My Unglorious Return + Chocolate Pie

Alright. I realize I'm terrible at following through with things. Usually it's because I completely forget. That's not good. I wish I had a better reason... something like... I had something way more important to do. Sadly, no. If I didn't do it, I probably forgot. This makes me feel just terrible when I do remember what I was going to do. And now it's been six months since I've posted last, so it's safe to say I've turned out to be an inconsistant blogger at best. In keeping with learning things about me: you don't even want to know how many thank you cards I've started but haven't sent. Because I forgot.  I forgot to get the address, I forgot to buy stamps... and the well meaning thank you note never came to be. I should really just call people to say thank you.


Since I'm back, I thought I should have something awesome to share. And I do. I requires a little work from you or your personal chef, but here it is: my recipe for Fantastic Chocolate Pie. Yep, named it myself. It's almost like a no-bake chocolate cheesecake+french silk pie. You could serve it with another layer of whipped cream on top and some raspberry sauce if you think you need some more calories. That sounds good.


Crust Ingredients: (or use a ready made crust)
4 tablespoons (or more if you think you need it) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups chocolate graham crackers, crushed (that means one package to me)

Filling Ingredients:
2 cups good chocolate, melted (this will only taste as good as the chocolate you use)
8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream

To make the crust: In a small bowl combine the butter and the cookie crumbs till well combined. Press firmly into a 9 inch glass pie dish. Bake for about 10 minutes at 325 degrees. Remove from oven and cool completely.

To make the filling: Melt chocolate in double boiler until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the melted chocolate, cream cheese, and vanilla until lighter in color, about a couple of minutes. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks form. Then, gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until completely incorporated. Spoon this into the crust and smooth the top. Chill till firm... at least a few hours.

I think it's much better when refrigerated at overnight. And use whatever chocolate you like to eat plain. I use half milk Dove chocolate and half dark Dove chocolate. The texture will vary a little depending on the cocoa content of your chocolate. Yummy. Enjoy!

More Uno Party

Ah, Uno. (Continued from the first Uno post.) What a great theme and such a fun game. Check out this awesome Uno deck. We made party hats and then ate... there were corn dogs, beer battered fish, aunt Darlene's awesome broccoli salad, mini caramel apples, cotton candy, all manner of melon, Red Vines, Skittles from the candy dispenser that used to be John's grandpa's, orange chocolate cupcakes, and sparkling lemonade. Yes, crazy too much sugar.

What?  Time for gifts?

My babies are Converse babies.  I'm pretty sure they're the only shoes Corbin could walk in now.  Well, Chucks and mud boots.

The thoroughly overwhelmed birthday boy.  Notice his hat?  Not one, but two 4s.  And nothing else.

I LOVE that my mother in law knits sweaters for the kids.  Corbin is cool like Mr. Rogers. And that's saying a lot, I love Mr. Rogers.  Corbin's favorite gift by far from the party?  The green fold-out T-Rex card that came with Aunt Darlene's gift.  He's been carrying it everywhere and the night of the party he slept with it under his pillow.  There was almost an incident when he brought it into the bathroom and Petra splashed it after he bath.  That was a close one.

Petra found her own presents and dug through them, stopping only to read books and play with this pop-up card from Auntie Karen.  She got this beautiful dress from my sister.

She stood for the longest she ever has and she seemed very pleased with herself... but she still wouldn't walk to mama Tasha.

Sweet happy birthday girl.

Well, crazy straws really are the best.

Those who were willing to expose their age showed it with Uno cards. That's my daddy.

I scanned my Uno cards and made little prints that I taped to toothpicks for cupcake toppers.  I've got files of scanned Uno cards if anyone wants them.

Corbin had a green 4 on his cupcake, but Pete needed help blowing out her Uno.  Petra's trick candle was the only one that kept re-lighting.  Corbin got a kick out of that.

SMUSH...cupcake time.  She did NOT like the super sweet frosting, and Corbin only ate his frosting, so Petra ate both cake parts.  First sweets?  Yeah, right.

Snuggles with grandma Tricia, it's tiring being the center of attention.  And what are John and his dad doing?

Still going strong, much later.  Nice baby.

I really love balloons.  Such simple decorations... so cheap and beautiful.  It was a great party, fun was had by all.  But even my new party-sized table doesn't hold parties the size we have, apparently.  That's why we have zillions of other chairs.  Sometimes it looks very strange having all the chairs when our house isn't mid-party.  Another year passed... it hardly feels like it.  But things are well at the Kelley home.  Very well indeed.