I haven't been posting much lately, but it's not because I haven't been cooking and trying new things.  I guess the new-ness of having a blog has worn off some and I haven't been diligent about taking pictures of the food.  I'll go ahead and post some of the things I've made recently, and add the picture later.

For now, here is a picture of the cake and smash cake I made for Cole's 1st birthday party.  He loves bath time, so we went with a rubber duck theme.  No recipe to go with it as they are from a box mix.  I am terrible at homemade cakes - terrible.  They always turn out dense and dry.  So, sticking to the box mixes until I can figure out how to make a good cake from scratch.  I was very happy with how these ended up looking.  The duck was made using a 12"x12" square cake pan and then I cut out the shape of the duck (using a template my awesome husband made!).  Could not have been happier with the result!

Happy Birthday, sweet Cole!  Mommy loves you tons and tons.

Hamburger Barley and Vegetable Soup

This is one of my favorite soups.  I took this pot to a study group and it disappeared, with a couple people asking for the recipe.  Try to find hulled barley (not pearled) as it is a whole grain - less refined and still contains the bran.  I used beef broth instead of the water and bouillon, but homemade beef broth would be best.

Hamburger Barley Vegetable Soup


1 ½ pounds ground beef
6 cups water
3 beef-flavored bouillon cubes or 3 teaspoons beef bouillon
2 cups sliced carrots
1 ½  cups coarsely chopped onions
1 ½ cups coarsely chopped celery
½ cup coarsely chopped green pepper
2/3 cup barley
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
¼ cup ketchup
28-oz. can tomatoes, undrained, cut up
8-oz. can tomato sauce

In a 5 qt. Dutch oven, brown ground beef; drain.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 hour or until vegetables and barley are tender.  Remove bay leaves.

10 (1 ½ cup) servings.