Too busy? Or Blogging Slump? Who Knows...

I don't consider my self and extreme blogger. However, ever since I did start blogging, I've blogged the second I had something to blog about. Now, I'm in a blogging slump. Has it been the lack of time... or my inability to find something interesting to say? Don't get me wrong, I have lots to blog about...

• I finally closed the hardest, most difficult file I've ever had. Yea!
• 4th of July pics are just sitting on my camera, waiting to be shared with all of you who read my blog.
• I'm on a diet and lost 8 lbs. so far (my goal is 35 more by October).
• Brielle won't ride a bike without training wheels, but get that girl a Razor Scooter and she's flying down the street at top speed.

Who knows...maybe after I get my hair done this afternoon and go to BUNKO tonight, I'll have it in me to sit down and blog, blog, blog. I'd better hurry, too. Coming up in the next few weeks, we have Brielle's birthday, a family reunion, Cocoa will finally be brought to Cache Valley and our yearly family camping trip. (Sigh) Until then, this is the best update I can come up with. My apologies.

Providence Highlands "Carnival"

Being on the HOA board, I get suckered into a lot of work for our neighborhood. This time, the work was rewarding, thanks to my neighbor, Lindsey. She planned everything and I just had to buy the food and set up! I think it worked out perfectly... We invited another neighbor who does the most incredible face painting! The kids loved it and the line to her event was definitely the longest! Brielle of course wanted a butterfly... Here's Brielle's friend, Kenadee... the tiger. Besides face-painting, there was a ring toss, bounce house, popcorn stand, hot dogs and plenty of good times. The weather was perfect! It couldn't have gone better!

Pina Colada Cupcake Recipe...

I've been asked by many to disclose the recipe to these delicious treats and I'm happy to share... For the cupcakes:

• 1 cup Butter
• 1 cup Sugar
• 4 Eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp. Baking Powder
• 2 cups Flour
• 1 cup Crushed Pineapple (drained)

Preheat the oven to 350. Combine all ingredients, except the pineapple. In a large bowl or mixer, beat for about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the pineapple. The batter will be really think. Spoon batter into cupcake pans lined with baking cups. I use a small cookie scoop and place 2 scoops in each cup - it's just the right amount! Bake for 19 minutes and then let cool on a rack. Makes 18 cupcakes. For the frosting, I like to use a Coconut Meringue Frosting. It's light and fluffy like a marshmallow, but not as sweet as a buttercream or cream cheese frosting. It complements the cupcakes perfectly! The recipe sounds complicated...but it's not.

• 1 3/4 cups Sugar
• 2/3 cup Water
• 2 Tbsp. Light Corn Syrup
• 6 Large Eggs Whites
• 3/4 tsp. Coconut Extract

To make the frosting...

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups Sugar with the water and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Continue boiling, without stirring until the syrup reaches 230 degrees.
2. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a mixer, whisk the eggs whites until soft peaks form. Add remaining 1/4 cup of sugar.
3. As soon as syrup reaches 230 degrees, slowly pour syrup down the side of the mixing bowl, adding it to the eggs whites while the mixer is on medium-high speed. Whisk until the mixture is completely cool (about 7-9 minutes) until stiff, but not dry. When cooled, add the coconut extract.
4. Use the frosting immediately - it will set quickly.

ENJOY!!!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple...

We took Brielle to the Temple Open House yesterday afternoon. It was the first time Brielle had every been to a Temple Open House, and could possible be the last, so Chris and I made every effort to make it there. Aside from the breathtaking beauty, the feeling I felt was overwhelming. Not necessarily because we were in the house of the Lord, but because my whole family was with me. I would imagine that it was the same feeling my parents felt when my sisters and I joined them in the temple to have our brother, Sam, sealed to them for time and all eternity. I was also very happy to know that Brielle, only being 6, is beginning to recognize the importance of family and the happy feeling she gets when she feels the spririt. I don't remember which general authority said "I can't imagine Heaven without my family in it," but he was right...and neither can I.

Just Like Camping...Only Better!

That's right...I prefer to eat my S'more indoors - in the form of a cupcake. I just love my little kitchen torch. No more sleeping in a tent, no more bugs and snakes. I can now get the best part of camping without all that ridiculousness. Chocolate Cupakes, Marshmallow Cream topping - torched of course, and a Graham Cracker. Yum-O!

"If You Like Pina Colada's..."

That's the song Brielle and I had in our head's while making these deliciously moist cupcakes. I think I may have found my favorite cupcake... Pina Colada The cupcake is a pineapple cake, and the frosting is a Coconut Meringue, topped with shaved coconut. Mmmmmmm.

Happy Birthday Sam...

I can't believe that Sam is 18... and graduated! Sam's Diesel Truck... Sam's Diesel Cake complete with Diesel smoke coming out the back. Watch out Duff! (Cake made by Leslie)

Crazy with a capital "C"...

I think I need help. I've always been obsessed with keeping a clean house, but we've reached a new level. My accomplice... What is it about this compact, functional gray & yellow vacuum? I never used to vacuum so much. I'd pass right by the closet that this vacuum calls home on my way to work each day. I wouldn't even think about it until cleaning day came, once a week, every Saturday. Now, since deciding to work from home while Brielle's off on summer break, it's all I can think about. Every time I see a footprint or line in the carpet, I race for the closet. I vacuumed 6 times last week... 6 times! Chris is worried and I have a cramp in my neck & shoulder from the pushing and the pulling. How do I make it stop? Where have my priorities gone? Like I said... Crazy.

Where did you hear that???

There are several perks to having a client that works at The Olive Garden on Friday nights...

1. You get an extra Salad (tomorrow's lunch - yum!)
2. You get double the breadsticks (double yum!)
3. You get free drinks while waiting for your take out order!

While Brielle and I are waiting for our food, and enjoying our free drinks, the following was said...

• Brielle: "What the heck!?"
• Me: "What, Brielle?"
• Brielle: "I'm not drinking the drink! The drink is drinking me!"
• Me: "What? (Laughing hysterically)."
• Brielle: "Please don't tell anyone I said that...it's SO embarassing."

Brielle had spilled a little raspberry lemonade on her shirt. Where do they come up with stuff like this? Now please don't tell her I blogged this...

Snickerdoodle Cupcakes...

Yes, you read correctly. These cupcakes are little bites of heaven... Our REALTORS association is having an auction this afternoon to raise money for our Political Action Committee. It's a fantastic cause and one I have no problems supporting. Of course, I was asked to donate cupcakes. After receiving some "snickerdoodle cookies" last week from a friend, I found my inspiration! I took a basic cupcake recipe and added cinnamon and a little more sugar to make them sweet! Rather than make a cream cheese or buttercream frosting, I went with a light & fluffy marshmellow cream frosting (like I said...a little bit of heaven). I piped on the frosting to llok like a big dollop of cream. Of course, cinnamon and sugar were dusted across the tops, making this a true "snickerdoodle" cupcake! Yum!