You know you've got an awesome friend when.....

she surprises you with a visit to a cupcakery! Amanda rocks! Yesterday we visited Crave Cupcakes in Houston. This was surprisingly, my first time at a cupcake bakery. Good thing I had my camera on me!

What an adorable place. The decor was sweet and simple. Just a grouping of retro mixers in niches on the wall. They totally belong in my retro 40s kitchen at home!

My daughter Haddie was with me so I was able to order two different cupcakes to sample. Haddie (of course) chose strawberry and I chose vanilla. I was happy to see milk on the drink menu and ordered that too. It came in these adorable milk jar glasses. Amanda, who is as much a food and geek as I am, asked for the source of these glasses and was able to get us the suppliers website. They are going to be so cute in my kitchen!

So on to the cupcakes! The strawberry was amazing! The cake was super moist and there were real strawberries throughout. Amazing frosting! Not too sweet and tasted like fresh strawberries were used here too. I really love the fondant topper with the mixer embossed on it. Haddie thought it was candy and went for that first. Haddie now knows that fondant doesn't taste very good. Again, and amazing cupcake!

The vanilla was super cute. I am a sucker for sprinkles. I love the variety of textures with the sprinkles, the frosting and the cake all in one bite. You could see the flecks of real vanilla bean throughout the cake and the frosting. I really appreciate the flavor of fresh ingredients. It really does make a huge difference. The cake was perfect in flavor and texture. It was dense and moist. The frosting was a little cloying. But the glass of milk helped with that.

It was a great first time visit to a cupcakery. The girls behind the counter didn't even make fun of me (while I was there anyway) for taking pictures. I was glad I had a cupcake blog to use as an excuse! I can't wait to go back and try some of their other flavors. I really wish I had brought home a red velvet and a chocolate. But now I have a reason to return !

That Cupcake Lady...loves her cookbooks.

I really, really do. I read them before bed at night, in the bubble bath, at the pool. Everyone else at the pool is reading the Twilight series and drooling over some sparkly walking dead guy. I sit there reading Bobby Flay Cooks American and salivating over Toasted Coconut Custard Pie with a Brulee Crust. I'll take Toasted Coconut and bruleed anything over an eternal teenage boy. Pretty sure the pie will smell a lot better!

Now that I think about it, I think that will be dessert for the 4th of July!~

That's about it for tonight. I'm exhausted. Slaved over the crock pot all day.

What's for Dinner: Pork, kielbasa and sour kraut. Perogies and green beans
Cupcake craving of the day: Chocolate with malted milk butter cream frosting, topped with a Whoppers malt ball.

That Cupcake Lady...is one sarcastic chick!

It was this morning that the thought of starting my own blog came to me. I was prepping dinner when it occurred to me that people would probably love to read about what I am doing with my day and what I am making for dinner. I also realized that everyone will want to see pictures to go along with my words. Then the obvious thought came to me, ADVICE! I know people need my advice on everything from child rearing to choosing the right kitchen appliance! Recipes too, everyone is always asking for my recipes. Of course I knew already that people just love to read about my Hadassa and every cute little thing she does. Of course I will HAVE to post pictures along with that. I should also publish all the great thoughts that go through my mind and make everyone aware of every shift in my emotions throughout the day. Oh right, I have Facebook and Twitter for that. Oh this is going to be fun! Imagine how much more of me I can give to people now!

Sarcastic-English translation:
I just thought it would be fun to share with whom ever is willing to read!



What's for dinner: French Dip (click for recipe)


Cupcake Craving of the Day: devils food with vanilla butter cream, caramel drizzle and salt