...is this*: the last 2 inch square of "Magic Cookie Bar" that remained from the giant 9 x 13 pan of them I made.
Guess that requires a little explanation, doesn't it?
Well, last week was a flurry of not just cleaning, cleaning, cleaning - but cooking as well. For Bubba's 40th birthday, I rented him a cabin up in the Tennessee Mountains (Sewanee, for those of you interested in the details), then I strong-armed his three best friends from our college days to come from their far-flung corners of America and join him in Tennessee for the long holiday weekend. I love these boys, all of them, dearly...
Anyhow - two of the boys convened at our house on Thursday, to spend the night before making the trip up to Tennessee. Hence all the cleaning. And the beginning of the cooking...
Typically, I like to take people out to eat when they stop by Atlanta - but for some reason I felt like cooking. So we dined on Frogmore Stew, sourdough bread, and heirloom tomato salad. I also did something you aren't supposed to do: I made a recipe without trying it first...
I had planned on buying Bubba a birthday cake to serve for dessert, but the local paper had run an article Thursday morning about "Cooking with Coca-Cola" in honor of the opening of the New World of Coca Cola. And there was a recipe for Coca-Cola cake, which sounded pretty darn good.
Now, I've never made one of these before. Heck, I've never even tried one of these before, so don't ask me what I was thinking...
I had a particularly bad moment when I brought the cake out, and one of the guests cried out "I love Coca-Cola cake! It's my favorite and I've not had one in years!" Instead of thinking "yay - I did a good thing" I thought "Oh crap - he knows what this is supposed to taste like." Yikes!
I don't know if it is a fantastic recipe, or if I got a big old dose of beginner's luck - but it was fabulous. A total keeper, and one I will be making again...
The next morning, I packed up the rest of the cake - in order to get it out of the house (wishful thinking on my part. Thought that would keep me from overeating while Bubba was gone. Ha!) - along with a weekend's worth of "catering". In addition to the aforementioned Magic Cookie Bars, some of the other highlights were: baked beans, barbecued ribs, BBQ sauce, cole slaw, and breakfast casserole. I tell you, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen last week.
And photographed exactly none of it.
And then I let Bubba and the boys take my camera up the Mountain with them. So there are no pictures from Schecky and my's Big Weekend in Atlanta.
Which was a blast.
We decided to be tourists in our own town.
We ate out. A LOT! A lot, a lot, a lot, a lot. Like for every meal a lot...
We also did some sightseeing. We went to the New World of Coca Cola (short review: we loved it) We played in the fountains at Centennial Olympic Park. For hours. (Despite the return of the horrible smoke...) We wandered around CNN Center. We saw movies, we took walks. In short, we had a blast.
But, no camera**. Which was weird. I missed it dreadfully at first, but in a way it was nice to just live in the moment, and not worry about "capturing" it all. (but - oh! - the cool photos I could have taken... My heart hurts a little if I think about it...) I know Schecky appreciated not having a camera pointed at him.
So I might not have pretty pictures to share. And for that I apologize. But I've got some fabulous memories of a great weekend with my boy, Scheck. And that's hard to beat....
Although, cynically, that five pounds is going to be harder to beat, I bet...
Sigh.
*Actually, that's not wholly true - I suspect that I have at least 5 new pounds firmly planted on my booty, as well. Because in addition to much cooking, there was much eating as well....
So, unless I get medieval on my own ass here in the next few days, there will be no free doughnut for me on Friday!
**I also decided to spend the long weekend virtually computer free, as well. Which was also strange, but kind of liberating. But if I owe you an email - that's why I am (even more) behind on replying!
15 comments:
mmmmmmmmmm...that all sounds good!!
Memories are the best thing to show for it. And yea for being a tourist in your own town. I love that. I was thinking while we were on vacation last week that we should do more of that. I feel a trip to the museum of natural history coming on.
Oh man, I love Coke way too much. Way, way too much. Coke world would push me over the edge.
What a nice 40th birthday present! Sounds like you and your boy had a great weekend as well. Fun, fun, fun,--and lots of eating out, yea!
you are too kind to your man. what a lovely treat for him. and all the cooking you did for his pals as well. i've never had coca cola cake. it was great then? is it chocolaty or what, exactly?
that magic cookie bar looks similar to something my mother made. and your corner piece? oh, those are ian's favorites.
irony here, or maybe serendipity. ian mentioned us coming to atlanta or a weekend getaway. i thought he was suggesting that we do that instead of our week's vacation at the beach, so i was not terribly excited by the idea of a weekend in atlanta. but. once he explained himself.... his reasoning is that new Andy Warhol feature at World of Coke. and we've not been to the aquarium. and i haven't met you or Debbie C.
what kind of icing did that cake have, btw?
Wow, what a weekend! It sounds like loads of fun!!
I thought about you when I saw that giant coca cola float on the news.
That's a lot of cooking lady! And your Atlanta touristing sounds fun. :)
And all that is all very nice, but did someone mention free Krispy Kreme doughnuts? I heart them and haven't had one in years. Tragic. Must get doughnut. :)
mmmm... drool... food...
I've made coca-cola cake before. It's absolutely yummy!!!
We should meet up the next time I'm in Atlanta. :)
It sounds like good times were had by all!
What a great gift for your man =] You are awesome...and I think I gained 10 pounds just reading about all the yummies you made.
Yum coke cake! And it is good to take a break from technogly. I'm glad you had a fun weekend.
glad Frogmore Stew didn't involve any frogs!
Wow! I think you've done more cooking in one week than I've done this year! Heck last year as well.
Coca cola cake sounds delish! And those magic cookie bars look pretty ono too.
I hope it cools down around here soon
'cause I'd love to try them both out but the thought of turning on the oven right now... Ugh!
wow, could you teach my mom your trick with new recipes? God love her but EVERY time she cooks for us, it's a brand new recipe and well, you know......
Glad you and your little man had fun! Sounds like it was a wonderful time.
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