cleaning=blah

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This just about sums up how I feel today. I don't feel very good, which makes it difficult to clean my house for my bar-b-que tomorrow.  I need a Monster M-80 to power me up so I can get this stuff done :P Tomorrow is going to be awesome though, I have about 25 people who have said they are definitely coming. HOLY COW! I wasn't really expecting that many, but it will all work out I'm sure. I will be cool to have that many people over to our place. Never happened before! So aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaany whooo, I better get back to cleaning. :) Have a wonderful Saturday!

Friday Night Fun

Tonight Chris and I are going out!! We got a babysitter for the kids and we are going to see our good friend (Wes Harllee) play at Limelight. I'm so excited. I love my kids but it is soooo nice to have a break. I'll consider this my "birthday" outing, since we didn't really do much on the day of. Anyways I hope everyone has a great weekend! And don't forget to Party On!

Birthday Cupcakes

♪♫HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME♫♪

For a while now I've really been wanting to make some piña colada cupcakes. I made some a while back from scratch and although they were delicious they didn't taste anything like piña or colada :( SO I decided to try again, to make some for mine and Chris' birthday which is today. They are SOOO good. I used a pineapple cake mix, added some coconut extract and made my own coconut flavored cream cheese frosting. With a few of them I put a chuck of pineapple in the center. I will definitely be making these again.

Here is the recipe to the best of my memory:

Piña Colada Cupcakes

• 1 box of Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup of canola oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 cup of milk (you may substitute with coconut cream or heavy cream)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of coconut extract

1. Preheat oven to 350˚ & grease your pan well.
2. Mix Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix, eggs, canola oil, water, & coconut extract. Put in baking dish of your choice and bake according to the cake box instructions. I use 12 regular sized muffin pans and 24 mini muffin pans. (if you want pineapple chunks inside the cupcake put a little bit of cake mix in the bottom then a pineapple chunk then cover with more cake mix. Only fill cupcake pan 2/3 of the way full.
3. Meanwhile, combine sweetened condensed milk, milk, and coconut extract.
4.  When cake is done cooking remove from oven and poke holes using then end of a wooden spoon, or something of equal size. Make sure NOT to poke all the way through. Pour milk mixture over and allow to cool. Once the cake has cooled most of the way, refrigerate.

Now for the icing:

• 4 oz of cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• ABOUT 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of milk (or heavy cream if you have it)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (or more depending on how strong you want the coconut flavor to be) coconut extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• **1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut **optional  

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until fluffy
2. Add powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time after 1 cup has been added, add the milk, then add the rest of the powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time.
3. Beat in salt, coconut flavoring, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Add more powdered sugar to thicken or more milk to thin, until you have the desired consistency.

Tonight's Plans

Tonight I need to get on my knitting!
But first to bake a cake for mine and Chris' Birthday tomorrow :)

Chai Heaven

This morning I was in a pickle, I couldn't decide whether to go with a cup of tea or a good ol' cup of jo. I decided that I would try something a little new. I drink iced chai tea often, but recently Chris and I had gone to a local coffee shop and he got a frozen chai tea latte (which according to him was awesome). So I decided I would make a chai tea latte this morning. I used to not even like chai tea but OH MAN is this good. Here is a rough estimate of the ingredients I used and how I made it.

Start with about 4 cups of water, in a tea kettle. Once boiled throw in 4 individual sized chai tea bags.  Brew for 4 minutes. Add about a 1/4 cup of sugar(I like mine pretty sweet) and about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of milk. Stir and bring back up to a boil. Be careful so it doesn't bubble over! It will happen quick. Pour into your favorite cup and boom you're done. For something extra special top with a little whipped cream and cinnamon. Enjoy.

New ink

So my mother-in-law and father-in-law got me and Chris tattoos for our birthday, I'm soooo excited. I LOVE them so much could be more pleased. I've got tattoo fever. I can't wait to get started on my sleeve.

i'm in want

If you haven't checked them out already head over to MungoCraft's Shop. They have the cutest stuff. I'm in LOVE with these hoodies. I need to get one for winter time! I just wish there more more options in my size.

