Not Your Mama's Margarita Cupcakes

Stop the Presses....

You're taste buds will NEVER be the same after this post.....

Last week, I had the immense pleasure in partaking in bunco group's annual Drunko game.  This usually is played around a gorgeous pool...on a warm summer evening.  Tiki torches are burning, the harmonious sounds of Jimmy Buffet playing in the background....

some hunky husbands/bartenders, to cater to our every whim....

and since I'm obsessed with Themes.....I had to bring a little sumthin sumthin...that screamed "drunko"

so why not combine my love of Cupcakes.....with one of the best summer drinks in THE universe....

FANTASTICO!!!

Before I could say "guardar uno para el chef"

translation: "save one for the chef"

my bunco playing friends had snagged them all....only leaving me with a few crumbs...a lime wedge...and plenty of "oh my god"...and "those ROCKED"

The only other downside, besides not being able to partake in the overload of yumminess....

was trying to explain to my 4 year old, why he couldn't lick the batter.....

I could just imagine explaining to my husband, why our son was completely ripped....singing a bad rendition of the elmo song, and calling him stud....

Margarita Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes
1 box white Cake Mix
8 oz. liquid Margarita Mix
2 oz. tequila
1 oz Grand Marnier
3 egg whites
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 Tbs. grated lime zest

Lime Buttercream Frosting:
8 Tbs. softened butter
8 oz softened cream cheese
Juice from 2 Limes
1 Tbs Margarita Mix
1 tsp lime zest
5 Cups confectioners sugar
cane sugar
Fresh limes

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350º and prepare muffin pans.

2. Combine margarita mix, tequila, and Grand Marnier in a large measuring cup and stir well.

3. In large bowl, combine cake mix, egg whites, lime zest, vegetable oil, and margarita mix from step one.  beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for approximately 2-3 minutes.

4. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup about 2/3 full.

5. Bake at  350º for 20 – 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. (Make sure you check the baking temperature/time on the back of the cake box, some times/temps may vary)

TRICK:   Place your pan of cupcakes in the freezer as soon as you remove them from the oven.  Leave in the freezer 20-25 minutes.  This will stop the cooking process immediately, and will create a super moist cake.  

Icing:

6. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, lime juice, margarita mix, and lime zest. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

7. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until smooth. If icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a couple tablespoons at a time.

8. Spread icing generously on each cooled cupcake or use a pastry bag to frost. Let the cupcakes sit for 5 minutes then roll edges of each cupcake in the cane sugar to give it a salt rim...and garnish with your lime wedge.

Goodnight Irene

What a Wild and Wooly Weekend we had on the Eastern Seaboard.....With the Fury that was Irene...barreling down on us.....

She gave it her all, I have to give her that, though I'm so extremely grateful that in my particular neck of the woods, The Power stayed on, Flooding was kept to a minimum....and only two decent sized tree limbs in our yard, marked that she had been here.....

Though at one point, during the height of the storm, I truly felt as if the worst was going to happen....and wondered if I should have high tailed it to higher ground.....instead of trying to be the tough one, and stick it out....

My wonderful Husband, as usual had the pleasure of missing all of the good stuff......Blizzard, Deployed. Hospital stays, Deployed, Earthquake.....TDY....and Now Hurricane......you guessed it...gone....

Though This time, The entire Squadron was left to us spouses...as our lovey's in Uniform, had to fly those massive planes out of harms way.....but I have to say, we held our own! With the wonderful help of The Few Fellas who were left to hold down the fort....All us ladies put on our games faces and showed our husbands exactly what we are made of....and that is that they married some tough chicks....

Really tough chicks!

Saturday Morning, was spent shoring up all loose ends, putting anything and everything that could be used against us in the garage, and making sure the sandbags were in place in case our creek decided to invade the basement.....couldn't let that happen without a good fight.....

But Saturday Afternoon, as the skies grew darker, and the rain began to arrive....we decided to play a little...

okay a lot.....

Those boys needed to get their run on, before we snuggled in under a mound of blankets, eating our Hurricane rations of Chocolate Chip cookies, Rice Crispy Treats....and watching a marathon of All Things Animated......

But Miss Irene, kept her destruction of my neighborhood to a minimum, and as I picked up those two branches, moved the sandbags back...and brought out our patio furniture again, I felt I could actually find a few positive things that we could glean from Irene......

