Intro
We sunk into the couch letting the cushions hug us as we sorted through the day and set out to recover from it. It was pretty typical aside from the Sharpie all over the carpet and the ipad getting peed on, but even typical days need a bit of recovery and a moment to breathe it in and then let it go.
Gabe and I laughed away the day and wondered how one goes about getting pee off of an ipad. We talked about getting new carpet or rearranging the room to cover up our 2 year old’s Sharpie rampage. “Or we could just put a frame over it and call it art.” I said as Gabe went into the kitchen and pulled out two bottles from the fridge.
“Champagne or beer?” He asked.
“Let’s go with beer.” I said, already anticipating the skunky farmhouse ale and knowing that I’d just drink the bottle of champagne with a friend the next night.
Regardless of what had happened earlier in the day, tonight we were celebrating.
And this is where I don’t know how to write this. Which is weird because I’ve been writing this post in my head for over three years and now that it is finally time I’m getting all sweaty, nervous and way too excited to put words to a page. But I’ll try; with a big green bottle of my favorite Saison, a bag of Juanita’s tortilla chips and an ice cream cake waiting for us in the freezer we toasted to our book. The one I’m writing. An actual tangible book that will be held in people’s hands (hopefully all of your hands!), in their kitchen, curled up with them on the couch and in bed. People will be reading my words, cooking from my recipes and drooling over my photos printed on paper. I can’t get over this. It will be published by Running Press and edited by Kristen Green Wiewora who also recently edited, Homemade with Love: Simple Scratch Cooking from In Jennie’s Kitchen
A date night seemed the perfect way for us to celebrate because the book is our date nights. It is our story of nourishing our relationship and the food that connects us. I could not to be happier that this is the book I’m writing. It is of course a subject that I’m incredibly passionate about – well, two subjects – my husband and food. This book is an extension of the series I started on this site called, Dating My Husband. These posts are often my favorite to write and always the best to read your comments and emails in response to. How you all have reacted to these posts is a huge reason why I’m writing this book. So many of you have opened yourself up to me telling me about your own struggles in your relationships and have encouraged me by saying how much these date nights have changed your relationships.
Gabe and I have been dating at home for several years now and although at times it’s tough to fight through the exhaustion when all I really want is someone else to cook for me (sometimes there’s takeout date nights and that’s great too) we are so encouraged by what these evenings have meant for our marriage. Over time they’ve gotten easier, we’ve learned to love the comfort of our own home and enjoy the quiet hours in the late evening. I’ve stretched myself in the kitchen, trying new things in order to make these meals feel a bit different from our everyday. Now I find myself longing for our date nights at home, looking forward to them all week and eagerly working on the menu days in advance.
Our book is 25 dates set up seasonally with each having its own menu and a helpful plan to make creating this menu simple, even if you have a full-time job and children underfoot. Each date begins with the story from our date where I open up to you about our marriage – the joys, the trials and the work it takes to make it thrive. It’s an honest look into our marriage of nearly 10 years and how we fumble through life together, with three kids and everything else that’s thrown at us. It’s honest, funny, encouraging, tough and incredibly delicious.
In the moments when I’m telling myself, “I can’t do this! What was I thinking?! ME?! Writing a book? Who’s going to read it? Buy it?” I turn to the table of contents and the food scattered throughout those pages. Just reading the names of the recipes I’m working on makes me incredibly hungry, eager for the recipes myself and assured that this book is going to be so freaking good! Ah! The food is special. It’s a bit grubby delicious in the way that’s not afraid to use cream and butter and yet it’s loaded with vegetables and uses all real ingredients. There’s plenty of salads along with cocktails and desserts.
Writing a book has been compared to the process of childbirth and while I can begin to see and understand the truth in that, right now I feel as if I’ve just had the baby. I’m alone at home sitting on the couch with a soft skinned baby relying on me for food, comfort, love and guidance. Even though I’ve read through stacks of parenting books and tried my best to observe and question seasoned parents suddenly I feel at a complete loss of what to do with this little life. And so now I’m sitting here, on the couch again, with a blank computer screen seeking to put words to paper trying to make this book the one of my dreams, the one I want to add to my own cookbook collection and the one you all will eagerly cook from. It feels awkward, thrilling and unbelievable.
