Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Key Lime Cupcakes


Key Lime Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

You know I love Key Lime anything, so I made Key Lime Cupcakes for the reunion this week. They seemed to be a hit! I found the recipe on Betty Crocker, but tweaked the frosting just a bit.
Here's the link for all the directions: Key Lime Cupcakes

Here is my adaptations of the recipe ingredients:
Cupcake Batter
  • 1 Lemon Cake Mix
  • 1 small box of lime jello
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/3 cup key lime juice
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • (I did not add any food coloring to the mix, since I thought it was green enough.)
Frosting
I did not do the glaze, but instead added the key lime juice to the frosting.
  • 1 package cream cheese
  • 2 1/2 table spoons of key lime juice
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Follow the directions on the link for baking time and other details. Betty Crocker Key Lime Cupcakes 

May was Memorable

I have thoroughly enjoyed my Spring and Early Summer. I've had precious time at home to work, clean, entertain, and enjoy my family. We had much success at the Nixa Garage Sale this year. It feels good to declutter and get rid of things we don't need. My family made Mother's Day extra special this year. We celebrated Tim's birthday and tried to party for Austin's birthday but he was too busy packing and moving on to Texas for the summer. Oh, well... I did make a cake. There was a quick girls' trip to KC for some summer shopping and an old school water party with the most fun people in the world. Finally, we sealed the month with a family reunion at the Elliott's. Thank you Lord for family and friends! They are the keys to my happiness and bring me constant joy!

Happy Mother's Day to Me

This made the day perfect... just being with my babies.

My gift: They said, "A bucket of your favorite things because you are our Favorite Thing."

My amazing Mom

Miss Me jeans for Miss MeMe

Tim turned 45!

Austin turned 22!

Slip 'N Slide Palooza

Fantabulous Gals!

The whole gang, even Tim.

Emack Family Reunion

The missing spot was for Austin! We missed him!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Time for Summer: Key Lime Pound Cake


Nothing says summer like Key Lime! I was in the mood for something sweet so last week I made this delicious Key Lime Pound Cake. Being from the south, my favorite cake ever is always pound cake, but the added key lime flavor made this fave even better. The recipe is from Southern Living and I found it on Pinterest. Another reason to keep Pinning!

Key Lime Pound Cake

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lime zest
1/4 cup fresh Key lime juice

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) tube pan.

Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10-15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.

(See http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/03/key-lime-pound-cake.html for more details.)

Drama Department Banquet: Bravo!

Last night we attended the annual NHS Drama Department Banquet. This is always a fun event because the students run the whole thing and present awards to their peers in a very entertaining way. It was especially delightful last night because Ashlyn won multiple honors. We are so very proud of her hard work this year! She follows in her brother's footsteps and we are proud of both of our talented thespians!

Best Actress in a Play, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, New Dance Captain for 2012-2013, All District Cast for One Act!

Newly Elected Jr Rep for Thespian Society and Former NHS Thespian Pres.

Three Winners!
Best Actress in a Play & Best Supporting Actor in a Play

The Banquet was only one part of the experience. The night before,  pastry chefs took over my kitchen!