Zucchini Chocolate Cake

As most people who have zucchini in their garden I have more than enough zucchini, and have been searching for recipes to use it up. I have made pasta sauces, bread, muffins, a quiche type bake dish and added it to fajitas. I have also grilled and fried the zucchini. Today I tryed a new recipe, Zucchini Chocolate Cake. It was yummy, and by far the most enjoyable of all the zucchini dishes I have made. I highly recommend y'all try it out.

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups white sugar 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 3 cups grated zucchini 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2.	In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the eggs and oil, mix well. Fold in the nuts and zucchini until they are evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared pan.
3.	Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool cake completely before frosting with your favorite frosting.

Sheltered From the World

Up until a few weeks ago I didn't realize how protected I have been from the nasty world while living in Provo as a mom. Of course I knew that Provo is a LDS bubble and most of the people I associate with share the same feelings I do about being a mother and having children. That feeling is along the lines that it is selfless and wonderful to have children, even when they happen to come less than two years apart. What I didn't quite realize up until a few weeks ago is how many people don't see the wonders of being a mother
My realization of this came when I traveled to Texas, obviously pregnant with a young toddler. Nothing horrible happened while I was in Texas. Sure I got a few stares but, I'm sure they were just checking out my cute pregnant self and my adorable daughter, just kidding. I was stared at a little but it was no big deal. However during my layover returning home a man said something directed towards me that really hurt me.
This is what happened. As I was walking threw the airport I heard a man say something as I past him then I heard laughs. I didn't quite register what he said until a few seconds latter. What he said was, "Hey little girl, ever heard of birth control." I wanted to go back to him and say something so horrible right back to him or slap him or something. I know it is better that I didn't, but I was so hurt and angry that I wanted to hurt him back. I'm over it now but at the time I only could cry at what he said, I can be sensitive with my hormones the way they are.
The whole experience made me become more grateful for the knowledge I have of the divine calling I hold as a mother. The divinity of motherhood can be easily over shadowed by its many responsibilities and by the harsh views of the world. Even though I am sheltered in the Provo bubble it is so wonderful to be surrounded by so many that feel the same way about being Mom.
Thank you all that share the same knowledge of being mother, it is truly a support knowing I have so many so close.

A Pony Ride

Jake, Tori, and I went to Thanksgiving Point! Tori loved it. She was very excited to see all the animals and was even more excited that she was able to feed the animals out of her hands. My favorite part for her was the pony ride. I thought she was going to be to freaked out to stay on a pony but she handled that pony like a cowgirl.

Ketchup

Tori is taking after Jake, she is loving to dip everything that she eats is in ketchup. Here she is dipping Life cereal.

ABCs From Amanda

The ABC Info about me!

A - Age: 25!!! The coolest age ever.
B - Bed size: King, the only way to go.
C - Chore you hate: Folding
D - Dog: Theo, 4 years old
E - Essential start your day item: food
F - Favorite color(s): green
G - Gold or Silver: PLATINUM
H - Height: 5' 2"
I - Instruments you play: None, but the piano soon
K - Kids: Tori and baby girl on the way
L - Living arrangements: Cozy fixer upper
M - Mom's name: Beth
N - Nicknames: Sylv, Babe, Sugar, Mommy, Salvation, C...
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Nope
P - Pet Peeve: Weeds, mean people, being hungry, and someone telling me how to be a mom
Q - Quote from a movie: "Bond, James Bond"-James Bond
R - Right or left handed: right
S - Siblings: 7 - 6 sisters, 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: 7:30am-8:30am
U - Underwear: I like them to smell like bleach
V - Vegetable you dislike: Eggplant
W - Workout style: Bike, stair stepper, strength
X - X-rays you've had: teeth
Y - Yesterday's best moment: Seeing Jake in the airport
Z - Zoo favorite: Elephants and giraffes

I tag Robin, Connie, and Jessie

Bubbles

Tori loves bubbles so to keep the oxygen flowing to my brain I invested in a bubble gun. I think Tori loves her bubble gun more than me blowing them for her, so we are both very happy with my little investment.

NURSERY!!!

Yes, yes, yes, Tori was totally ready for nursery. Tori typically is great the first hour of church but sitting still for Sunday school and Relief Society ended months ago. I am pretty sure Tori wasjust as excited about nursery about as Jake and I were.

Before Nursery

After Nursery

Again in Texas

I made another trip to Austin TX for my niece, Jenna's, baptism. I typically only wish to be able to go to see my family for anything other than weddings, funerals, and holidays but I found a GREAT deal on a flight. It was so good I couldn't pass it up. The only downer was that Jake wasn't able to come.

Jenna, the Angle that was baptized.

Bryce's "Fire Power"

Julia and Jordan

Jordan and Cassidy

Jenna, Odessa, Sergio, Julia

Silly Julia

Tori and Reighly are a year and a half apart and they loved playing with one another. It was really cute how much they got along.

Reighly loved taking care of Tori.

And Tori loved Reighly. She even learned how to say Reighly on our visit.
By the way I did dress Tori, I just didn't get many pictures of her dressed.