I’ve been that awkward new mom with three babies and we’ve figured it out. We’re still figuring it out but the point is we’re doing it. And that’s just how this book will be. Bird by Bird
Let’s do this.
A very hearty thank you to my agent Stacey Glick. Thank you for holding my hand, acting as counselor and already pushing this book to be bigger, greater and everything I want it to be.
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Ice Cream Cake with Candied Cocoa Nibs
It’s okay to admit that Dairy Queen is the inspiration for this dessert right? Their ice cream cakes remain to be one of my favorite desserts. I love it for its absence of cake, for the chewy hot fudge and crispy chocolate wafers in-between layers of creamy ice cream and as a kid I loved the magical printed images on the top (okay, I might still love that) There’s nothing better – that is until I decided to make my own. I stopped shy of making my own ice cream, for that I used D’Ambrosia Gelato in Seattle (the best!). You can use 2 quarts of your favorite ice cream.
It is definitely a cake worthy of a celebration.
For the cake you’ll need the following recipes plus:
2 quarts ice cream (two flavors is ideal)
1 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
Chocolate Wafers
adapted from Alice Medrich
Of course one doesn’t need to bake their own chocolate wafers but there is something so satisfying as creaming butter and mixing in a few ingredients in your own kitchen only to come up with a flavor so reminiscent of childhood you’ll be reaching for a glass of milk and fighting the desire to lick the hydrogenated creamy center that’s not there.
The ice cream cake only requires the use of half of the cookies I usually bake them all but if you’d rather you can freeze half of the dough for a later use.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons butter, soft
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Set that aside while you cream the butter and sugars together until light, about 4 minutes on medium speed or a couple more minutes more if you are mixing the dough by hand. Add the vanilla extract and milk to the creamed butter and sugars.
Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Gather the wet dough and place on a piece of parchment paper. Roll the parchment paper up and work the dough into a rough 2” log. If you are using these cookies for the ice cream cake the shape really doesn’t matter as they are destined for crumbs but if you’d like to create a uniform log for perfectly formed round cookies refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes then reform the log and squeeze the ends to compress the dough into a perfect round. Continue this process until the log is uniform. If the shape isn’t a concern just chill until firm. About 45 minutes in the fridge or 20 minutes in the freezer.
Slice the roll of cookie dough into 1/4” discs and bake at 350*F for 12-15 minutes. You want them to be quite dry so they’ll hold their crunch when surrounded by ice cream. I fit the entire batch on two baking sheets, bake for 12 minutes then turn off the oven and leave the trays in for an additional 5 minutes. Just watch and smell them closely as you don’t want them to burn.
Let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Gather half of the cookies into a large ziplock bag and break up into small pieces.
Hot Fudge
adapted from Smitten Kitchen
If you have it use Lyle’s golden syrup here. It’s deeper in color and adds a lovely subtle caramel flavor to the hot fudge. That combined with a bit of salt, bittersweet chocolate and coffee this rich hot fudge attempts to play the starring role in this cake.
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup golden syrup (or corn syrup)
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup (6 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, chopped or use chips
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
In a sauce pan combine the cream, syrup sugar and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and then let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Once the chocolate and the butter have melted strain the entire mixture to ensure no pesky cocoa powder clumps remain.
Let cool to room temperature before assembling the cake. If you are making this in advance, refrigerate until ready to use then gently reheat on the stove or in a microwave until the hot fudge is pourable.
Will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.
Candied Cocoa Nibs
“I wonder if you can candy cocoa nibs?” I recently asked a friend and then the rest was history. It turns out you can and you really should. With sugar and heat these bittersweet little crunchy chocolate bites turn into caramel-y, lightly sweetened, bittersweet chocolate bites. If you want more of a brittle texture add more sugar. I prefer to have the nibs just barely coated in caramel as I love the bitter, almost savory flavor they bring to the cake.
