21 and over cupcakes

There were several people's birthday this week and last week at work. So I decided to get my act together and finally cook some cupcakes for the office. I convinced my friend Marea that lives down the street from to help me cook Pink champagne cupcakes. They were easier than I thought and they were really good. 

Here is some photos of the process.. 

The Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 18 1/4 ounces white cake mix, no pudding, and must be white to taste champagne
• 1/2-3/4 cup champagne, chilled ( pink, white, sweet, dry)

Frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup champagne
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 5 -5 1/2 cups additional powdered sugar

Directions

1. Use a box of white cake mix (NO pudding) and substitute champagne - 1/2 to 3/4 cup to replace all of the liquid called for in the cake mix. So if the box says 3/4 cup water replace with 3/4 cup champagne. I did use one that had 1 1/4 cups water and replaced with champagne, just depends on the cake mix brand you buy. The kind of champagne/sparkling wine (pink, white, sweet, dry) used will determine the flavor. I usually just buy the cheap pink sparkling stuff in the grocery store, it's sweet and yummy in this!
2. Tint with red food coloring to a soft pink, use a drop at a time, this stuff will stain, probably take about 3 drops.
3. Bake cake as instructed on box. I usually make in 9x13-inch pan, but for an elegant layer cake use two 9 round cake pans, a heart pan would be perfect for Valentine's Day!
4. Creamy champagne frosting:.
5. Beat 1 cup softened butter for 30 seconds. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar.
6. Beat in 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup champagne, and 1 TB vanilla.
7. Beat in 5-5 1/2 more cups powdered sugar till you can spread it or is consistency you want.

I'm parent of the week!

Hello fellow bloggers I'm being featured over at Avant Garde Parenting as the parent of the week. 

Please go on over and leave me some love. 

Jamie Contacted me a month ago or so and asked if I wanted to be featured as 

one of her parents of the week. I said yes..!

I wrote about Mackenna's birth story from Ian's perspective. 

Tis the Season to be... Stressed

Last night I licked, wrote and stamped more than half of the Christmas cards. What a relief to get those baby's done. With all the hussel and bussel this month I haven't had a change to breathe let alone have a moment of peace or relaxation I feel like.

What is left for me to do 11 days for christmas:

* Noel night's --> Northstar @ Tahoe... We go every year and have Mack's picture taken with Santa. It's a fun night and they have a Starbucks up there. 

* My Christmas Party @ The Ritz Carlton @ Tahoe. My company Christmas parties are so much fun. Food, drinks, dancing and prizes. Last year we all got Ipod's I wonder what is in store for us this year. 

P.S. I got my dress in the mail from Macy's and I'm in love. Love, Love it. 

* Picking aunt and uncle up this weekend from San Francisco. They are flying in this weekend from New Zealand. 

* Christmas Shopping... I have a confession... I haven' started. Oh My! Next week I'm going to be doing it all. Getting photos printed from our family photo shoot and framing. 

* Wrapping gifts, baking cookies and breads, and filling stockings. 

* Christmas Dinner... This year we are doing a ham and deep fried turkey. We usually go to other family member's houses for dinner on the holiday's but this year we are hosting Christmas Dinner at our house. 

* Pack and organize self for Mack and I's travel to Seattle to see my side of the family... I don't even want to think that far ahead. 

What's left on your list to do before Christmas?

Do you have as much to do as me with 11 days left?

I'm starting to get a little stressed out and I might have a mental breakdown at some point this week... I can feel it. However, the holiday's are all about spending time with family and making the most of the season. I always feel like it has to be perfect. Does it? Maybe not.. I guess I need to just cool it. 

I'm a mom...

Children change you, sometimes you know it and sometimes you have to think about it to understand it. I never was much of a napper, now I love them and must take one when Mack does. Although, I don't always get dressed up anymore and I dress more mommyish and I sing and dance in public, these changes I wouldn't change. My life is more meaningful, fun and full now that I have Mack in it. 

This is why I know I'm a mom...

1. I find crackers in my pockets, car, floor. 

2. I've caught poop in my hands before.

3. I've almost filled out my bills with a twistable crayon

4. I take longer shower's just to have a little more time to myself

5. I go to bed around the same time as my daughter so we get the same 8-9 hours of sleep. 

6. I plan get togethers, shopping trips and events around nap time. 

7. I can sing all of the songs on sesame street

8. I can recite Cars, Nemo, Monster's and Toy Stories by heart

9. I've gotten dress so fast that I've left the house with no underwear on

10. I've dragged Bert by the head on the street on the way to work. His feet were caught in the door.

11. I use wipes for everything. wiping my own face and hands and cleaning with them. 

12. I take naps too and enjoy them

13. I pumped on my lunch and on breaks at work for 8 months

14. I've had to change my clothes just as much as my child

15. I find coloring and painting more fun then other things.

16. I've sniffed my kids butt in public

17. I sing in the grocery store with my child

18. I have random conversations about my child or kids in general with complete strangers

19. I kiss boo's boo's even if I know they aren't there

20. I wipe noses

21. I can cook macaroni and cheese with my eyes closed

22. I dance to music in the house with my child

23. My purse now consists of butt paste, wipes spear underwear, tilty cup and crayons and paper.

24. I will sing and dance in the car with Mack on the way to preschool

25. I eat or drink my breakfast in the car

What makes you a mom?

2010 Christmas Card

Here it is Lady and Gents. Please excuse the click and hide image. I had to basically print screen to get it off of shutterfly. I guess they don't want you to copy or save image as and take it for free or something. Whatever! 

Anway here it is. 

Giveaway @ Happy Housewife Designs

Anyone think my blog is beautiful, bright, cheery and fun. Well you can win a custom made design by Happy House Wife Designs. She has done several blogs I read on the regular designs. She is so easy to work with and she has great work. 

I love my new design that she made for me a couple of months ago. You pick the design kit, she make it for you and will send you previews and even install it for you. 

Please visit her blog @ Happy House Wife Designs

And... Enter to win.

Here is a couple of more blog's she has designed.... for your drooling pleasure. 

Enter to Win @ Happy House Wife Designs 

Giveway closes on the 13th of December and the Winner is announced on December 14th!

McFatty Friday - Slacker

This week I didn't do so well at the gym. I only went twice. I know what a frackn slacker right. Do you want to hear my excuses... or not? 

1. I was sick to my stomach Wednesday and Thursday... I mean so sick I barfed like crazy on thursday and actually went home sick.

2. I've been cleaning at home like made for anticipation of my aunt and uncle's arrival to America next weekend. 

3. Ok, my office and craft room, that I have yet to do anything with since we moved into our new house in May 2010. Ya, well let's just say that I'm going to be working on it this weekend. If I'm brave enough I will share photos on Monday or maybe even tomorrow if I finish.

4. Overtime. I don't think I need to really explain, but we are slammed at work so I've been taking half hour lunches this week to push some volume out. So, half hour lunches means this cow can't go to the gym.

On a lighter note, I've only really consumed ginger ale the last 48 hours, so maybe it's ok that I haven't gone to the gym. After being so sick like that I have no motivation to go to the gym until at least next week. 

I feel like the month of November and December and going to the gym everyday is preventing from becoming a hippo in these months. All I want to do is bake cookies, cakes and pies and eat soups, breads and pasta. You know comfort food when it's cold and icky out. I will be glad when it's new years, then I will give up food until next year. Not quite but pretty much. 

How do you say no to sweets this time of year?

It's impossible and I just can't is my answer.