The Cupcake Conspiracy

It's new in town. Main level of the King George Building on 2nd ave.
Just two gals that love to make cupcakes.

"Keep your friends close and your cupcakes closer"

...and just up the street..

 

Just love old buildings.

It's alligator!

It had been another long week for both of us; early mornings at the gym before work, a long day and then home only to repeat again the next day. But it was 5 pm on Friday and I wanted to get hold of my sweetheart and see what the plan was.

He wasn't answering his work phone but after several tries I got hold of him on his cell as I was just leaving work,

"when do you think you will be able to pull yourself away?"

Well to my surprise he had left work already and was in the checkout at Coop ...

"just picking up some vegetables. I'll meet you at home"

As he often does, my guy was preparing a special evening for the two of us. By the time I got home, his beer was chillin and my martini glass was in the freezer - the martini in the fridge getting nice and cool.

What a nice reception.....

A perfect evening to sit out on the deck.

Nice vegys!

But what is this meat??

Alligator and sausage!

I have never tried alligator - just taken pictures of them. David picked it up at Summit meats on Central. What fun!

We relaxed on the deck, enjoying the warm weather. As David BBQ'd I took up my E 30 and did a walkabout the garden.

...the tiger lillies are running three weeks late.

Heliopsis will be full of yellow blooms soon...

Bleeding hearts are almost finished...

...the hosta's are incredible this year

The lilacs are late but I am enjoying the aroma

Can you see this mama sitting on her eggs? She made her nest in the tall cedar bush next to our house a few weeks ago and we have been keeping a close eye on her. I am sure she is regretting her choice of real estate.

Daisy's from ken - thanks Ken.

What a wonderful, relaxing Friday evening and the perfect end to a long week. God is good!

Alligator BTW tastes similar to pork or chicken. We likely won't buy it again - because pork and chicken are much less expensive. But it was fun t0 try it.

And here are a few picks from our sat am bike ride....

.... when I see a hot tub fly....

I guess moving a hot tub is an expensive proposition.

Relaxing weekend - loving the sun and weather.

Hope you have had a great weekend too. Aren't they just too short?

5 Min chocolate cake? For Real!!

I saw this recipe for chocolate cake cooked in a mug in the microwave on Kate's blog and thought...can this be so????! But Kate said it worked so.....I thought I will have to try it. 

And the very next day we had guests for supper. Can I call my daughtrs fiance a guest anymore? I make him set the table now!!! And our good friend Ken the bachelor who needs to be fed now and then...well okay Ken is not lacking in the food dept - just the HOMEMADE food dept. Seriously, Ken, you are just fun to have over!!

So, after a stop at Cosco for the first time in 10 years (except to get my new glasses which is why I renewed my membership) I came home with $349 worth of stuff - BIG stuff. Dear husband reminded me of why I did not renew my membership 10 years ago. A whole other Blog item!!

I digress!

You would think I would have thought of something for dessert but the bulk buying kind of distracted me. 

Dinner was delicious.....fabulous!

After supper the guys settle in for a little hockey (the sit on the couch kind), but dear husband was craving something sweet (and not his wife at this particular moment)

 

He discovers that the chocolate covered almonds secretly stashed are gone from the bottom drawer of the dining room buffet - my fault! Dear daughter points out his upset mood at this discovery which really means "MOM where did the choc covered almonds go?" 

Some hiding place eh? The whole world now knows where they are - or were. 

So I get on the computer and download this recipe from Kates blog. 

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour 
4 tablespoons sugar 
2 tablespoons cocoa 
1 egg 
3 tablespoons milk 
3 tablespoons oil 
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) 
A small splash of vanilla extract 
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night! 

Wonderful with vanilla ice Cream! The recipe is now in the kitchen basket of fav's! 

I followed it to the "T" - okay I added a little more chocolate chips - because!

And no, I did not eat the chocolate covered almonds -  I have a dress to fit into in three weeks remember? The chocolate covered almonds are, as I type, on a greyhound bus on their way to Thompson, Manitoba because what mother sends a package to her son and doesn't include some chocolate treats!!! I mean really!

The rest of the family will just have to get over it....and the chocolate in a mug I think softened the blow!

This is a must try treat. 

And you MUST let me know if you try it!!

Blessings to y'all!

Recent adventures and places we visited.

I slept in today - so, sorry for not keeping my promise to blog first thing this morning. I love you guys , but hey I don't often get to sleep in and actually feel like sleeping in. No sooner was I out of bed and we were off on an hour and 30 minute walk - okay - we stopped after 45 min for coffee and muffins and then continued. Come on we're in our fifties! Too windy for the bikes - wind and up hills are not really appreciated by us.

I haven't slept in for ....years? Yup didn't get out of bed until 8:45am this morning. Probably because I did something I never do - stayed up until almost midnight last night watching "Matilda" with Allison and Sammy - very cute movie. The young and in love didn't seem to mind Mom hanging out with them in the family room. No popcorn though!




Last Saturday was David's birthday and , well the only picture I have of him is of him putting the bikes back on the bicycle rack.

Yes we bought a bicycle rack for the car because we were getting a tad bored of the sites that were within a 40 min bicycle ride of our home. So we decided this would make our bike riding so much more exciting.

Okay the Victoria St bridge is not all that exciting but it is pretty and old and I am sure it holds lots of stories...we just don't know them.












It was a perfect morning for a bike ride - although a short one - I had to get to work at noon at JSI. But the sun was shining and not too warm. We checked out a few bridges and Broadway before heading home.







I like the glimpse of the Bess under the bridge here.

























Two weeks ago we went for a walk with the camera. I have been working on preparing unique backgrounds for some PowerPoint slides for hymns at church.

You got to love a husband who will carry your camera bag AND stand there on a busy corner smiling at the curious onlookers while his wife lies on the lawn of the church on the corner in various weird positions to take photos from every angle possible.

The sky was perfect that evening and I got the shot I wanted.




Then on the way home I got this sun set. There have been several good sunsets of late. The skies have been rich with colour.













As well as the bike ride and work last Saturday David and got all gussied up to celebrate his birthday. We had a date at Truffle's Bistro and Pattisserie.

So pleased to find that Saskatoon has some incredible chefs! I do hope they stay! Cause we are a steak and potato kind of province.
If you live in the Saskatoon area Truffle's is a place to visit, often.

The portions by Saskatchewan standards (which I have issue with - steak and potato?) are certainly sufficient. Many might feel for the price they are too small. But it is not about a plate heaped with potatoes - it is about cuisine, quality, freshness and presentation. If you are looking to fill your belly for $20, this is not the place for you - try the all you can eat buffets. If however you want to taste true Saskatchewan fare, exquisitely prepared then check out Truffles.

I knew the meals were going to be a spectacular presentation.....so I brought the camera and had the macro lens ready to go.... but to not disturb anyone, I did not use a flash. And as much as we enjoyed the romantic lighting, it made for a very slow shutter speed and some color casts.

Smoked salmon appetizer. I don't think this is Saskatchewan fare...but everything else was. :)

I had the Northern Pike with wild Saskatchewan mushrooms
and wonderfully done fresh organic vegetables.
The fish was done perfectly - tender as can be but cooked through.


Saskatchewan wild rice.

What can I say - this disappeared in seconds. For dessert, we shared a piece of Japonaise torte-
Jorge our waiter recommended it - delectable.

A nice light white wine I would recommend - very smooth...amazing how a whole bottle can just disappear over wonderful food and your lover across the table from you....
Villa Teresa: (Organic) Pinot Grigio, Italy 2006



We will be back for our anniversary in October...if not sooner.

Let me know if you have eaten at Truffles....