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Friday, August 13, 2010

CRAZY CUPCAKE CREATIONS

Good morning to you all! How are you doing this fantastic Friday? I'm good really... a bit sore but good. So how has your week been for you? Mine... very busy as you have seen! DN went home last night and I got a couple of things done... not much really LOL as I was kinda in "baby recoup" mode LMAO! Oh Mom, yes I have actually tried the Jalapeno Margarita and it is quite tasty... for a margarita anyway LOL. However, the beer was a recommendation from someone, as I don't drink beer. I have issues with beer LOL! The closest it comes to these lips is in a beer batter... fried up all golden yummy LOL!

Folks, I have done it again LOL! I found a frugal news article (in a way anyway) LOL that I was like "Wow" and HAD to share it with you. Now I know that alot of my readers aren't into sports, and of those that are... alot of people despise Floyd Landis. MY purpose on bringing you the article is because it involves garage saling and a reminder to keep your eyes and ears open! If I could turn a $5 find into a $6000 investment... shoot yea! So check out this article!

Bike bought for $5 at yard sale belonged to Floyd Landis
By Chris Chase

The bicycle at a Kentucky yard sale had two flat tires, broken pedals and carried a $5 price tag. That didn't stop Greg Estes from buying the bike in hopes of flipping it for a small profit. He should get his wish, to the tune of a few thousand dollars.

It turns out the broken-down bicycle was originally owned by Floyd Landis, who rode it in a race in 2007. The bike was built especially for Landis, complete with custom pedals that look foreign to those unfamiliar with professional cycling (hence the original seller's belief that the pedals were broken). It retailed for $8,000.

Landis rode the bike in a mountain-bike race one year after winning the Tour de France. That title, of course, was later stripped after the American cyclist tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Landis is currently banned from the sport, but has stayed in the spotlight with his accusations against Lance Armstrong and other athletes.

Estes told the Owenton News-Herald that the bike was found abandoned on an interstate and nobody ever reported it lost or stolen. He says he'll return the bike if someone claims it. For now though, authorities say it belongs to him.

I can understand someone thinking the bike wasn't worth a few thousand dollars. After all, how many abandoned bikes are custom-built jobs for Tour de France winners? But five dollars? That seems a little low. If I were having a yard sale I'd have probably put a $5 tag on the bike's water bottle. Even if the bike were an actual piece of junk, wouldn't, say, $25 be a more appropriate asking price?

Anyway, just like he said, the Owenton, Ky., resident showcased his new bike at his own yard sale. Estes' asking price? Six-thousand dollars.




I have to show you something... something super scrump-diddly-umptious that I made last night! Its the beginning of my many cupcake creations for a business plan I am working on. Well I made these and OMG... if you absolutely LOVE peanut butter, these are for you! I clipped that rose from my garden/bed to enhance the picture LOL. Anyway, this is a peanut butter cupcake with a Celeste Fig Jam filling in the center. Then there is a whipped peanut butter frost on top. I finished it off with a super spiffy chocolate drizzle! OMG yum! I have to get to the store today because I need a tiny bottle of tequilla for my next creations! Can't tell ya... you gotta wait! LOL but doesn't this one look devilishly decadent?? They were! LOL!

Ok today's craft is inspired by the numerous amount of trips I am always making to the store and all the couponing, etc. that I do. I found this great craft for an organizer on another site to make who was inspired by the same problem! So thanks to Becca at Blue Cricket Designs! Make sure to go check out the tutorial, as she has some wonderful step-by-step photos as well as the following instructionals!



Craft Idea of the Day: Shopping Cart Organizer

Materials:

Two complimentary pieces of Fabric. I used FAT QUARTERS.
Stiff interfacing
Coordinating Double Folded Bias Tape
Pins or stapler
Ruler

Directions:

STEP ONE: Measure and cut your fabric and Interfacing 18" x 18". I found that by stacking them and then cutting them made the process faster and easier. Lay it out just how it will be sewn....a fabric with RIGHT side facing down, then interfacing, then fabric with RIGHT side facing up.