2-3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup cocoa nibs
course salt (like Maldon)
In a small, clean pan pour the sugar in an even layer across the bottom. Over medium-high heat melt the sugar, rotating the pan and gently stirring if the sugar is caramelizing unevenly. Once all is melted and the sugar is amber in color turn off the heat and immediately stir in the nibs.
Coat the cocoa nibs in the sugar then place on a parchment lined sheet tray, sprinkle a bit of salt on top.
Let the nibs cool completely then break into pieces.
Assembling the cake:
Line the bottom of a 8 or 9” springform pan with parchment paper (you only need the parchment paper if you are planning on removing the bottom of the springform pan, otherwise you can skip this step and serve it right on the base of the pan).
Add the first quart of softened ice cream to the bottom. Spread evenly with an off-set spatula.
Top that layer with half of the hot fudge and cookie crumbs.
Place the pan into the freezer for at least 30 minutes to set up.
Remove the pan from the freezer and add the second quart of softened ice cream over the cookie crumbs.
Top the ice cream with the remaining hot fudge.
Put the cake back into the freezer until you are ready to serve.
Un-mold the cake, taking off the base of the springform pan and parchment if you used it.
Top the cake with the whipped cream and candied cocoa nibs.
Serve immediately.
Keeps in the freezer for 1 week, although the cream on top turns icy but really no one complains about it.
Congrats Ashley!
Reading this gave me the chills as I am sure I’ll feel when I read your book for the first time. Your way with food, words, life, relationships and the rawness with which you do it is magical, the good kind of magical. So so excited for you!
Ah, this is the best news! Love that it will be focused around putting together actual meals with steps to bring it all together. I always look forward to the “Dating My Husband” series (+ all of your posts, actually) on your blog. And there’s no shame in being inspired by Dairy Queen, seriously. 🙂
Beautiful post! That’s how it should always be.
AH! Still smiling ear to ear over here, so, so excited for you and ready to cheerlead that to anyone who will listen. Ashley! This is so great. Hooray!
Who’s going to read it? I AM!!! Definitely! Probably a couple of times… in the first night I get my hands on it. I’m so thrilled for you! Congrats!!!!
I cannot wait! I send my husband the ‘Dating My Husband’ posts and we are inspired. I currently live in VA going to grad school and my husband works in Texas… We dream of the future when we can date each other over a home-cooked meal and continually refresh our relationship. When your book comes out, I am ordering it straight away! Thank you for all that you do, JH
So glad I can say “I knew you when”. Cheers tithe wonderful YOU!
I am still laughing at the pee on the Ipad. How do you go about getting that cleaned up is a good question. I am so sorry that happened, but I am sure the new book can help heal that pain. I am so happy to hear this, Congratulations. I cannot wait, I know it will be stunning!
This is wonderful news! Since I started reading your blog, the dating my husband posts have been my favorite (maybe we the readers can all sense the extra bit of specialness to these, the love from your marriage giving them something more?). Happy writing!
This is fantastic!! I’m in the 2nd year of my marriage and we are expecting our first child in October. We are firm believers in a date night and since we do not have children we always go out. Living in a city far away from family and still working to make close friends I have often worried what will happen to our date nights when we have kids. Who will baby-sit? Who can I trust to baby-sit? What will happen to our special time? The first date post I came across was the pork tacos, guacamole and pico de gallo recipes with that lovely video. That night over dinner I told my husband about it and how refreshing it was to see that you and your husband keep your date nights alive all while raising three children. Thank you for easing my mind as we begin our journey of raising children keeping our marriage alive. It was a glimpse I didn’t realize how much I needed until I had it. I cannot wait to get my hands on your book!!! Congratulations!
This is such fabulous news! I love your Dating My Husband posts very, very much and always knew they’d make a terrific book. Huge congrats to you, Ashley- so so happy for you 🙂
Oh my gosh how exciting! Maybe by the time your book comes out I will actually have a husband and can buy this to celebrate!
What a joy! Praise God. It amazing that you can both leave a legacy of intimacy and unconditional love you your children. What a great example to them. I am so excited for this, and I pray that it will be a testimony of your love for one another and be a great tool for other couples.
Thank you for inspiring us!
Congratulations…wonderful news!
Wow – a blogger’s book I might actually buy!
