This is No Lie.

But this weekend, I made quite possibly the most delicious chocolate cake. EVER. Now, I can say this, because I was raised by a woman who taught me "if you can read, you can cook." So, I in no way am being obnoxious or a braggart, but simply affirming the divinity of Ina Garten.

A handful of our good friends graduated from college this past week, so we thought a full on feast was due to celebrate. I made Ina Garten spaghetti & meatballs (minus the veal + homemade tomato sauce [canned anything is kind of a no go here]).

Italian herb bread:

 

And then, the mother of all goodness . . . 

And yes, this little piece of culinary perfection was my first (a) layered cake of any nature and (b) attempt at buttercream icing. I added some sprinkles to make it more festive, but just looking at this picture makes me want to slam my face in it, and I'm not even really a cake person!

And sadly, I took NO pictures of the anything past the cooking part of my day - but I promise it was a wonderful and delicious evening with precious, precious friends!

So, moral of the story, go HERE, and bake this as fast as humanly possible. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Ina don't tell no lies.

Happy Father's Day to Dan the Man!

World's Greatest Dad - June 9, 1983 . . .

Now the World's Greatest Granddad (or "Dumpy" as the first grandchild calls him), June 9th, 2011!

I love you Dad - 28 years later, you are my and two tiny Hall girls' hero!

*Promotional thanks given to my rock-star sister in law for having my newest niece ON my birthday. Seriously Beth, you're too much - a gift card would have done the trick! : ) Love you!!

Besties

Recently we had dinner with some of our dear friends, who we realized we have celebrated every American & local holiday with. Spencer and his girlfriend Mary (not their given names), have been friends of ours since the very first weeks we moved here, and we love sharing our lives with them.

As we were wrapping up a wonderfully fun evening together and exchanging good bye pleasantries, another dear friend who was present happily proclaimed in English that we were all "BFF's". Spencer scratched his head and thought. Even having studied English for a number of years, he was stumped.

He slowly sounded it out "Best . . . Friends . . . hmmm", and then suddenly and proudly proclaimed "Oh! I know - Best Foreign  Friends!" We all of course died laughing, and decided that although not the original idea, his assessment was perhaps an even better description of our friendship.

I am so, so happy to have such fun and hilarious BFF's!!