STEP TWO: Now we will be cutting out a section of your 18" square to create the Caddy straps. Using a ruler and pen mark off the following measurements and cut through all three layers creating straps that measure 7" long x 3" wide.

STEP THREE: Use straight pins to secure the three layers together. I prefer using a stapler . It lays flatter and the staples are easy to remove.

STEP FOUR: Adding the bias Tape. You will first need to sew an 18" strip of Bias tape to the bottom section of the caddy.

STEP FIVE: Fold the bottom section in half leaving about a 1 1/2" gap. This is creating your pocket. be sure to be aware of the fabrics. You will determine what fabric shows most so chose wisely which way you fold. Secure with pins or staples.

STEP SIX: Now it's time to add the Bias Tape around the edges. Start at a top of a strap in it's middle. Pin it on if that will help you keep it straight. Sew it on using a straight stitch. Corners Can be pinned or stapled to help them line up right. The inside corners are tricky. Sew around it completely being sure to fold your tape at the very end so you don't have a raw edge.

STEP SEVEN: Sew a straight stitch line in your pocket making a second section in your pocket. You can determine how big you want each section. Also you may want to add another stitched line to make a pen pocket.

STEP EIGHT: Lastly we will be adding Velcro
Cut two 1 3/4" strips of Velcro. Separate the pieces and sew them onto the straps. Sew one on the top of the strap and the other at the bottom of the strap where it meets the pocket section.

And that will do it!!!!

Your very own Cart Caddy ready to make your life that much easier!!!!!

As easy as this looks it takes about an hour to sew. The bias tape can be tricky. I must have bough a pack that was ironed weird becasue mine was hard to get it to keep straight. Just take your time!

And now it's time for some more HOPPIN JALAPENO recipes! Being I am from the Gulf Coast, you should have known some seafood was gonna sneak in SOMEWHERE right? Well, if you love fish and seafood, you'll love the addition of jalapeno peppers to your meals. Whether you're cooking up a flaky whitefish, a meaty swordfish filet, grilling up lobster or whipping up any seafood recipe combination, make sure you've got plenty of jalapeno peppers on hand. Today I am bringing you a wide variety of seafood splendor! Lobster, oysters, crab, shrimp, and scallops to tantalize your taste buds. Eat & Enjoy!



Lobster Tails in Jalapeno Marinade

This marinade does not overpower the distinctive flavor of the lobster tails, but brings a spicy tang that makes this meal different from any lobster tail you'll get in a restaurant. Gone are the days of lobster served solely with a stick of butter. We like to bring on the jalapeno spice.

Ingredients

2 five-ounce lobster tails, thawed
1 large jalapeno pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh dill

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Remove the shells from the lobster tails. Set tails aside.

In a food processor or blender, combine jalapeno, olive oil, garlic, dill, and Creole seasonings.

Process until smooth.

Coat lobster tails with jalapeno mixture and set on a baking dish.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until lobster tails are opaque and cooked through.

Serve!



Jalapenos Rockefeller

This recipe is quite fun for the adventurous seafood lover. You can probably use more jalapeno peppers and spread the mixture out a bit, or include more oysters for a meatier dish. Also, try a variation with crabmeat instead of oysters. The flavor is different, but certainly delicious and spicy!

Ingredients

12 jalapeno peppers, sliced lengthwise
12 oysters, off the shell, chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
2 cups bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs and seasonings.

Stir in eggs and chopped oysters. Mix well.

Stuff the jalapeno slices with your Rockefeller mixture.

Heat oven to 350 degrees, and bake on a sheet approximately 1 hour.

Serve warm.



Jalapeno Shrimp Bake

Ingredients

1 pound prawns, peeled and deveined
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped into rings
12 stalks asparagus
1 large orange, zested and sliced
1 teaspoon Cajun seasonings
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, add prawns, olive oil, Cajun seasonings, cinnamon, ground black pepper and half the orange zest. Toss to coat the shrimp.

To a medium sized baking dish, add in this order; asparagus, jalapeno slices, coated prawns, then top with about half of the orange slices.

Bake about 20 minutes, or until the prawns are cooked through – pink and opaque.

