Today is Wordless Wednesday... Self Explanatory

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I cannot find the source for this, anyone know?

 

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For My Girls

I'm all for being healthy, don't get me wrong. But I'm sick of quotes like, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." 

Really, Kate Moss? Have you ever tasted cake? Or Caesar salad? Or chocolate chip cookies? Or spinach artichoke dip? I could go on, forever quite frankly. Ooh, or hot dogs. 

Back to the point... 

I just want my girls to know skinny is not perfect, and perfection is not attainable. 

I just want them to know they don't have to be a certain size to be pretty. Their personality doesn't have to fit into a certain mold for them to be happy and enjoy life.

I just don't want them to be afraid to be themselves like I was.
Is that too much to ask?

White Wedding Cake Cupcakes + Chocolate Buttercream Frosting = Drool

Yesterday, I made these White Wedding Cake Cupcakes...

With this Chocolate Buttercream Icing...

Simply because I could. And they were delicious. I LOVE white cake with chocolate frosting. They go together perfectly.
And the recipe for the cupcakes is super easy! It starts out with a regular white box cake mix, but spruces it up to a heavenly, wedding-worthy cake.

The icing recipe came from Wilton's, so you already know it's amazing. But seriously... Holy. Nut. It's so chocolatey and smooth and... Just perfect. The way frosting should be. I didn't take pictures because my phone is the only camera I have, and I needed the games on my phone to keep the girls busy while I made (and hid) these.

But I'll post the recipes here for you, just so you don't have to go all over.

I wish I had more friends that were getting married. I love wedding cake way too much...

White Wedding Cake Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 (18.25 ounce) box white cake mix

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups water
2 Tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
4 large egg whites

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans (you'll need approximately 36).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar and salt. Add remaining ingredients and beat with hand mixer for 2 minutes, or until well blended.

3. Fill about 3/4 full-between 1/4 and 1/3 of a cup. Bake about 18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Buttercream from Wilton's
Ingredients:
1/2 C solid vegetable shortening
1/2 C butter, softened
3/4 C cocoa OR 3-1oz unsweetened chocolate squares, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 C confectioners sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
3-4 T milk

Directions:
1. Cream shortening and butter together.
2. Add vanilla and cocoa. Mix well.
3. Beat in sugar, 1 cup at a time. Once sugar is completely incorporated, add milk and beat until light and fluffy.
Keep in an air-tight container, refrigerated until ready to use. Rewhip before using.

Try to leave some in the bowl for the cupcakes. But feel free to lick the beaters. {:

Wed... Thursday?

I know, I am late. But I spent the better part of today thinking it was Tuesday. I'm not sure how I lose days like that, but it happens. Forgive me?

This will be just a quickie:

100 Days of Real Food

I'm not ready for one week, let alone 100 days, but it's definitely something to think about. I don't think I could give up cupcakes. Or cookies. Or chocolate...

However, she provides recipes, eating real food on a budget, even a list of healthier snacks for school!

Go have a look and tell me what you think. Is this something you could do? Are you already doing it? Does it scare you to death?

Thoughts.

Pinned

As previously stated I, too, am one of the many Pinterest addicts.

These are a few of my favorite pins,

plus some things I hope to try next week:

“I get worried for young girls sometimes; I want them to feel that they can be sassy and full and weird and geeky and smart and independent, and not so withered and shriveled.” —Amy Poehler

Grilled Pizza - quick, easy, and looks delish!

Click the picture to go to her blog for the how-to.

 

I'd like to do a paper cut of this design. Love the water and the boat and I think it would look great on paper. Click the picture to see how to buy it.

(This isn't from Pinterest, but I want to try it this next week anyway.) 

I made some labels in Paint last week and I'd like to print a couple, stain the paper with coffee or tea, and see how they look on some of my glass jars.

What are your plans for next week?