yummy-ness

I found this really great recipe...somewhere. I searched over and over again for the original and can't find it. The picture they had was so much better than mine, but I bet it didn't taste as good as mine did! it is called "Chocolate fudge cupcakes". They are filled with a strawberry whipped filling and topped with chocolate cream cheese. I didn't having any decorating tips, so I used a small tube and the frosting doesn't look so exciting, but it would have if I did it differently.Don't worry, it still tastes beautiful! I made them Easter Sunday and they were divine, so I am sharing the recipe with you!

Chocolate Fudge Cupcake
1 Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
3 Large Eggs
1/2 cup melted butter (butter not margarine)
1 cup water
Preheat oven to 350

Mix on low until blended, then mix on high for 2 mins.
Pour into paper lined cupcake pans. Bake for 20 min.
Strawberry Whipped Cream (filling)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
5-6 T. chopped/processed strawberries

Strawberry filling
Chop strawberries in blender (I used my Magic Bullet) just until they look thick and "liquidy". I used really large strawberries and it took 4 to make 5-6 Tablespoons.
Beat whipping cream, and vanilla until it starts to thicken.
Mix in sugar.
Fold in strawberries.
***WARNING - this stuff is DELICIOUS - so I advise you NOT to taste any until AFTER you've finished with your cupcakes.....otherwise you may not have any left for the cupcakes!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (from Glorious Treats)
½ cup butter, at room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
4 cups powdered confectioners sugar
1-4 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Directions:
*Place butter in a large mixing bowl and blend slightly. Add cream cheese and blend until combined, about 30 seconds.
*Add the cocoa powder( before adding the sugar, so it gets fully incorporated into the butter and cream cheese.)
*Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and beat until it begins to get fluffy.
*Slowly add the heavy cream, a little bit at a time until desired consistency is met. (Don't add too much if you want the frosting to stay in place when piped on cupcakes.)
*Beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
*Use at once or keep refrigerated. (This frosting will keep well in the refrigerator for several days, but you may need to re-beat it for the best texture.)

putting together:
1.Cut out a small section in the center of the cupcake (save in bowl)
2.add strawberry whipped cream to the hole
3.replace the tops (just do the best you can - or you could just leave them off)
4.pipe chocolate frosting on top of cupcake with 1M tip.

Working on my fitness - preggo style

Today I have decided to start my exercising program for pregnancy. I use a "10 minute solutions: Prenatal Pilates" dvd my sister in law Michelle lent me last pregnancy and this one too. You can choose your workouts and each segment is only 10 minutes. I know I can fit in 10 minutes a day so no matter how busy the day gets, I can relax with a stretch segment.

During the last pregnancy I gained 50 lbs. I was a little underweight from being sick in the beginning, so I had to gain between 30-40lbs. I LOVED to eat after I got past the sickness part, so I really did. I also moved in with my mom and my family during the last few months, so she spoiled me. I started to walk a lot toward the end of the last pregnancy, but I wanted to do more.

When we went to Florida I was worried my belly wouldn't fit in my swimsuit, when I should have been worried about my buns. So that really motivated me to start now so it will be even easier after the baby comes.

So this pregnancy I am supposed to gain 25-35 lbs, so I am going to TRY and keep it in that range. So today was day one and I did ok. My legs really hurt when I was doing the buns and thighs part, but I knew it would be a hard section for me. I love the stretching part. Although today I was using a yoga mat and Ben decided it would be fun to eat the mat, so there are about three little bite holes in my matt now...time out pursued.

So I am eating healthy, working out, and feeling good. Oh and next month we find out what we are having!!!

Sarasota, Florida

This is a taste of our trip to Sarasota, Florida. Daniel's Brother and sister-in-law live there, so we took a trip to visit them and the ocean. Ben LOVED the ocean. The loved to pick up sand and shells and throw them into the water. He would chase the waves when they would go out and run away when they came back up on the shore! A little old lady gave him this special shell and he promptly threw in back into the water, so I put it away for later. He loved his shovel and bucket. He would put sand in and out and had a ball. I put on sun block, but somehow I still got burned. Daniel did too, but I still have some of it left today! Saturday was the day we went to the save-the-sea birds. It is a n organization that takes in wounded birds and nurses them back to health. I guess people can be mean and hurt the birds down there. Ben loved the birds and was non stop making the sign for bird and squealing. For dinner we all went to The Old Salty Dog. It was featured on the travel channels "Man vs Food". We all ordered a salty dog, except for Sarah my sister in law-she got a burger. It was really good! It is a deep fried hot dog with all the trimmings. Very good! THe next day we rented beach cruiser bikes and a buggy for Ben and we rode around Siesta Key beach (the #2 beach in the U.S.-Hawaii is #1). I totally want one now! Then it started to rain so Ben, Daniel, and I went to the Mote aquarium. He loved it and had so much fun looking at fishes. Monday it was raining again so we went shopping in a circle called St. Armands. It had such great stores and wonderful things to see! Later that day the boys went to the beach - but it was way too busy for us girls and Ben, so we went back to St. Armands and ate Italian Gelato. Yummy! I had Hazelnut. Tuesday we went to Oscar Scherer State Park. Ben had so much fun playing with sticks and looking at nature. Then we went and checked out Matthew and Sarah's new house and a friends house that is gorgeous! I had so much fun in Florida and we can't wait to go back!

