cupcakes

There has been a lot of hype in recent years with cupcakes: they are mini cakes, personalized; an individual cake for someone to enjoy all to themselves, whats there not to like? I have heard of sprinkles cupcakes a few years back and was curious to know what was so special. Since I was living in Utah at the time there was no way for me to try one fresh from the bakery, so I settled for the sprinkles cake mix sold at Williams and Sonoma. I made them, tasted them and didn't see the big deal. I realize I should not leave it up to my cooking to determine the true taste of these cupcakes. A few years later, and a move to Dallas; Ryan brought me home some sprinkles cupcakes. I was excited to give them another chance. The first one I tried was a white cake with chocolate icing. It was horrible. The cake was so dense with no flavor. I moved on to the chocolate cake with a marshmallow filling. The cake improved, it was fluffy, the flavor was OK. I tried a few other variations of chocolate and that was enough for my verdict. Sprinkles cupcakes are just another cupcake. Which is something that died in the 1980s with children's birthdays.

you've had a birthday...

Last Thursday was my birthday, and it was a great day! I love birthdays so much, I never want them to end. I was so sad to go to bed that night because I knew my Birthday was over but, Ryan made it a day to remember. Ryan worked from home in the afternoon, and I slipped out for a manicure/ pedicure. My favorite activity. When I got back we were ready to play. Ryan surprised me with a new camera! I got a new Canon Rebel xsi. I was so excited. I have always loved photos and recently have been wanting to take up photography as a hobby. I am going to enroll in some photography classes at the local college for fun. With my new camera in hand I was ready to start shooting. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Dallas Aquarium. I probably would save your 40 dollars

and find something else to do. It just doesn't come close to the Denver or Monterey Bay aquarium. For dinner we went to the stock yards to a restaurant called Lonesome Dove a western bistro. It was fantastic! If you ever watch Iron Chef, in may 2007 he beat iron chef Morimoto in a head to head challenge with "chili" as the ingredient. Chef Tim Love has been a nominee for the James Beard award, a very prestigious food award. Anyway, the food was delicious! To start we choose three appetizers to sample, Blue Corn Lobster “Hushpuppies” with Watercress Butter, Braised Wild Boar Ribs with Lonesome Dove BBQ Sauce and House Pickles, Rare Kangaroo Loin Nachos with Boursin Cheese, Avocado-Corn Salad, and Huckleberry-Habanero Demi. No, I didn't type that wrong, I ate kangaroo. I was a little freaked out because I knew what I was eating, but the flavor was actually really good. Second course we both enjoyed a salad, and for the main course I got a Roasted Garlic Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Western Plaid Hash, Grilled Asparagus, and Syrah Demi-Glace. To finish it all off we shared a piece of chocolate cake. If all that wasn't enough, we had to stop by Maggie Moos for some chocolate better batter ice cream. Hip Hurray for Birthdays!!!

I had fun taking pictures around downtown ft worth with my new camera, here are a few of my favorites. (I really liked the colors)