Saturday, January 31, 2009

red hot cupcakes

Red hot red velvet cupcakes - red velvet cake with a hint of a spicy kick. That kick is crushed Red Hots candies. These cupcakes have a vanilla cream cheese frosting. I got the idea from the Cupcakes Take the Cake blog.

Two thumbs up and a "gawesome" (he said that's good and awesome) from the Connor.

a sea of red hot red velvet cupcakes

one red hot red velvet cupcake

I'm still working on coming up with a story to tell when I get my Food Chain camera. I know I want to involve my kids somehow, because when I bake, they're always there to help, even if it's just putting the cupcake wrappers in the pans for me. I'm now leaning towards a taste test of sorts, maybe buying a fruit they've never eaten before and seeing their reactions. The Connor really liked that idea.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

what big eyes you have!

The first time I saw this video I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of my chair. I could seriously watch this on a loop!



Just when I thought that eyes couldn't get any bigger, I found this next little guy!



Thank you big-eyed little creatures for making me laugh and go "awwwww"!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Monday's Question





Whose speaking voice is your favorite to listen to?




Sunday, January 25, 2009

25 random things

I had posted this in a note over on Facebook, but I think it would make a good entry here as well.

1. I have worn glasses since I was in 2nd grade. I wore contacts briefly for one summer, but didn't really like them and went back to glasses.

2. I have kept a blog at one site or another for the last 8 years.

3. I could watch the movie "Bring it On" over and over and never get tired of it. Yes, you may laugh now.

4. I have never seen any of the Godfather movies or any Bond movies. I've seen clips from both series, but never a whole movie.

5. When I got my Canon Rebel XT, for two years, I shot with only one lens. Now, I rarely use that lens because I have another one that I love so much more.

6. Camping and I do not get along. Well, I should say the outdoors and I don't get along. I once managed to get lost in the woods, get caught in a rainstorm, fall in the mud and end up with bloody hands and fall in a lake on the same day.

7. I play the piano. I haven't actually played in many years, but I can play and read music.

8. I don't have many photos of myself from high school and from what I remember, I'd probably rather not have them. I didn't exactly have the best high school experience.

9. I have had grey hairs since high school.

10. I lettered in Academics.

11. I collect black and white cows.

12. I have been involved with 4-H first as a member and now as a leader for 18 years.

13. My first job other than babysitting was at the short-lived restaurant M.C. Coop's in the Kmart plaza on Buffalo Road.

14. I once fell off of a horse in the middle of Hannon Road.

15. I would much rather be behind the camera than in front of it.

16. I don't think I look anything like the rest of my family. Have you seen my sister and I? You'd probably agree!

17. I have put an obedience title on a dog.

18. I own one dress and one skirt. I am much more comfortable in jeans.

19. Pants + lawnmower = disaster. That's all you get, but anyone driving past my house that day got an eyeful!

20. I rarely eat anything I bake because I don't care for sweets. I would much rather have something savory or salty.

21. I almost got kicked out of a seminar at the beginning of the school year because a friend of mine and I got the giggles when the speaker mis-spoke and said "manda-tooty duty" instead of "mandatory duty". Not one of my prouder moments!

22. As I type this I am sitting in a room with approximately 800 movies and 45 board games. Eight of those games are different versions of Scene It?

23. My children and my dog are named after television and movie characters. Mason is named after Mason Capwell from "Santa Barbara". Connor is named from the movie Highlander. Milo is named after the dog in "The Mask" with Jim Carrey. When we get our puppy he or she will also be named after a celebrity (Eddie Izzard if we get a male) or after a television character (Saffron from AbFab if we get a female).

24. I am scarily good with recognizing voices whether it be cartoons or actors in makeup/costume. Dave can never watch certain shows without picturing other characters thanks to me. Sorry Dave!

25. I go by the nickname "kitten" but am absolutely terrified of cats. I am also afraid of balloons, semi-trucks and refrigerator biscuits.

Sunday's Question




Has anyone ever mistaken you for someone else?




Saturday, January 24, 2009

Saturday Question - help!

I have recently been chosen as one of 100 bloggers to take part in the first BlakeMakes.com Food Chain. What is this you ask?

