Sometimes I Can Bake: Creamsicle Cake

I made a Creamsicle Cake. Seriously. It is cake that tastes like a creamsicle. It was so delicious. And pretty easy too, so here's how ya do it:

What you need:
1 box yellow cake mix + oil and eggs (amount on the box)
2 boxes orange gelatin (Jello)
1 box vanilla pudding mix
1 cup milk (I used 1%)
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tub whipped topping

1. Bake the yellow cake as directed on the box. Let it cool completely.

2. Mix 1 box of orange gelatin as if you were going to make jello: pour gelatin powder in 1 cup boiling water until dissolved, then add 1 cup cold water.

3. Poke holes in the cooled cake (I used a toothpick) and pour jello liquid on top. It will pool on the sides, don't fret, it'll work out just fine. 

4. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 4 hours (more won't hurt it). This lets the jello soak into the cake. 

5. Mix the pudding mix (mix only!), milk, vanilla, and the last box of orange gelatin (gelatin powder only!) in a bowl. Whisk it all up.

6. Gently add all the whipped topping to the liquid from step 6. Don't stir, just fold the liquid over the whipped topping until you have it nicely mixed, but still a whipped topping consistency. I used a spoon.

7. Frost the cake with the whipped topping mixture.

Store leftovers in the fridge.

I love this cake! I did steps 1-4 in the later morning and finished the cake up right before dinner. It wasn't hard, and it really does taste like a creamsicle. Tastes good leftover, too.

I guess I can bake!

Marriage on the Brain Part 2: Pinterest is Where It's At

I'm pretty sure that at least one of my friend's relationship status gets changed to "Engaged to..." at least once a week.

Not even lying.

Just over Christmas break, I went to 2 - TWO! - wedding receptions. And those were just the ones in my good old home town. I was invited to...around 3 more I think. Taking place in Georgia and Utah. That's 5 friends who have now tied the knot. Except the Georgia couple. I adore both of them, so that's 2 friends in one go. 

And in the last 2 weeks, there have been 3 more engagements. 

I'm running out of room for all my wedding announcements.

And my Pinterest account? Well, let's just say "goodbye memes, hello dresses!"

My friends are all planning. My Pinterest is flooded full of flowers, invitations, cakes, dresses, rings, bridesmaids, suits, shoes, venues, ribbons, veils, skirts, tulle...

Wedding Chaos.

And then there's me. And I see these ideas and some I'm like, "oh cute" and some get a "meh" but then there's a few where I'm like "I gotta do this!!!" So now I've got a wedding board on Pinterest too.

But one day I'll be glad I have this online idea catalog. Because it's starting to collect some AWESOME ideas...

Marriage on the Brain Part 1: 21 is Old

Me, just doing my thing, being the coolest babysitter ever for three boys.

Ages: 3, 5, 10

We were playing basketball (see? I'm so cool!) but paused for a brief meltdown and snack. 

Meltdown: 3 year old over his lack of points.

Snack: 10 year old (now referred to as T) to kill the time during the meltdown.

Well, T goes to open one of those snack-bags of Goldfish (good choice, T, good choice), but the bag pretty much EXPLODES and orange fish go flying. 

I, of course, bust up laughing.

The younger boys stop to look at the strewn Goldfish (stop genocide now!) and also look at their turned-crazy babysitter. And I just keep laughing. T looks slightly upset, slightly amused, then bends down to start gathering those poor crackers.

I walk over to join him. As we're scooping up fish with the little guys "supervising", T asks me one of my most-hated questions:

"How old are you?"

I respond the way I usually do when kids ask me this (horrible) question, "How old do you think I am?"

"19."

Well, that was better than 16 or 17, which I can still easily pass for. "Nope."

T glances at me, goes back to the fish clean-up. "20," said with confidence.

At least he's headed in the right direction. "Nope."

"18????" Guessed in utter confusion and disbelief.

"NO!" Seriously? Yuck.

"Higher?"

Whew. "Yes."

"21?!?!?!" Big eyes, shocked expression.

"Yuuup." I figured he was surprised since most people think I look so young. Remember how I can pass for a high schooler? But no, T then says the worst thing he possibly could:

"AND YOU'RE NOT MARRIED?!?!?!"

Thanks, T, thanks. I'm so glad to know that the 10 year olds of my world think I am an Old Maid at the ripe age of 21. 

I'll just go back to my cat and knitting now. Maybe I'll watch some Glee later, gotta live on the edge, ya know.