Such a new/different idea – I LOVE it.
“Congratulations” seems like such an understatement, as I am incredibly excited–both for you that you have this amazing opportunity, and for me and the rest of your readers! Your book concept sounds like one I would pick up in a heartbeat even if I didn’t already know about you and love your blog. As a wife and mother myself, I know the importance of connecting over meals, and some of my most special dates with my husband have been the ones in which we’ve spent hours together in our home, cooking a delicious meal and then enjoying it with a cocktail or bottle of Washington wine. May you and Gabe (and your children, of course!) be blessed throughout the writing of the book, and may your words and recipes inspire the many who will read your book. I’m sincerely happy for us all.
So happy for you Ashley!!!! Congrats girl!
How exciting! Congratulations — I love these “Dating My Husband” posts every time.
So dad gummed proud of you! Your life was (and is) such a gift to your mom and I–and it is proving to be a great gift to many, many others.
Hip hip! Everything about this sounds just… right. I am so happy to hear about this, and love that the book is based on your date nights. And… the cake! goodness, DQ cakes are so good, but I haven’t had one since my 16th birthday (in which I had it decorated with the cover of Gone with the Wind … it was a little weird).
Yipeee!! I am so excited for you and to buy your book! Heck Yeah!!! This cake looks divine! 🙂
Yeah! Can’t wait!!
Oh my goodness, so much congrats, Ashley! I absolutely cannot wait to read it. 🙂
I’m so excited to hear about your book–a million congratulations! Your blog is my favorite among many worthy contenders because of the well-told stories, stunning photography and delicious recipes. It is thoughtful and honest and so, so appreciated. All the best to you!
Such exciting news! I can’t wait to read your book, your “Dating My Husband” posts are my absolute favorite. Congratulations!
And I will be making this cake…and may or may not share it with my husband.
Oh how nice! I’ve always liked your posts about dating with your husband, it will be fun to see your new book.
Big, bountiful congratulations, Ashley! Kristen is lucky to have you, and you her, and I have no doubt that you’ll produce a stunning book. Hold on tight! It’s a fun, crazy, wonderful ride.
Absolutely cannot wait for this! CONGRATS! Also, totally acceptable to admit Dairy Queen as your inspiration for this cake. They definitely know how to make an ice cream cake…although, I bet this one tops it! Wishing you the best of luck in the writing/testing/photographing process!!
Congratulations and love to you both my dear friend! Hip, hip!
So proud of you Ashley!!
Belly laughed when you mentioned how writing a book is analogous to giving birth.
Congrats and best of luck! You’ve done most of the work already, have fun with the process. Really excited for both of you. Going to be a crazy fun year. Way to keep your writing real, compelling and authentic.
Sigh. How can we wait that long? 😉
Congratulations, Ashley!! This is immensely well deserved and I look forward to giving my marriage a much-needed kick in the pants with your sure-to-be inspiring words.
Yay! I can finally say it out loud. YAY.
You’ve worked hard for this, I am so pleased/delighted/proud of you! xox
This is amazing. I always get really excited for ice cream cake and then it just tastes like frozen cool whip because the places that sell ice cream cake aren’t exactly using the good stuff. But making your own with good ice cream would satisfy all my unfulfilled ice cream cake expectations 🙂
I am absolutely, positively buying this forthcoming book. The day my husband, myself, and a then-bachelor friend sunk our teeth into a meatball sandwiches with pesto aioli was the day I became a devoted Not Without Salt fan. Kudos to you! Can’t wait for 2015.
So excited for you, Ashley. Can’t wait to see the book in print.
This looks incredible! What a unique topic! I love it! At home date nights rock! Congrats!
I cannot wait for that book! And this cake looks so freaking fabulous! What an amazing way to celebrate <3
How magnificent! I just love it when wonderful things happen to talented, genuine people! Congratulations to you! Can’t wait to see it!
Huge congratulations, Ashley! I know your book will be fantastic as all of your posts are so wonderfully written and photographed. This post is no exception. The ice cream cake is gorgeous and looks like the perfect way to celebrate!
