Let Them Eat Cake (or at least let Tina)

Again, I find myself blogging a recipe for a friend.  I really need to be more attentive to the blog overall, but at least these excuses get me here, and usually with good "Food Porn" pictures.  The truth is, I'm just terminably short of time and most posts are an excercise in procrastiantion.

That being said, I'm not usually a huge procrastinator, especially when under the gun for a craft show deadline (like this weekend), but some things just beg for attention.  Tina, my friend, is definitely one.  How can you deny a girl in love a little indulgence.  Tina is a rare bread, dealt a tough hand.  She is full of talent and love and pain and her perserverance can be inspiring.  On days like today when I am in horrible pain, stressed with a "to-do" list and unmotivated, I think twice before complaining because I know to whom I pale by comparison.  I am reminded of all I have and all I can do and how I have no right to complain.  Long story long, Miss Tina asked for this yummy recipe, so here it is.
The cake and cupcakes are the same recipe, you just have to watch that cake for doneness because honestly, I don't remember how long I baked it in the transition.  I probably compared a few recipes to their cupcake couterparts and went from there.

Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Crème Frosting

• 1 cup butter ,softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4eggs
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add lemon zest, juicel and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (batter will be thick). Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups ¾ full of batter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.


Raspberry Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons raspberry extract

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the butter until creamed. Add the powdered sugar and extract. Mmix until the ingredients are evenly incorporated and the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Now, for the cake:

I used 2 - 9 inch round cake pans and sliced each layer to fill with raspberry filling.  Between the 2 cakes is a layer of Lemon Curd.  Unfortunately, I did not photo the final product before it was cut.  What a shame.  I guess that leaves something to look forward to next time around.

A Netta Edit

We all need to Netta edit on occasion. What? What's that? You don't know what Netta edit is? Well, sit back, grab a glass of wine and I'll tell you all about it.

*pauses for the cork popping and wine pouring*

There you go, you've Netta edited your day.

For those of you that don't know, Miss Netta is the most vibrant, carefree, easy going, roll with the punches, charm your pants off 3 year old and I had the pleasure of having her edit the past 30 hours of my life.

We laughed, we sang, we ate burgers and fries, and jumped. a lot. If you had twinkle toes (flashing gems on your gym shoes) you would jump a lot too. I mean really, who doesn't have time to  jump if it makes you smile?

Netta doesn't worry about time or making dinner. She just gets where she's going and there's food to eat. The fact that it's brought to her by a train, along the restaurant counter is just an added benefit.
She isn't concerned with paying bills or making beds. She wakes when she's rested and relishes what life lays at her feet.

We all need to be a little more like Netta and do it a little more often.
These are her secrets;
smile, dance and sing every chance you get.
Be kind, friendly and ask questions.
giggle and be silly without caring who knows it, but most of all,
get yourself some twinkle toes. You'll be glad you did

Stuffing a Pepper

The many stages of a stuffed pepper made to perfection.

The peppers:


The meat:



The stuffed pepper:


The sauce:



Sweet Harmony:



Stay tuned for more food porn.

Banana Bread FTW!

Not that Banana Bread needs help in the win department, but OMG, it can be elevated to starlet in the Food Porn category. Feel free to indulge your own personal fantasies in your venture, I really don't think you can go wrong on this one.
Here are the simple safe sex rules of Banana Bread Porn:

Rule # 1

Start with a good fresh specimen





Rule #2

Dipping is a must. It will take you to that special place.






Rule # 3

You have to have some sizzle!






Rule #4

Don't forget to try various positions, and for Pete's sake, rollover.






Rule #5

Lean back and enjoy the happy ending!






It's an eye opening experience good for the whole family.



(yes, he'll kill me for this one, but maybe he'll learn t o comb his hair or better yet, get it cut once in awhile)

Yes, You Can Make A Difference

If you think your voice doesn't matter, you are worng. Thsi country and this state may be frustrating at times, but don't give up hope. We are still a democracy and speaking up for what you believe and voicing your concerns still matters. If you have been following my posts of the past few days, here's a perfect example. I can't help but wonder if her is referring to my very own email when he mentions hearing from Niles.
It doesn't really matter. What matters is that the people were heard. Someone listened!



Discussion on HB 1886

A bill to force school consolidations across the state was not even called in the Counties & Townships Committee yesterday, after Committee members received a flood of phone calls in opposition from superintendents and school board members across the state. Thank you for your hard work on this issue as we continue to fight this battle.



Both the Chair of the Committee, Rep. Patrick Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and another member, Rep. Richard Morthland (R-Moline) discussed their opposition to HB 1886 on video. You can view Verschoore's video


Verschoore on HB 1886 school consolidation


and Morthland's video


Morthland on HB 1886 school consolidation
.

This is More Like It

This is a much more thoughtful and appreciative response to my letter (see post March 1st). I won't go so far as to say it redeems politicians in my eyes, but at least he showed some common decency and manners (an maybe even a brain)
Thank you Mr. Ramey

Ms. Johnson,

Thank you for your note. We need to take the time to scrutinize this bill and make sure the best proposal is the one that comes before the committee. House Bill 1886 will not be called in committee today. I appreciate your views on this legislation and if you have any further information on this bill I would be grateful if you passed it along to me.

Representative Randy Ramey

Do Politicians Really Wonder Why

people can't stand them?
This is the response I received from one of the eight state representatives I contacted with my letter yesterday.
Not only is it the only response (so, I guess there's brownie points for that), but it is completely irrelevant to my letter and addresses no one of my requests.

No letter head, no greeting, no signature. Not even a note in the email referring to this attachment. That is just lame! You would think a damned page could draft a salutation at least.


The Governor’s budget for next year is a template for budget talks. There
are a number of his proposals that will not be in the final budget that
passes the legislature. I do not believe we will have enough revenue to
support the Governor’s proposed spending level have a balanced budget. I
would anticipate a much lower spending level than the Governor requested.


The House is in the process of determining the amount of revenue we
available for next year. Once that is determined we will begin the
appropriations process. The revenue available will be distributed to the
five Appropriation committees. Each committee will need to pass
legislation, or a series of bills, to the full House that does not exceed
the amount set for each.
This method of drafting a budget will ensure that we will have a balanced
budget. I am confident that these changes in the House budget process will
produce a final product that puts us on a path to eliminating our deficit in
the next four years.
The cuts necessary to balance the budget will include education. Hopefully
the education community will have both short term and long term
suggestions.

This makes me nauseous