Updates!

Good morning all!

I just wanted to take a moment and say that I have been away from the blogging world for a couple of weeks now and am hoping to be back and running here shortly.  There has been a lot going on around here lately, and I would like to fill you in the best I can.  First, my Ash is having some difficulties again.  I have been preoccupied with her health the last couple of weeks and have not really been able to focus on much else.  Also, as we have to run off to Doctors, get blood draws, and some ER trips we get behind in school.  I am trying to finish out our year, but have not yet been able to.  Tay should be able to finish here soon, but Ash still needs some more time.  She is a slower learning anyway, and all these little set backs really put her behind.  I will keep you all posted on her health, but as of now we are not really sure what is going on.

Some good news, I am starting a new business with my Mom and my Aunts.  We have been really working hard to get it up and running and are close to be ready.  I am hoping to have a preview for you all sometime on Friday!  We are pretty excited about this new adventure and I look forward to sharing!

I am also getting some new things set for my blog.  I have been working on some ideas that I have had, and am still in the process of getting those up and running.  I should have this all together here in the next few weeks.  I sure do miss everyone and I hope to be back soon.  Thank you for taking the time to read this today and have a wonderful, and blessed day!

Orange Cupcakes Yummy!

I love to bake!  It is one of my favorite things to do.  In my family I am the official baker for holidays and other special occasions.  I have decided that I would like to share some of my families favorite recipes with you all.  Some I have just found while searching through cookbooks, and others are family recipes from my Great Grandmother.  I have to admit my Great Grandmother's recipes are my favorite just for the memories and history they bring back.  I love to hear the stories my Mom and my Aunts tell of Grandma Julia in her apron looking at them with flour all over her glasses.  The smiles these stories bring really touch my heart.  Today's recipe comes from my Grandma Julia, and is one of my Mom's favorites.  About a year ago I decided to give these delicious cupcakes a try after hearing how yummy they are.  For my Mom's birthday, I made Orange Cupcakes, and she was so happy.  I hope you enjoy these yummy treats as much as my family has.

Recipe:  Orange Cupcakes by Grandma Julia  Makes about 12 Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes you will need:

1 1/3 Cups Cake Flour

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 Cup Butter Softened

1 tsp. Grated Orange Rind

1/4 tsp. Salt

3/4 Cup Sugar

1 Egg

1/4 Cup Evaporated milk

1/4 Cup Orange Juice

Step 1:  Mix together the evaporated milk and orange juice and set aside.

Step 2:  Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy

Step 3:  Add egg

Step 4:  Add a little bit of flour to butter/sugar mixture.  Alternate with the milk and orange juice mixture until all has been added.

Step 5:  Line muffin tin with paper liners.  Fill muffin tin with batter about 3/4 of the way full.  Tip:  I use a small ice cream scoop to fill my tins.  It works out great, no mess and super easy.

Step 6:  Bake in a 350/375 degree oven depending on how hot your oven is.  I bake these cupcakes at 350 since ovens today are much hotter than when my Grandma Julia was baking.  Bake these treats for about 20 minutes or until done.  Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cupcakes, if it comes out clean you are ready to remove the cupcakes from the oven.   I start checking my cupcakes around 16 minutes or so.  Place on a wire rack to cool.

Frosting:

2 Tbsp.  Butter Softened

1 Tbsp.  Evaporated Milk

2 Tbsp.   Orange Juice

1/2 tsp.  Grated Orange Rind

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Step 1:  Cream together the softened butter, evaporated milk, orange juice, and orange rind.

Step 2:  Slowly add the 2 Cups of powdered sugar a little at a time until frosting comes together

Step 3:  Frost your cupcakes and enjoy.

Here is the final product:

Art Showcase

This week has been one of those weeks that I was not able to get very much done.  It seemed like everyday there was something we had to do.  I am looking forward to a starting a great new art program that my friend Tracy from A Slice of Smith Life filled me in on.  I plan on working on that today, so I may have 2 post for Art Showcase this week.  Tay is busy working her way through Drawing Textbooks and she is really having fun with it.  She is learning so much each week, and her drawing skill is improving as she goes.  In the first picture, the drawing of the box surprised me.  Tay was able to make that box look like it was open, as well as if it were a little bent.  She really gave it life!

  Art Showcase has been so much fun for me each week.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.  I have been planning some new things for my blog and am excited to share as soon as they are all ready.  Have a wonderful weekend!  If you would like to add your child's art work please link up below.