Strawberry Short-Cupcakes

As I mentioned in a previous post, I joined the Raley's Try-It Program.  This is what came in the mail this time.  I was excited to try the new cake mix.  It is very yummy.  Lots of vanilla bean flecks throughout.

We have been on a strawberry kick at our house lately so I thought I would play a little.

I made the cupcakes as directed and baked in the cute spring liners that came in the kit.

I used my melon baller to scoop out little wells for some finely diced fresh strawberries.

 I have large 16 inch pastry bags so to help fill them, I use this cylinder vase to hold it while I fill.

 I made a fresh strawberry buttercream to frost them with.  I added a little too much fresh fruit and could not get an icing stiff enough to retain its shape but it tasted delicious.

And here's the inside.  A bite of fresh strawberries, vanilla cake and frosting all in one.  YUM YUM!

A little whipped cream would have been good instead of frosting too.

Here's the scoop

Our New Beginnings theme was Here's the Scoop.

 The refreshment table.  All things pink and brown.

 Rice Krispy treat cones.

 Our New Beehives

 Tissue paper arrangement.  I was going for an ice cream sundae look but turned out more like a flower.

Three of the great ladies I work with!

Deja Vu Quilt

After making Derek's college quilt, I had enough blocks leftover to make a lap quilt.

I decided that since it was a scrap quilt I would quilt it myself.  I really like this chevron fabric, but oh what a challenge to quilt.  Each row took about 15 min, with having to rotate the quilt every 1 1/2 inches.  

I was going to quilt on the blue stripe but the way the chevron met in the middle just made more sense for spacing to do the white.

I'm happy to have it done.  It's not my favorite mostly because I pulled my favorite block combinations for Derek's quilt and was left with my not favorites.  It will still be a great TV quilt.

Derek's College Quilt

Raley's Try It Program and Pizza

I joined Raley's Try It Program.  The first product I'm trying is the Top and Bake Pizza.  I received a 50% discount for the pizza and the toppings are free.  

The first thing I liked was the perforated bottom circle for moving the pizza to the oven.  

The toppings were generous.  Enough pepperoni to top the whole pizza and the peppers and onions were chopped in smaller chunks which I prefer over slices.  The mushroom slices were a little big so I just broke them up a little as I added them.

Bake 13-15 mins in a 375 degree oven and delicious pizza!