Fantastic news!! Congratulations. I know I’ll be getting a copy of the book 🙂 Love this cake too. I was just in DQ (for work, didn’t buy anything), and I remember thinking, man these cakes look good 🙂
A huge congratulations to you! I have been waiting for the day when I would hear this news, and in particular, about this series of posts. It’s one of the ones that I most look forward to reading. I am thrilled for you! And I am thrilled (for me!) that I will be able to have your book in just under a year. So exciting!
I’m already excited to be holding a copy of your book and meeting you at a local Seattle book signing! You’ve inspired a “dating my husband” series of posts on my blog as we also adore our stay at home date nights as much as the babysitter ones! Congratulations and boy, do I want a slice of that ice cream cake!!!???
So excited about the book and the recipe looks delicious too!
I love this series and I’m SO excited that you’re turning it into a book! Congratulations! Although there seems like there’s a dozen blogger book announcements a day, I think yours will really bring something different to the table.
Fabulous!! I can’t wait. Your date night posts are my favorite.
Congratulations Ashley!
I love that you are marrying two passions in one book…food & marriage. I know it will be a complete success and touch/inspire many lives!
Best of luck!!
Fantastic news! Congratulations! It’s going to be absolutely fantastic. Yay!
Ashley – congratulations. I have absolutely loved these posts, and cannot wait to see the finished product!
Oh, yay, Ashley! That’s so exciting! Congrats, and happy writing. (Oh, a rhyme!)
yippee!! So incredibly proud of you and your faithfulness in making this happen! It will be so fabulous. I cannot wait to hold it in my hands. Here to cheer you on the entire way, my friend. Many congrats and soak in this feeling. You’re on to great things. xoxo ps. ice cream is my favorite treat of all treats. ever in the world. this cake WILL happen in my life.
congrats to you! i’ve been wondering when you’ll announce your own book project. What a great topic, too! good luck
I’m SO excited for you! What a great concept or a book. I can’t wait to have it in my hands!
How exciting! Such a great idea to turn those posts into a book. Congratulations!
I couldn’t be happier for you and as a lover of these particular posts, can’t wait to buy a copy xx
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it!
When I first stumbled upon your blog, your date night posts are what captured me. I literally sat down and read every single one I could find. They inspired me, moved me, and helped me to remember to take time to appreciate and love your partner. Hearing that these will become a book overjoys me! I will buy this book, and I am eargerly awaiting its debut in 2015.
Congrats!!!!
Congrats to you!!! I cannot wait to read and hold your book!
How very exciting! Congratulations!
I too, loved Dairy Queen cakes. This ice cream cake looks like it might win my heart over.
Congratulations all around. And thanks for another fabulous recipe.
I for one, can’t wait to see your book on amazon 🙂
I eagerly anticipate your every post, and I’m sure your book will be just as captivating! I absolutely love your writing style. It has a very natural, easy flow about it. Easy to read. Easy to follow.
Congratulations and good luck with this endeavor and this new ‘chapter’ in your life!
Ah, this is so exciting! Congratulations. I can’t wait to get my paws on the book, and to try out this recipe.
Let me join the chorus of congratulations. And I will echo the kudos for the concept, too; well-done!
A big congratulations to you! I love your dating series and can’t wait to see it in print! Also, dairy queen ice cream cakes are all I requested when it was my birthday, although your version is probably something I’d rather eat these days!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am absolutely thrilled for you. You are so deserving of this – you are an exemplary writer and a fabulous chef and I shall be buying this book! Well done my lovely – but I hoped this day would come for you and it did…… LOVE <3
THIS CAKE LOOKS WONDERFUL. YOUR PHOTOS ARE SO0 BEAUTIFUL—THEY ARE MAGAZINE QUALITY. I LOVE THIS BLOG.
Congratulations! And the cake looks to die for. I am so inspired by your artistic view with food and photography. It’s what I’m striving for (one day).
Congratulations! Loving the cake recipe, too.
I could not be more excited about this book! I can hardly wait to hold your beautiful pictures in my hands and drool over delicious food as I flip the pages and probably cry because you seem to always make me cry. Your blog is practically the only one I keep up with- Thanks for being so awesome and honest! Yay! Book 🙂
Hooray, hooray! I can’t tell you how happy this makes me! You go girl!!
