Recipe of the day time!

My version of home made Strawberry Shortcake - cake version :)

I like to start with a home made Coconut Cake and then use homemade Whipped Cream and a combo of Fresh and Frozen Strawberries! This is a perfect dessert after a BBQ...just keep it in the fridge until serving time :)

Coconut Cake
All Ingredients at Room Temp

Combine in Mixer first:

3 sticks unsalted butter
2 cups white sugar
5 Extra large eggs
1.5 tsp vanilla
1.5 tsp almond extract
1 cup Milk ( you can also use Lactaid)

Then sift in:
3 cups flour
.5 tsp baking powder
.5 tsp baking soda
.5 tsp salt

Once mixed add in about 4oz of Shredded Coconut

You can use either 2 8" round or sq pans or one 13x9
Bake on 350 for about 20ish minutes...I start checking cakes after 20 but sometimes they can take up to 30 depending on your oven.

Once cake is completely cooled...make your Whipped Topping.
1 container Heavy whipping cream
2 TBS Sugar

Or you can buy 2 large tubs of Cool Whip :) or if lactose intolerant you can use Soyatoo Whip Cream ( at Whole Foods, possibly Trader Joes)

You will also need about 2 lbs of fresh sliced strawberries and one small tub of pre-sliced frozen strawberries in sugar.

To Assemble:
Slice each cake in 2 layers carefully.

Put down first layer...cover top in whipped topping and arrange some berries. Continue on with remaining layers using a little fresh and defrosted berries on each layer... when you get to the very top cover nicely with remaining whipped topping and then decorate neatly with berries.

This dessert is super tasty! Enjoy!!

Keeping Up to Date..

Just some quick updates..

Viv's surgery went very well. She came home Saturday morning. She is well rested and I am exhausted. I have not really slept and have not had a good decent meal since Wednesday. Maybe I will lose a few pounds! lol Just kidding. Seriously I need a good dinner or something.

Playing nurse is harder than I thought. Specially when Viv is stuck upstairs and I am constantly going up and down. I find myself getting lonely downstairs while she is upstairs, but the dog can only be left alone uncrated for so long before he will destroy something. Plus Viv needs to rest up and get better so she can chill downstairs with me. Currently the stairs are hard to manage.

Staples come out today... 15 of them to be exact. I am hoping once they are out sleeping will be a bit more comfy. Currently there are about 7 pillows on the bed plus a "husband". It's crowded in the Queen Size the past few nights.

But things are good. She is feeling better and not really taking the Perks anymore...the motrin seems to do the trick. Now if I can only survive the next 8 weeks we will be all set.

I am already looking forward to Memorial Day vacation... Maybe I can get a "how many days" update from my sis... I am already looking forward to relaxing on the porch and some Ptown Retail therapy!!!!

Viv's Surgery

Just a quick update...

Viv's surgery went well yesterday so thanks for everyone for all your well wishes! The Dr said everything looks good so now she is resting up in the maternity ward. Works for me since I get to see the babies everytime I go visit :)

She should be home tomorrow and is in for 6-8 weeks of rest and recovery!

NYC Trip

Just booked my work NYC trip. Got plane tickets for $117 which is not bad. I do wish however it was easier to get from NH to NY without having to fly out of Boston. I hate Boston traffic and the parking cost is just insane. At least it's not my cash at $24 bucks a day...but I will be arriving back in Boston at like midnight, so I don't know how I feel about driving back. It's a haul back to Nashua when you are tired!

The trip should be interesting. I am meeting with clients to review our new specifiers guide and samples. A few days to myself will be nice, but I will miss Viv and the kitties and dog. I will just have to get my sister to check in on her :)

So I will be in NYC from May 12 and leaving the night of the 14th if anyone I know what's to meet up!

Till Later....

Jenn

This week...

So just some quick updates since there are lots of things happening and going on....Easter weekend was awesome! We went to JMac's family farm on Saturday to chill with the animals and have a BBQ. We got to bottle feed the baby goats, came home with farm fresh eggs from the chickens, petted some preggo kitties, finally got to meet Gracie the very large pot bellied pig, got to pet the 7 very large work horses, play with the 5 Bernese Mountain Dogs, and partake in the nightly feeding of all the animals. It was a really fun day... Now if my brother would just hurry up and marry JMac we will be all set. He tells her before she is 28...well Steve that is 2 years from now and frankly NONE of us want to wait that long! lol

Yesterday we went to Easter lunch with Viv's fam. Papo was up from NY..LOVE HIM..and Titi Carmen was up from FL. It was nice to see them since we dont see them all that often. I love Papo..he is a riot. Too bad Carlos was in PR. After that went to my fam's to say hello and hang out for a bit and came home with a easter basket full of goodies. I did get my stainless steel measuring cups and spoons from Viv in my Easter Basket. So sweet...

Viv has her big surgery on Thursday. We are both nervous and excited. I know she will be fine and obviously when she comes home from the hospital I will be taking excellent care of her. My mum is going to help sometimes since I have to go back to work..just until she is back on her feet and can actually go up and down the stairs. Since that is the biggest thing currrently going on, we are really looking forward to our annual Memorial Day vacation.

I am heading to NYC for a few days in May for work the week before, but by the time memorial day comes around we are really going to need the break. If nothing else, I will need the break! lol Lisa is coming to Ptown with us this year, so I know we will have good time. She is really looking forward to it and we are staying at the White Wind Inn again this year...it is by FAR our favorite place to stay. It may be the most expensive, but is it is also our fav. Its the place to go to be spoiled and nothing compares to chillin on that porch watching the drunks fall all over themselves after T!

So that's it for today...lots going on and lots to look forward to! I tend to use my facebook more these days, so you can also find me on there! OH and my new email addres..... jenniferlsimons@gmail.comand now....it's back to the daily grind!