Today is My Friday!

I Thought This Was Really Neat...

Through May 4, 2009, you can send a FREE 5x7 paper card from Hallmark.com for any occasion! While this promotion was specifically created for Mother's Day, you do not have to send a Mother's Day card.
Go http://www.hallmark.com/ and create a card up to $3.49 in value (excludes cards with sound and invitation/announcement cards). Personalize your card and add photos if you'd like. Then, when you go to check out enter the code CARD4MOM. You'll get the card for free plus shipping will be free as well.
If you don't have anyone you need to send a card to in the next few weeks, you can even order a card for a future date and have it scheduled to be sent then.

Around Town

The 2009 Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival

“I <3>

The Goonies

Friday May 1st

The festival returns to beautiful Gateway Park at Lee Highway near Key Bridge with an even larger screen every Friday night at dusk. People are encouraged to bring blankets and low chairs to picnic in the park before the show. Show up early for the pre-show 80s-themed games and prizes. The movies play rain or shine.

From the Foodie In Me

Cake

I always bought the simple mixes at the store. I figured, you just add some butter, eggs, milk/ water and you're done. Can't get simpler than that. Then I figured out, they are basically selling you flour in a box. Cake isn't that complicated to make from scratch, and if you have a few simple common ingredients on hand you can make delicious cake anytime you want.
I've included a few variations:

Ingredients:
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

For a Yellow Cake: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.
Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Variation for a White Cake: Prepare as for the basic cake except use 3 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs. Whites may be beaten separately and added for a lighter cake.

Variation for a Chocolate Cake: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the basic cake mix prior to adding the milk.

Variation for a Spice Cake: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice to the basic cake mix.

Variation for a Pineapple Upside Down Cake: Melt 1/2 cup butter in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Add 2/3 cup brown sugar, stirring into the butter. Arrange pineapple slices in the pan. Top with the basic (yellow cake) mix recipe. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, cool 5 minutes, and invert to serve.

Grinds My Gears (renmaed from My Pet Peeve)

Innapropriate dress in the work place. Tank tops, and summer dresses do NOT belong in the work place. Also, I know that women get away with a lot more at work than men do. And I appreciate being able to wear skirts and dresses. However, this new "dress shorts" idea... NO. Completely innapropriate for a professional office setting.