Patriotic Dessert

Happy 4th of July weekend!

We had a potluck/cookout for work today and there was a red, white and blue theme to the dishes that we were to bring, so I thought it would be fun to make these cupcakes! {Since I made these for Halloween, I figured R, W, & B ones would be just as easy}
Cupcake
Ingredients
Box Cake Mix {I know enter gasp here... I'm not on cup cake wars yet }
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil

Mix batter according to directions, and add additional ingridents as well.

Separate batter into equal portions into 3 bowls

Add your food coloring

Fill the cupcake liners up 1/2 way, layering, Red batter, white batter and then blue

Bake according to box directions.

Allow cupcakes to cool.
I like to make my own icing, and here is the recipe that I use


Frosting
Ingredients

2 lbs powdered sugar
2 cups shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp butter extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup of milk

Mix all ingredients together with a mixer

I put the icing in a piping bag, and pipe out the icing prior to serving.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! And don't forget the real reason behind the 4th, and remember those who are still standing up for our freedom over seas!

Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!

We have been busy celebrating America's Independence the past few nights by attending local fireworks.

Friday night we went to downtown Columbus and watched Red, White and Boom. We pack a picnic dinner, people watch (even played people watching Bingo), and then watched the fireworks

Ever since we were little, we packed my Radio Flyer wagon to carry all of our stuff down to the fireworks.. and we still use my Radio Flyer to carry our stuff down to the fireworks - however in the few short 27 years... we have outgrown the trust worth wagon... so now we look like nothing more than the beverly hillbillies rolling down the street with our wagon (that happens to include 2 coolers, a radio to listen to the soundtrack for the fireworks, and two bag chairs) all tied down with a boating line and 2 bungee cords!

Here's my dad pulling ol' trustee and Justin helping him get under construction fencing - I had to laugh!
JM and I waiting for the fireworks
and this years fireworks did not disappoint!


Last night we went to my hometown's fireworks, which are nice, but nothing compared to red, white and boom... a MUCH smaller scale. We went up with Justin's mom, watched them from a parking lot and headed home
(i do however love that the sky is red white and blue in this picture!)

We have been beyond fortunate with perfect weather -80 degrees during the day, getting down to the low 60's at night and no humidity! We're off on the boat for the rest of the day!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful 4th of July!!!

4th of July Weekend Plans... and a Sweet Treat :)

Happy Friday!

I can't believe its already the weekend of July 4th!
I absolutely LOVE this holiday, its a time to realize how fortunate we are to be American's, to be thankful for our freedom, and a time to reflect upon all of those who are currently serving and who have served so that we can be free.

I can't wait to celebrate... with family, friends, and lots of firework displays!

in honor of this wonderful holiday, i thought that i would make a cute little "snack" for some of my co-workers today... white chocolate covered strawberries with a little blue :)
Ingredients:

Strawberries
White Chocolate
Crisco or EVOO [in case you don't watch Rachel Ray - thats Extra Virgin Olive Oil]
Blue Sugar Crystals [i found mine at Homegoods, but I'm sure any baking store or Craft store would have them]

Clean your strawberries and let them dry [very important step!]
Melt your white chocolate on the double boiler.. add a little crisco [or EVOO] to prevent the chocolate from "sweating"
Dunk your strawberry into the white chocolate and immediately dunk it into the blue sugar
Voila you have a cute little snack for this holiday!

I will be back to post much more about this exciting weekend! We are going to the BIG fireworks display tonight with my parents - Red, White and Boom, Saturday we are going to my hometowns fireworks, Sunday we are going boating, and Monday grilling out with friends. I am so excited to have a relaxing weekend!

What are your holiday plans?

I hope you and your family have a safe and fun weekend!