confession- I’m not really a baker, but i’ve been attempting to bake recently. So far…the results have been mixed. Note to self: DO NOT TRY A NEW RECIPE WHEN YOU WANT TO SURPRISE SOMEONE WITH CUPCAKES FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY (btw i already know this note, i just need to remember to follow it-the picture looked sooo good!)

Martha Stewart’s Coconut cupcakes (JUNE 2007 issue)…… I knew I was in trouble when the cupcakes had to cook 10 minutes more than the recipe called them to. I took them out of the oven and notice that not only were they heavy for their size, but the bottom part of the wrapper was completely seperated from the cupcake. What is that?? It was like those little vanilla cupcakes were wearing extra large, sagging granny pants. The only good part-was the cream cheese frosting. Needless to say, it was a dissappointment. Not only had I recently bought a carrying case for them (thanks melissa!)-but I spent over 2 hours making them. There are 8 out of 20 left in the fridge. Despite their resemblence to pound cake, Casey has been making a dent in “ridding” me of them. Thank god his sweet tooth is large enough NOT to discriminate.

-So why couldnt there have been a DO NOT OVER-BEAT warning on the recipe? How could they not have included how far up I should fill the cupcakes? Isn’t that just rudimentary? Perhaps my baking powder wasn’t fresh?

so many factors… perfect vanilla coconut cupcake recipe…you are out there. I must find you!

anyway- happy bday v-dog. hope it was good!

this weekend i:

-celebrated a friend’s 50th birthday (i have blisters from dancing-at least my shoes were super cute!)
-went to signona’s farmers market (my first time since we moved here a year ago!)
-sat on the back deck & had my morning cup of coffee…dreaming of a finished backyard….
-splurged on expensive cheese & sat on the back deck & devoured every bit with the husband
-made cocktails & crafts with neighbors & helped make chinese fried rice
-added mulch to the front yard plants & checked in on my mint in the backyard
-tackled a weeks worth of dishes because one of the pipes broke to our sink 🙁

i’m wishing i didn’t have chores to do. why do weekends slip away so fast?

melisser & i went to Kara’s Cupcakes yesterday in the city. It was the first spot on our journey to find the Bay Area’s best cupcake. What’s in a good cupcake? What makes a good cupcake? What’s the best combo? I’m starting to learn my way through a good buttercream….and trying not to be biased when it comes to Cream Cheese frosting (my favorite). She’ll be writing ’bout our experiences, and I’ll be the one snapping photos and eagerly eating the other half of each cupcake. Next time, I’ll be sure to eat lunch beforehand…as I had a huge sugar headache at 7pm! Bay Area, look out.

6 cupcake flavors tested:

-sweet vanilla
-chocolate velvet
-kara’s karrot (mini)
-java (mini)
-meyer lemony lemon (filled with lemon curd)
-banana caramel (filled with caramel)

***update*** you can read Melissa’s post here:

http://theurbanhousewife.blogspot.com/2007/06/foodie-fieldtrip-karas-cupcakes.html

down the drain, originally uploaded by shutterbean.

after watching the show WORK OUT, I was aching to try the protein shake that Jackie Warner recommended for her clients. I thought was totally nasty the first time I had it (i guess i used too much liquid aminos)- but then suddenly i was sitting at my cubicle at work CRAVING it. I’ve made it the past 4 days for breakfast. This is my latest food fad. When am I not in the market for a new food fad?