In my family, we have a weekend where there are five birthdays in something like 8 days, it’s crazy and a lot of fun. So, I’m back in Caldwell, visiting and catching up with everyone (FYI, Caldwell is about 70 miles from Austin and 35 miles from College Station)

Caldwell, Texas

This weekend is also “fair weekend” in Caldwell, which means that since it’s also an election year for my dad, we’re out hugging babies and pressing the flesh, it’s really fun; Small town politics. So, let me give you a brief glimpse into my day:

8:00 AM- Walk over at my grandma’s (MooMoo) house to have a little breakfast and visit.

9:30 AM- Take her Buick over to the court house to see my dad in court (can you believe I’ve never seen him in action)

11:00 AM- Call Pizza Hut to place an order for lunch with Mom and Liz, talk to Sidney (her sister and I were buddies in high school)

11:30 AM- Meet Mom and Liz at high school cafeteria and have pizza, run into old teachers who retell their favorite Keesha in school story

12:00 PM- Go to local Historical (hysterical) Society meeting with Dad to have mini sandwiches and iced tea

1:30 PM- Go to ford dealership to find Hubby’s grandmother, she’s at Patsy’s, but they call Merriam to find her, who walks over to Pasty’s because she isn’t answering the phone, and it won’t be a bother.

1:34 PM- Visit with Hubby’s grandma (Nanny)

2:30 PM- Go back to MooMoo’s to return the car and visit with her and Charley before he has to go to a board meeting for the Cemetery

3:30 PM- Mom and Liz are back from school and Liz (driver’s permit in hand) drives us to Wal-Mart to get more Dr.Pepper and Diet Coke

5:30 PM- Eat dinner and talk about how my dad doesn’t like asparagus

6:00 PM- Drive out to the fair for the free Gospel Music show sponsored by the SPJST

So, where in the world does the 80 year old lady with a harmonica come into the picture? One of the performers was this 80 year old lady who’s been playing the harmonica since she was eight. Let me tell ya, it’s kinda inspiring to see something like that. Bless her heart, I wish I have enough air to play a harmonica when I’m 80!

BTW, do y’al know that Hubby and I grew up together right? I know I always say that our family’s are neighbors, here’ s an idea, that’s close in a town of 3500 people!

Hubby and Keesha

I have to say it, “I’VE MADE THE BEST CUPCAKES IN THE WORLD!” Man, I don’t know why these little gems are hitting me just right this weekend, but I think I’ve had five by myself. And people, I’m not saying that I’m the brightest bulb, I think there might be some correlation between my growing belly and this whole blogging thing. I’ve opened an investigation and I’ll get back with you as soon as I get some hard hitting results. Check this out, here’s a pair of britches I got at the beginning of the summer, right, nice, size 4, like hot mama.

Now, here’s my normal size. Size 6, not too skinny, you can tell she works out, ka-chow-bam.

Here’s why I’ve started my investigation, there’s a new number appearing in my closet. Now, I understand that a size 8, you’re not going to put me on Celebrity Fat Club, but that’s quite a leap over a mere summer.

Okay, now, back to the best cupcakes in the world. Sandra and her husband are in visiting for the weekend and we had a great get together at Vic and Bec’s house. Saturday morning, I was up early (6:30AM) watching the Food Network when Cupcake Challenge came on, so I decided to cuise their site to see what they had. I’ve been in a chocolate cupcake rut, so I was looking for something different. I found this one posted by Ina Garten (Barefood Contessa) and dicided to give it a go. They were a hit. They’re so pretty, light and just what I was looking for. Even Hubby who doesn’t like coconut, liked them. Today we were over at a football party and everyone kept asking if I had more cupcakes.

Y’all have a good week!

