Thursday, August 28, 2008

Beachin Key Lime Cupcakes


When Tomm and I got married; one of the many details we decided about the wedding/reception party was that we would NOT be freezing part of our cake for the 1st anniversary. I am usually very sentimental... but I just couldn't see even tasting year old frozen cake... Tomm couldn't see "flying" the cake back to Georgia to freeze and eat one year later. SO... I decided that I would make a cake/ treat every year to celebrate. I made these cupcakes this year to play on the "beach" aspect of our wedding. FUN fun! They turned out really good and very moist, not to mention soo cute. (I realize I am a chubster who gets exited about traditions that involve food.) I am posting the recipe for anyone who wants to give them a try. I hope you enjoy them.
Key Lime Cupcakes
Makes 24 cupcakes..
1/2 C butter (room temperature)
1 C sugar
3 eggs
1 C milk
1 C flour
1 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs (You can buy them already crushed up now; baking aisle)
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/8 t salt
5 egg yolks
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 C lime or key lime juice
Key limes... optional for decoration

* Beat the butter for about 30 seconds until creamed.
* Add the sugar and mix for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
* Add the eggs, one at a time, being sure to beat for 30 seconds for each egg.
* Use food processor or a potato masher or whatever you have on hand to grind the graham crackers into tiny crumbs and powder if you don't already have them in crumbs.
* Sift the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda and powder, and salt. (I didn't actually sift the graham cracker crumbs. )
* Add about 1/4 of the mixture to the butter mixture.
Add some of the milk.
Continue to add the ingredients in a dry - wet - dry method, ending with the dry.
Mix until just combined.
* In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice. (FYI - If you want to make an amazing key lime pie, just mix the ingredients in this step, dump it into a pie shell and bake at 375 for 15 minutes. It's the easiest recipe ever! The pie won't be green and it shouldn't be. Lime juice isn't green.)
* Dump the key lime mixture into the graham batter and lightly stir. Do NOT fully integrate the key lime and graham batter. You should have clumps of batter in a key lime soup.
* Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full. Make sure each liner has a nice distribution of key lime liquid and graham clumps.
* Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until top bounces back when touched.


Frosting
4oz of cream cheese... half of the block (room temperature)
1/2 C butter (room temperature)
4 C powdered sugar
1 t lime extract (I couldn't fine lime extract at Whole Foods so I bought online at Amazon)
Mix the cream cheese and butter.
Add the powdered sugar and lime extract.
After frosting, sprinkle some of the graham cracker crumbs on top of the cupcakes and then stick you lime wedge on top. Since the frosting is made with butter; store leftover cupcakes in the fridge until you serve them again. The frosting will set up a bit in the cold fridge so set them out about ten minutes before serving.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

2 years ago...

We are looking back on two wonderful years! I can't believe how fast the time goes. I am so thankful; Tomm is such a good husband. He helped me come out of my shell. I feel like he has brought out so much of my potential and I feel like I hold nothing back when it comes to loving him. He is the ultimate example of unselfishness and devotion. We have grown so much together and really gotten to know eachother on a deeper level. I feel so close to him. I love you with all my heart sweetie! Happy Anniversary!












BLOOPERS

And the not so glamourous shots.... if it weren't for my pride I would have posted them all.

Lots of laughs! What a happy day!
Yup, those are black socks with a white tux.

Oh boy... I'm itching on the outside, I swear. Look at Tomm eyeballing that drink.
Look at us! At this point we are soo hot and thirsty and done with pictures. HA HA

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

SpOiLeD BRAT!

The shoes have arrived!!! I have been coveting these little beauties for some time now! Tomm being a gracious and loving guy, let me buy them. I am so exited! I got them online at Famous Footwear. They are having a buy one get one half off sale until September (in case anyone wants to know). I also got free shipping and 20%off of my order (you can google promotion codes for Famous Footwear and get a cupon)!
Anyway I thought I would share the cuteness with you guys.Patent Peeptoes! They are so comfortable but they have a little wedge to dress things up a little.
And of course I have recently purchased Breaking Dawn of the AWESOME Twilight series.
Like I said... Spoiled Brat! Thankyou babe for letting me go nuts shopping!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

28 in 2008

We spent the weekend in Daytona, FL. We stayed right on the beach. It is so pretty! One day we saw two dolphins swimming along the shore line.


This was a big amusement plaza. We went to see a movie and have lunch.
We rocked Journey To The Center Of The Earth in our 3D glasses.


Another year another birthday! We played miniature golf at the local Pirates Island course where I totally got served a nice dish of looser pie.... does anyone know what 6 over par is called? Later that night we went to dinner at our favorite place; Outback Steakhouse. I had such an awesome day! Thank-you honey for making it so special!

My birthday outfit. Check out my new shoes!!! Aren't they sooo cute?!

Of coarse there was chocolate! XOXO Me with Tomm. You are soo thoughtful! I hope you know, you are the best!


My peeps at the VA threw me a little bash. They are so sweet! Me with Tony, Kay and JeanMary, me and Kay (both these girls just had thier hair done by yours truely.. FOXY!)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

A little off the top

Today I was going to give Tomm a haircut. So I had gotten everything set up and Randy jumped up in the chair and wouldn't budge. I then seized the opportunity to put the haircut cape on him and take the following pictures. I am amazed he just sat there while I was having my fun.
K... Randy's top 2 pepeeves: #1 Having his picture taken. #2 Playing dress up.... and he just sat there! Hmmm I guess he was in a really good mood today... doesn't he look it?! :)

Friday, August 1, 2008

The Blue Angels

Our Dad treated us all to see the Blue Angels at the air show in Twin Falls, ID. Can I just say Dad was in 7th heaven? He had a grin from ear to ear and his tail was just a waggin'. Hee hee. It is so cool to see Papa-bear so exited/ child-like. I fired up the Whitney-cam... too bad my camera is special ed and was dying every time something cool was happening... seriously so annoying! Anyway check out some of the pics I managed to get.


Me, Mom and Dad

Two HOT chicks.
Me and Nattybelle... sporting her new Preg-belt. Can't wait to wear one of those!
Two of the Blue Angels buzzing the crowd. If you only knew how fast these guys are!... and I got the shot. Go Whitney!
Drake waving. So cute! Did he just learn that Nat? I hadn't seen him do that until the Air show.
This was a cool plane. HUGE!
Drake givin me that teethy grin.
Dad and Drakey.... look at that precious face! He is scrumptious!

Me next to a cool plane