Memoirs of a Peacock

8.13.2012

Primm, NV

Sadly we had to stop in Primm for one night, but we made the most of it.

The boys rode the roller coaster and The Wee P went swimming.

We also got to look at the original Bonnie and Clyde car, along with other personal artifacts.

Their hair after the ride cracks me up.

8.02.2012

Ooh la la, the Pink Champagne cupcake.

I made these as a surprise for my supervisor who got a promotion. She loves all things pink and since we can't have liquor in the office, I snuck it in via cupcake.

Things you'll need-

Cupcakes:
1 box Betty Crocker white cake mix
1 1/4 cups pink champagne
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites
4 pink food coloring (or red)

Alright, here we go:
Pre-heat the oven to 350 - In large bowl, mix cake mix & champagne - Add in the oil, egg whites & food color (if you want it something other then white). – Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes - Spoon batter evenly among 24 cupcake liners – Baker for 17 – 21 minutes.

Frosting:
3 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 T pink champagne (no more then 4)
1/8 -1/4 flavored extract (to taste) Optional*
Pink food coloring to your desired color

Beat the butter until it’s creamy - On low speed; add the powdered sugar until well blended - Add the champagne & extract – Turn mixer on high and blend for 4 minutes – load into a pastry bag & pipe on to cooled cupcakes.

I filled my cupcakes with a vanilla mousse. You can leave them plain or do a pudding mix. I love the mousse because it’s airy and lighter than a pudding mix.

Now once your cupcakes are down you can now finish the champagne!

Frosting can be lighter or darker.

Remember to put the tops back on

Top off with candy pearls

Family vacay time!!

After lots of procrastination on my part and not being to decide where we wanted to go, we finally agreed on San Diego. We usually go one or twice a year to San Diego and wanted to do something different this year but the places we were thinking about such as Yellowstone and Yosemite didn't have any cabins available. We will be booking Yellowstone in the next couple of months for a 2013 trip.

We are staying a week in Cali at the Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa. I'm really excited to spend the time with my family. Just relaxing, sitting by the beach and going to Balboa Park.

The resort has it's only private beach and rent out sail boats, water bikes, cruiser bikes, snorkel equipment and jet skis. They also have fire pits all along the beach and they will provide the items to make s'mores.

I'm so lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to go on vacation with my awesome family. I'm very thankfully everyday for everyone and everything I have in my life.

The resort

The pool

One of the resturants

We got a Villa. Off each one has a bay front view & private firepit

We are renting the 4 person bike cart

8.01.2012

Driving Mr Oskie

Our kitty Oskar is pretty much a dog. He comes when you whistle for him, he carries his toys around in his mouth, he likes to go for car rides and he has bad doggie farts.

This was him 2 weeks ago on his way to the vet.

He knows when we are pulling into our neighborhood.

He's just adorable!!

I love my kitty Oskar!

A petting zoo...where?

My friend Adams told me that there was a petting zoo in Scipio, Utah that had alpacas. I have to say I doubted her when she also said it was at the Flying J gas station.

We have driven by Scipio sooooooo many times when going out of town to visit family, Las Vegas and California. I never knew this hidden treasure existed!!

ON the way home we stopped and I couldn't wait to see the alpacas. (remember I just loooove alpacas!) Anyways, to my surprise pulling in we saw lots of different animals, however the bad news was they were closed. We still walked around the outside to get some pictures and I did get to feed the donkeys. So it was still a successful visit.