Weekend Love

I can't help but wish at times that Nick was a teacher too so we could enjoy all summer like a giant weekend!  On the other hand, our weekends are that much more precious and fabulous.  Plus, I had no idea that going to a new school district was so crazy.  I have several orientation/welcome/information things I have to go to, and since I will be at a Vanguard school I have several GT/Pre-AP trainings to do.  This being said, my summer is slipping away faster then I would like and is making me appreciate weekends again already.

This weekend was full of whoopie pies and Lady Gaga!  Nick and I decided to not only try and make whoopie pies, but to also use our cake decorating and piping kit.  His dad basically manages all kinds of restaurants, and for a while he was in charge of all the Baskin Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts in the North Carolina-Virginia area.  This meant he actually went to Donut University and learned how to do all kinds of cool stuff, i.e. decorate cakes.  Well, we have cake decorating stuff that he gave us and we have never touched so this was an opportunity to at least play with the piping bags and tips!  Without further ado, here are our whoopie pies...recipe from Bakerella.

Classic Chocolate Whoopie


1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
4 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, sift together, flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
• In another bowl, beat butter, shortening and sugar with a mixer on low until just combined. Increase speed to medium and beat for about 3 minutes.
• Add egg and vanilla and beat for two more minutes.
• Add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk and beat on low until incorporated. Repeat with remaining flour and milk and beat until combined.
• Using a tablespoon, drop batter on baking sheet two inches apart. Bake for about 10 minutes each or until pies spring back when pressed gently.
• Remove from oven and cool for about five minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.

1 Tbsp of batter should make about 48 two-inch cakes or 24 pies.
2 Tbsp of batter should make about 30 four-inch cakes or 15 pies.

Salty Peanut Butter Filling


3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (or crunchy)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

• Beat peanut butter and butter on low until creamy using a mixer.
• Add sugar and salt and beat on low to incorporate. Increase speed to medium and beat for about four minutes until the filling is light and fluffy.
• Spread filling on flat side on one cooled cake. Top it with a second cake and press gently.

They are so yummy and crazy sweet.  It makes a lot, and since they are so super sweet you can't really just eat them one after another; therefore, Nick's office loves us and the yummy whoopie pies!


Next there was Lady Gaga!  You can say what you want about her, but:

• She can truly sing...she sings the entire show while dancing!  No lip singing, recordings, just her
• She dances for most of the show, and she dances well!
• She has amazing musical talent when it comes to instruments!
• While eccentric, her message is clear: Don't judge others, love yourself, and Jesus loves everyone!  I don't think anyone can argue with that, and many of those who don't like her are judging her so I guess they should stop and think about why they dislike her.

Anyway, we had a good time and thought the show was great!  There were some interesting people there, but the concert was fantastic.