The Calm Before the Storm...

First off...12 DAYS UNTIL WE CLOSE!!!  This weekend is our last weekend in quite some time that both Joe and I are in town and don't have a whole lot planned.  We did get our mortgage approval Friday afternoon so we had reason to celebrate and relax for the evening without stressing if we would get the approval or not (although we weren't worried about it but you never know!)  Because of that, we were excited about relaxing and not doing too much work :)  Friday was one of Joe's friend's brithdays, so we knew that we would be celebrating that evening.  We headed up to Kennesaw where we would be spending the evening hanging out with friends and enjoying food and drinks.  For Andy's birthday, I had made cupcakes to share.  I made chocolate cupcakes with cookie dough in the middle because I knew that he loved chocolate chip cookie dough.  Below is the recipe and they turned out amazing!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Dough

1 ½ cup flour

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

½ cup butter

¼ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

Cake

2 2/3 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

6 tbs butter

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 cup milk

Icing

1 cup butter

½ cup brown sugar

2 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar

2/3 cups flour

½ tsp. salt

2 tbs. milk

2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

For dough portion mix flour, baking soda, and sea salt.  Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl.  Mix flour mixture into liquid mixture gradually.  Add chocolate chips and mix well.  Form dough into balls and freeze for 2 hours.

For cupcake, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, and salt.  In another bowl, cream butter and sugar together.  Add egg and vanilla then flour mixture.  Fill ¼ of the muffin cup with dough the drop cookie dough ball into cup.  Fill the rest of the cup with dough.  Bake for 25 minutes at 350°F.

For icing, beat together the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk until creamy.  Mix in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth.  Beat in the flour and salt. Beat in the milk a tablespoon at a time then vanilla until desired spreading consistency is achieved. Frost cupcakes.

Chocolate Cupcake with Cookie Dough Center and Buttercream Icing

It was so great seeing everyone and it was a relaxing and fun evening!

The Girls!!!

So tough :)

Birthday Boy!!!

:)

Saturday we had planned on shooting the Hooch so there was no turning back after we decided we would do it.  We knew the weather wasn't supposed to be ideal but we were determined to go, especially since I had not gone all summer due to the incredible amount of rain we have had in Atlanta this summer!  To say the least, it wasn't a pleasant experience but we survived!!!  We dropped in at about 3 since there were many delays by a lot of the floating group.  We forgot to turn off the stove so turned around about 3/4 of the way to the river and Andy's car wouldn't start after stopping at the store.  So, with a much delayed start, we finally got in and the water was ICE COLD!  No exaggeration, it was the coldest I have ever felt it.  That being said, we did have one thing going for us, IT DIDN'T RAIN!!!  After floating the Hooch and getting home, it was time to warm up.  Although we had intentions of going out, that never happened because the bed was just so comfortable.

Blowing up Floats!!

Sunday was a relaxing day.  Joe and I got up and started packing since we will be moving in 12 days (By Joe and I, really I mean Joe).  Then we headed to the North Point Mall area because we are in dire need of new sheets (Rox has put holes in the current ones) and we decided we should get some for our new fancy home.  We did some shopping and walked away with a new comforter set that both Joe and I could agree on (much harder than you think!!!) and a bird cage for cards at our wedding :)  Once we got home I worked out and then it was time to head to Joe's parents house for and amazing fish dinner that they had cooked with fish brought back from their beach vacation!  Tomorrow morning will be here before we know it as I head to Texas on a 7:30 flight!!!  Happy week to everyone :) :) :)