Indi

Half of 2Bit decided to take a lil roadie to Indianapolis with a most cherished friend, Erica...

Why, you ask? 

A) To visit J-Betta of course (It had been way too long). 

B) Erica had never been. 

 C) We love any excuse to take a roadie together. 

Plus, riding around Indi in the car with J-Betta is a thrill in and of itself! There is NO one like "Ole Girl."

Binkley's...on College Ave...

Has the most ridiculous appetizer- Roasted red pepper hummus & Naan!

We devoured

If you go, all you need is THAT as your entree! (The appetizer, not Jbetta)

What's a girl's night without striking a pose here and there?

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Mediterranean 

This trip consisted of way too many good eats.

Indi is a fabulous city. It does not disappoint.

~~~

Lastly...

Go ahead and stop by Einstein Bros... Best bagel 2Bit has ever had!

Bacon-Choc-Chip Waffles

When I say bacon-choc-chip waffles, I don't just mean bacon on da side... I mean bacon in dat waffle with CHOCOLATE!!

This antique waffle maker has been around since I was a kiddo. It still works great!

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A fav kind of pancake mix 2Bit discovered on her honeymoon...

Not only is it oh-so- yummy, but it is fast and easy. You just add...

3/4 c pancake mix

1/2 c. + 2 tbsp almond milk (or water or any milk)

1 tbsp oil (coconut oil is delish) 

AND...

2-3 pieces of fried turkey bacon chopped in pieces

AND... 

chocolate chips 

I know bacon INSIDE your waffle sounds weird at first, but if you like bacon along side your waffle, trust 2Bit that you will like it IN it too. 

Now these multigrain waffles are semi-healthy, but to drive the my point home, think of a McGriddle. 

If you have never tried one, they are unmistakably redic.

 It's sweet and salty... 

As life should be

"Gorge" Yoself with Rocks & Pizza

The Red River Gorge is so fulfilling...

There are trails to hike, rocks to climb, fresh air to breathe, monkeys to wrassle and sweat to shed!

While Joy's boo, M.J., was in town a few of us went to the Gorge to climb.

Our men are pretty experienced climbers, but we Bits have to really work at it...

And we love it...

Climbing harnesses are oh so flattering...

Raaa

 Look closely to see Joy at the bottom, blending into the rock like a lizard-monkey.

This route went really high, but it was so exhilarating.

The climbing shoes, my Beloved got for me...

So maybe we were more into posing than climbing...?

And maybe one of the most exciting aspects about the Gorge?...MIGUELS!!!

You can order as few or as many slices as you want & it is d-e-licious!

Mine had spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, jalapenos & roasted garlic. 

You cannot go to the Gorge without visiting Miguels Pizza, period!

Cookie Dough Cupcakes

These cookie-dough cupcakes were simply divine!  

Ridiculous really...

I was in such a hurry to get these finished that day, I didn't get a pic of the finished product. But...

they look something like...

 or 

   http://allrecipes.com/Cook/froghopper/Profile.aspx                   http://allrecipes.com/Cook/1200795/Profile.aspx

What You'll Need

For the eggless cookie dough:

-2 c. all-purpose flour  

-1/2 t salt

-3/4 c. unsalted butter, melted

-1 c. packed brown sugar

-1/2 c. white sugar

-1 T vanilla extract

-4 T milk

Mix and form the dough into tablespoon-sized balls; place onto a baking sheet, and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.

{Cookie dough recipe adapted from}:

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2009/03/raw-cookie-dough-thats-safe-to-eat.html

For the yellow cake mix:

-1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

-2 1/2 c all-purpose flour (I used 1/2 wheat and1/2 white)

• -1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• -1/4 tsp baking soda
• -1/2 teaspoon salt
• -1 1/2 c sugar
• -2 tsp vanilla extract
• -3 eggs
• -1 c milk
• 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Butter the cupcake pans.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• 2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla, then the eggs one at a time.
• 3. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions and the milk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined (do not overmix).