Not only do I not need to water my lawn for the next month, but Irene also allowed me a good solid 36 hours straight to devote to potty training....something I desperately needed....

hence all that naked tushy......

Though we made it out, with only a few hairs out of place, I'm more than aware of the massive devastation that Irene left in her wake. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who lost homes, possessions....and even loved ones.....

I think it's time to say...Goodnight Irene......Goodnight.....

Strollers, Style School....and Punk Rock

This Post is brought to you by the letter S.....

Saturday, Strollers, Step and Repeats, Style School, 77kids....well it does start with s.......

Let's just say, while Daddy is away, mommy and the boys, like to go play! And this weekend, we went and played in the Big Apple....which luckily for us, is a hop skip and a short train ride from our suburban oasis in South Jersey.....

Though, I have to throw it out there, that Penn Station needs to work on being a little more ....stroller friendly? As my posse and I commenced the disembarking of our NJ transit train on Track 8 of NY Penn Station.....the left front wheel of my expensive yet cumbersome double jogging stroller.....disengaged itself...and fell between the train and platform....to the track below....

after few NY style expletives

and some blank stares from any and all NJ Transit workers...on whether said wheel could be retrieved.......

my posse and I made the 5 short blocks....and 1 long block trek to our destination the Fabulous 77kids Style School held at the Metropolitan Pavilian

.....1 wheel short....but still on time.....

because not even a three wheeled stroller, could keep me from our mission!

Our First Stop....the Step and Repeat....my gorgeous friend Angela...looks so put together...while I'm a wind blown mess......and Though Noah is obviously thrilled with the papparazzi worthy attention....Ryan would obviously rather be doing anything else.....

Now why I didn't get any pictures of the amazing wine tasting hosted by Cameron Hughes Wines....probably because I was too busy enjoying the Moscato......in a word amazing.....

But I did get a pic of Noah having the time of his life at the Play Doh Table.....though, if you remember the picture from last weeks Play Doh incident.....

It was a fabulous event with some awesome vendors....from the cool Kids Clothing Swap hosted by Zulily to a Yummy Applesauce tasting from Motts....

LandsEnd was on hand with a killer Back to School set up, and Mom Agenda was showcasing their perfect planners for busy moms...

Advil set up an insanely fun Photo Booth...that Noah wanted a 3rd, 4th and 5th go at.....as well as stocking us up on must have Advil products for infants and children.....

Remington, provided some gorgeous hair makeovers.....and the seriously Punk Chic 77kids area.....had a to die for Goody Table....and even put the urban back into my suburban boys, by giving them some super cool punk mohawks.......

All that Fabulousness....ending with a over the top Swag Bag.....made me all but forget the infamous wheel incident.....

Let's just say, we left our mark on the Big City.....

But more importantly, the Style School, definitely left it's Punk Rock Mark on us!

Rock ON!

How Cowboys Celebrate Birthdays

I don't know too many Buckeroos that Get to relive their first Birthday a second time, but if we were going to relive it, we were going big or going home! Since The Air Force called Daddy away for The Bugster's Actual Birthday, there was no better time or place then the Ohio Farm to throw the Rootin-ist Tootin-ist First Birthday Bash This side of the Mississippi....

The following is a instruction guide on how to throw yer-self a Rough and Rowdy Cowboy Worthy Shindig....

First you just need to find the perfect cowpoke invitation, letting everyone know to bring their appetites and spurs....for a ho-down to beat the band.

Our invitation came Via Pony Express from Tinyprints. And just so it wouldn't take forever for the mail coach to deliver our RSVP's....guests could reply directly on the website...

we'll I'll be flipped.....ain't that somethin....

Then you rope yerself a location that can hold all that rowdiness! Nothin worse than spot too small, in case anyone wants to break out into some impromptu square dancin....

Rustle up 25 of your best pals, to fill that big ole space....though I wish we could have sent the stage coach out to bring in the rest of our favorite people....it just takes too darn long!

Aren't they a handsome crowd?

Then you have to make sure your dressed the part, a pair of bibs, barefeet and a sheriff's badge are all you need to complete the perfect cowpoke ensemble...

and a gigantic lollipop for the perfect accessory and pop of color

Besides having a wagon-load of tasty vittles, .....

and for the record, I would have taken pictures of all the amazing fare of hamburgers and hotdogs, homemade lemonade, more fruit than a fruit stand......and the best coleslaw in the entire world....

but I was stuffing my face......

