in like a lion

Goodness, am I happy that it’s March! Never mind it’s colder than it’s been all winter, we have lots of snow on the ground and the Taku Winds have been blowing up to 150 mph (I wish I was kidding but it’s true). It’s MARCH! And spring is just around the corner… kind of. So to keep thinking happy thoughts, I am going to share two things that have made me smile lately.

I.  chocolate cake (I didn’t say I was going to get philosophical or anything)

I found the best gluten-free chocolate cake recipe ever. I was thinking of ways that I could tweak a mud bar recipe that our family loves, and it turns out Gluten Free Girl and Pioneer Woman had done it for me already. Dang, those ladies are good. I didn’t have guar gum so I’m not sure what I missed out on by not including it. I have a very important recommendation that they don’t mention in this recipe though (and I think it is essential in perfecting the cake the way we like it): once you pour the frosting over the hot cake, cut into it right away. That way the icing seeps down into the cake and it gets all gooey and moist and perfect. I used King Arthur’s GF flour, which I have found is the best all-purpose alternative to the real deal.

II.  late winter sunsets

We’ve had the most absolutely amazing sunsets this past week. And the best part about it is that they are happening around normal sunset time!  Forget that 2:30 sunset. Soon, the sun will be setting once I’m already in bed for the night. I hear these clear skies have been allowing some impressive displays of the Northern Lights (check out KirstenLee’s flickr). If only I could keep my eyes open long enough to see them.

Here’s to dreams of March going out like a lamb. I’m ready to feel some sun on my bones without ten layers on my body.