• 4. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan(s) filling each 2/3 full. Place a frozen cookie dough ball on the top center of each cupcake and bake 24 cupcakes for 15 - 20 min or until a toothpick inserted into the cake part (not the cookie dough area) comes out clean. Cool the cake(s) in the pan(s) for 15 minutes, then turn out onto rack(s) to cool completely.
• {Cake recipe adapted from}:
• http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/yellow-cake-00000000056607/
• 
  
• For the low-fat chocolate icing:
• -3 1/2 c. Powdered sugar
  -1/2 c. Cocoa
  -8 tbsp milk

  -2 tbsp light butter, softened
  -1 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted
  -1 tsp vanilla
• In blender or food processor, combine powdered sugar and cocoa. Then add milk, butter, melted chocolate and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
• 
  

Gardens, Veggies & Herbs

Part of my birthday present  from AJ in November was a window box for herbs. But he had to wait for it to get warmer before building and planting.

As soon as we could, we made our way to the farmer's market and then planted stevia, lemon & sweet basil, mint, sage and lavender. 

Still gotta plant rosemary, thyme and oregano. Isn't it great? AJ made it so that any time 2Bit is cooking, she can just pick herbs right outside her kitchen window...

Then...

...in May, AJ and I were hanging in Wilmore with Mama Maple and were so impressed by her garden!

She has spinach, bib lettuce, endive, romaine, squash, cucumbers, onions, scallions, strawberries, rhubarb and an assortment of herbs: basil, mint, thyme, etc...

We were so inspired to have a garden...

So, AJ slaved away in the hot sun...

And built us a raised garden bed...

The trick is to put newspaper down (and wet it). That will not only kill the grass but keep weeds from growing up...

Then you put fertilzer down..

And then topsoil...

And then whatever veggies you so desire...

We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, jalapeno peppers, cayenne peppers and cilantro.

Check at that jalapeno!! SO excited to make our own salsa!

Ginkgo Tree Cafe

Have you ever been to the Ginkgo Tree Cafe? 

AJ and I discovered it on one of our daily walks at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, across the street from our house. It's only open in the summer for lunch...

... from 11-2 and it's really quite yummy. Try their peach tea with fresh mint!

And, you can even bring your pooch along, since much of the seating is outside.

And then you can go for a nice stroll throughout the park.

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Remember these shots from early spring? It's a lovely place...

and a top fav of 2Bit's...

I-SCREAM

Meet the beloved ice cream maker that has stood the test of time. This thing has been around since this Bit was a kid. Part of the reason I love it so is that you have to work for it. Like a true delicacy... 

Last week AJ and I visited my mom in Wilmore & decided to make ice cream. And every time I underestimate the work that goes into it. This thing had AJ, me and my mom huffing and churning and taking turns by the end of it. 

Now you are "supposed" to let it sit in the freezer for a while after churning, but being the impatient child I am, I wanted to experience the fruits of our labor. So it was more like cold chocolate mouse, but I didn't hate it...

Ahhh, but the next night, after it had set in the freezer, it was perfection.

I scream... You scream...

We all scream for chocolate ice cream...

We in the Hochhalter homestead scream for dem toppings too.

~~~

 Chocolate Ice Cream 

1 c milk

2 c whipping cream

1/2 c sugar

1 c bitter/semi-sweet chocolate chips(chopped finely)

1 tsp vanilla

Heat milk in saucepan over medium heat until it bubbles. 

Combine chocolate and sugar and add to heating milk. 

Stir until all melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. 

Once cool add whipping cream and vanilla. 

Let cool in freezer for 30 minutes before churning in ice cream maker. 

Once you cannot churn any longer and the ice cream seems solid, set in freezer for an hour (if you can bear to wait)

Adapted from: 

{http://www.serving-ice-cream.com/ice-cream-recipe.html}

* This was delicious recipe but next time I might try a combo of cocoa and chocolate chips and make it extra chocolateyyyy. Also because we are serious ice cream eaters, specifically my husband, we doubled this recipe.