Tomorrow is Cody's 25th birthday! Since it is Superbowl Sunday and we have some wild plans that include studying for a Baptist History test, we decided to celebrate tonight.
Thankfully, Cody didn't really care if we ate out or at home. I was hoping he would let us do it at home because I had a fun meal planned. 3 years ago when Cody and I had just started dating, I made him a special dinner for his birthday. I must clarify, the only things I made for that dinner were instant mashed potatoes and a spice cake. I bought biscuits and fried chicken! He was super impressed that I picked up on all of his favorite foods. Apparently my meal did the trick, because that was the night he realized I was "the one!"
Cody had an idea of a few ingredients that made up our meal, but I think he was pretty confused by the whole thing! I made his cake earlier in the day, but really didn't do a lot of the cooking until I sent him on an errand.
Around 6:00, I gave Cody a sealed envelope with an address on it. He was told to open it AFTER he made it to the address, then to follow the instructions inside. Cody was headed to Golden Chick to pick up fried chicken. I included cash money in the envelope and a coupon of course! The coupon was actually expired, but Cody was a smarty pants and tore off the date so they never knew it :) The things we'll do to save money!
Fried chicken is one of Cody's favorite foods and we rarely eat it! I am not skilled enough to try to make it right now, nor would I be able to make the rest of the meal if I had gone to get the chicken myself. I thought this was a fun way to get him involved and to free me up to be in the kitchen!
While he was away, I quickly made mashed potatoes, (instant of course!), put together a salad, added bacon to the potatoes, then put individual servings in ramekin bowls, topped them with cheese and stuck them in the oven to melt! I was going for a loaded mashed potato effect: Cody *LOVES* loaded mashed potatoes when we go to Logan's!
Here's a view of our dinner table taken before Cody got back with the chicken:
(We actually bought the place mats on our honeymoon!)
Here's a shot of Cody's plate to show off the potatoes:
Thankfully, Cody didn't really care if we ate out or at home. I was hoping he would let us do it at home because I had a fun meal planned. 3 years ago when Cody and I had just started dating, I made him a special dinner for his birthday. I must clarify, the only things I made for that dinner were instant mashed potatoes and a spice cake. I bought biscuits and fried chicken! He was super impressed that I picked up on all of his favorite foods. Apparently my meal did the trick, because that was the night he realized I was "the one!"
Cody had an idea of a few ingredients that made up our meal, but I think he was pretty confused by the whole thing! I made his cake earlier in the day, but really didn't do a lot of the cooking until I sent him on an errand.
Around 6:00, I gave Cody a sealed envelope with an address on it. He was told to open it AFTER he made it to the address, then to follow the instructions inside. Cody was headed to Golden Chick to pick up fried chicken. I included cash money in the envelope and a coupon of course! The coupon was actually expired, but Cody was a smarty pants and tore off the date so they never knew it :) The things we'll do to save money!
Fried chicken is one of Cody's favorite foods and we rarely eat it! I am not skilled enough to try to make it right now, nor would I be able to make the rest of the meal if I had gone to get the chicken myself. I thought this was a fun way to get him involved and to free me up to be in the kitchen!
While he was away, I quickly made mashed potatoes, (instant of course!), put together a salad, added bacon to the potatoes, then put individual servings in ramekin bowls, topped them with cheese and stuck them in the oven to melt! I was going for a loaded mashed potato effect: Cody *LOVES* loaded mashed potatoes when we go to Logan's!
Here's a view of our dinner table taken before Cody got back with the chicken:
(We actually bought the place mats on our honeymoon!)
Here's a shot of Cody's plate to show off the potatoes:
Gotta have a close up! I PILED the cheese on his!
We finished off with a wonderful cake, which I named "Abby's Made Up Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake" Catchy name, huh?
My mom sent me a recipe for Choc. PB Cupcakes, which was basically my inspiration for the cake, only I wanted it a tiny bit easier! I took a German Chocolate cake mix, followed the instructions on the box, poured in in two 9 in. round pans. I then cut up mini Reece's Peanut Butter Cups and put them in with the batter. Bake as directed, then cool for at least an hour. Next time I will probably leave the Reece's PBCups out, as they really didn't add much of anything to the cake.
The winner was the icing! The original recipe was for cupcakes, so I wasn't sure it would make enough for the cake. (This is doubled!)
8 oz cream cheese
2/3 C Peanut Butter (supposed to be smooth, but we only had crunchy and it's great!)
1 Stick butter, softened
2 1/2 C Powdered Sugar
Mix the cream cheese, pb and butter until blended, about 3 minutes. Then add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. I did get a little worried after I added the powdered sugar because it just looked like a big mess. I just left the mixer going and eventually it all came together!
As I was finishing up making the icing, Cody told me I was becoming quite the Julia Childs. Then I actually iced the cake and it is one of the ugliest things you've ever seen, so I think he might take it back! If you do end up making this icing, be careful!! It's SUPER RICH, but oh so delicious!
It was a great night reliving how far we've come as a couple and the changes for Cody in the past year. The last birthday he had that he didn't work at the trophy shop was the ripe ole' age of 19! We are so thankful that he has a new job for his 25th year and are expecting great things to come!
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