Salivating Saturday

Know what you need? A lemony cupcake with coconut buttercream frosting. Don't deny it, you know you need it. You know you want it. Look deep into its eyes...you must take a bite...don't make the cupcake cry.

While cruising Pinterest, I found a recipe that took a box cake and turned it into a cake that was bakery level. How could I resist. You can use any kind of cake mix, I decided on lemon.

The steps are super easy and I bet you have everything on hand to make it.

1 box of cake mix
Add one more egg than the box says (the lemon cake said 3 so I put in 4)
Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount (so if it says 1/2 cup of oil, use a cup of melted butter)
Use milk instead of water
Mix well and bake according to the directions on the box.

So, I mixed everything together and go the fluffiest cake known to man.

I then baked the cupcakes according to the box, they were very fluffy but fell a little when I took them out. I let the cupcakes cool and decided I needed a bite, just to make sure they were okay. Shut the front door! These cupcakes were the lightest, fluffiest best tasting cupcakes ever. EVER! The taste was rich but not heavy. The only problem that I need to work on is the cake falling just a little.

For the frosting, I used a simple buttercream frosting and added coconut extract and just a smidge of rum. The cupcakes tasted like a yummy tiki drink!

So, the verdict of the bakery box cake? We really like it but I think I might do some more tweaking for the flattening of the cake and maybe experiment with ingredients and the amounts. Try this recipe, let me know what you think-what kind of variation did you use?

Feel Good Friday

Are you ready for some feeling good on this Friday? YAHOO! Let's get this party started!

Octo-gent will make you smile! Cajun Hillbilly Housewife is 100% responsible for putting that smile on your face. Not only is she super talented but, dang, she is beautiful! I should probably dislike her for that but she's always nice so I just can't do it. Check out her other drawings and embroidery. So stinking cute!

I know I've mentioned it before but I LOVE the blog, Oops I Craft My Pants. You guys-the name alone should get you over there and check out the awesomeness!  I just adore Kira and her craftiness. I still think we should team up for some crafty videos. It would be epic! 

Be prepared to be over the top jealous! My friend Becky sent this to me for my birthday. Oh Mah GAAAWWWD! Could this be any more awesome...and by awesome I mean completely and over the top tacky goodness! OMP suggested that I make it into a Roadhouse playset. He knows me too well. 

Unknown source, if it's yours, please let me know

Goats are so rebellious. They break all the rules.

Okay my little babes, Playa de Pedersen is calling me and I can not resist. I am off to enjoy the sun, the surf and the family. I have been  training the dogs to fetch mama a cocktail. So far they have learned "sit."  It's a process. Have a great weekend! 

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.

  ~Sam Keen

Wildcard Wednesday

Wednesdays have always been a little bit of a wildcard, a little whacky so why not carry on the tradition? Wednesdays will be filled with weird posts, maybe a bit of wisdom but it will always be a wildcard. Gotta keep ya guessing!

So, I had this whole post about depression, dealing with it, how it lies to you, but writing it made me even more depressed. I decided instead to look at my surroundings and see what makes me happy. I'm glad I did, my spirit was instantly lifted and I was reminded how lucky I am and how happy I truly can be. 

Happiness is finding little love notes on the door...
Petey getting caught catching some rays puts a smile on my face...
Enjoying the "ocean" at Playa de Pedersen...
Beautiful pink flowers with a peeking tiki...
And of course, worn out puppers.... Any sad mood I have, any ounce of depression disappears when I come home. It is my sanctuary. My family allows me to breathe and be myself. I can't imagine my life without them. They are my world.

Tie One On Tuesday

We have had 3 whole days of sunshine and my garden is loving it! My little herbs and veggies are soaking up the rays! My Rosemary, Thyme and Lemon Basil are going crazy. Besides cooking with these awesome herbs, I wanted to find a couple of cocktails to go to dinner. 

The first cocktail is made with a simple syrup made from lemons and Rosemary. It is so refreshing on a hot summer day! 

Vodka Rosemary Lemonade Fizz 

Via Epicurous

1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar
2 (8-inch) rosemary sprigs
1/2 cup vodka
Chilled club soda or seltzer

 Bring lemon juice, sugar, and rosemary to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Discard rosemary sprigs.

