Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Make Something Monday...Kitty Litter Cake

THIS is an AWESOME cake that I have made for many'a gathering. I made this one a few years ago in honor of a good friend's birthday that happens to be on New Year's Eve. Awesome timing, eh? This cake has also been made for firefighters and for amazingly wonderful practical jokes. (Oooooo...that reminds me of another post I should write...)

So, on with the pictures...the recipe follows... (tip: the most fun of the ENTIRE cake is shaping the kitty poopies... THAT'S where my TRUE artistic muse is seen...)







Zeee Recipeeee:

Ingredients: 1 spice cake mix (or german chocolate...I used spice)
1 white cake mix
2 large packages vanilla instant pudding mix (with the milk and such it takes to prepare the pudding)
1 large package vanilla sandwich cookies
green food coloring (tee hee--for the "Fresh Scent granules!)
12 small Tootsie Roll candies (at the very LEAST 12--I used much more than that amount...it is sooo much fun!)

1 new kitty litter pan
1 new pooper scooper
newspaper

Instructions:


















BEST PART!!

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions.

Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble.

Crumble white sandwich cookies in small batches in a food processor or a blender (fp works much better imo), scraping often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix until completely colored.

When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining white cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. Important: mix in just enough of the pudding to moisten it. You don't want it too soggy. Combine gently.

Thoroughly wash and dry the new kitty litter pan & scoop. (Some people use new liners, but that was too much of a pain for me and it looks great this way and is clean.) Put the cake/pudding/cookie mixture into the litter box.

Put 3 unwrapped Tootsie Rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. (Not too much, or they will be too hot to the touch or melt! I did mine at 10-15 second intervals at 60 power.) Shape the Tootsie Rolls into cute little poopies--round the edges, curve 'em, thin 'em, fatten 'em, combine with another Roll to make a big 'un... have loads of FUN! Roll some in the "kitty litter" while they are soft so the crumbs adhere to it. Bury some for "hidden treasures" and drape some over the side of the litter box for effect. :) You do want to soften these in increments of three, or they will cool off too fast to be able to shape them effectively. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over top. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly on top of everything -- this is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter..."Fresh Scent". You can also heat a few of the Tootsie Rolls in the microwave until they are almost melted. Drag them on top of the cake, to pick up some of the "litter" and clump a bit. sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Spread remaining Tootsie Rolls over the top. Place the box on a newspaper and sprinkle a few of the cookie crumbs around for a truly eye-pleasing effect! Serve the dessert with the Kitty Litter Scoop for the dessert to come full-circle.

Now, I have to admit, this wasn't my original idea. I found this on the internet many years ago and I don't have the original poster's name or website information. This was a truly INSPIRED recipe and we love, love, love it!!! Hope it becomes a tradition in your family as well...an honored heirloom recipe. :)





My kids + one...Zac, Aimee, & Noah (wow! two years ago!)

For more Make Something Monday try out Go Graham Go!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wordless Wednesday...Senior Pictures







Hard to believe my oldest is through with high school! These are a few of her senior pictures. Time has sure flown by fast....

Check out WWHQ, 5 Minutes for Moms for more WW fun!

Wee, Wee, Wiiiiiiiiii....all the way home!!!

You need to check out Tweetest Backgrounds blog. She's got some mighty fine Twitter backgrounds for sale and a niiice week two giveway. (Wish I wasn't so preoccupied during the Week One grand opening giveaway!!) This week is a chance for a Wii! Second prize is a nifty Twitter background.

Hurry on over to the Wii giveaway page and check it out. Giveaway ends July 10th.

**Hoping I'll be back to the posting, soon. We've been living life and enjoying the summer, friends, and all that those things bring!**

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

WW Fireworks!!

First, I am sorry I haven't been posting much. It's Vacation Church School week here, which equals tons of fun, chaos, and exhaustion...and I would not trade this time for anything. Also my bestest friend for ages is visiting with her boys, so there is never a dull moment!

These pics were taken last year when I spent most of the summer in Missouri, helping my parents through my dad's total hip replacement. The city of Independence (btw, that is not the city with the crazy leash law) holds a huge fireworks display every year. I love photography and this was a perfect venue! I tweeked and fiddled until I got the settings just right and I was so happy with the results! I hope I can get some great pics this year, too!

(so much for "Wordless" Wednesday! I'll try harder next time...)











For more WW fun, check out 5 Minutes for Moms, Wordless Wednesday, Jolly Mom, and Go Graham Go !!