I’m loving the Couture Cupcakes article in this quarter’s Donna Hay (volume 27), so when were were invited to Quarter Poker Night at the Cantoni’s I wanted to take a little treat. This couple is so nice. JT moved to Phoenix in October of 2004 and I was in town in November looking for houses and they had us over for dinner after looking at houses all day. Their house is exactly how I thought Arizona houses should look, they live on South Mountain, have a huge adobe style house, the desert landscaping looked perfect and they hosted a great dinner. I’ve seen them a few times since then, so I was excited they were having a party. (Oh, here’s a picture of our other dog, Bidi looking especially cute with her bone.)

On Thursday, Hubby had a happy hour to go to, so it was me and my season premiers; My Name is Earl, The Office and Grey’s Anatomy. I love TiVo or I might have missed something. Thumbing through the Donna Hay, deciding which cupcake to make, I spotted what they called the Black Cupcake. I decided that’s what we’d take over for poker. They’re chocolate with a coffee icing,(hey Donna, it’d be catchier if you called them Mocha-Choca-Latte Ya Yas). The cake recipe is really simple:

Black Cupcakes from Donna Hay

125g butter, softened 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 1/4 cups plain flour 1t baking powder 2T cocoa powder 1/4 cup milk 100g dark chocolate, melted; coffee icing 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 1/4t cream of tartar 2T instant coffee 3 egg whites

Preheat oven to 320. Place the butter and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and creamy. Gradually add the eggs and beat well. Sift over the flour, baking powder and cocoa and beat until combined. Fold through the milk, stir in the chocolate and spoon the mixture into four 12-hole mini-muffin pans lined with paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Cool on wire racks.

To make the icing, place the sugar, water and cream of tartar and coffee in a saucepan over high heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes. Place the eggwhites in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until soft peaks form. While the motor is still running gradually add the sugar mixture and beat until thick and glossy. Makes 48.

Hubby is usually a reluctant tester (he doesn’t like sweets so much), but when he walked in and tasted one of them I got the best compliment. He said, “Now that’s what a chocolate cupcake should taste like.”

Do you like this container? I found it at Arizona Baking Cake Decorating (ABC) on Indian School and 28th Street. It’s convertible into three different types of carriers; cake, standard cupcakes and mini-cupcakes. For $20 some-odd bucks, I think it’s a great deal.

Have a fun weekend!

It’s 10:00 PM and I’m already back home and watching the news from the Pat Benatar concert at the Celebrity Theater. It was really good and I had a good time. K.F. was my date. Hubby wanted to go with me, but he was at home watching his new Justin Timberlake video. OK, that’s it. I’m off to download a new ring tone.

I remember going to the grocery store with my Mamaw when I was younger and a radio DJ said, “Honk if you hate the Redskins!” Next thing, I hear tons of cars honking, including my grandmother. It was so fun, visiting her in Dallas, watching football games on Sunday; Go Cowboys! I really don’t consider myself a “sports” fan, but I do love the ceremony that goes along with it. Having friends over, snacking, willing your team to win from the couch, I love it. Over 20 years later, every time the Cowboys play the Redskins, I remember that car ride.

We haven’t really stopped since our trip to San Francisco last weekend, so this weekend I’m purposely trying to take it slow. Friday we met Mel, RJ and crew at Postino’s for a late birthday celebration and had a night cap at Chelsea Kitchen. Saturday, Hubby had golfing and I booked a manicure at the Wigwam. A Red Door Spa just opened there and I have a preferred membership, so I get nice discounts and stuff. It was a drive, over 35 miles. I got there about 4 hours before my appointment to layout by their pool, use the gym, get hydrated in the steam room. That night we met Vic and Bec out for dinner at the Rookery (sp?). The front dining room is under construction, but they’re still serving full dinners downstairs. If you have a loved one addicted to their mobile, this is the place to go, no cell coverage in the basement. Today, I went to the Orange Table in Old Town for breakfast (more on that later, it’s so good) and I’ve been cooking and nesting around the house the rest of the day. Oh to the right here is a picture of Bica, he looked just too cute here. She’s very photogenic, like her mama.