Fill 8 (8-ounces) glasses halfway with ice.

Divide syrup (about 2 tablespoons each) among glasses and add vodka (1 tablespoon each).

Top off with club soda. 

Thyme also pairs well with lemon beverages. Here is an awesome take on the good old country time. 

Country Thyme 

1 sprig Thyme
10 to 1 blueberries
Half a lemon, roughly chopped
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1/4 oz Organic agave nectar

 Place the thyme sprig in the palm of your hand and slap it to release its oils. Twist it and place in the bottom of a glass.

In a shaker, muddle the blueberries and lemon.

Add the vodka and agave nectar, and fill with ice. Shake vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds and strain into the prepared glass

Lemon Basil smells so good and it mixes so well with vodka (what doesn't go with vodka?). I love a good gimlet-it's fun to say and fun to drink! Again, you are going to make a simple syrup with the herb.

Lemon Basil Gimlet

2 cups lemon basil

2 cups water

1 cup sugar

1 cup basil lemon syrup
1  cups vodka
1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

ice cubes

For the simple syrup, boil the lemon basil water and sugar. Stir until dissolved and then simmer for 2 minutes. After that, let the syrup sit for an hour. 

In a shaker, mix simple syrup, vodka and lemon juice with ice. 

Pour cocktail over ice and garnish with a lemon

Summer time, garden cocktails, lounging in the pool...all of these things make me extra sunshiny happy! Enjoy!

PS-I think I have a hidden obsession with lemons.

 

 

New Media Monday

So...I'm doing a little restructuring on the old blog. Nothing major but just a little revamping. Today's revamping in Media Monday! Instead of just movies, I will be talking about all forms of media: books, music, TV and of course movies. I hope you enjoy the revamping and a BIG sloppy wet kiss thank you for all that read this silly blog. You guys rock!

Let's get down to business!

One thing that I absolutely love about summer and the one hit wonders. I just can't help myself, I just love a poppy little summer tune.

The biggest one hit wonder for me this summer is Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson. Don't judge me! You know when that song comes on, you get a little wiggle in your butt and put your hand to your mouth like you are telling someone to call you. This song is so much fun! It makes me wish I was twelve again so I can make up a dance routine. Actually, who needs to be twelve, I'll just grab some of my gal pals and we will get working on some dance moves.

Another song that I am obsessed with is Little Big Town's Pontoon. Anyone growing up in the south knows about Pontoons. They are the slow fake houseboats that you take out on the lake to have parties on. Also, a lot of old people love them. I bet I can name ten people whose grandparents own a pontoon. Anyhoo...this is a great song about lazing around the lake, having a party and listening to good music. Make sure you get your cozie out so your beer doesn't get warm.

Okay, so the song most in heavy rotation on my iPod is Everybody Talks by the Neon Trees. Love it! It's poppy but just slightly alternative to give it the winning edge, plus, they have a girl drummer-AWESOME! This song reminds me of if the Killers and Franz Ferdinand had a baby-cute, but not over the top nauseating.

What's on your summer playlist? Are you all country? A little indie? Pop diva queen? Let me know, I am always in need of some good tunes.

Kittykill's Summer Playlist Round 1
Call Me Maybe-Carly Rae Jepson
Pontton-Little Big Town
Everybody Talks-Neon Trees
Go Right Ahead-The Hives
California -Social Distortion
Toes in the Water-Zac Brown Band
In the Summertime-Mungo Jerry
Barefootin-Otis Redding
Sixty Minute Man-Billy Ward
Wipeout-The Ventures
(This is just the beginning...I could go on for days)

Tutorial Thursday

I have been busy playing with the Bernina 330 that I used in the Master Craftster series on Craftster. I recently made these super easy reusable produce bags. They are so easy to make and you can use scraps you have around the house.

You can use these bags for just about anything, you don't have to use them just for produce. I love the idea of a beach bag or maybe travel toy bag. Check out the how-to video!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! Hope it's filled with BBQ, parades and lots of fun in the sun!