You can find the details at Blake's blog, HERE.

Today's question is:

What do YOU think I should film when it comes time for my turn with the camera?

I'm completely stumped as to what I should do!

Friday, January 23, 2009

TGIF Question




We're going on a field trip today! Where are we going?




Thursday, January 22, 2009

Thursday's Question

What movie can you watch and watch over and over again and still laugh out loud at?



Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Wednesday's Question



Tell me, what are you good at?


*and don't forget, I still have one cupcake that needs to be named!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tuesday's question



What is your favorite kitchen gadget?



Monday, January 19, 2009

Monday Question

I did a "question of the day" on another blog for several years. That has since been taken over by a friend of mine when I decided to stop. I still answer his question every day that I can, but am glad to not be writing them every day there.

I would like to start that in this blog now. Today's question has a few parts to it, just to kick things off!

You are having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch today. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? What kind of jelly or jam do you use? Most importantly, will you cut your sandwich? How will you cut it - in triangles or in half up and down?

Here's how I make my sandwich:

Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwich

Smooth peanut butter (always!), strawberry jam and I cut my sandwich in half up and down. My kids prefer grape jelly and the sandwiches cut in triangles. I cut their sandwiches my way one day and they had a fit, LOL!

Friday, January 16, 2009

a brief update

First, the vanilla cream filled chocolate mini cupcakes with dark chocolate buttercream frosting I made for a birthday at work last week (and the new mini cupcake stand I got for half price!).

IMG_2216

cupcake stand

Second, the VERY rich chocolate chip cookie dough brownies I made mid-week. These are a definite "make again", maybe for a picnic so they're not just sitting around at my house all week. Recipe for brownies and ganache courtesy of Bakerella (You can find her on my "blogs I read" section).

chocolate chip cookie dough brownies

Third, just a quick shot of something completely different.

untitled

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

tagged

I was tagged by MomVader to do this meme.

The rules of this tag are quick & easy:
1. Go to the the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.
2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.
3. Explain the photo.
4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!


Here it is:

4th folder, 4th photo

That is a photo of the new business cards I received in the mail this past February. Each one has a photo that I have taken on them. They are from moo.com (I SO love that website name!).

Oh, and I'm not tagging anyone. If you want to do it, feel free to do so!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Now with less hair!

Just a quick post with a picture I snapped when I got home earlier! It will take a lot of getting used to but it's exactly what I wanted. I have to not brush my neck next time I brush my hair - that wasn't very pleasant, LOL.

I did it!

Monday, January 5, 2009

12 inches.

After over a year of not getting my hair cut, I am getting 12 inches of hair cut off tomorrow afternoon. I'm excited, but also wicked nervous about it. Having my hair/head touched gives me the heebie jeebies something fierce, so this is not an easy thing for me to do.

Here is the "before" shot, taken tonight. Please ignore the saggy baggy jeans. They look much better first thing in the morning, when they're not all stretched out from standing/sitting/standing/etc.

Before.

Wish me luck!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

one cupcake update

Just a quick post, as I know there's at least one reader out there who wants more cupcake posts, LOL.

one

That is one lonely little chocolate peppermint cupcake. I have 47 more just like it that are making their way to a late Christmas party for my 4-H club tonight. The frosting is delish!! I didn't try the cupcake (don't like chocolate much) but the kids gave the cake a rave review too.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy new year

Happy my ass.

I got up this morning with plans to use my mini-cheesecake pan for the very first time. I had a nice blog photo entry all planned, as I took pictures along the recipe process. Then, I got distracted as I was putting the pan in the oven all filled with cheesecakey goodness and totally forgot to lower the oven temperature as the recipe called for.

Want to know what happens to little bite-sized cheesecakes when you forget to lower the oven temp?

Poof!

POOF!

Then, as they start to cool, they look like this!

IMG_2052

AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!

I'm sure they still taste just fine, maybe a little over-done, but fine anyway. My hubby and kids can eat them, but they're not leaving the house looking like that! (the cheesecakes, not my boys)

So, anyway, I leave you with the wish for a happy and healthy new year!

Happy New Year!