Whooo Hooo...It's Here!!!

I accidentally stumbled upon a blog I absolutely love because of the variety of topics the blog author covers!!  One of those topics is cooking and I've copied some of her recipes for you at times as I've tried them here at home and had Harley Man (my own personal food critic and hubby) offer his opinion!!!

Now... I'm not a cookbook collector by nature....however; when I discovered this blog author had written a cookbook, I decided to purchase a copy!  It is finally here!!!!!!!  Talk about a unique cookbook...you see, the author lives on a cattle ranch and not only did she include step by step photographs for each recipe, she also included photos of her family, the cattle ranch and much more.  It is truly a unique cookbook!!!!  So.. if you are a cookbook collector, you may want to check this one out.  It is a "down home" cookbook filled with recipes such as:  French Breakfast Puffs, Cowboy Calzone, Simple, Perfect Enchiladas, Sangria (one of my favorite beverages), Mocha Brownies...and more!  It is a beautiful cookbook!

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Woman-Cooks-Recipes-Accidental/dp/0061658197/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304000930&sr=8-1

Here's a sample of one of her cookbook recipes:



French Breakfast Puffs

Prep Time: 30 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 25 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 12

 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Flour
• 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg
• 1 cup Sugar
• ⅔ cups Shortening (Crisco)
• 2 whole Eggs
• 1 cup Milk
• 1-½ cup Sugar
• 3 teaspoons Cinnamon
• 2 sticks Butter

Preparation Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups.
In a large bowl stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and shortening. Then add eggs and mix again. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
In a bowl, melt 2 sticks butter. In a separate bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dip baked muffins in butter, coating thoroughly, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

APD is Today!!

Administrative Professionals Day....yep that's what is special about today!!!  Now, I don't know about you but I have a ton of admiration and respect for Administrative Professionals!  These folks perform a variety of duties each and every day and they are vital to whatever business they are associated with!  I've been priviledged to work with, in my opinion, some of the best Administrative Professionals over the past 32 years!!! 

Just who are Administrative Professionals? 

By Karen Porter

The Administrative Professional
Job Performance and Career Success Coach
Assisting Administrative Support Professionals

These are the individuals who are the administrative support system of corporate America and globally. You'll find them using titles in the workplace such as administrative assistant, administrative secretary, executive administrative assistant, executive assistant, senior administrative assistant and even office manager.

What do Administrative Professionals do?

Administrative professionals perform work that includes writing business correspondence, developing and maintaining paper and electronic filing systems, managing individual projects, conducting research online and offline, creating and maintaining databases, scheduling for managers and executives, maintaining calendar systems for individuals and departments, ordering office supplies and maintaining inventories, leasing office equipment, working with vendors, answering and handling telephone calls, creating spreadsheets and reports, planning and coordinating small and large meetings and events, and much, much more.

Administrative professionals often are highly trained professionals who know how to use computer software extensively along with multiple office equipment. They usually are good communicators, able to adapt to different personalities and work styles of bosses and coworkers whom they assist and or work with.

Admins are highly composed professionals; after all, it is admins who greet and assist company visitors and customers as well as managers, executives and their other staff. Administrative professionals are frontline personnel and backend personnel. Often admins offer the first impression of their companies to customers and visitors when they greet, direct or assist them. Ironically, they also offer the last impression of the company to these same folks since they also usually assist or interact with them last as they depart. In that respect, administrative professionals can be the "voice" and "face" of a company to visitors and customers

Wow..."Hats Off" to all Administrative Professionals....especially Julie, Kelly, Carol, Fran and Nancy!!!  Thanks for all you do or (did )each and every day!  You are the best!!!!

Bubba and Merv!

Bubba (an endearing term I use for my brother) and his beautiful wife invited us to their home recently.  Now Bubba is a character, to say the least!!  I never know what's going to happen when he's around.  He's the "tech geek" in our family and actually makes a living at it!!! :)  He's also a "grill master" and has all kinds of high tech gadgets for his grill ( a thermometer that talks and let's one know when the meat is done... hmmm....might be the reason everything turns out great on his grill)!! 

