::Lemon Cookies::

I came across this recipe on the Betty Croker website. I needed something quick and easy that wouldn't heat up my kitchen too much for a pot luck BBQ. These were perfect. Completely refreshing and not heavy at all. Even the kids went crazy for them. They were the first desert to disappear from the table!

::Ingredients::

1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist lemon cake mix

1/3 cup shortening (I used Crisco Vegetable)

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

1 container lemon frosting*

::Directions::

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In large bowl, beat cake mix, shortening, butter and egg on medium speed about 2 minutes or until blended.

2. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, dropped by rounded tablespoons, 2 inches apart. (You know I used a 1 Tbsp. cookie scoop.)

3. Bake 9-12 minutes or until lightly brown around edges. Cool 1 minute, remove from cookie sheet; cool completely. Frost with frosting. Store covered.

According to the website, you can also roll the dough out by separating the dough into 4 equal parts, roll each part 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface with cloth-covered rolling pin. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes or until light brown around edges.

*I couldn't find Betty Crocker lemon frosting. So, I used a Pilsbury lemon frosting in a can. Here's the tip...I don't ever use the frosting straight from the container. I empty all of contents into a bowl and whip it with a hand mixer (or Kitchenaid for more than 2 cans) and beat it until I like the look. I do this especially before piping onto cupcakes for that "homemade" look.

::Snow Cone Syrup::

Around here, we LOVE snow cones. As soon as the weather gets warm enough, we bust out our little snow making machine. Let's just say it's a good thing our freezer is equipped with an ice machine. We'd be going through bags of expensive ice if not. This is part of my summer budget saver...

You can use any simple syrup you favor, I personally like a 2:1 ratio.

2 cups regular sugar

1 cup water

1 packet of powdered soft drink mix (Kool-Aid) - You can use any flavor, even store brands & sugar-free work great. I especially LOVE to use the Kool-Aid Invisible flavors.

Bring sugar and water to a boil in a sauce pan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to be sure your sugar doesn't stick anywhere in the pan and burn. Once your mixture reaches a boil, immediately remove from heat. Stir in the packet of Kool-Aid (it can look a little chunky, but just keep stirring! Sometimes, a whisk is a better tool). I like to let my sugar/water come to a slight boil and sprinkle the drink mix over the top (like blooming gelatin) and I've never had more than 2 or 3 little lumps to work out...

This is the syrup after it's boiled; notice it's not really gooey thick, but coats a spoon.

Allow to cool almost completely and store in a squeeze bottle for easy dispensing. I like to use clear bottles that are usually used to hold condiments like mustard, ketchup, or oils/vinegars. You can use recycled bottles. I've read from a few blogs that people are using water bottles with the sports top, whatever works for you, I guess.

Pouring into the container - I feel like the pan might still be too hot, so I poured the syrup into a glass measuring cup first.

I love doing this, I almost always have everything needed and costs less than 30 cents to make; compared to roughly $3 a bottle for the pre-made stuff, this is a STEAL!!

Our finished product, the light in our kitchen is HORRIBLE, especially at night - SORRY.

This is sure to bring lots of smiles to you and your kiddos. I do not encourage allowing your child(ren) to help with the actually making of the syrup as boiling sugar is VERY hot!! I try to make mine while McKayla is involved with an activity or has gone to bed. Trust me, it's worth spending a little extra time in the kitchen at night or early in the morning to avoid the temptation while waiting for the syrup to cool enough to be used over shaved ice. I really love this idea for carnivals or kids' parties. They are great to keep around and you can't beat the price! You can purchase bottles similar to the ones I use at dollar stores - usually they're 2 for $1, unfortunetly, it can be hard to find clear and are usually packaged together one red and one yellow. I've found the clear ones, like mine at Wal-Mart for 97 cents. If using for a party, you can always add custom labels. I cut the part of the wrapper that specifies the flavor and tape it to the bottle. Since I use these for different flavors every time, I try not to do anything that will stay there permanently.

Enjoy!

Birthday Party Help!!

Ok...let's start out by saying, I do know that I still have about four months before it's my daughter's birthday, but I like to be prepared. As you can tell from my serious lack of posts, working full time, going to school, and being a single mommy doesn't really leave all that much time for little things. Trust me, blogging is great and seriously can be relaxing. Anyway...on to the party stuff.

Her Chosen Theme:
For any of you that are unfamiliar with this book, here is the basis: A girl makes pink cupcakes with her mom one afternoon and keeps eating them and eating them until suddenly she actually TURNS pink! Her hair and everything. Her mom takes her to the doctor and he says that the only way she can return to normal is to avoid eating anything pink and counteracting the effects by eating lots of green stuff. It's a really cute book and has become a serious favorite. I picked it up from a Scholastic book order McKayla's pre-school had. Why not, if I remember right, it was listed for either 99¢ or $1.99. Killer deal if you ask me.

So, for her party...we're looking for any fun ideas to use with a pink/green theme and of course, cupcakes!!
Usually, I can hold my own with the creativity aspect and coming up with fun and festive things for the kids and adults to enjoy. This year...we're struggling. Even my serious adoration for cupcakes isn't bringing out anything. Now you understand why I'm buying things now? With Valentine's Day and Easter, there is pink everywhere! I've been hitting a few clearance aisles and browsing for anything that might spark some hint of "must have".

Here is what we've come up with:

I'm using the above pan to make a GIANT cupcake as the "main" blow-out-the-candles cake. I've decided to cover it using marshmallow fondant, so it will at least taste good. Then, I'll be making a few different types of cupcakes and using cupcake tiers/trees to display them. I'm considering leaving a few unfrosted to frost during the party and let the kids decorate them themselves. If that doesn't work out so well...maybe we'll still have the decorated cupcakes and an ice cream bar? I'm not so sure. Anyway...I NEED ideas. Please Please Please! Let me know if you have any ideas for fun games or activities, decorations, etc. I haven't even decided how to make invites, so even ideas there are helpful! Thanks in advance!! I will post any ideas or crafty things I do make related to her birthday...including pictures since I finally got a new camera!