Strawberry Delight

Again with the strawberries!  I can't seem to get enough of the taste of these things!  They're everywhere right now and completely amazing.  

When I ran across a recipe for an 85-calorie cupcake with strawberry in the name, I knew I had to give it a shot.  Also only four ingredients.  It doesn't get much better or yummier than this.

Recipe courtesy of here

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

 

 

* 1 box of Pillsbury Strawberry Cake Mix

* 1 tub Fat Free Cool Whip

* 1 box of Instant Sugar-Free Cheesecake Pudding

* 12 oz of Diet Cherry 7-up

To Make:

 

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

* Empty contents of cake mix into large mixing bowl.  Add 12 oz (1.5 cups) of Diet Cherry 7-up, and mix well.

 

 

*Place cupcake liners in a cupcake pan, and fill approximately 5/8 full of batter.

 

 

* Bake for about 20 mins. (I did exactly 20 mins, and they came out perfectly!), and let them cool for about 30-45 minutes.

 

 

*While they are cooling, empty contents of Cool Whip and the pudding mix into a medium bowl and stir until blended. 

*Once your cupcakes are completely cooled, add the icing.  I found with the consistency of the icing, it was really hard to smooth out.  So, they ended up looking a bit weird, but they were still delicious.

 

 

The cake on these came out really really moist.  B took them to work for his new co-workers.  As a new kid, I figure you can never bring too many baked goods to work.

We had two new people start at work today.  Apparently there are a lot of changes going on.  I have decided to throw my hat in for the customer service manager position.  I'm not really sure what I'm getting myself into, or if they'll even entertain the idea, so I guess we'll see.

I just hope they see in me that I'm good at what I do, and that I'll be a good manager.  With some training, of course.  I don't expect to just be able to walk in there and know what I'm doing.  Everything there has gotten so muddled and confusing.  I'm not sure anyone knows what's going on, or what's going to happen.  Maybe I can be some part of making my co-workers lives better if I have some input into it.  That's really the main drive behind even asking; I know how they feel about things, because I feel the same way, and maybe if my opinion counts for something other than nothing, I can help make it better.

Randomness Never Hurt Anyone

Ok, so I'm going to random it up a little. With all the bad and negativity in my life, I'm just going to put down a whole bunch of stuff that makes me happy.

When I quit this job, I didn't think it would be like this. I didn't think people would outright "shun" me. Let alone a group of grown men. If anything, it has made me even further realize that I made the right decision. It has also made me decide that when (not if, but when) I have my own business, that I will strictly only hire women.

Here's some photos of the stell-dog. She is such a sweetheart. I spend more time with her than I do with my husband, since he is out of town so often. She's not supposed to be on the bed, but seriously? Can you look at that face and say no? I didn't think so.

And she always, always, has some kind of toy in her mouth. Sometimes two. She is so motivated by toys, it's funny.

Aww, I just wanna squeeze those cute little ears off!


My mom and step-dan (aka GUIDO!) sent me flowers for my new job! How sweet was that?! Then when I called to thank them, Guido was like, "Did they put pink flowers in there. I told them to put pink flowers in there since it's your favorite color." Really? I heart him.

If anybody can identify this flower, please tell me what it is. I love it!! Well, it probably doesn't matter. Scenario: I find out what these flowers are. I rush to Lowe's/Home Depot to buy them. I plant them in the ground. They die two days later. I have no planting gene whatsoever.

My lemony-goodness cupcakes! I got this out of my cupcake cookbook. The baking part I got down; the frosting part I need help with, plus it didn't turn out as yellow as I wanted. But that doesn't really matter when I'm chowing down on them; amazing!

Ugh. I can't take a good cupcake picture to save my life. They look like crap here, but trust me, these were my best batch yet. Nobody got burned; nobody got under-cooked. The toothpick came out nice and clear. I patted myself on the back for these!



So, a few random tidbits of happiness. I can't wait to share what the new bride is doing with her bridesmaid invitations!! They are so cute! I'm so glad that I get to re-live a wedding. I am so so so glad that this girl gets to plan the bachelorette party....I just love weddings!

Wednesday Ramblings

• Sales is starting to grow on me. I don't hate it as much as I did on Monday.


• Yes, I'm aware I've only been doing it three days.


• I learned the sexiest step in the cha-cha yet tonight. I danced it for Courtney. :)


• I've really hit a plateau in my running. I can't seem to get past 5 miles without quitting.


• I am so hitting the delia*s catalogue this weekend. Boo to the yah. I know that I'm 27, but their summer clothes are so cute, and their shorts fit me perfectly.


• We went to a place called Dreamcakes this past Sunday in SoHo (South Homewood. This is how we compensate in the South for, well, living in the South!). Can you say amazing? I have almost forgiven her for stealing my idea*

This is the wedding cake cupcake. The frosting on these bad boys was soooo good. I could feel my teeth rotting out of my head. And for $3? Bring. It. On.

This was Bennett's. He got a Peanut Butter Cup cupcake. You can see the hole where his mini peanut butter cup was. He couldn't wait. I really would love to see how in the world they make this frosting, because I don't think I can live without it now that I've had it.

*My idea was to have a portable cupcake shop in addition to a brick-and-mortar and sell them at college campuses. Then I see this sweet little truck with Dreamcakes written on it on UAB's campus. I had a heart attack and wanted to sue for idea stealing. But then, I never claimed it. And then, I don't even know if you can do that.