You also need the peace de resistance....the Biggest, Baddest, Cowboy Cake anyone has ever seen! Ryan's Amazing Cake was created by Creme de la Creme Cakery.....

I take my hat off to her!

The Cake Destruction of course is the highlight of any Cowboy First Birthday Party.....The messier, the better, and since you are hosting it in a Cowboy worthy local....it won't matter how much cake gets on the floor!

After the culmination of the Cake Smashing.....with full bellies, and full hearts, it's time to have some good all american, ole-fashioned fun! A Good Natured Corn Hole Competition....including some razzing on both sides of the line......more sugar.......water.......

and company......

that's all you need.....

You'll know you've succeeded in your quest to creating a Cowboy worthy First Birthday, if the cowpoke of honor ends his day plum tuckered out.....

I think it was an all out success

and no one squatted on their spurs!

Blackberries!

What do you get when you mix 90 acres of certified organic farmland, my two dirt loving boys, and a group of the sassiest local Philly Bloggers?

An all out Blackberry Picking Bonanza ~ and a certified Mess!

The Boys and I met up with some fellow members of Philly Social Media Moms, and headed out to Longview Center for Agriculture to learn about sustainable farming, enjoy some straight from the vine tastings, pick gallons of the juiciest and sweetest Blackberries....

and then end our experience with a fresh, and refreshing Peach Slushie....and filling up on the amazing local organic products in the market.....Everything from Maple Syrup and out of this world Strawberry Jam, to Whole Bean Coffee, Pasta Sauces and even Beauty Products...

It was an absolutely perfect day to channel my inner farmer, and also my inner foodie, and have a complete (no pun intended) growing experience....

Our "Tour Farmer" took the crew around and gave us such an education on sustainable growing practices, as well as the mission of the farm, and how all the different plants not only taste amazing, even straight off the vine, but also have their own unique eco-function, that helps keep this farm growing and prospering.

and the orchard......though it's bounty is still not quite ripe.....it makes me yearn for one of those crisp fall days....when I promise we will be back to fill our baskets with more apples then we would know what to do with.

The amazing thing about Longview, is that it is a complete experience. It is an experience for all 5 senses....and you walk away with not only a full belly, but also a full sense of spirit and knowledge.....to know where your produce comes from, how it benefits not only you, but the environment....

and then there were the Blackberries.....oh the Blackberries....the Biggest, Juiciest and messiest berries I think I've ever had....and they boys....oh the boys, who ate 3 for every 1 we picked...

It was a mouth watering homage to summer, that literally was written all over a certain someones little face....

Longview Center for Agriculture (formally Willow Creek Orchards) serves as a center for farm based education, and holds weekly classes on everything from flower arranging to cheese making (yes please) and on August 20th will be hosting a Mater and Tater Festival.....which should quite the experience!

The Longview Center for Agriculture is located at

3215 Stump Hall Road, Collegeville, PA

610-584-8202

Hours of Operation are

Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6:30 pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 10am-4pm

Roamin Holiday

We came, we saw, we conquered. Almost 2 weeks of rest and relaxation in the heart of the midwestern countryside, where the corn and stars are as plentiful as the internet and cell phone service is spotty. It was my definition of the perfect vacation, sitting on a white porch swing, watching the world go by, with no emails to answer, no traffic to fight....I think we could count on two hands the total number of cars that passed down our road, the entirety of our vacation.

It was a vacation, where I was able to bring out my inner cowgirl, and remember why old trucks, small towns, and the notion of work hard and playing harder, hold such a special place in my heart.

My In-laws purchased an amazing little 1890's Farm, that though worn and calloused as the hands of the generations of farmers who have lived in her, with a little spit and polish, I know she will truly shine.

There was nothing better than sitting every morning, on the porch swing, that over looks the small grape orchard, and the acres of corn beyond, that waves in the breeze like a rolling green ocean, as far as the eye can see.....It was a quiet spot to get lost in your thoughts....

and realize, I can survive without internet service.......who knew?

It was a vacation where we made our own fun, of romping through an apple orchard, exploring what secrets the Big Old Barn holds, joy riding on granny and paw's riding lawn mower, and generally getting into good old-fashioned mischief....the kind you find yourself talking about when you are in your 30's....

the kind I talk about, now that I'm in my 30's....