I hope one day to record a video of some of his "impromptu" performances....he does an awesome Swedish Chef imitation!!  (Guess I need to explain...you know the "Muppets", well there was a Swedish Chef Muppet...lol...do I need to say more?)  Too bad we didn't record it years ago....as his beautiful wife, Pam, says..."We could have made a fortune on America's Funniest Video!" and she's right.  Oh well...c'est la vie!

Now Merv (another endearing term), my niece, loves to take photos when a camera is placed in her capable hands to record moments with Bubba and family!  Merv just loves to get those...unusual shots!! 

She too, is a performer and I am proud to say spends her "spare time" doing all types of theatrical performances in LV!!  Of course, unlike Bubba, Merv actually performs on a theater stage these days!!  Merv is one talented young lady!

Yep, my family is "the bomb"!!  So here's to Bubba and Merv!  :)

Joint Venture!!

We had a delicious lunch Easter Sunday with the girls, son-in-law and KK.  It's so nice to have them prepare items to bring and share with us.  Brooke did an appetizer, Spinach Dip, which was delicious.  Bree made potato salad and brought fresh, sliced strawberries from a farm near her house.  As for me, well... I prepared a smoked oyster ball (a favorite of Harley Man and the girls), green bean casserole, ham, turkey, steamed broccoli and grilled pineapple.  Delicious!!!!

I haven't shared a recipe lately, so I thought you might like the potato salad recipe from Bree's kitchen.  Actually, it's from a friend of ours who graciously shared it with us.  We named the recipe after her since she deserves the credit!!!

Caroline Ray's Potato Salad                                                         
Ingredients:
1/2 of a 5lb bag Red Potatoes
3 hard boiled eggs roughly chopped
1/2 finely chopped onion
3-4 cloves finely chopped garlic
7-8 dill pickle chips finely chopped
1 stalk of celery finely chopped
1 cup of mayo
2 tbsp mustard
salt ; pepper


Directions:

Boil 1/2 the 5lb bag of red potatoes.  Start in cold water and once it comes to a boil it takes about 20-30 minutes.  I tested each one and as they became fork tender, took them out and put them in a bowl of cold water.  This way the smaller ones didn't over cook while we waited for the large ones to cook.  
Once all potatoes are cooked put them in cold water and covered and refrigerated for several hours (over night is best).  Once super cold peel, and dice to bite size pieces (this helps them not be mushy).  I put them back in the fridge once diced while I prepared the rest of the ingredients so they would stay nice and cold.  I also boiled my eggs while potatoes were boiling, cooled and peeled them and put them in fridge to get cold.  Saute onions in a little butter and once they start becoming translucent add garlic and saute for a few more minutes.  Just be careful not to burn the garlic.  Take out of pan and put in dish to cool (stuck these in fridge too).  Finely chop celery and dill pickle.  Put potatoes, egg, sauteed onions and garlic, celery, and dill pickle chips in serving bowl.  Add mayo, mustard, salt and pepper to taste.  It is best made ahead so it can sit in the fridge and let all the flavors mix.

I also had an opportunity to use my new camera!!!  I played with some photo editing and here is one of my favorite shots!  Still have lots to learn!!

Questions for the Universe!!

Why is it:

• the rain always comes on the weekends, during a holiday or during a scheduled event downtown like the BBQ Festival or the BBQ Cookoff???
• the sink collects all the dirty dishes and the dishwasher stays empty???
• company always drops in when you've decided to do some major cleaning???
• toilet paper rolls are always empty in the bathroom I choose???
• the windshield wipers decide not to work or need replacing and I don't know about it until it's raining or snowing???
• there are never enough closets or cabinets in a house???
• the grill runs out of propane just as soon as you plan to grill out???
• light bulbs decide to go out when it's dark in the house???
• contractors won't take on small jobs like replacing the kitchen flooring???
• baggers at the grocery store think each item should have a bag of its own when I'm buying groceries by myself???
• pairs of socks go into the washing machine just fine but one in the pair disappears during the wash cycle???

