Angel

Allison Danielle Zicree
May 13, 2008 - October 17, 2009
http://teamallisonz.blogspot.com

Coming Together

The invitations arrived from Tiny Prints, and turned out great! We don't have a theme, other than colors, orange and fushcia. The orange actually represents Leukemia Awareness in honor of Allison Zicree.

The outfit. Orange tutu from Gymboree and a black tee shirt with fushchia rhinestoned Hello Kitty. So cute!

Mammoth

Madison's Birthday Wishlists

Amazon.com

Pottery Barn Kids

Planning the Party

Dessert of the Week: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp clove
1/2 tsp ginger
2 tsp salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree (15oz can)
3 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup water, room temperature
1 cup (12 oz) chocolate chips or chopped semisweet chocolate

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F and position a rack in the middle. Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans or line them with foil or parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Set aside.

In another large bowl, whisk together the oil and pumpkin puree. Add the granulated sugar and whisk to combine. Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and water. Mix in the chocolate with a rubber spatula.

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix (and don't worry if you see a few small streaks of flour). Divide into the two pans and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then unmold leave to cool completely.

Vote for Madison

You saw us through once, let's see if we can win again! Madison has been entered into the Gap Kids Casting Call. Vote for her at:

http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/Wife4Matt/

In case there is a problem, you can search for the entry under Wife4Matt or Contestant # 264480406. Come back every 24 hours to vote again. You can vote once a day, every day through November 17, 2009!!

Please be kind and forward this e-mail to your friends, family, co-workers, etc. Post it on your social networks and blogs, too!

Thank you!

Sponsor a Whiteley!

Please sponsor a Whiteley!! We're walking for Allison Zicree in the Light the Night Walk! Be generous, know that you are helping to save a life!

Halloween Fashion Show

Juilliard Here We Come!

Dessert of the Week: Carrot Cake

Ingredients

Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.

In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.

With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups

In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.

Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

Yield: approximately 2 cups

Happy Birthday Fred

Random Sillies

Ponytail

Madison is 21 months! Her hair is finally long enough to put up into a ponytail. However, I have no business trying to "do" Madi's hair.

Dinner of the Week: Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients
1 1/2 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 whole egg
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup bread crumbs, divided

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, cheese, egg, basil, parsley, garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs. Using your hands, mix all ingredients until well incorporated. Use immediately or place in refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Place the remaining 1/4 cup of bread crumbs into a small bowl. Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1.5-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds, roll in the bread crumbs and place the meatballs in individual, miniature muffin tin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Save the Date

Sin City

The Mister and I are about to head off for Vegas. We're leaving on Thursday, and meeting up with Gina & Mark, and the Stern sisters. Can't wait for this little vacation that has been months in the making. The last time we were away from the Kid was March of 2008. We went on a weekend cruise that was horrid!

Dessert of the Week: Brownies & Lemon Bars

We went to visit our friends Amber & J.R. Mills on Sunday. I bought them a Lime Zest platter from Crate and Barrel, and adorned it with my lemon bars.

I felt bad that the Mister didn't get any brownies the first time around this month, so I have 18 minutes left on them in the oven! I'm glad I'll have ample time to cool them this time, because cutting them fresh sucks.

Favorite Lunch

I was just looking in the freezer what goodies the Mister bought at the market. But I did not see my favorite lunch. So this is for the Mister...a reminder:

Halloween Poll

What should the Whiteleys be for Halloween?
	Alice in Wonderland
	Greasers
	Insects
	Witches
	Other
= see results =