St. Patrick’s Green Velvet Cupcakes

Green through and through--these cakes really are velvety and scrumptious. Have your kids decorate the tops for St. Patrick's Day with shamrocks made out of gumdrops and green licorice strings. Makes 12.
       Ingredients
       Cupcakes
       3/4 cup vegetable oil
       3/4 cup granulated sugar
       1 egg
       2 tsp. white vinegar
       1 tsp. vanilla
       1/2 tsp. liquid green food coloring
       1 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour
       1/2 tsp. baking soda (measure carefully)
       1 container lime yogurt
       Icing
       1/2 cup butter, softened
       2 cups icing (powdered) sugar
       1 tsp. vanilla
       1 tbsp. milk or cream
       1 tbsp. lime juice (or 1 tsp. dry lime Kool-Aid)
       green food coloring
       Cooking Instructions
       Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place 12 paper liners into the cups of  one muffin pan. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the oil, sugar, egg, vinegar, vanilla and green food coloring until combined. In a smaller bowl, stir together the flour and baking soda. Add to the egg mixture, in two or three additions alternately with the yogurt, beating well after each. Spoon the batter into the 12 paper liners, dividing the batter evenly among them. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from pan and let cool thoroughly. Meanwhile, make the icing. In a medium bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add the icing sugar gradually, in 3 or 4 additions, beating very well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Add the milk or cream and juice, 1 tbsp. at a time, beating well, until the icing is creamy and spreadable -- the more you beat this, the better it will be. Add the food coloring, beating it in gradually until the icing is tinted the way you like it. NOTE: For a 13-inch by 9-inch pan, double the recipe.

Bargain Shopping

Ok, I am guilty of bargain shopping at Target, even when I don't have much
time. I really like to pick up my shampoos, body washes, ect, when they are
cleared out under 2 bucks--especially when I have coupons to put them under
a buck.

Today I ran into to pick up a few things for Sorina's birthday cupcakes and
I wheeled by the "bargains." I bought some shampoo and conditioner (I guess
I will check to make sure that's really what I bought.) and them some mousse
for my hair. Well, they were a great deal at $1.54. I showered in a hurry
this afternoon so we could leave for the Sorina's party. I was putting the
"mousse" in my hair thinking, wow, this is really cheap mousse, I was ripped
off. Then I read the label. Apparently Oil of Olay does not make mousse for
your hair, but body lotion mousse. I am hoping my hair turns out better
when it dries, as I do not have time get it out. Who knows maybe I have new
beauty regiment. :)

Kimberly

LOL! You are too funny!!! I LOVE the Target clearance too. I'll have to
watch for the "hair mousse" when I go. My hair feels a little dry, it could
do with a little moisturizing..... 
Amy G.

Matthew's Baptism‏

Matthew's Baptism‏
3/10/09

OK, so now all of you know that I cheat when I send family emails. I usually just "reply to all" from one of Mom's but change the subject and erase the original email so I don't have to look up all the addresses. This is how the email is supposed to look.

I had hoped to prepare formal invitations/announcements for Matthew's baptism, but have not been able to do so. Matthew has decided to be baptized and it was scheduled by the stake for March 28 at 10:00 am at our stake center on the corner of 700 North and 600 East. We know that most of you cannot attend because of either location, vacation, or vocation, but please understand that our thoughts will be with you that day and we know that you support us in this event.

We will have a lunch afterward at our house. The girls and I will have to zip back to Spanish Fork because they have a dance competition that day, and we have the YW broadcast that Alyssa and I have tickets for (and hope to be able to leave for at 4:30). So you will not need to plan a lot of time for the event.

