Red Velvet Cake

 

{Tina Cocalina Queen of the Cupcakes 

by Pablo Cartaya and Martin Howard}

 

This is one of Pumpkin's favorite books.  It is very sweet story with an even sweeter ending.... recipes to make all sorts of goodies ;)  She had some Red Velvet cake while away in FL over spring break and decided that she LOVES Red Velvet Cake and that we have to make some. 

She ran to the book case and brought out the book and said that there are instructions in here and could we PLEASE make some.

I know white knit sweeter around ALL of that dye but what are you gonna do?!?!

Pumpkin wanted to have some cupcakes AND a cake.

 For our first Red Velvet Cake {last attempt does not count since we had no red dye } it is a smashing success.  So much so Pumpkin has decided we should bake a cake once a month in a pattern.  Vanilla, Red Velvet, and chocolate  then repeat.

 Mmmmm!  So yummy even without the icing ;)

This is Pumpkin's little science lesson from our baking observation ~ vinegar and baking soda reaction.  

She had a blast adding more of either to see what would happen.

{science journal page of her experiment. spoon of vinegar + box of baking soda = bubbles}

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

Wordless Wendsday ~ Purrrrrrr

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

Monday Music ~ Someone like You

What a lovely voice ;)

Happy Monday everyone.
 

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

Sunday Citar

"O terque quaterque beatum."
We are three or four times blessed.

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

Yard work benefits...

=)

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

I heart . . .

Le Flâneur (music by The XX) from Luke Shepard on Vimeo.

Great song and video!  

Architecture in Europe and the older cities here in the States are just so beautiful ;)  

Girls that request the boy toys when they get a Happy Meal ;)


 Ja matta ne,
Little Mochi

A work of Art

 How to occupy three little girls at their Granddaddy's house after they have been running around all morning?!?!

Sit them down with pencils, paper, and a cat enjoying the audience.

 Meet Fanny, our model for the afternoon.

  I LOVE how they take most of my suggestions with some reluctance but once we get started they admit that they are having a fun.

Okay, enough staring and start scratching!!!

Our aspiring artist's vision.

My reluctant artist.  Pumpkin was working very hard to make it look JUST like Fanny.  

Squirt's interpretation of Fanny on a sunny day in Florida.

What is this you ask.  Well, it is a 'bed' for Fanny that our Pumpkin made for her at the bottom of the porch steps. ;)

Mommy! What is for SNACK ?!?!?!

Look at these beauties!!!

  I love this time of year and all the yummy colorful goodies at the market. I  could not say NO to Pumpkin as she stood there with the package asking if she can get these for Peanut.  "Mommy, these are her FAVORITE!"  Could you say NO?!?

 Pumpkin was so excited to tell the girls that they were going to have a strawberry treat.  Three ingredients: fresh strawberries, chocolate syrup {your favorite}, and whipped cream to achieve....

Yummy ;)

What is your favorite spring/summer time treat?

Ja matta ne,
Little Mochi

Wordless Wednesday; Spring

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

Waste not....

What happens to beautiful banana's when you have to drive down to Fl unexpectedly for a week?

 Yup!  Banana bread time !  

Personally, I am not a huge fan of banana bread but I thought that we would try a different recipe which only calls for ONE ripe banana instead of THREE {too much banana for my taste}.  Squirt helped mash, mix, and pour while Pumpkin requested chocolate chips. The other two Munchkins seconded the motion so of course there is chocolate in my bread ;)  I stayed true to the recipe except for the addition of a half cup of bittersweet {60%} chips and it is a 'keeper' per my little taste testers.  Now go run into the kitchen and whip up a batch of this wonderful bread / cake.

Happy Baking ;)

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

My week {weeks}

Comfort food keeping me going ;)

 Finally enjoying my "good"  dishes for everyday use ;)

 Thankful that it was only two out of three that became sick 

Blessed to have three girls that always remember to include their sisters and I have faith that they will be the best of friends in the years to come :)


Ja matta ne,
Little Mochi

Best Carrot Cupcakes EVER!!!

Looking for a light in flavor and texture carrot cake?  Well look no more! Squirt has been requesting carrot cupcakes for weeks and I FINALLY gave in to whip up a batch for her.  I was not in the mood to use the long and involved recipe I had on file so Tastespotting here I come and I found a MUCH simpler recipe to try.  How can you go wrong with a recipe called Mama's Carrot Cake ?!?!?
 
I ended up with about 24 unfrosted cupcakes ~ hard to keep count when little ones keep sneaking away warm cupcakes ;)  They were so light and delicious that the girls proclaimed this recipe a KEEPER!  I am thinking that these are great for Easter  as well :)

adapted from Apron of Grace

Mama's Carrot Cake {cupcakes}
1/3 c. olive oil
1-1/2 c. brown sugar
3 eggs
1/3 c. water
2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
2-1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
1-1/4 c. shredded carrot
1-3/4 c. all purpose flour
Cream liquids together and add dry ingredients, mix on medium until well combined.
Fill lined muffin pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25-30 minutes.
{please note that times will vary so keep an eye on these beauties}

Happy Baking ;)

Ja matta ne,
Little Mochi

Wordless Wendsday ~ Lent

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi

Monday Music ~ Dawn

Good Morning Lovelies!  

Here is a lovely little tune to get your week started off on a quiet and promising note ;)

Dreams are Important

Kindness over matter had this lovely video and I had to pass it along

Here's to your dreams and wishes for a beautiful garden :)

Ja matta ne,

Little Mochi