Mome reads Mommy, My daughter's way to spell it when she was younger... It stuck. My son calls me Mome... just like it looks. I now sign all my notes to them "Love, Mome". It's our inside secret and makes them smile. I always want them to smile.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Brownie Ice Cream Cake and Treana Red

I came across this recipe almost 20 years ago.  It is easy and Delicious and combines 2 of my favorite things, brownies and ice cream.  I realized that I hadn't made it, for a birthday, since Puddin Pop turned 1 so, I pulled it out of my bag of tricks for today, her 8th birthday.

What you will need:
1, 9x13 pan of brownies (any variety will work, make as directed and let cool)
1/2 gallon of ice cream, or just a little more (any flavor)
frosting (any)


I like to saran wrap a bowl for ease of removal


cut brownies into squares (not required) and mold around bottom and edges. to create a brownie bowl.
Put in freezer for, at least, 2 hours

looks full, but brownies are actually flat against the bowl

Take out ice cream (flavor of choice) 15 minutes before filling and let thaw slightly.
Mix, to get out the air, and create a denser ice cream (not required, but helps cake from caving when cutting)
Fill "bowl" with Ice Cream
Cover with saran wrap (I leave edges when lining the bowl and just fold over)
Put back into freezer and freeze overnight (or at least another 2 hours)

Take out of freezer and pull edges of saran wrap to release from bowl
(You'll be happy you lined the bowl at this point)

Flip bowl over onto a serving plate and uncover



Frost with frosting of your choice

Stick back into freezer until serving or serve immediately
(you can decorate any way you like, but have limited time as ice cream melts pretty quick)

See the smiles on everyone's face when they enjoy this delicious treat

We used Fudge Royal Ice Cream this time.  I've also done it with vanilla, mint chocolate chip, and butter pecan.  Whatever your favorite is, it will work.

5 hours later....

The company has all gone home, the Birthday Girl is asleep, and now I'm enjoying a second slice with this...

**Sample was provided.  Opinion is 100% Mine
Oh My.
I love a good spicy Red and this one does not disappoint.
Pepper, oak and cherry flavored, this 2010 Treana Red has a long finish and deep red color (the label is pretty awesome too).

Winemaking Notes:
(quoted)
After harvest, vineyard lots were fermented individually in stainless steel tanks for 14 to 20 days.  Extended macerations and carefully managed pump-overs enhanced the extractions of color and tannin,  The varietals were aged separately in French oak barrels, 70% of which are new, for six months,  The initial blend was assembled in summer of 2011 and aged an additional twelve months in barrel.  The wine was racked only twice during its cellar life, with the final racking occurring just prior to bottling.
A wine of great depth and structure, the 2010 Treana Red will continue to develop and mature for the next ten years. 
  70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah
Enjoy!




Saturday, April 26, 2014

Fun Easter Craft ~ Easter Tree

This year we decided NOT to dye eggs.
Instead, we made an Easter Tree.
With a simple dough of flour, salt and water, some paint and a branch from the yard.
Dough Recipe
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
3/4 cups water


First we rolled out the dough
Puddin Pop decided a Tinker Toy was easier to roll with than a rolling pin.


We rolled the dough about a 1/4 inch thick and used an egg shaped cookie cutter.
We used a straw to punch out a hole BEFORE baking
Then we put them on a greased, foil lined cookie tray


We baked them for 2 hours on 250 and then let them cool completely
We painted to base coats, of crayola paints and let them dry again



Then we added dots and lines and even added glitter onto some of the wet paint.
Let them dry again
We tied ribbon through the holes and headed out to find a branch
In the end
We had this!