Matthew cut his hair in math class yesterday for the event, and we are hopeful that it will be recovered by his baptism. He woke up this morning and told me it had grown overnight so it was going to be OK. But last night, after I picked him up from the babysitter's, he finally got to see it. He laid on the floor and cried that he looked like a "dork" and kept begging me, "Can't you just homeschool me?" He is a funny, funny boy. And to think that the worst thing I did in math class was talk too much. Who knew that it was a good time to do a little (or a lot) of personal grooming? I asked him what he did with the hair and he said that he just lightly scooted it onto the floor. I guess that was some pretty hairy math. I asked him what his classmates did and he said they just looked at him. (I'm sure they were a little stunned, or it was the freak-show effect where they couldn't believe it but they couldn't look away either.) I don't even know what the teacher was doing or how she explained to the janitor large chunks of blonde hair on the floor, particularly since she is has auburn hair.

Love, AnnMarie

Myrna wrote:

Dad says that is how you learn consequences. I say, HA! Some kids just don't need scissors as part of their growing up years. Did you say he was going to have a Butch for his baptism?

I didn't ever cut my hair, just my clothes, and that was by accident. I would hold my paper doll clothes on my lap and cut. I lost a beautiful skirt that way. I do think, however, that once I could not comb down Garth's cowlick so I cut it off. Maybe I just dreamed that. (I hope!)

From: Melanie

Being the mother of a self-proclaimed beautician, school can be such an enlightening place. I love the part about homeschooling. I think there were a few times where Siovhan would have liked that option, after giving herself a makeover.

We love you AnnMarie. What a good sense of humor you have!

Mel

Ann, I found your brother's obituary

I am so sorry. I completely missed this. You said that you still missed him and I can see why. I miss those so close in age to me from my family who have gone on ahead, as well.

David Larry Francom 1943 ~ 2008 David L. Francom, 65, passed away on Sept. 27, 2008. Dave was born May 16, 1943 to Gordon and Reva Francom in Payson, UT. Dave spent most of his childhood in American Fork and graduated from American Fork High School in 1961. He married his sweetheart, Dee Ann Roberts on August 5, 1966 in the Logan Temple.

Dave was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. Dave had a passion for genealogy and was a successful entrepreneur and consultant in the construction industry. He served an LDS mission in Northern California and later served in the Army National Guard.

Dave is survived by his wife, Dee Ann, and six children: Holli (Barry) VanOrden, Jeff (Valerie), Mike, Scott, Jodi (Cheston) Kiser, Matt (Brittany); brothers Don (Julie), Duane (Sally); sister Ann Olsen; 16 grandchildren and loving aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the Mt. Mahogany 1st Ward, 1541 N. 1300 W., Pleasant Grove. A viewing will be held Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 E. 100 N., American Fork and from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service at the church. Condolences may be sent online to andersonmortuary.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Church Mission Fund.

Published in Deseret News on September 30, 2008

Kool-Aid

Look up the history of Kool-Aid which got its start right in Hastings, Nebraska. This internationally known soft-drink mix, now owned by Kraft Foods, actually started out as a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack. Edwin Perkins, who later married Kitty Shoemaker, was the inventor. Shipping the liquid in bottles proved to be costly and breakage was a problem as well. In 1927, Perkins developed a method of removing the liquid from Fruit Smack so the remaining powder could be re-packaged in envelopes (which Perkins designed and printed) under a new name to be called Kool-Ade. (He later changed the spelling to Kool-Aid.)


Ann Olsen wrote: Very interesting!  My little brother & I used to love licking the Kool-Aid power and of course making a mess with it!  Funny how some of the little things we did as children that brought us "happiness"  are now very special memories (most likely because since David passed away in the fall, I often have melancholy and happy moments when I think of him).

Is spring "springing" yet in Nephi?

Best, Ann

Myrna wrote: We are having a snow storm. A big and cold snow storm. It looks like December outside.
I miss my cousin who died with cancer a couple of years ago. His brother is fighting cancer now. There were three boy cousins that were more like brothers than cousins. We made a mess with the Kool-Aid powder also. Wasn't that fun? Maybe we should try it again. I wonder if my mouth would still be orange on the outside for days? Remember how it wouldn't wash off?


