Cupcakes!

If you've never contemplated a cupcake, there's no time like the present to do that. So many varieties! So many ways to decorate them! Fillings! I made some last week that turned out better than I expected- especially since they were mostly cheater cupcakes. A box of yellow cake mix, 8 oz. of Sprite, a box of vanilla pudding and some raspberry preserves and 20 minutes and a tub of cream cheese frosting later and I had some delicious treats. I won't tell anyone if you use my cheater 'dump' method...

Orange and Chocolate Dinner Party

This Friday was my Orange and Chocolate girls-only dinner party. I think it went well and it was definitely fun. I had orange and chocolate appetizers (yes- chocolate appetizers!), orange punch with optional vanilla run or orange vodka and choco-tinis for starters. My menu included an orange salad with homemade citrus vinaigrette, Caribbean shrimp pasta and asparagus with an orange creme sauce and chopped cashews. Not that we needed it, but I also served orange parfaits for dessert. Fresh Flower Fantasy here in Laramie did my flowers and I was really happy with their outcome. I also have to mention how amazing and patient my husband was with me and all my crazy planning and preparations for this dinner.