It was the quality time, we all were starving for. After only seeing The Husband a total of 2 weeks over the last 3 months, we drank in every second, and didn't think once about if and when he would be leaving again...

It was the vacation we pinned the new Sheriff in town, and had a first birthday celebration, any young cowboy would be proud of.....

We laughed till we cried.....and even cried till we laughed, and some of us even brought out our inner BraveHeart and trudged off to seize the day....

In the buff......

It was a vacation that even though the days seemed to go slow....ended much too soon....

and Here I am, back in my own kitchen, missing the melt in your mouth doughnuts from Brumbaughs, that white porch swing, that little farmhouse with no air conditioning,

and I can even say, I even miss no internet......

Even with missing all the wonderful things that make me long to live away from the hustle and bustle that is my everyday life....

I have to say.....

It's nice to be home

Artistic Expression

I started and deleted this post a 100 times this morning....I am in no way an accomplished writer....heck I put an ellipsis after just about every sentence, and I know my 11th grade English teacher would be cringing in her pea green, squeaky desk chair right now if she knew. I'm even a less accomplished writer when I'm stressed, sleep deprived....or I've eaten an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's.....which I think this post can be the result of all three.....

So if, you decide to continue reading, please be forewarned, I'm in no way responsible for the lack of coherence, and over use of ellipses, sentence fragments and incomplete thoughts....remember it's coming from the brain of a woman who is running on all four cylinders while holding a candle that happens to be burning at both ends.....

This week has been a whirlwind.....one of those weeks that you absolutely can't wait for the sun to go down, because its the first time, you can actually say the only thing you have to do is go to sleep....and even then, I've been dreaming of the 2000 other things I have to do tomorrow....which I guess is today.....

I've never been the absolute best multi-tasker, if I ever have a future job interview, I'm not sure it would be at the top of my best attributes list, though I think I should clarify, I'm not a good multi-tasker with all the things I keep piling on my schedule....

I'm come from the house of Yes I can.......when I probably should be saying....Let me Check

Earlier this week, I was busy, frazzled, hot, sweaty and getting to be a little short tempered....I had done all I could do, and was about to just call in Friday a few days early.....and not care that the rest of the world still needed Wednesday and Thursday...

When my hero of the day, the mailman came flying in his gleaming boxed truck, and saved me from another day of failing miserably at multi-tasking,......and becoming 2 steps away from a mini-mommy meltdown....by sticking a package on our doorstep.....and then as quickly as he came.....

driving off into the sunset....probably to save another frazzled, overly busy mommy....

Inside this well wrapped package addressed to the Birthday Boy were what would turn this mommys frown upside down, and throw both my to-do lists, and ideas of multi-tasking out the window...

staring up at me from the nest of packing peanuts and bubble wrap were 2 Paint Brushes and 4 Pots of paint from G.G.....(otherwise known as Granny with a gold star)

Though at first, I had to cringe, as giving paints as a gift to anyone under the age of 20....is along the same lines as giving a kid a drum set for his birthday......there really should also be a bottle of Advil and an apology note....for the headache they soon will cause.....

But, when I saw the Excitement on 2 little faces peering up at me from below as I pulled out the paints, my thoughts quickly changed from "O GOD MESS".....to "YES YES YES"......or maybe it was an "Eh....why not".......



So we ventured outside under the afternoon shade, and I sat and watched (and maybe refereed a little) two boys work the canvas like a seasoned pro......

With hands, Feet, Brushes and Even Diapers......they put their heart and soul into their work.....and created two very fine pieces of art.....and I may have once or twice indulged the urge to put my fingers in and make a swirl or two



and I got to have an afternoon, where I put all my "To Do" lists in the junk drawer....where they probably belong.....

and did what I really should be doing....which is having fun with my kids.....


Amazing how some washable (GO G.G) paint, some old cardboard, and 40 totally messy toes can remind you of what's important, and why I gave up a super Busy Full time job in the first place.....





Thanks Mr. Mail Man.....and Thank you GG.......Today, I'm thinking Pottery?

In The Kitchen: Caprese Pasta Salad

The hubster and I have this favorite little Italian restaurant that we love to go to.....which in New Jersey, Italian restaurants are like Starbucks, or Mommy Bloggers, there seems to be one on every corner.....so finding one that you can call your absolute favorite...takes a lot of leg work, and Pasta eating....