Earl Abel's

Best breakfast ever! If you have never been to Earl Abel's on Austin Highway, you must go. The staff, the people, the atmosphere, and the food, are ALL amazing. It's my new favorite place for breakfast!

Giveaway on The Dainty Squid

The Dainty Squid is having another really awesome giveaway!

You have to head over to her blog and enter to win!

New Project!

First off, sorry for my lack of blogging lately, I've had some family members needing my help.  

(My sister Kasie with a torn acl along with a few other things and my friend Neal who just had back surgery)

 (click image for pattern)

I just started this hat in different colors of course. It's a free pattern from Lion Brand. My sister made one for me and it's a SUPER easy, SUPER cute hat. I can't wait to finish it. I will be making an extra one for a giveaway, if you like it keep checking back to sign up for the giveaway.

Any who that's all for now

✌

Mommy's Little Man

My sister sent me a photo of a bearded hat and asked me if I could make one. I couldn't find any pattern I liked so I just kinda winged it. I think it came out pretty well. Now I just need to make a hat to attach it too. Can't wait for winter time so the boys can run around with them on! So awesome and cute!

Just some thoughts

I'm so excited about getting back into photography, after being with out a camera for a little over a year I have re-discovered my love for capturing everything. I was talking with Chris yesterday about it, I asked him how good do you think I would be if I would have had a camera this whole time? His response was a little bit of a surprise, He said he didn't think I would be as good as I am now, that God has a funny way of doing things some times and he thinks that me having a break away from my camera did me a lot of good.  I don't know what God's plan was or is but all I can say is taking pictures truly brings me happiness, and I hope that never fades. I'm hoping to use photography to help Chris out by having some income, but at this point I don't want to rely on it as income just because that would be a little too stressful for me at this point.  On the other hand, I don't want to feel taken advantage of, if I'm looking for someone to take pictures of I'll ask you. Don't get me wrong I really REALLY don't mind helping people out and taking photos but being compensated for my time would be nice. And I hate it when people make empty promises, like "oh I'll pay you when I get paid" or "I'll get you some business", seriously people don't offer if you aren't for real.  Sorry if I'm complaining but it's something I needed to get off my chest, some people just don't realize how much work taking photos can be.

In other news, I'm really happy to be teaming up for weddings with one o my really good friends, Ashtin. She is such a great photographer and I'm hoping our relationship will grow and that we can continue to learn from each other. I'm trying to "man her up" a little bit. She's just so sweet, and lives to please everyone, she's going to kill herself trying to please the ones who aren't being reasonable. I love her to death and I don't want anyone taking advantage of her.  

*sigh* I guess I'm done. Getting ready to go take photos of my handsome cousin and his beautiful girlfriend. I can't wait should be lots of fun!

BTW I wanted to dye my hair red, but being a little short on products to do so I ended up with orange hair, I'm digging it. I just might take a suggestion from a friend and add some "low lights" like a fire engine red or something. ")

My favorite

I think this just might be my favorite fourth of July photo,

4th of july fireworks

Handmade Love

 I taught my sister how to knit last week, and couple days later she told me she had made me something and I had to wear it no matter what. I was thinking it was something awful and maybe embarrassing but I was going to wear it regardless, I love handmade things!
So anyways I went to her house yesterday and she pulls out this hat!!! It's SOOOO amazing! I've been wearing it all day and I LOVE it!! I can't wait for winter to come around so I can wear it every where! And because I love it so much I will be making one for a giveaway! So if you are interested in winning one, check back for my next giveaway!
What is your favorite handmade accessory?

Have a lovely Friday!!


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Pregnancy Journal Giveaway Winner!!

And the winner is................(insert drum roll here).........................
Pregnant Yuppy!!

Congratulations! I will be contacting you for you're mailing address!
Thanks to everyone who entered.

I will be having another giveaway soon be sure to check back :)