The crew came over for the game and I cooked a Mexican Roast Beef from a recipe I found in this month’s Better Homes & Garden (see I can be productive at the spa). In the beef broth just mix in equal portions of coffee grounds, cocoa, cumin, and chili powder. I added some potatoes and onions, turned on the crock and 6 hours later, we had a fantastic dinner.

While cruizing the Internet, I found some articles on Donna Hay or guess you’re supposed to say Hay Hay Donna Hay Day when you make one of her recipes. I found her magazine later while at the grocery store, so I thought, why not? I picked up Volume 27 which was the Cupcake Couture issue- ooh-la-la! I decided to make her vanilla bean mini cupcakes with a divinity icing I’ve made before.

Hope y’all have a great week!

From my last post, if you guessed San Francisco (in your head because nobody posted a comment), then you are correct.

Hubby was a good boy last weekend, he surprised me on Wednesday with tickets to San Francisco. I’ve never been. I was really excited and actually had trip jitters; Isn’t that great!

I arrived in San Jose and Hubby picked me up (he was already there on business) and we hit California traffic right at 5:30 PM. Our trip to the city was fun, we saw headquarters for Google, eBay and Oracle (which is important if you’re a computer geek).

As a first time tourist to San Francisco, I had a few must sees and a few if we make it, it would be nice. Can I just say, that I think we were able to see most of the biggies. As tourist, generally, we can site see quite quickly. We don’t have to, sit, contemplate, photograph and discuss. We look, take a picture and move on.

Look at all the places we got in on Saturday (and the zig-zag around the city we made):

1. Leave hotel at Union Station (walk to)
2. Dim Sum for Brunch at Chinatown
3. Walk around Chinatown (taxi to)
4. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (taxi to)
5. Pier 39 (wipe bird poo off Hubby and taxi to)
6. Citizen Cake (taxi to)
7. Hotel for massage (walk to)
8. H&M (taxi to)
9. Little Italy for Brazilian Independence Day (taxi to)
10. Hotel

Did I mention that we TAXIED EVERYWHERE? We couldn’t figure out how to jump on one of those freakin Trolleys and I didn’t see one with Rice-a-Roni on the side. Very disappointing.

On Sunday, we had our rental car, so we were able to be a bit for efficient, we made it to:

1. Haight Ashbury for breakfast at The French Cafe
2. Lombard for the curvy street
3. The Golden Gate bridge
4. Ghiradelli and Del Monte Squares

So, I don’t mean to make this a look at me pictorial of our trip, it’s just that most pictures of Hubby ended up like this:

Technorati Profile

I’ve been really busy with a new boss at work, my volunteer group getting back into action and my attempts to go to the gym have made me a very busy girl. So, I’ve got a full plate, right? So, I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought about tackling this recipe at 8:30 PM on a Thursday night, while I should be packing for my romantic get-away with my husband and should be polishing a presentation I should be giving tomorrow morning in front of my new boss (exhale)!

Citizen Cake started as a cult-style bakery in San Francisco and I’ve followed their proprietor Elizabeth Faulkner for awhile. She’s so creative and doesn’t see boundaries when she’s putting together flavors and ingredients. She seems to tackle tough culinary questions like, “Why can’t you use curry when baking?”
So, with that kind of hard-rocker baking philosophy, I found a recipe for Devil’s Food Cake with Chocolate-Orange Buttercream. Doesn’t your mouth just start to water up when you read that? I decided to make cupcakes instead of the full cake, I thought it would be easier to pon them off on my co-horts that way.

The recipe upon first read through seemed manageable. Then I started baking and things went south really quick. I had just finished my sifting and mixing in parts of different stuff when I saw a line in the recipe that said, “take your luke warm melted chocolate and gently fold in.” Where in the world was the step that said, “MELT YOUR FREAKING CHOCOLATE FIRST (exhale)!” So franticly, I get a double broiler started and melt 8 oz of chocolate, let it cool and fold it in. Yeah, umm, it was only supposed to be 4 oz. I decided to not worry, I thought, they’ll just be fudgier than normal devil’s food cake, right?