I have more questions but I'll save those for another day!

It's Your Turn....

One of the things I love about blogging is the opportunity to maintain an ongoing journal of ideas, thoughts, photos...whatever comes into my mind.  It's an "off the cuff" experience for me...no prior planning, no writing weeks in advance...nope...just whatever pops into my head is what I write about.

However; the best part of blogging is when someone takes the time to respond to my blog and gives their comments, feedback or opinion.  I just love that!!!  So I was thinking this morning....wouldn't it be great if my blog readers gave me some feedback!!!  It can be: why you read blogs, information on your blog, your favorite blogs, what you like reading about, what you want to know more about, what you find of interest....there's no limit to the responses!!! 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!!!  I appreciate each and everyone of you!!!  Please share with me...I'd love to hear what you have to say!!! 

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• a daughter who asked me to help her learn to be a better cook.
• a daughter who sent me a beautiful email about "invisible" moms.
• blue skies, warmer temperatures and signs of Spring.
• escaping the wrath of surrounding tornadoes. 
• friends who read my blog.
• my new camera and the challenges it will bring!
• my dad having a successful surgery and recovery.
• recipes from the "Pioneer Woman's" blog.
• friends at my line dancing class.  They keep me on my "toes"!
• Easter.
• my "Harley friends" and the time we spend together.
• Spring break for my "teacher friends" so they can enjoy time with their families and enjoy a much needed rest.

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Wordless Wednesday!!! :)

I'm Soooo Excited!!!!

I have a new DSLR camera and I can't wait to learn all about the different aspects of photography!!  Whoooo Hooo!  Now, I drive my family crazy because I love to take photos....no matter what the occasion.  My current camera is a point and shoot Kodak M863 (a gift from my daughters a couple of years ago).  It has served me well and I love how easy it is to tuck into my pocket or my motorcycle saddlebags.    

However; I've been "yearning" to own a DSLR camera for some time.  Why?  Because I want to learn to take exceptional pictures and even a photography class.  Not to mention the fact many of my Harley friends own one and they have the most extraordinary photos they share with me all the time.  Another reason...I've been reading various blogs over the past few months and read things like "photoshop", "composition", "aperture", "layers", "RAW", etc.  Totally "greek" to me but hey...I love a challenge! Oh, and the fact I'm going on a trip in May!!!!!!

So yesterday, hubby agreed to go with me to Best Buy so I could just "hold" a DSLR" and see what I thought about it.  Now, I didn't go into that store "green"....nope...I'd been doing my homework and "research queen" had read all I could about these cameras and recommendations for beginners!!  By no means did this make me an expert but....at least I knew two cameras I could focus on with at least a small amount of knowledge about each of them.  Yep...a Canon Rebel Xti and a Nikon D3100. 

As soon as I hit the doors of Best Buy, I made a beeline to the camera section and lo... there they were.  I picked each one up, examined them, played with the lens, read the info tag and was in heaven!!!  Now mind you, I was in the "look" stage...telling myself the day would eventually come when I might actually own one of these cameras.  Satisfied with having seen and touched these cameras, I told hubby all was good and turned to leave.  Other family members were checking out laptops, so I joined them totally satisfied at this point and willing to leave without a purchase.  I know...hard to believe isn't it!!

Little did I know temptation was just around the corner!!!  As we talked with the salesman, we were informed of their 18 month (no interest) plan.  Next thing I know....my wonderful, sweet hubby says, "Why don't you do that and get the camera you want?"  What????  Well, you don't have to tell me twice and I was gone in a flash...back to the camera section.  Then I saw it.....a "bundle deal" that was just tooo good to pass up.  It was the Nikon D3000 (which I also had information stored on).  I could get the camera body, a 18-55 mm lens, a 55-200 mm lens, a camera bag and a 8 GB memory card for the same price as the D3100 camera body only!!!!  Oh my goodness, I'd died and gone to heaven!!

