Hi y’all, well, things are hectic, right?  This is such a fun time of year.

Okay, before I go any further, I want to link to that chocolate cake that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.  It is the Everyday Chocolate Cake on Smitten Kitchen.  Talk about  yummy and easy.  This cake is super simple and only takes one bowl to get it done.  I made it twice in one week — it’s that good!  So, give it a try if you need a (nearly) effortless, delicious dessert.

Speaking of easy, Pam Anderson knows how to do an easy recipe very well.  This is a great dish for this time of year when we are all busy but would like something filling and tasty.  Shove It In the Oven Chicken Stew will be made very soon around here.  Her recipes always rock.

Finally, I haven’t forgotten about today being Music Monday.  This is a great time of the year, musically speaking, because so many of those “best of 2011” lists are coming out.  Basically it is a great opportunity to hear something that you may have missed earlier in the year.  So, be on the lookout for those lists….meanwhile, this selection today you will not find on any list anywhere. But it will forever be on my list — especially this time of year.

Five years ago…..

Happy Monday, y’all!!