CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY NUTELLA CAKE....IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS FOR A LOVELY MOM'S DAY!

This was a FANTASTIC Mother's Day!

I hope you all were honored and remembered in special ways

from those you love!

"Please do not tell me Bo is coming for the weekend..."

"Hide my babies.......

I DO NOT share my toys or my babies with the dog......

oh good grief.......

Do cats take Advil?"

Honey, we have had days of thunderstorms and flash flood warnings!

I believe it was Wednesday night, that we

experienced winds of 70 mph...

we feel fortunate to have lost

only one small limb from the

Bradford Pear tree. 

I received a lovely bouquet of roses

from 

Robbie.....

We simply must plan a trip to Austin very soon as it's been far too long

since I have seen this boy!

He is leaving for a trip to Cancun

this week with a large

group of close friends.

I know he is ready for a few days off! 

I was SO surprised and have enjoyed these lovely roses all weekend! 

Bo knew something was slightly amiss when

he arrived without his Mama.

Jenn was in Austin for the weekend for her close friends

college graduation!

So....Maine Grandma stepped in to

"play ball!"

MMmmmmmm.....Saturday night chicken enchiladas! 

It's five o'clock somewhere.......

time for cocktails

As I was preparing the enchiladas,

the Darling and Greg made a quick trip to Sprout's so Greg 

could whip up some fresh Guacamole!

Scrumptious, I tell you!

Mr. Wonderful had a new joke to tell.....

he's always been the best joke teller ever! 

Love seeing the boys together.....havin' fun and makin' memories!

Dinner time! 

Jenn had a marvelous weekend down in Austin

with her childhood friends!

We are all so proud of Miss Kiva

on her graduation! 

They were even able to have dinner with

our

Robbie! 

I think Bo was missing someone........

Oh y'all this was a GREAT RECIPE!

The Pioneer Woman's

Chocolate  Strawberry Nutella  Cake!

It was such a gift to have lunch with two of my four children!

"The Boys!"

Our Mother's Day Luncheon

BBQ Shrimp

Hash Brown Casserole

Fresh Spring Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Hot French Bread

Here's the recipe......YUM!

FOR THE CAKE:

2 sticks Butter

4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa Powder

1 cup Boiling Water

2 cups Flour

2 cups Sugar

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/2 cup Buttermilk

2 whole Eggs

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1-1/2 cup Nutella

FOR THE STRAWBERRIES:

2 pints Strawberries, Hulled And Sliced

1/4 cup Sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla

FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM:

2 cups Heavy Cream

1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 round baking pans with parchment, then spray the parchment with baking spray.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the cocoa and stir it until smooth. Pour in the boiling water, let the mixture bubble up for 20 seconds or so, then turn it off and set it aside.

In a measuring pitcher or bowl, mix together the buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, and vanilla. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, and salt. Stir in the hot chocolate mixture, stirring gently until it's halfway combined and less hot. Pour in the buttermilk mixture and continue stirring gently until the batter is all combined.

Pour the batter into the pans and bake them for 17-20 minute, until they're just set. Remove them from the pans and set them aside to cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare the strawberries by stirring them with the sugar and the vanilla. Let them macerate for 15 minutes, then drain off the excess juice.

Whip the cream with the powdered sugar.

To assemble, turn one layer upside down on a serving platter. Spread half the Nutella all over the surface. Spread on half the whipped cream and top with half the strawberries Place the other layer upside down on top and repeat with the rest of the Nutella, whipped cream, and strawberries. Keep chilled until serving. Cut with a serrated knife!

~Don't assemble more than an hour before serving.

A day of Happiness!
Thank you children!