Wordless Wednesday: Sweet Ingrid Faces

Springtime: Part II

I feel like such a Minnesotan talking about our recent warm weather.  But when you are a stay at home mom trapped inside for the long winter months, spring time is a big deal!  I can't wait to go to the park this year and watch Ingrid run around and play with the other kids.  Yesterday, after lunch, we headed outside to walk around and explore....

Ingrid is usually an adrenalin junky, but she was very skeptical of the cars....which makes her mama happy!

I just can't get over her cuteness....she walked around with her hands up like a little princess who couldn't bare the thought of getting dirty....

I am so blessed!

Wall Paper

Have you ever tried to take down 20 year old wall paper?  For your sake, I hope not!  Here is a "work-in-progress" shot of our past week.  We were able to use my cousin's wall paper steamer, which by the way-is the ONLY way to go.  It looks like whoever put this wall paper up was trying to cover up an equally as ugly color of paint.  We have our work cut out for us!

Wordless Wednesday: Play dates with Ingrid's BFF's.

I was messing with the settings on my camera, so these top two photos of the kid's came out pixelated.

Hints of Spring...

If you're from Minnesota, then you probably agree with me that 39 degree's means springtime, rain boots, and morning/afternoon/evening walks (because we can't get outside ENOUGH).  We had a little family walk after dinner last night, and though it was short lived, it was amazing to get outside and just move!  It wasn't quite 40 degree's, so when the wind hit, it was still a little chilly for Ingrid.  Actually, I don't think she gave a rat's tushy, I just didn't want her to get too cold (since it's next to impossible to get her to leave her mittens and hat on!).  It was so cute (and sad), as soon as we turned around to go home, she just cried!  She loves being outside.  I can not wait until the snow melts and I can run around outside with her.  I've been looking everywhere for size 4 rain boots, and have yet to find any....so maybe a Sal. Army trip is in order.....Here are some photo's that my husband took of me, Ingrid, and my mama.  Now affectionately known as "Kee-Kee" (Yes, that is kitty, and she is known as Kitty to Ingrid...."you know what they say about chips..")

Lemon Raspberry Cupakes

This recipe is too good not to share.  Lemon cupcakes with a Raspberry filling.  Let me be more specific.  Lemon cupcakes (made with squash) with a raspberry (made with beets) filling.  In the words of Gob Bluth, "C'MON!!!"  You would never think it!!  As if I haven't talked about Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook enough......but seriously-these are delectable.  Here is the recipe....

FILLING
* 1/4 cup frozen raspberries, thawed
* 2 Tablespoons beet puree (I used canned beets, drained, and pureed)
* 2 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar
* 1 Tablespoon butter

BATTER

* 1 cup granulated sugar
*1/2 cup nonfat milk
* 1/2 cup yellow squash puree (I cheat and use baby food)
* 1/3 canola oil
* 2 large egg whites
* 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract
* 2 cups all purpose flour
* 2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt

FROSTING
* 1 8oz package cream cheese
* 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
* 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract

DIRECTIONS
1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degree.  Coat a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line with paper baking cups.

2.  For the filling, puree the raspberries, beet puree, sugar, and butter in a blender or food processor; set aside

3.  For the batter, beat the sugar in a large bowl with the milk, squash puree, oil, egg whites, lemon juice, and lemon extract until smooth.  Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, then mix until incorporated.

4.  Using about half the batter, fill each muffin cup 1/3 full.  Dot each with raspberry filling, then cover with the rest of the batter.

5.  Bake until tops of cupakes are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.  Let cool.

6.  For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and lemon extract.  Spread the frosting over the cool cupcakes.

a few things crocheted....

I finished these items a few weeks ago, but I am finally getting around to posting them.  I got the idea of this newborn onesie and sweater shell from Bobbi, and here is the onesie pattern I used.  These items were a little outside of my comfort zone, but I think they turned out pretty cute...and with the abundance of pregnant women I know right now, I shouldn't have any problem finding someone to give them to!

Now on a side note.....it's supposed to be in the mid 40's today...who's up for a WALK!?!?!