My Sous Chef

Kaitlyn's 'school' was cancelled on Friday, so we made Strawberry and Cream cupcakes (yes - even though it isn't strawberry season). She worked as my little sous chef and did a great job!!!

Kaitlyn whisking dry ingredients together for me (above and below).

Blending the butter and sugar while Kaitlyn monitors it's progress.

Okay mommy...time to put the cupcakes in the oven for my friends and me.

Bake, bake, bake!!

While Kaitlyn was napping, mommy made the icing so this tasty treat would be ready for her when she woke up. I made a vanilla buttercream icing with a hint of almond extract and topped all but one with edible red glitter as seen below. Kaitlyn requested blue sprinkles, so what my sous chef wants, she gets. Oh, and yes, that is Elmo on the cupcake wrapper.

Kaitlyn's cupcake with blue sprinkles.

Yummy mommy!!oh...she asked for the fork to eat it. Too cute!!!

Strawberry and Cream cupcake recipe found on:
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/03/strawberries-and-cream-cupcakes.html

A couple notes about the recipe...

• The cupcake is more bread-like than cake like, but still good as I enjoyed it without the icing and I LOVE icing!! I can't wait to make these when strawberries are in season!
  
• The baker forgets to mention when to add the strawberry puree. I added it at the same time I added the milk mixture when combining wet and dry ingredients - pouring it in thirds.
• If you don't want strawberry seeds, you may want to strain the puree before adding it to the batter.
  
• While the icing worked well, I think a white chocolate ganache or buttercream, or even just white chocolate curls on a light icing would work very nicely with this recipe.
  

Bon Apetite!!

Family Christmas Photos

Hi Family! Here are a bunch of photos from Christmas time. Let me know if you want copies of any of these. Thank you to everyone for coming to visit us. We enjoyed it!!


The first series of photos is Kaitlyn and her Pa Mark painting a turtle at a local "Plaster Playhouse." They used little fans to dry the paint in between coats. Kaitlyn enjoyed it!





This set of photos is from Christmas morning along with the previous blog showing Kaitlyn's big girl bike. Of course, she got spoiled, but it was a lovely morning for us all!

Kaitlyn is checking out Gamma Laurie's necklace...

Now, Kaitlyn is testing out the binoculars Santa brought her with Gamma...

Uncle Tim (above with Gamma) and daddy made brioche french toast for breakfast - yum!!
Kaitlyn making rice crispy treats with us. She measured out the rice crispies for us.

Kaitlyn helping Uncle Tim in the kitchen... our little sous chef! Gamma Linda and Pa Clinton gave Kaitlyn an easel, which she has lots of fun drawing on...

Go blue dad and Pa Clinton cooking...
Kaitlyn and daddy 'fishing' with her handy fishing rod from Pa Clinton. It has a gooey fish on it!




Kaitlyn sampling the goodies for the gingerbread house from Pa Harry.

She decorated the house almost by herself. We helped with the icing.




Outfit for school holiday show...