Lemon Poppy Seed & White Cupcakes.

Good Friday everyone! Whew, feels good to be back to creating recipes.
California was a total blast....we got to go to Disneyland for the first time. I love that place! We were planning on going to Raging Waters in San Dimas Friday but they weren't open yet during the week. So we hopped on over to Knotts Soak City instead. How I missed going to Raging Waters again. Saturday was my friends graduation - pretty emotional time. We celebrated afterwards at Pat & Oscars. I thought Olive Garden had the best breadsticks....Pat & Oscars beats them by a longshot! California is pretty amazing.

I love simple recipes. I was at Wallyworld the other day and thought about why not mix a white cake mix with a muffin mix? Mmm, the results are delicious. You can use whatever muffin mix, not just Lemon Poppy Seed. I'd try the Blueberry one for sure. I bet you can even change the cake mix to your liking!

Swirled Lemon Poppy Seed White Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 white cake mix, prepared according to box directions

2 (7.6 oz) Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin Mix, prepared according to package directions

DIRECTIONS:

Grease 2 muffin tins. Fill 2/3 full with white cake mix batter. Pour 1 tbsp. over white cake mix batter and swirl. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until ready. Cool.

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We left for California early Wednesday morning. Thursday was my friend's graduation beach party. Early Thursday we packed up food, boogie boards, chairs, wood for a fire, and headed to Oceanside. It was 64 degrees there. But that didn't stop us crazy girls from going in the water. And since I only get to go to the beach once a year...I wasn't going to pass this up.

I did swallow too much salt water though and felt like puking...the waves were pretty big and kept going over my head.

We had a blast at the beach party....I still can't believe we are both done with High School Joss! So glad I was able to be there with you!

The mature graduate...right JR?

Tonight is my brothers and mine second softball game...can't wait for it! Off to enjoy some sunny weather and a run...have a great Friday and weekend everyone!

Here We Go!

Good Wednesday night everyone! Hope your week is going well, it is already almost Thursday?! How did that happen?! I would like to say thank you very much to each of my readers for leaving me a birthday greeting. I really appreciate getting all those birthday comments. I had a fun day which ended with my Mom making me Lasagna for dinner (special request), birthday presents, & a Tres Leches Cake. I still don't feel like I am 17. =)

Okay, starting with my Top Ten Appetizers, here is #10. A simple and easy but yummy dip. These pretzels are something new our Sam's Club is carrying. I thought they were pretty neat!

"Party Dip"

16 oz. sour cream

16 oz. sm. curd cottage cheese

8 oz. Cool Whip

1 pkg. Ranch Dip

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients together. Chill before serving. Best if prepared 4-8 hours ahead.

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These little treats are quite tasty and don't take that much time to make. If you're a fan of Reese, you'll be sure to love these!

"Miniature Peanut Butter Cheesecakes"

Ingredients:
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
5 teaspoons butter, melted
FILLING:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons beaten egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 miniature peanut butter cups

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom of six paper-lined muffin cups; set aside. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and flour until smooth. Add egg and vanilla; beat on low speed just until combined. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each muffin cup; fill with cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until center is set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Yield: 6 servings.

My head is cut out beacuase you wouldn't want to see the face I am making. =)

Some Yummy Cupcakes & A Giveaway!

So, I decided to do my next countdown starting in December on my "Top 10 Appetizers". That's the majority of what you guys voted for and it makes sense with Christmas and New Years coming up.

Anyway, here are some delicious cupcakes that are so easy to make! Even without the frosting, they are moist and yummy.

**Giveaway at the bottom**

"Jeweled Pumpkin Gems"

Ingredients:
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 to 2 cans (12 ounces each) whipped cream cheese frosting

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, oil, cinnamon and baking soda; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Fill paper-lined miniature muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 12-16 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Spread with frosting. Yield: 7 dozen. **I made regular sized muffins and jumbo size muffins, about 1 dozen from each.** GIVEAWAY:
Okay, one winner will be receiving "6" different coupons including Yoplait Kids Yogurt, Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites, & Cocoa Puffs Combos. To enter leave me a comment telling me what state you live in. Deadline is Saturday at 4'clock p.m. CST. Enjoy!

-Picture simply a example-

Cupcakes, Scones, & Mr. Lew!

First attempt at decorating cupcakes with a tip...

Okay, this is what happens when your cupcakes are too close to the edge of the counter...
Our all time favorite scone recipe. Since you add hazelnut creamer in this scone these dissapear even faster! You brush them with egg yolk, sprinkle them with sugar, and then you bake them...yummy!
Chocolate Cocoa Scones sprinkled with powdered sugar. They may look heavy and sweet but they are actually fluffy, light, & not too sweet.
How could I blog without posting about Mr. Lew?? I sat him on our mailbox and he had his photo session. Whenever you get mad at him, this is the look he gives you saying..."aren't I too cute"??
Lewis and Clark setting out on their great "adventure", which would be seeing how far they can go off our property without getting caught!
Only 7 weeks and already posing...alright! If it is rope it is game!

The fun stuff after baking....the dishes!!

Thanks to everyone who voted in my poll. I was glad to get 8 votes, until I found out my brother was voting multiple times...thanks Joe!