Cloudy Days and Birthdays

I know that I live in California and I shouldn't complain. But its cold today and overcast. Its not really what I would call a beautiful summer day in July. I have had a jacket on all day. Since it's depressing outside I'm staying in under the covers and on Pinterest. It's a good thing that Friday is my mom's birthday. Now I have a mission for my pins. Since it's so gloomy outside I am going to find something nice and cheery to make. I love this cake but I wonder how much my mom will like it.



Since there are only three of us I would only make one layer.  Any more and I would go into a cake coma.

Now here is an easy cake that I know my mom would love.



Although I have been wanting to make this cake for awhile but haven't found the perfect occasion yet.  Maybe Friday is the day.



I guess since I can't make up my mind it's back to Pinterest I go.  Any one have any suggestions or words of wisdom for me? I get so overwhelmed by my love of cake.

Holiday Plans

Am I the only one with no firm holiday plans? I read recently that this is the busiest week of the year to vacation.  And here I sit in my awesome garage office with no plans for tomorrow.  I dont even have any menu ideas.  Which is odd for me because I almost always have at least a dessert idea to try out.

We were invited to Stinson Beach for the day tomorrow however I dont think I am up for the drive or the crowds.  The one fortunate thing about fireworks plans for us is that we dont have to leave our front yards to get a great view of the fireworks.  We live really close to the fairgrounds where they are shot off and can just walk into the middle of the street and watch them. 

I knew Pinterest would be a good source of inspiration.  I just started following Bird's Party boards and am now inspired!




I have been a follower of this blog for awhile now and it never occured to me until just this very second to follow her on Pinterest.  So glad I did!

Ok now that inspiration has struck it's time to start planning and making some calls to see who wants to come celebrate with me and the little man.

Mini Layer Dips

Ok I admit it, I am obessed with Pinterest.  There I said it.  Seriously I love it.  And I dont just love it because I can look at the cool things others do I actually do them.  No really I do actually make things off Pinterest.  Like these adorable mini layer bean dips. 

Really how cute are these?  I served them at our last bbq and everyone loved them.  Seriously loved them.  The original idea came from Six Sister's Stuff, a blog that I have since become a devoted follower of.

The original recipe can be found here. The only real motification that I gave it was that I only used half a package of taco seasoning and divided that between the beans and the sour cream, because I believe everything should be seasoned.

The next time I make it I will do two things differently:

1. Buy more chips.  We ran out way too quickly.

2. Make double! Seriously it's that good and for some reason people love eating anything mini.