Happy V-day to MEEEEE!

Daniel and I aren't big into Valentine's Day. Sure we'll go out to eat because who doesn't like to do that, right? Flowers...? I like getting flowers more when the guy doesn't feel pressured into it because of a commercialized holiday such as Valentine's Day. Candy...? Sure, but I eat candy all year long. But THIS year, Dan hit the mother load of all V-day gifts. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook!

I was so surprised and it's the Valentine's gift that keeps on giving!!! But the more it gives the heavier I get as well lol. The first dish I wanted to make was the molten lava cake (as featured on the cover of the book).

STEP 1: 

To make the lava centers, melt 2 ounces of Ghiradelli baking chocolate with 1/4 heavy cream. Refrigerate for 2 hours until firm and form into small round balls.  Set aside until needed.

STEP 2:

To make the cakes, melt 4 ounces of Ghirardelli baking chocolate with 1/2 cup butter.

Melt slowly on low heat to not scorch chocolate.

STEP 3:

In a large bowl beat 2 eggs, 2 egg yokes , 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat on high speed until thick and light. Pour the melted chocolate and 1/4 cup flour into egg mixture. Stir until just combined.

STEP 4:

Pour cake batter into 4-6 ramekin's (depending on how big or small they are). 

STEP 5:

Place a chocolate ball in the center of each ramekin.

STEP 6:

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes.

*** I spoon a scoop of vanilla ice cream over my lava cakes ***

ENJOY THE YUMMY OOEY GOOEY GOODNESS OF GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE MOLTEN LAVA CAKES!!!!

Thanks hunny :)

HE'S HOME!

As you all know by now Daniel was on school business in Brazil for 3 weeks. He had a blast! I must admit I thought the time away from each other would be HORRIBLE but it wasn't as bad as I expected lol. And I owe that in most part to great friends, or should I say friend lol, and of course my mom coming to visit! Now that Dan is home safe and sound life has resumed back to normal as I have returned to my wifely duties. But I don't mind! 12 more weeks and Daniel will have completed the MBA program at Thunderbird and a new adventure awaits us. What that adventure is, we do not know yet...but we are excited to see where life takes us!

Goodbye Dan, HELLLLO Momma!

The first week of January Daniel was Brazil bound for three weeks! Part of his school curriculum requires that he enroll in a three week course to learn and study more about business ventures abroad. He was selected to participate in the Brazil course learning about "green energy." As you may have guessed by now, NO...I did not have the pleasure of joining him in exotic Rio De Janeiro. Instead, I have to spend my time working and paying bills on top of all my other wifely duties. But seriously, I'm glad Dan has the opportunity to study abroad (again) even if it is just for a short while. It makes him happy, and that makes me happy.

Okay...what REALLY makes me happy is that while Daniel is gone my mom came to visit!!!

I was lucky enough to get two full days off work to play hooky with my mom. We slept in (oh thank you, thank you, thank you), visited old friends, went shopping, tried out hot new lunch spots, went to the movies, did some more shopping and really just enjoyed a nice long relaxing weekend! I appreciate her taking the time to come down and visit. I mean it really took some convincing...it was only 8 degrees in Kansas City! ;) 

Two weeks down and one more week to go until Dan comes home. I know I can do it! Without mom here my good friend Kylee and I spend our evenings together taking turns cooking dinner and watching movies. Good thing her husband is gone in Brazil too! 

2011 has treated the Tracy's well so far and we hope all our friends and family reading are just as fortunate as we are!!!