Transfer meal to 2 dishes. Top with remaining orange zest and orange slices.
Serve!



Jalapeno Crab Cakes

Ingredients

2 jalapeno peppers, diced
1 small onion, chopped
16 ounces cooked crab meat
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon spicy mustard
1 egg
½ teaspoon fresh parsley
1 teaspoon Creole seasonings
½ cup breadcrumbs
6 teaspoons parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Heat a sauté pan to medium and add 1 tablespoon butter with onion and jalapeno pepper

Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 3 minutes.

Add cream, mustard, 1 egg, parsley, chili powder, Creole seasoning and the breadcrumbs and mix well.

Fold in the crab meat.

Transfer crab mixture to a mixing bowl and allow to cool.

Form into 6 patties.

Press 1 teaspoon parmesan cheese onto the top of each patty.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Serve with your favorite seafood sauce.



Mini Jalapeno Scallop Kabobs

Ingredients

12 large scallops
2 large jalapeno peppers
1 tablespoon chili powder
Fresh garlic powder to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Light spray oil

Directions

Preheat grill to medium heat.

Slice each scallop in half lengthwise. Season scallops with chili powder and garlic, then salt and pepper to taste.

Slice each jalapeno pepper into long spears, 6 slices per pepper.

Using toothpicks as skewers, pierce one jalapeno spear between two scallop slices.
Repeat until you have 12 mini kabobs. Spray lightly with spray oil.

Grill about 6-8 minutes or until scallops are cooked throughout.

NOTE: Do not overcook as scallops can become tough. It is usually a good idea to cook over tinfoil so the scallops to not fall through the grate.

Well that's it folks. Its time for me to sign off and get some sewing or something done before the DN gets here LOL. Of course, I got some serious stiffness going on this morning, so I think a nice hot shower is in order first. Loosen up this old decrepid body LMAO! Who knows, maybe I will dye my hair this weekend too! Ok, you have a terrific end of the work week day and be safe out there in the concrete jungle! HUGS!

2 comments:

  1. Happy Friday the Thirteenth!! Are there any of you out there that are superstitious? Hey, pretty good garage sale find that guy in the article got. Me and DH watch Antiques Roadshow on PBS sometimes and you will see a bunch of people checking out their garage sale finds on there. Sometimes they have found them s treaasure, and sometimes the item is completely bogus. Those are the ones that are funny. The look on the persons face cracks me up. Those people get a rude awakening. " And how much do you think this item is worth Mrs. Smith?" Absolutely nothing!! Cracks me up everytime. LMAO
    Yummy!! Cupcakes. And I believe they are made with some of my fig jam aren't they? Hope you saved me one. Cupcakes are the perfect thing to eat when your in the mood for cake. Not to big, not to small. Just right. Maybe Goldilocks should have had a cupcake then she wouldn't have had to taste all that nasty porridge. LOL
    Now I can see where jalapenos might add some zestiness to seafood. That would be tasty. In fact, I could use some of those jalapenos on some salmon steaks or shrimp!! LOL Hint, hint Renee. I would have to use the peppers that were less spicy though. I dont like to eat anything that hurts to eat, and that includes peppers too hot to enjoy. But my DH loves jalapenos and I have even been eating some jalapeno peppers with the DH at dinner sometimes to add a little bite to our food.
    The two sons of ours went hunting the other day (disgusting but THEY love it) and me and DH get the duty of taking it to the butcher today. I hate thinking about it. Poor little piggy; all 200 pounds of him. LOL I suggested that since ferral pigs are leaner than what you get in the store, that the pig should be made into pan sausage and links. Hopefully the meat has been prepped enough so its not gamey tasting. We'll see.
    Hope everyones day is safe and watch out for those black cats, standing ladders, and dont break any mirrors. LOL Til next time.....

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  2. Wow super spicy seafood (HAHA I made a Renee-ism) sure looks delicious. I might run out and get me some. That cupcake looks heavenly. Oh what I wouldn't do for a scratch & sniff monitor HAHA. OMG your brothers killed a sweet little piggy? Makes me sad but I guess as long as they use it wisely, its not too bad.

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