Once I came back to life, I found a salesman and asked him to help me acquire the camera. "Ma'am, I don't know much about cameras but I'll do what I can" he said.  "Oh, you don't need to know a thing, I know exactly what I want!!", I said, as I practically ran over to the camera!!  Now I was in business.

 As I went to show him, another salesman told my hubby "Oh no, she'll never learn how to just pick that camera up and use it."   Can you believe that????  Bless hubby's heart, he turned to the guy and said, "You wanna bet?  She'll figure it out, I guarantee that"!!!  (Oh, how I love a man who'll stand up for you) :)  Within minutes (actually 30 minutes because speed is not an attribute the sales people possess at Best Buy), I walked out the proud owner of that Nikon D3000 "Bundle Deal"!!!

I've ......unpacked my new camera, charged the battery, set up the camera settings, new lens is attached, strap is attached, software installed on my computer, memory card inserted, warranty cards completed and I've taken several "test" photos!!!  I am sooooooooooooooo excited!!!!  Now it's time to venture outside and see what I can capture on "film"!!!  Now, where is that salesman????? LOL!!!        

Stay tuned......more to come!!!  Oh by the way, if you know of a great place offering beginner photography classes...I'm in the market!!!  Just give me a shout!!

The Cajun In Me

I love spicy food!  Guess the "cajun" in me is coming out some these days!  Yep, that's right...I was born in Louisiana although my time there was pretty short...we moved when I was 2 years old (I think) to another state.  I did however, spend many summers in Louisiana because most of my relatives lived there throughout my childhood.  On my "must do list" is a trip to New Orleans...I haven't been there yet but I'll get there one of these days.

Anyway, I tried a new recipe this week and the food critic gave it a thumbs up.  Let me tell you, it has a "kick" to it!!!  Not to mention it makes enough for a small army!!! LOL!  So if you like spicy, this is the recipe for you.  (It will put you in "carb heaven" for a day) :)  The only problem I had with this recipe...my sauce didn't thicken up like I wanted so I went back to the reviews of the recipe and others had that problem...so you may need to have some cornstarch on hand to thicken the sauce a little (I didn't have any on hand...oh well, you live and learn)!

By the way, I'll put the link to the recipe at the bottom of the page should you need to see all the prep photos and comments about the recipe. 

 

 

 

Cajun Chicken Pasta

 Ingredients:

• 3 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Cubes
• 3 teaspoons Cajun Spice Mix, More To Taste
• 1 pound Fettuccine
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
• ½ whole Large Red Onion, Sliced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 4 whole Roma Tomatoes, Diced
• 2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• ½ cups White Wine
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• Cayenne Pepper To Taste
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
• Salt To Taste
• Chopped Fresh Parsley, To Taste

Preparation Instructions:

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Drain when pasta is still al dente; do not overcook!
Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice over chicken pieces. Toss around to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer; do not stir. Allow chicken to brown on one side, about 1 minute. Flip to the other side and cook an additional minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a clean plate.
Repeat with remaining chicken. Remove chicken, leaving pan on high heat.
Add remaining olive oil and butter. When heated, add peppers, onions, and garlic. Sprinkle on remaining Cajun spice, and add salt if needed. Cook over very high heat for 1 minute, stirring gently and trying to get the vegetables as dark/black as possible. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove all vegetables from the pan.
With the pan over high heat, pour in the wine and chicken broth. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in cream, stirring/whisking constantly. Cook sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, until cream starts to thicken the mixture. Taste and add freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and/or salt to taste. Sauce should be spicy!
Finally, add chicken and vegetables to sauce, making sure to include all the juices that have drained onto the plate. Stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until mixture is bubbly and hot. Add drained fettuccine and toss to combine.
Top with chopped fresh parsley and chow down!

Here's the link:  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/cajun-chicken-pasta/

Laissez les bon temps rouler- Let the good times roll!!!

