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