compliments of my brother-in-law...

Raspberry Danish Cake

1 box white cake mix
1 pkg raspberry Danish Dessert (NOT Raspberry jello mix)
2 pkgs frozen raspberries (I usually use one if using a 9X13 pan or 2 when using a cookie sheet).
8 oz. cream cheese - softened
16 oz. cool whip 1-2 cups powdered sugar

Directions: Make cake mix as directed on box. (I usually use a cookie sheet when making this cake. It serves more and allows for more room for the layers). Bake until golden brown on top (about 12-15 min. for the cookie sheet, 18-21 min. for 9X13). Allow cake to cool completely. Beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar (I make this mix on the sweeter side to balance out the tart raspberry layer). Once sugar is incorporated with cream cheese add the cool whip. Spread a thick layer of cream cheese mix on cooled cake. Make Danish dessert using the pie filling recipe on box. Add raspberries. I add the frozen berries while mixture is still hot and break up some of the raspberries. Let raspberry mixture cool slightly then pour mixture on top of cream cheese layer. Spread evenly over entire cake. Chill at least 3 hours and serve.Enjoy!
**Danish Dessert can be found near the Jello**

Seriously soo good! And so light and fluffy!

Gimme, gimme, gimme... I need! I need!

Velorbis. Enough said.

Penne with Asparagus & Eggplant

Recipe compliments of Tuscanos Cafe and my mother! So yummy.

8 T Olive oil

1 1/2 cups thinly diced eggplant (Japanese eggplant is best! Use pieces w/o many seeds)

1 1/2 c cut & trimmed asparagus pieces

Garlic

1/4 c Vermouth

6 to 8 Kalamata Olives

1/2 c diced onions

1/2 c Tomato (cut into wedges)

1 can crushed tomatoes

Salt & Pepper

1 t basil

pinch of Red pepper flakes

Penne Pasta of your choice

parmesan cheese

Heat half of the Olive Oil in a medium size saute pan. When oil is very hot, add eggplant. Let the eggplant brown before stirring (if pan dries up, add a small amount of water as needed). When the eggplant becomes translucent, add salt & pepper and then transfer to a plate to cool.

In a separate pan, add the rest of the Olive oil. When pan is hot, add the asparagus. When the asparagus begins to brown, add the onions. When the onions become slightly transparent, add garlic. Allow garlic to brown slightly. De-glaze the pan with Vermouth, add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, basil, red pepper flakes, kalamata olives, and about 1/2 c hot water. Continue cooking on high heat until the sauce has thickened. Add tomato wedges and toss in hot salted penne pasta, top with parmesan.

Weddin Video Clip

Click HERE to watch a clip from our wedding video!

Thank you again Corey! Its beautiful.

Brrrthday trip down to Zions

Funny little story: For my 21st birthday Ryan wanted to plan a surprise getaway for the weekend. We are usually sooooo bad about keeping things from each other, but he had been doing a superb job about keeping every detail of the trip from me: he told practically nobody, he got my birthday present, reserved a camping site, collected all of the camping supplies, planned the meals, etc., all without me knowing! I was so proud of him for not spoiling it, but super curious about where we were going and what we were doing! The day before we were going to leave he gets his daily call from his mother, and she wants to say hi to me.... and the first thing she says is,"How excited are you to go camping?? And in Zions??!" hahaha it was so funny! Oh well, Ryan got over it the second we got there.

Here are some pictures from the trip!

He may have been a little more excited about the trip than I was...

The view from the top of our hike the next morning.

In every layer I brought and making friends with Ry's awesome boy-scout fire.

At the top of Angels Landing. Recommendation: Don't hike Angel's Landing when there is snow on it, just a wee bit dangerous!

Aloha Honeymoon Pictures

OK, so I'm a bit slow when it comes to blogging....and I'm using (stealing) our neighbors wifi right now and I'm afraid I might lose it at any minute...soooo the pictures are in backwards order! And I can't fix it!

Anyways, if you would like to experience our honeymoon chronologically, scroll down to the bottom.

Last sunset! We were so sad to leave!

Last night on Oahu. I believe this is Pipeline....

We had to wade through that entire stretch of water! On our way back we saw two large creatures! So it was necessary to sing primary songs at the top of my lungs while holding hands with Ryan the entire way:)

Ryan conquering China Man's Hat!

Worst meal of the entire week. Bad Korean BBQ. (nothing against Korea, Evan!)

At the PCC Luau, where we gained 10 lbs. Best meal of the entire week!

This one is for you Jeff! Ryan wore that shirt almost everyday he loved it so much.

Our fun waterfall hike... and so what!? maybe we did go skinny dipping..

Just arrived in Oahu!

Leis complementary of Pop Pop (and entire trip complimentary of Pop Pop!)

more?

danger mouse and james mercer form broken bells. look and listen at: www.brokenbells.com