3 Women And A Kitchen!!!

What happens when three women (a mom and her two daughters) and one kitchen get together???  GIRL TIME!!  Yep...and believe it or not, all survived!!  Yesterday, we all converged at the youngest one's new apartment to shop, cook and eat together!  Three cooks in a small kitchen...now that's a sight to see!  LOL!!

Now everyone knows before you shop it is a "must" to eat some lunch.  So we headed to one of our favorite places, Wasabi, to partake in their delicious sushi lunch specials.  Let me tell you, my group can eat some sushi!!  Wasabi is a quaint restaurant serving delicious food with great service.  If you love Japanese food, check out Wasabi: http://eatwasabisushi.com/default.aspx. 

Next, there was the shopping...Marshall's and TJ Maxx.  The goal was to find at least one baking dish and saucepan for the newest cook, Brooke.  The outcome...success!!  We found some awesome deals and ended up with many new additions for her cookware collection plus a couple of "finds" for my eldest daughter, Bree.  Then it was on to the grocery store for all the supplies we'd need for our "Girl Time" cooking lesson.  Now, this really isn't exciting...unless you leave the grocery list on the counter of the apartment!!  Yep, you guessed it...so here we were, 3 women trying to remember all the items we'd written down.  I have to say...3 brains are better than 1....we actually remembered every item written on that list!!

Finally, we wind up back at the apartment ready to begin our cooking session.  No pressure...just hubby, son-in-law, granddaughter and us girls coming to Brooke's apartment for her first "dinner party"!!  (Poor thing)  I must say...Brooke was a champ and Bree did an excellent job as "guest cooking instructor" for the day.  Me...I was the "bottle washer"!!  What a wonderful sight to see...two young women working together in the kitchen whipping up Parmesan Pork Chops, Broccoli and Cheese Casserole and Mushroom Rice.  It was DELICIOUS.  Again, success!!

Girl Time...it was the best!!!

It's Been 100 Days....

Goodness, 100 days of retirement!!!  Where has the time gone these last 100 days?  I am amazed...the older I get the faster time flies by!

Retirement has been an adjustment for me, to be sure.  Having worked somewhere since I was 16 years old, switching gears has been a tad hard.  So here's what retirement is not (thus far):

• Sleeping late- nope I still awaken around 5:00 AM every morning.
• Taking naps- there is no way I can justify naps in the middle of the day! (At least not yet...LOL)
• Getting everything done-just like my working life, things come up and cause me to go into reverse mode or to switch up what I planned to work on.
• Coffee shops- since everyone I know works; no one to sit in the coffee shop with just yet!!
• Organized and Regimented- I am a list writer and planner.  So I still need to get into the groove of sometimes just going with the flow!
• A bad thing- I am amazed at the number of people who look upon retirement as the worst thing you could do???  Geez...it doesn't mean I'm dead!!!   Just that I am choosing to move into new territory.

What is retirement then:

• A new life phase- a chance to catch your breath and find different priorities.
• A time to actually rebond with your grown children- "Mom and Daughter Days", cooking lessons, helping your children move, daily conversations, weekly family meals, celebrating their successes and so much more!
• Finding new outlets- blogging, line dancing, cooking, reading the latest best sellers, cleaning out all the "stuff" one has accumulated over the years, reunion meetings, dinner rides, photography....and learning what's out there!!
• Eating meals on a regular basis.
• Learning how to slow down and be thankful for all the blessings you have.
• A time to regroup and figure out what you want to be when you "grow up"!
• Hard to explain.  Sometimes people think you are suppose to have filled your days with thousands of things to do!!  Now that just doesn't happen right away...it takes time just like anything else.
• Keeping in contact with those you worked with for years and being aware of what's going on in their lives...awards, new babies, marriages, celebrations, challenges.  Just because you retire doesn't mean you want to cut that out of your life.  It's still a part of who you are and being included or sharing information helps maintain that special part of who you are!!
• Not being able to always answer the question "What are you doing with all your time?" or "What did you do today?" with a thrilling answer or totally exciting stories!!

