Monthly Archives: June 2012

Pinterest Party Kick Off!

Posted on by

0

Pinterest Party Kick Off!

Pinterest Parties have begun! This Wednesday is the beginning of a summer tradition! For this weeks Pinterest Party, we will be making statement necklaces and eating yummy summer treats.  Each week my mom and I will find a fun and interesting pin, try it for ourselves and then have friends over to “Pinterest” with us! I will be sharing my attempts at these fun DIY projects and delicious recipes! Hope you enjoy!

First I’ll start with the Statement Necklace!  I found this wonderful Blog on Pinterest and I was very pleased with the results!

You can click on this PHOTO above and it will take you to her blog and give you the instructions you need to make one of your own!

Here are all of our finished products!

Now on to the cupcakes. YUMMMMMM!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Cake:

  • 1 package white cake mix
  • 1 small package vanilla instant pudding
  • 3 Tbsp sweetened pink lemonade drink mix (like Country Time Pink Lemonade mix)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup oil
  • 4 whites eggs (save the yolks for tomorrows recipe)
  • 6 drops of pink food coloring

Frosting:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 2 pound package  or 7 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 3 drops of pink food coloring

Decorations:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, pudding mix, and drink mix together.  Add sour cream, lemon zest, water, oil, and egg whites to the dry mix. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for about two minutes. Use a strong mixer, this batter is thick.
  2. Scoop batter into 24 lined muffin tins.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until cupcakes don’t look wet and a toothpick inserted in one comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting the cupcakes.
  3. Prepare the frosting by creaming butter, shortening, and lemon zest together. Then add lemonade concentrate, milk and vanilla with a mixer. Beat until smooth.  Then gradually add the sugar, mixing well until light and fluffy. Beat in the food coloring.
  4. Pipe frosting onto the cupcakes.  (You will have plenty to pile it on.  I had over 1 cup leftover.  Leftover frosting is good sandwiched between two graham crackers).  Place a lemon candy wedge on top of each cupcakes.  With the straws cut the top 1/3 of the straw off just below the flexible part.  Discard the tops.  Then cut the remaining straw pieces in half.  Place one straw piece in each cupcake to resemble a drink.

Cupcake recipe is a Real Mom Kitchen Original, Frosting is adapted from A Little Loveliness

Here Are how mine turned out!
And finally the Strawberry Basil Lemonade!  I am growing an herb garden so I was super excited to be able to use my basil for this sweet summer treat!
Recipe:
Strawberry and Basil Lemonade- to a large pitcher of lemonade add 2-3 cups of chopped strawberries and a handful of chopped basil. The longer this lemonade sets the more the basil flavor will infuse with the beverage!
I actually used peach lemonade from Whole Foods for my tea but I am still planning on making the other recipe!
Here are some other photos of the treats!

Sow Generously

Posted on by

0

I planted my own herb garden at the beginning of this summer and it is amazing to see how creative God is.  The process of planting a tiny seed and see it become cilantro, dill or a jalapeno pepper is a miraculous experience.  I have begun to realize how much I take fruits and vegetables for granted. God has supplied all that we need to be well fed and healthy. I would encourage you to start your own herb garden so you can experience the beauty of growth.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously… 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

1 Corinthians 9:6,8