We’re so excited for you! And I can’t wait to make this ice cream cake, it looks scrumptious!
Congratulations!!! I’m not married or even dating, but I really love that you and your husband are so intentional about connecting, can’t wait for the book!
This cake sounds ridiculously good and I agree DQ cakes are the best!
A million and one congrats!
The Dating My Husband posts are always my favorite. This makes me so happy.
The more I think about this book, the more perfect that I know it’s going to be. As always, you are such an inspiration.
congratulations, Ashley!!! I’m so so happy for you. I will be first in line for this book 🙂
Yaaaaaaaaaay! I just introduced my dad to your site on Easter and I said, if Ashley writes a book, I will be the first person to buy it. I’m just sad we have to wait until 2015!
And this looks like the perfect cake for my daughter’s July birthday, but maybe a few trial runs are needed?
Such happiness and joy to read this news! I have thoroughly enjoyed your delightful blog since discovering it last year, and I am thrilled that you get to expand your “Dating” series. Brava to you!
That is so awesome ! i do love those posts. the honesty and your way with words as you describe not only the meals but more about the two of you who will be eating them! congrats 🙂
Congrats on the upcoming book. I am sure it will be every bit as charming as you and your lovely blog. Looking forward to reading about more date nights. What a lovely idea and premise for a book!
P.S. Candied cocoa nibs! Brilliant! So jealous I didn’t think of it first.
Wow, that’s great news. All the best to you guys. I am so looking forward to having your book in my hands. There is something so special about your blog, dishes and pictures, that I just can’t wait to buy it.
This is the first time I’ve read your blog. Wow! Congratulations! I just started a blog two weeks ago, something I’d been secretly pondering for months. I can relate, in a very small and insignificant way, to your feelings of excitement and insecurity. Good luck, and I can’t wait to check out your book and follow your journey toward giving it life.
Congratulations! This will be a beautiful gift for many. Looking forward to seeing and reading it.
Yummy. Our families birthday tradition is DQ ice cream cakes. I’m definitely breaking that tradition for the next birthday and making your recipe. I cant wait to get your cookbook!!! Also, I shared this post on my Weekend Wanderings post this weekend. http://www.amodernhippie.com/2013/04/weekend-wanderings-4713.html
Congratulations Ashley – I’m so excited for you and for this book. I love reading the posts about your date nights with your husband – I would love to do something like that with my future husband. (I know he’s out there). Best of luck to you on this adventure!
Congratulations! I love the concept of your book and can’t wait to check it out! Ice cream cake is one of my favorite desserts and a fantastic way to celebrate.
ashley, my friend, i could not be happier. seriously, did a happy dance in my (seatbelted) seat, reading the news. i love it when good things happen to good people. and i really love it when i get to own a piece of that goodness 😉 congratulations, onward and upward, bird by tricky little bird.
xo,
molly
Congrats, can’t wait!
Stunning photos. Thrilling news. Cannot wait to get my hands on the book – congrats, lady!
i blame you for the drool all over my computer keys. stunning celebratory ice cream cake. congratulations on your new book, cannot wait to get my hands on it and add it to my collection. xo
I just want to say…congratulations! I have long been a fan of your work, the writing as well as the food and photos. You’re righting has such immediacy and narrative… it’s so grounded. I love it. I often have a hard time getting through blog posts, but never with yours. And you’re photography is some of the best. Triple threat…I’m not surprised in the least. Congrats again, and no, it’s not bad to admit Dairy Queen was the inspiration. I’m forever trying to capture the tastes from boxes or drive ins and plastic packages from my youth in from scratch cooking. It’s not dadgum easy either!
Girl, you got this. I cannot wait to add your book to my kitchen and to cook meals with my husband. We will be celebrating 6 years together and our first wedding anniversary next month!
Oh my, I am SO SO SO very tardy in wishing you the most sincere and excited congratulations! Ashley! This is amazing! The entire concept just gave me goosebumps. I am just thrilled for you. Thrilled for you, thrilled for all of us who admire you and learn from you and who are made to feel not crazy and not alone. The planet is better because you’re on it and I’m humbled to even call you a colleague and internet friend. Blessings and love and light to you in these crazy, beautiful months to come.