Funny kid

Ben saw the camera on the desk, pointed to it and then made a cheesy grin. He knows what to do in front of a camera! The minute he sees one he poses. If I say "Look at mommy" he poses for a picture. I guess that comes from having a photographer for a mommy and I must say that a lot! Ok, so I started to take photos of him and each one was different. It totally shows his personality and spirit!

St. Patrick's Day

Today is my favourite holiday of the year! If I was well I would:

Make green eggs and potato pancakes for breakfast
tell Ben stories about Irelands heritage and history
Do some Irish step dancing (or attempt to)
Decorate my house with beautiful shamrocks and Celtic decor
watch a movie with Irish people or Irish stories
dress my dogs for the Holiday
have a treasure hunt for a pot of gold with ben

We shall see which ones I can actually do today!

Have fun celebrating this fun day!

Fashion from the AA

I watched part of the awards and decided to do my own fashion review. My critique is unbiased to modesty because you aren't going to find it here, so I merely made my decisions on color, shape and all together package. I have been disappointed lately with people's choices and felt very underwhelmed so I am proud to say I loved last night and the dresses they chose.Well at least most of them.


I like the shape, it makes her look miles tall, but I hate the color blocking in it. Her hair looks dishevelled too. ewww!!



The color of this one is soo spot on! It has the perfect amount of texture and flow. Beautiful!



Hello Cleopatra gone wrong. Purple is a great color for her, but the accessories are awful and I just didn't like the dress.



I love the shape and flow and event he texture, but I don't like how close the color is to her skin tone. It makes her look naked and I hate that.



This is one of my favourites. Great color and glitter. I like how she is older so she gives the illusion of sleeves for more coverage, but it is still glam and beautiful. great choices!!



The color might have been a great choice if the dress wasn't so crazy. The two just combat with each other and it is too much, props for being gutsy.



I love the hair with this dress. I loe the shape and flow, very romantic and beautiful. I would have liked the color to be a little darker so it would stand out from her skin tone, but I really love this one.



Color is amazing and I love the sharp detail in the neckline. I love the shape and flow. Great job!



I like the idea of this one, but I felt like the fit was off. THe bodice was nice and tight and the skirt didn't flow well from that. It was worse on T.V. Beautiful color, bad fit.



I like the color and shape but I think there a little too much bulk in the skirt. It was massive on the t.v.



Great choice for her. Love the color and shape and over all feel!!!!!



ok you don't always have to look like a hoochy. I think I am ready for her to wear something classy and not just fleshy



LOVE this choice. Old Hollywood glam. I love the bling and shape. Great job Sandra!!!



I love this choice. it was one of my favourites. I like the shape and how the to is tight and the bottom is more playful. What I didn't like was the person in the dress. She looked like she had a hunchback the whole night. Posture is a must for this dress.



I am very excited about this one. I love the color and the top band that is separate from the glittering top piece. I think I love it so much is because it looks so similar to the breakfast at Tiffany's dress that Audrey Hepburn wore, but a little updated.



Headlights- good shape, bad design. too much emphasis on the wrong area



Love the color, shape, texture and flow



Gold is a great color for this event. The shape is wonderful and the texture is fabulouse



great shape and flow, wrong color. I would have chosen a solid color not this watercolor vomit



I LOVE the variation of color, but I am not a big fan of the pom pom bush. I would have liked it better on something with more flow

St. Patricks Day

I start this holiday early every year, because it is my favourite. No one truly appreciates it so I took it under my wing and started to do new traditions every year. I found a link to a bunch of crafts to do for the Holiday. I think today Ben and I will make one to post for you tomorrow to hopefully get you in the mood!


Crafts