Desperately Seeking Gina

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Never Before Seen {on this blog}

So, in the 5 years I’ve been at this thing called blogging, I’ve only been away from the internet for any significant amount of time once- last summer.  It was right after we moved {permanently} into the lake house.  I kept right on baking and photographing my baking adventures thinking I’d get them posted eventually.  Eventually never happened…but the recipes and pics I had planned were some of my favorites.

Without further ado….more of my baking adventures from 2010.  Click on the pics for the printable recipe.

By the way…did you enter the Happy Heart Giveaway??

Happy Heart Giveaway

  I’ve seen these little chalkboard hearts all over the web and had to have a set for myself.  And then, I thought to myself, “self, you can’t have a blog celebration without giving something away!”  So, I’ve made up a set for you, too.
One lucky winner will receive a set of four chalkboard hearts- perfect for little notes of thanks, love, or congrats- made with love especially for you by me ♥!
Send them to school with your kids’ lunches.
Hang ’em on door knobs for all to see.
Slip one on a bottle of your love’s fave bottle of soda in the ‘fridge.
Attach to gifts
So many uses…and so cute to look at!
I’ll even throw in the chalk!

How to enter:  Giveaway is now closed!

1.  Leave a comment on this post.  Any old comment will do.  Unless you curse at me or call me bad names.

2.  For a second entry, follow this blog {over there in the right sidebar} and leave another comment on this post.  If you already follow, leave a 2nd comment telling me that you do.

 A winner will be chosen via Random.org on Thursday, March 10th.

Some of my favorite posts…

It’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since my very first Desperately Seeking post.  This little ole blog, this small space on the vast world wide web, has become my very own personal space to rant, rave, brag, and share.

I’m Totally Mad!

…but it’s a good thing!

Remember last month when I was obsessed with the Mad Hungry Game Grub Bowl in which my onion ring recipe was a finalist?  I didn’t win the grand prize…but I was first runner up.  And look what I won!!

And it’s signed- Sweet!

I can’t wait to curl up with this tonight {anyone else read cookbooks like novels?}…and to start cooking from it this weekend.  Already i love the design of the book, the layout of the pages, and the first few recipes I’ve glanced at look amazing.

Thanks to the team over at Mad Hungry for the fun contest…and for an awesome cookbook!

Buns In My Oven…It’s so fun to say!

Hey friends!  
There’s a lot going on here at the lake house…most notably, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake late Sunday night that scared the bejeezus out of me.  Seriously.  It felt like the house was tumbling off the mountain.  All is well and we’re fine.  Neighboring towns have been experiencing little earthquakes quite regularly.  I hope it’s not something that happens here on a regular basis!
Other happenings:  My 5 year blog anniversary is happening in just a week and I have some “remember when” posts planned to celebrate.
And finally, I have a confession.  I have a blog crush.  Seriously.  Have y’all heard of Buns In My Oven?  It’s a totally adorable food blog run by Karly.  And how cute is the name?  And so fun to say.  Really.  Say it aloud right now and you’ll see.  Buns In My Oven!
So, anyway….I surfed on to Buns {we’re on a first name basis, Buns & I} while pinning over at Pinterest.  The pic?  Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies.  Yes.  I just said homemade oatmeal cream pies.  Who ever knew there was such a thing?  Not I, because, surely, I would have already ditched Little Miss Debbie and added these to my repertoire.
I acquainted myself with these lovelies over the weekend and they were quite comforting as the earth shook, rattled, and rolled.  Comforting and they taste A-MAZING.  Seriously.  Just like those little packaged ones.  Except these are bigger.  And, in this case, bigger is definitely better!  
Don’t forget to stop by Buns In My Oven and thank Karly for introducing us to these yummies.


Oatmeal Cream Pies

For the cookies:

1 cup butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 ½ cups quick oats

For the cream filling:

½ cup vegetable shortening
1 ½ cups marshmallow cream
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1-2 tbsp. milk, as needed.

To make:

Cream together the butter and sugars.  Add vanilla.  Beat in eggs, one at a time until well  combined.  In a medium bowl whisk flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and oats.  Beat flour mixture into butter/sugar mixture.  Refrigerate cookie dough for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°

Drop about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes.  The centers should look a bit undercooked when you remove them.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

For the cream filling, beat together shortening and marshmallow cream.  Add powdered sugar, adding a tablespoon of milk to start. Add additional milk until cream is spreadable.  Beat in vanilla.

Spread about 1 tablespoon of cream filling on the bottom of one cookie.  Top with another cookie.