Gimme a "C", Gimme a "U", Gimme a "P"*....

*I had to add the "P" part because some people (LiLu, Salt) need to get their minds out of the gutter...tsk tsk you two!

Today is one of my coworker/friend's birthday. And we all know what that means...cupcakes! This time, knowing her love for Reese anything, I wanted to try something a little different. So I went with peanut butter cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

I had to add some sprinkles to make them more festive.  Plus, she loves sprinkles!

I used a recipe from Cooks.com for the cupcake.  The recipe originally called for shortening, but I like my butter, so I switched them out.

1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. shortening  (butter!)
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
2 lg. eggs
1 c. milk
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt (I don't add salt when I use salted butter..also too salty with the PB)
 
And the frosting is from my trusty Hershey's cookbook.  Which I always turn to when I need something chocolate-related.
 
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2-2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa (I used regular bc I didn't have the special dark laying around...I should though, I heart dark chocolate)
1/3 cup milk (add more 1 tsp at a time if needed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 
They turned out pretty well, but I think next time I might take the butter butter out and make it extra peanut butter, and throw in some mini chocolate chips for good measure.  Because why not?  I'm also formulating a plan to make "creamsicle cupcakes".  Orange cake with either a vanilla glaze or cream cheese icing.  Maybe with some orange zest on top to make it pretty.

In other food related news...I MISSED MY OPPORTUNITY FOR BUTTER TARTS!! One of my aunts was in Canada for a few days with a friend and I didn't know about it UNTIL NOW.  I'm very distraught.  I really need to get a passport so I can go get me some authentic butter tarts.  Also, I've never been to Canada, and I'm sure there's a ton to see up there that doesn't involve mounties.  Any suggestions, Cher?

SO. EXCITED.

I'm pretty sure I will be there for the midnight show in 3-D.  With my hand-knitted Gryffendor scarf that I should probably make soon.

Why I Heart the Dirty Jerz

I was in Jersey over the weekend.  I had my aunt's house to myself and got to enjoy the quiet and relax.  Some of my favorite things about the shore:

1. My aunt's got a hot tub on an enclosed porch so it can be used even when it's cold or raining.
2. The beach access is two blocks away.  And it's called Lois Lane--loves it.
3. The beach isn't super crowded.  There's a busy part up near the main part of the town, but the part that's right by the house is pretty quiet and relaxing.
4. The outside shower.  I like to commune with nature.  It's all enclosed so you don't have to worry about someone watching you like a creeper.
5. The fridge and freezer is always stocked.  And I can eat whatever I want.  
6. There's a bar not too far away.  So I can head down that way with friends and not have to worry about driving.
7. It's not too far from AC, so I can head up there if I feel like gambling (which is hardly ever).

I'm headed back down that way for the three-day weekend with one of my friends.  Sooo excited.

Summa Summa Summa Time

I love summer.  Not when we have this oppressive heat and humidity combo, but I love it when it's 85, sunny, with very low humidity.  I miss having summer vacations.  We should have those as adults.  France takes the whole month of August off.  I'm moving. 

ANYways...I am going to try to make the most of my weekends this summer season.  Last Friday I took off work and got Hershey Park Happy.  It was nice because it wasn't too crowded or too hot.  And I awarded myself bonus points for not getting sunburned. BTW if you ever go to Hershey GO TO CHOCOLATE WORLD.  There's this tour thingy and they show you how they make the chocolate, and then they give you a little piece at the end.  WIN.  ALSO there's a gift shop.  Where you can buy a 5 pound Hershey bar.  5 POUNDS.  (For $40)  I want to make a 5 pound s'more...mmmm.

This coming weekend and next weekend I'm headed to the shore.  Yes, like the Jersey Shore.  No, not the GTL Jersey Shore.  I'll be southern Jersey.  My aunt lives there, and she's in Erie for a few weeks.  So in exchange for watering a few of her plants I get free reign over her hot tub, her food, and am only 2 blocks from the beach.  Nothing is going to stop me from going short of a hurrisoon (that's a hurricane/monsoon).  I could use a mini-vacay and a change of scenery.  I am counting the hours until I go.  I will be arriving there in about 48 hours.

Cupcakes!

One of my biffle's birthday is tomorrow.  I have off work and am going to Hershey Park!  Soooo exciting.

I like to use any excuse to bake and try a new recipe, so I made her funfetti cupcakes.  I hate using boxed mixes, so I googled and ended up at Lovin' From the Oven.  The recipe I used is here.  I didn't make any changes or anything.  I got 16 cupcakes (which quickly turned to 15 as soon as they were cool enough for icing).

Here's the finished product:

I've never done piping before, so I'll have to work on making the icing look pretty...

After I took a big bite.

 The icing is soooo good.  I'm definitely going to keep it in reserve for other deliciousness.  Or if I just want to snack on some icing.

A Small, yet Shining Example...

Of why I love my friends. 

Weekend Stuffs

My computer still has the sads.  My college biffle tried to fix it, but it's a stubborn bastard and isn't having it.  Anywho, my weekend wasn't bad.  I was sick Thursday, so I left work at noon and didn't go to job #2.  I had a doctor's appointment Friday in the AM, so I could sleep in a little.  Except I couldn't eat breakfast because they were taking blood. 

Then I did a whole lot of nothing on Friday night.  Between Thursday and Friday, I watched more TV in one sitting that I have in a long time.  Saturday CB (college biffle) and I went a-malling.  I only bought 2 things (plus food) which is amazing for me.  Usually I talk myself into why I need things, as opposed to why I don't.

I got a drunken text message after midnight on Saturday night which woke me up.  Because I'm old (apparently).  Who the text was from is a whole other story.  I haven't decided if I'm going to share that whole thing yet, if ever.

The weekend was pretty much hot and sticky and I spent a lot time in doors.  Why did we skip the nice summer weather?  Hoping it's not so sticky this coming Friday--I'm going to Hershey Park!  Be jealous.