for decoration. You can always add whipped cream.. cherries... extra cookie crumbs... anything you like! Enjoy!

Dylan's 21st!

Yes the day has come... Dylan has turned the big 21!!!! Festivities were had of course and all celebrated except the girls. This is a very rare occasion... Tyson started it!
Boys will be boys....

In order from left to right... ty, donny, dylan

Coconut Cupcake Minis

When I think of coconut cupcakes, it reminds me of my wedding day :) My partner sweet-tooth in crime... Sofia, made these delicious cupcakes.. all 200 of them or some ridiculous number. She had the patience to make them from scratch (bless her heart), I do not so I opted for the quicker version but tried to stay healthy at the same time, i call it "sugar healthy". I also toasted some coconut for the decoration!

Mini Coconut Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 box classic white or vanilla cake mix (recommended: Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
• 1 1/3 cups water
  
• 1/3 cup vegetable Oil
  
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract (found on the baking aisle of the supermarket)
• 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, finely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (24 (mini) portion) muffin tins with paper cupcake liners and set aside.

In a bowl, using an electric mixer, mix the cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and coconut extract on medium speed until moistened and smooth. Stir in the chopped coconut. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin tins. The batter will nearly fill each liner to the top. Bake until the muffins spring back when lightly touched, or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

* You can always make the 12 large cupcake version, I just opted for the minis :)

Fluff Frosting:

• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
• Pinch fine salt

Recipe - Rachel Ray

Our new pets :)

Ty has been working very hard lately.... I honestly don't know how he does half of it but that's why I love him. His recent side project is cleaning out an overgrown pond. After clearing most of the plants and rocks, he found these two lizards.... that bite. He put the lizards back in the pond and now our pet population has grown :)

Morning Beach Walks...

Beach walks have become more frequent.... thank you sunshine! I just love waking up and taking a stroll on the sand... Ty and Kayda are great company and now that she is getting a little bigger, she is more adventurous and I can really see her personality coming through :) I can't imagine what it is like watching your child grow up but Kayda is going at warp speed!
Things that have warmed my heart recently: the sand in my toes, a quiet early (6am) morning, and feeling incredibly loved by Ty and Kayda. Eventhough these thigns are always available, I am trying to take advntage of them more frequently <3

Firefighter surf contest benefit

Ty and his dad participated in a surf contest about a week ago (sorry for the delay)... The contest was held at Leadbetter where the guys braved the cold rainy weather for some good waves. After the contest, there was a raffle and some yummy pizza and beer over at Island Brew Co.
There was a prize given for the best freestyle surfing during a 30 minute time period. To our surprise... (not really)... Sabin picked up 1st prize!!!! He was awarded an awesome beer mug and quickly filled it up to celebrate.



Neat Slide Show


The raffle had some great prizes too! I won an awesome "Horney Toad" hoodie thanks to Sabin who bought a few tickets for me :)

Sabin on the other hand was the lucky winner of the day, bringing home the ultimate prize..... drum roll please.... a longboard skate board!!!! He was sooo excited he had to take it for a spin!





It was a great day...

Red Velvet "Love" Cupcakes

Happy Valentine's Day!

These cupcakes were made special for "love" day. I think everyday should be "love" day! Hope everyone has a great valentine's day. Love the Perkins!

Red Velvet "Love" Cupcakes

Ingredients:

•2½ cups flour

•1 t. salt

•1 stick butter, softened

•1½ cups sugar

•2 eggs

•2 T. cocoa powder

•2 T. water

•Red food coloring

•1 cup buttermilk

•1 t. vanilla

•1 t. baking soda

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and blend well. Mix flour, salt and cocoa together in another bowl and gradually add this to the wet mixture. Slowly add the buttermilk, vanilla and water; mixing to combine all. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and the baking soda. Fold it into the cake batter, making sure all is incorporated.

Pour the batter into greased cupcake cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched. Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes, place on a rack to cool completely before icing.

Cream cheese frosting:

•1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

•1 stick butter, softened

•1 ½ cups powdered sugar

•1 t. vanilla

•Sprinkles or baking glitter for garnish

Instructions:

Blend together the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Frost each cupcake generously. Garnish tops with red or pink sprinkles.

*borrowed from www.crave.com

Superbowl day Hike!

When you think of superbowl it usually consists of couch potatos, lots of chips and dip and maybe a case or two of beer right...? Thats what I was afraid of, so the family (Me, Ty and Kayda) headed up Cold Springs trail for a leasurly hike. Turned out to be not so leasurely.... Adventure boy a.k.a. Ty always has to explore everything. This is a quality I absolutely LOVE about him but it often gets me tired out quick! He always keeps me on my toes though..
We started up the mountain around 10:30am and didn't come down till around 1pm, maybe a little after. We felt sooo great after the hike and spent the remainder of the day being couch potatos, eating too many chips and dip and drinking a few well deserved beers!!! Happy Super bowl!!!

Really neat rock


The trail


Where's waldo....?


the rain obviously uncovered some neat treasures!


The falls!


Can you find ty? he is wearing a black shirt!




Kayda was exhausted

Tyler&Amber

Please go to www.socaldreamwedding.com and vote for Tyler&Amber! They are an amazing couple who have been through a lot! They are engaged to get married and up to win a $100,000 dream wedding. They are in 2nd place and totally deserve it! Its really easy! Please vote!!!!!