Retirement, for me, is taking one day at a time as I try to find a new paths to take and new skills to grow!!  It's a new season of life and a learning process!

The Time's Ripe For...

Strawberries!!!  I was at the grocery store today and my goodness...strawberries were everywhere.  Now I don't mean the small ones you see during winter months...these strawberries were huge!!  Beautiful, gorgeous strawberries.  Of course, I had to get some and I certainly hope they are as delicious as they look!!

According to a recent newspaper article:

Strawberries, one of spring's first fruits to ripen, will soon be ready at nearly 200 farms across North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Strawberry Association (NCSA), this year's crop is expected to be early and plentiful.

"North Carolina strawberries handled the cold winter well this year, so we're looking forward to a good season," says Debby Wechsler, NCSA executive secretary. Reports from around the state indicate harvests in the Sandhills and Coast in early April, in the Piedmont in mid-April and in the mountain area in late April. Strawberry-picking season generally lasts from five to eight weeks, depending on the weather. May is peak season and officially regarded as Strawberry Month.

More than just a delicious and healthy fruit, the official red berry of North Carolina plays a major role in the state economy, bringing in more than $25 million annually. "We are No. 1 in the nation among states that sell strawberries directly to consumers. People like to pick their own produce from local strawberry farms because it's a great outdoor activity for families and they know the fruit is fresh," Wechsler adds.

In addition to supporting the state economy, produce lovers also boost their own health when consuming North Carolina strawberries. Strawberries are naturally high in Vitamin A, iron, calcium, and Vitamin C. Just one serving of fresh strawberries – one cup or about six to nine berries – contains 140 percent of the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C with no fat, cholesterol or sodium.

I have decided I'll pick some strawberries this year and I can't wait!!  If the strawberries I bought today are any indication...I'll be in "strawberry heaven" for quite some time.  Interested in picking your own strawberries?  Then go to: http://www.ncstrawberry.org/index.cfm.  There's a strawberry farm locator plus other interesting strawberry tidbits.

Oh, by the way...I found the ultimate Strawberry Shortcake Cake recipe.  Hope you enjoy it!!!


Bon Appétit!!




Strawberry Shortcake Cake 

Cake Ingredients:

• 1-½ cup Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Corn Starch
• ½ teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 9 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Softened
• 1-½ cup Sugar
• 3 whole Large Eggs
• ½ cups Sour Cream, Room Temperature
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

Icing Ingredients:

• ½ pounds Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
• 2 sticks Unsalted Butter
• 1-½ pound Powdered Sugar, Sifted
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 pound Strawberries

Preparation Instructions:

IMPORTANT: Be sure to use a cake pan that’s at least 2 inches deep! Before baking, the batter should not fill the pan more than halfway.

Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and corn starch.
Cream 9 tablespoons butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well each time. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until combined. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just barely combined.

Pour into greased and floured 8-inch cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes, or until no longer jiggly like my bottom. Remove from cake pan as soon as you pull it out of the oven, and place on a cooling rack and allow it to cool completely.

Stem strawberries and slice them in half from bottom to top. Place into a bowl and sprinkle with 3 tablespoons sugar. Stir together and let sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, mash the strawberries in two batches. Sprinkle each half with 1 tablespoons sugar and allow to sit for another 30 minutes.

Make icing: combine cream cheese, 2 sticks butter, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and dash of salt in a mixing bowl. Mix until very light and fluffy.

Slice cake in half through the middle. Spread strawberries evenly over each half (cut side up), pouring on all the juices. Place cake halves into the freezer for five minutes, just to make icing easier.

Remove from freezer. Use a little less than 1/3 of the icing to spread over the top of the strawberries on the bottom layer. Place the second layer on top. Add half of the remaining icing to the top spreading evenly, then spread the remaining 1/3 cup around the sides.

Leave plain OR garnish with strawberry halves.
IMPORTANT: Cake is best when served slightly cool. The butter content in the icing will cause it to soften at room temperature. For best results, store in the fridge!