We’ll, I was close to right, they were dense, but still had good flavor. The icing wasn’t as dramatic, but because I was making cupcakes instead of the cake itself, I had more than double of what I needed. So, I’m thinking that yet another cake is in order….I don’t want to be wasteful.
We’ve got a lot to catch up on…I can’t wait to tell y’all about the trip my husband surprised me with this weekend. All you “Where in the world is Carmen San Diego fans, can you guess where we went?”

Friday, Dirty Stu’s Birthday.

Saturday, Mel and RJ hanging out.

Monday, Doggie playdate.

Monday, New girl Dottie.

Monday, Playing cards in the monsoon.

Phoenix Cooks came into town on Saturday, and I ate. The fundraiser was held at the Arizona Biltmore’s convention center and I was really happy when I drove up and had to park in the auxiliary lot. That meant a lot of people, which meant a lot of money for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

We attended two cooking demonstrations, one with Executive Pastry Chef Pierino Jermonti from the Royal Palms and a Knives 101 hosted by the Scottsdale Culinary Institute.

The main halls had vendors from all over Phoenix, some (just a small group) of them we sampled are:

• Calico Cow- Classic Comfort Cooking
• Sigrid Sciacca- Custom Glassware
• The Phoenician- Restaurant Offerings
• Classic Cakes- Cakes and Confections
• PB Loco- Speciality Peanut Butter
• Food & Life Magazine- Local Stuff

Even the local Junior League had a table selling their latest cookbook, Pomegranates and Prickly Pears. If you have a JL in your area, it’s great to buy their cookbooks. They’re always a collection of recipes from local chefs, home cooks and regional celebrities. I think its just a great element to have in your kitchen.

Everyone really had great food to represent their establishments. We had great Shrimp Shooters and Amaretto Peach Cobbler, Peanut Pork and Raspberry and Chocolate torte. Then there was the wine.

Here’s where a lush has to really hold back! Some law firm and World Market sponsored a wine tasting event. I like buying my wine at World Market, it’s usually quite affordable, but I had some great hits and some big misses. And you don’t know you missed until you’re trying to fight off a wicked hang-over! But I tried the 2004 Liberty School Cabernet and a Banfi “Col-di-Sasso Cabernet/Sangiovese blend I really enjoyed. There were also at least a half dozen others, but after the first few you stop taking notes.

So, if I were reviewing my experience, I’d say it was all really positive. Does anyone know the name of a great restaurant in Carefree that starts with a “L”? They had the Peach-Amaretto cobbler and I can’t find their business card.

What do you get the girl who has everything? More Stuff (and world peace). I’m approaching the last year in my twenties; Oye! Here’s some things that are on my list for this year.

GreenAppleKitchen.com is an environmentally friendly kitchen company. I found them featured on my companies Web site. I’ve started taking my plastic shopping bags back to the grocery store, but I think this would help cut down on those bags.

ThinkGeek is a Web site, I usually reserve when I’m buying my husband things, but I love this t-shirt. I think you can figure it out.

Who doesn’t love cupcakes? I think this guy is awesome.

I do think I need to get better with using knives in the kitchen. I have a great Kyocera ceramic knife that I use for everything, but I still don’t think its the essential knife I’m looking for. But I think these from Sur La Table might do.

The Cupcake Queen in my blogging world is the girl who does everything too perfect. If we were in high school, she’d be the girl with the perfect hair, wear the perfect clothes and have all the right friends. She makes the yummiest looking food, takes the best pictures and on top of all of it, she’s talented and designed these t-shirts. Don’t get any “fresh” ideas!

The other thing that I always want to do, but never have time to schedule is cooking school from Sur La Table. They have some baking classes offered in October I think would be fun or even the Moroccan night, yummy.

And, finally, I think there’s a lot of cooking related stuff above, but where’s the prissy part, well I’ve thought of one last little gem; A spa package from the Royal Palms. Or really any of the hotels right off of Camelback and Lincoln. Both are easily assessable, so don’t worry about any of them being a bother for me to get to.

Cheers!