Try Oxyclean made into a paste to remove sharpie marker. It worked on my berber rug.
Nice work beautiful! I always knew you could do it!
I adore DQ cakes. Secretly. Or not so secretly. I adore the thought of your book even more. I can’t wait to hold it in my hands, Ashley. Congratulations here are well deserved.
I keep coming back to your blog and reading this post over and over again. I’m so unbelievably excited for you. Your book is going to be amazing and it is sure to be the first of many. Always been my favorite. 😉
This is so exciting! Congrats to you and the Husband on the book deal!! I’ve always enjoyed the series and can’t wait to have your book that is centered around it 🙂
ps: Definitely need to have more date nights with my better half 🙂
Ashley, so many congrats are in order! I am so excited about your upcoming book. I know it will be absolutely stellar and a great gift to give my couple friends. Congrats as well on your Saveur nominations, it’s so nice to see hard work recognized.
Amazing cake!
Congrats
Kisses
Raquel
I don’t even know what to say to you except the biggest thank you I can muster. I’m thrilled, humbled and overwhelmed by your support. I can’t wait to walk this process with you all.
Beautiful photos! And congratulations on the nomination! Totally deserved. =)
…I want chocolate now.
Congratulations on the book deal! We love to celebrate with all things chocolate, especially cake. What a fitting treat!
So excited for you, Ashley! This book concept is wonderful and unique, and as others have already stated, you are just the person to write it. Praying God blesses the process for you, and I look forward to picking up a copy once it’s released! (Also, I always love a DQ cake, so this dessert is right up my alley – perfect for summer, too!)
Ashely! I’m just getting to read this post wow. I skimmed through a few weeks back and saw you were writing a book- which of course came as no surprise! I’ve actually more so been waiting for this exact post for several years, since I knew, at some point your gorgeous food and photography HAD to be making itself into a book :). But then I looked a little closer and the dating my husband theme was revealed, and well, words cannot describe the warmth my heart felt. I am so excited for this book. You are a constant inspiration, and deserve all the good that comes your way. Love and hugs from NYC! xx
Clara – You are the sweetest. Thank you!
You are making us wait until 2015, dont think I can ! haha I am so excited for you. I have to admit that “dating my husband” is the reason I find and continue to read your blog, it reminds me what is to fall in love with my husband, in the everyday – I have been dating mine since College too
Congratulations on your book Ashley! I’ll be giving it to my partner Valentine’s Day of 2015 and she will love it. Your dating posts are my favorite.
As always, your posts are so inspiring. I have a hot fudge recipe I love. I made your recipe last night and it’s delicious (of course). I put it on coffee ice cream and tried it a couple of spoonfuls. Quality control and all. I’m looking forward to being able to pre-order you book.
I’ve recently begun a blog with my boyfriend, we’re living in Africa together, and it all stemmed from our busy lifestyle and having these sorts of ‘date nights’. Good food is difficult to come by in a land of cassava and coconuts, but as we learn the language and where things can be found (or imported, or brought from visiting friends) we are branching out further and further. The date nights allow both of us sanctuary in the kitchen and like you say: it’s a sort of strength exercise for the relationship muscles. I’m getting very inspired by your story, posts, family, blog and book. Thank you.
WOW! Simply marvelous! Your creative words of humor and love, decadent recipes of “yumminess”, and witness of God’s amazing love, are truly evident here! What a wonderful legacy you are giving your beautiful children! “Bravo!”
congratulations! I’m shamefully behind on blog reading here or anywhere, but have been encouraged and inspired every time I do so here. By now the book must be well under way and I very much look forward to diving in.
Ashley, I realized this afternoon while on the phone with my editor that she is yours too! Congratulations! I cannot wsit to read your book!!
No way! That’s awesome. I can’t wait to see your book too!
gobsmacked is too small a word… ♥ ♥ ♥
Ashley, so many congrats are in order! Amazing cake! Congrats!! 🙂
I realized this afternoon while on the phone with my editor that she is yours too! Congratulations
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