This place, is a little hole in the wall, tucked in an almost run down strip mall, next door to a computer repair store that's closed 6 out of 7 days a week, and a dry cleaners that has been around since the before the Eisenhower Administration....If you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't know it was there....

And let me tell you, the inside is just as unimpressive as the outside. The decor is Welcome Back Kotter meets Kid N Play.....and you wouldn't be surprised if the attire of choice was a velour track suit and gold chains....and I'm not talking about the ladies.....

But the Food is out of this world, as good as in any 5 star Italian restaurant in Manhattan, and definitely could have a face off with the likes of Mario Batali or Giada De Laurentiis.

I am well and truly addicted.....and it definitely justifies the extra hour a week I must spend on the eliptical.....

This mouth watering, pasta dish reminds me of all the amazing flavors that come out of that little kitchen in that out of the way, italian eatry, and this one won't make you have to run to the gym the next day, to work off the guilt....

though it did help me work my way to a food hangover on the 4th.....oy.....

It is the absolute perfect pasta salad for summer, and only needs a warm night, a patio set....and maybe some of those citronella candles to keep the 'squiteers away.....

Caprese Pasta Salad

1 lb Cherry Tomatoes, halved

2 tsp. dried oregano

3 Cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1/4 c. olive oil

1 16 oz package rotini pasta

1/3 c. olive oil

2 tbs white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

8 oz mozzarella balls or cubed mozzarella

1/2 c. snipped fresh basil

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, you will arrange your tomato halves on a foil lined baking sheet, cut half facing up. Drizzle tomatoes with 1/4 c. of olive oil, and sprinkle with oregano, salt, and minced garlic. Roast tomatoes for 20-25 minutes until they are a tad shriveled

Try not to eat too many of the delectable things when they come out of the oven

2. while tomatoes are roasting, boil the pasta in salted water and drain when pasta is al dente. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/3 c. olive oil and the white wine vinegar and pepper. Toss in with the cook pasta. Cool off pasta to at least room temperature....otherwise it will start to melt the mozzarella when you add it

3. Add the tomatoes and make sure you add all the drippings from the pan (that's the good stuff)....also add the mozzarella and the basil...toss to combine....you can serve at room temperature, but I prefer it cold....so best to put in the fridge for a good 2-3 hours before serving....then give one final toss....

Then all thats left is to eat more than your fair share....and no velour track suits are required....

A Banner Fourth

Though You will notice that once any holiday rolls around, it inevitably becomes my favorite....but the 4th always holds an extra special place in my patriotic little heart....

so much so that I prayed extra hard last year when I so BIG and So CUMBERSOME and SO Pregnant...that the Bug Man would really want to have fireworks on his birthday every year, though he obviously was perfectly happy in his current rental space, and waited another very long and very hot three days.

This year, we celebrated with a go with the flow, fly by the seat of our pants strategy.....where the wind took us.....we went....With the Hubs off flying the not so friendly skies, and working hard to help keep our freedoms free......there wasn't much need for anything structured

Go figure, the Military man is the more structured of us.....the poor man has to live with a disorganized, forgetful free spirit....who's mantra is "why make the bed, when it gets messed up again in a few hours?".....But I'm slowly becoming a convert.....

I've even made the bed all week....though it's only Wednesday....just saying

So this fourth was me and the wee ones....dressing up in our red-white and blue, and seeing what South Jersey has to offer us.....

and we certainly weren't disappointed.

We opened our celebration with a jaunt to our local Fourth of July Parade.....where the lines of Boy Scouts, High school marching bands, police Bag-Pipers, and local patriots, took me back to all the wonderful small town 4th of July parades of my youth.....

though I don't remember ever seeing a mummer in our Small town Parades.....a Philadelphia region tradition....and I need to find out where I can snag that hat

We followed the Parade up with a scrumptious celebratory feast with all the fixings, including probably the most amazing pasta salad in the world.......

And of course......we had to finish off the night with the peace de resistance.......and took in an awesome show of pyrotechnic ingenuity.....

It was an almost perfect day, you can tell by how much dirt and chocolate ends up on the face of the wee-ones (and if it was really a banner day, even on mine) .......with only missing one very tall, and very handsome thing that would have been the absolute cherry on top....

I hope you all had a wonderful, blessed and safe Holiday.....

and now onto my next favorite holiday......Labor Day