Tryouts take two

Alright. So kid was all set to tryout with the Stampedes today. (13u, Chest. AA Gold league) But we skipped that as we are still not sure if 12u or 13u would be a good fit.

So we hit the drawing board again, and started fresh calling 12u teams. We seem to be having a tad bit better luck with this bracket.

Well we did end up in Fenton with the STL Bulldogs. Found them on the Kirk website. (11u/12u) Was at that tryout from 3:30-7:00pm. Kid is invited back for another workout on Thursday 7/26.

So we will see how that goes.

I really hope he finds a team that a) wants him. b) is a good fit. and finally 3) is within a cost we can afford. :-)

Ball one ... Strike two

First time trying out for a Select Baseball team. Not sure it went all that well, but now at least kid knows what to expect. We should hear in a little while if kid was selected or not for the team.

This team plays out of C.F. Team name is MO Bulletz.

Happy Independence Day!!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL & SAFE DAY!!

We stayed home this year. Usually we go to a big display in our city. But the weather was acting up so much we decided to stay in. We BBQ and hung out here with just the 3 of us. We did go to a lil fireworks stand and bought a few things. So after dark, we let the kid set them off. He seemed like he really had a nice time.

Last KE

Today was DH last day at his current job "KEL". He will be moving to a new company as of Monday.

Another school year

I just can not believe another school year is about to wind down. Where does the time go? Where did my baby go? Seems like I just *blinked* and he was grown. You would think with each passing school year it would get easier as they come to an end. But it is just as hard to see 6th grade come to an end, as it was to see Kindergarten come and go.

So ...

yet another school year.

Two Recipes for RED VELVET CUPCAKES

TORI SPELLING'S RED VELVET CUPCAKE RECIPE
CUPCAKES:
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon white vinegar

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1 (8oz) package cream cheese
1/2 cup unsalted butter1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

MAKE CUPCAKES:
--pre heat oven to 350
--grease 12 cupcake cups or line with paper liners
--cream softened butter and sugar together till fluffy
--add eggs and blend well
--in seperate small bowl combine cocoa and food coloring and stir. Once you have thick paste then add to mixture.
--sift salt and flour together into mixture
--add vanilla, buttermilk, and water to mixture
--in seperate small bowl combine vinegar and baking soda. Fold into cake mixture
--pour mixture into cupcake cups.
--bake 15 to 20 minutes or until a wood toothpick inserted into middle of cupcake comes out clean.
--let cool for 10 minutes. Then turn out onto rack and let finish cooling.

MAKE FROSTING:
--blend together cream cheese softened and butter softened.
--add powder sugar and vanilla extract
--blend till smooth

FROST CUPCAKES!
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Kelly Ripa's Red Velvet Cupcakes & Cream Cheese Frosting
RED VELVET CUPCAKES

Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1/2 C. sugar2 eggs
1 C. buttermilk
¼ cup strawberry juice (see below)
2 T. cocoa
1 t. vanilla
1 T. vinegar
1 t. soda (sifted)
2 1/2 C. cake flour
1 t. salt
2 Tb red food coloring (optional, instead of strawberry juice)

Directions:
Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Add strawberry juice and cocoa. Add salt to flour and sift. Add flour and buttermilk alternately, mix well. Add vanilla, mix well. Add soda and vinegar and don't beat, just blend. Bake in 8 cupcake tins about 20 minutes at 350. For the strawberry juice: cook a pint of strawberries with ½ cup sugar and juice of ½ a lemon. Let cool. Strain. If the juice is very liquidy, reduce over medium heat to obtain a syrup consistency. OR use food coloring

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 box of confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
In bowl of electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter, on low speed, until very smooth with no lumps. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat, on low speed, until fully incorporated and smooth.