Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcakes

I went ahead and made these.  1st batch I did for 20 minutes, 2nd batch for 20 1/2 minutes.  I like the color better with 20 1/2 minutes.  I haven't frosted them yet, waiting to see if hubby wants them plain instead.  The frosting comes out of a can, so no big deal.  1st picture is the 3 steps when putting them together.  2nd picture is hot out of the oven & the 3rd picture is one standing alone.  They are good.  But shhhh not telling anyone that I tried one :0)

Elf in Wood - cross stitch

Happy, happy dance.  Top row is now complete.  Thrilled!!!!!  I just love how this one is coming out, I know I have said that a million times, but it is so true.  Love the colors, the speed and the fabric.  The top row took me a total of 28 stitching days...current page took me 3.

Elf in Wood - cross stitch

No picture update just yet.  I didn't work on it Saturday or Sunday, just needed a break from stitching.  However, wow.  In just these last 2 days (and today isn't over) I have done more than half the page.  My goal is to do at least another 300 stitches today.  If I can meet that goal I only have about 1400 stitches left.  Would love to have this page (6) done by tomorrow.  Of course that means I will be back to Dragon Rip (ugh). 

Strawberry-Cream Cheese Cupcakes - recipe

Planning on making these tomorrow.  I have found that most of the recipes that I have tried from this certain cook book don't do very well in our household.  Most of them are just too sweet.  Not saying that we don't like sweet things.  I live for chocolate.  My main addiction.  But these look yummy.

Here is the recipe:

1 box yellow cake mix
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
1/2 cup veggie oil
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
3 tbls strawberry preserves (thanks Jodie)
1 pkg (3oz) cream cheese, cut into 24 slices (I am using from a tub)
1 container rich & creamy cream cheese frosting
sliced fresh strawberries, opt

1.  Heat oven to 350.  Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.  In large bowl, mix cake mix, sour cream, oil, water & eggs with spoon until well blended (batter will be thick).  Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.

2.  In small bowl, stir strawberry preserves until smooth.  Place 1 piece of cream cheese on top of batter in each cupcake; press in slightly.  Place 1/4 measuring tsp of preserves over cream cheese.

3.  Bake 18-23 minutes or until tops are golden brown & spring back when touched lightly in center (some preserves may show in tops of cupcakes).  Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.  Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4.  Frost with frosting.  Just before serving, garnish each cupcake with strawberry slices.  Store covered in fridge. 



I don't plan on doing the fresh strawberries.  If this recipe is worth keeping will give it a go the next time.

Elf in Wood - cross stitch

Page 5/36 completed.  Started stitching this page 7/14/14 & finished it 7/25/14.  I didn't work on it the whole time.  Was pet sitting for a friend of mine & that girl was high maintenance.  Stitching time was 8 actual day.  Getting excited to almost have the 1st row of blocks done.  1st page is the whole project, 2nd page is the closeup of page 5 and even some of page 6 has been worked on.

Dragon Rip - cross stitch

Page 14 of 48 completed.  Started this page 7/7/14 & finished it 7/13/14.  I also continued to page 15 and that is about 20% complete.  Breaking up all the black seems to save the monotity and also when working with the next page it helps with the confetti.  So I get 2 breaks in 1 :0)....The fabric is still not a favorite of mine.  Yes the color is nice, dyed grey but the actual softness of it is a bit tough to work with.  I will never buy it again but will finish this current project.  I am now 29% on my way to completion of Dragon Rip.  1st picture is the whole project, 2nd picture is a closeup of recently finished work.

Korea

This is just absolutely beautiful

Danes in the Grove

We drove up to TN to bring home another baby to add to our brood.  Her name is Ruby.  She fit right in with the rest of the family.  Tasha & her are becoming fast friends & even today started sharing the loveseat.  I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.  Ruby has the least amount of markings & Tasha is the 7th month old from our Alexis & Jasper breeding.

Dragon Rip - cross stitch

Page 13 of 48 now complete.  I started this page on 6/24/14 & finished it 7/6/14.  I did take a couple of days of here & there so it took me 11 stitching days to do.  Also to break up the boredom of all the black towards the bottom of pages 13 & 14 I started working on page 14.  Page 14 is about 25% of the way done.  Will continue with this project in my rotation.  The first picture is of the whole project, 2nd picture a close up of pages 13 & 14 and the 3rd picture is a close up of the 2 finished claws.