Myrna wrote: Wow, you have had a long, cold winter!  The thought of it makes me shiver! 

That is sad about your cousins.  Hope he is getting tender, loving care with his medical professionals and that he is surrounded by his loving family to comfort him. 

Oh, the good ole days -- what fun we had!  Yes, I remember the stained skin!  Of course, I loved cherry, grape, and orange-- the brighter, the better-- and harder to wear off! 

I think we should try it again!  Until then, stay snug and warm and make lots of hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top!

     Ann


Myrna wrote: When I was in high school one of the popular things to say, during a lull in conversation was:"That's life. What's life?Life is a magazine.Where do you get it?At the corner drug store.How much does it cost?Fifty cents.I don't have that much.That's life.What's life."This smart ditty was repeated ad nauseaum or until someone said: "That's enough of life." I wonder if that is why the magazine went out of print in my lifetime?

Another neat thing we used to do was buy packages of Kool-Aid for a nickel. We would then lick the dry Kool-Aid from our hands, a bit at a time. It made a wonderful mess of our faces and we couldn't wash it off very easily (Who am I kidding? We couldn't wash it off for days.) but it was really, really good. Jell-O was also good for eating from the package. You had to be careful of that one, however. One time Frankie Ruzzuto and his siblings brought out a permanent wave of their mother's. We all thought, including them, that it was orange Jell-O. We ate it and had to go to the doctor--Garth, David and I. Great fun--eat poison administered by a friend. The only saving grace was that they had to go to the doctor also--there were three of them also. I understand that Frankie ended up being a brain and making a name for himself. I looked him up on white pages once but there were three Frank Ruzzutos. One was in Nebraska, one in New Jersey and one in New York. So much for that. I had no intention of contacting him, at any rate, but I was curious.

We talked about the Kool-Aid but do you relate to some of the rest?

Ann wrote: Yes -- but thankfully no ingestion of permanent wave mix!  

2009 vacation itinerary (FINAL)‏

AnnMarie wrote:

Mom,
Brandon has started planning this trip in July.  It is the only time he can make it work with his schedule.  I am not sure if it will work for me, but he has become obsessed with it (meaning that he really feels that he is being inspired to plan this).  You and Dad are welcome to come with.  I know it is when Todd and Amy are here, that is a big problem.  I already told that to Brandon.  He has asked me to forward it to you to see if you want to try.  Please don't feel any pressure to go.

AnnMarie 

Thu Jul 16 – Fly from SLC to Buffalo, pick up rental car, go to Niagara Falls – 28 mi, 38 min

Drive to Palmyra – 108 mi, 1 hr 57 min

Go to pageant?

Stay in Palmyra area

Fri Jul 17 – Go to Palmyra temple (315-597-6001) Endowment arrive 8:30 am, Baptisms arrive 10:30 am           

See Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, other sites, go to pageant

            Stay in Palmyra area

Sat Jul 18 – Finish sites in Palmyra

            Drive to Kirtland – 262 mi, 4 hrs 23 min

            Stay in Kirtland area

Sun Jul 19 – attend church in Kirtland, see sites in Kirtland, begin to drive to Nauvoo

            Drive to South Bend, IN – 279 mi, 4 hrs 28 min

            Stay in South Bend, IN

Mon Jul 20 – go to Notre Dame, Drive to Nauvoo, IL – 336 mi, 5 hrs 49 min

Go to Carthage Jail, see sites in Nauvoo

            Stay in Nauvoo area

Tue Jul 21 – Go to Temple (217-453-6252) – arrive 8:00 am baptisms

            Go to pageant

            Stay in Nauvoo area

Wed Jul 22 – Go to Temple (217-453-6252) – arrive 7:30 am endowment session

            Finish sites in Nauvoo

            Stay in Nauvoo area

Thu Jul 23 – Drive to Independence, MO – 260 mi, 4 hrs 51 min

Visit Liberty Jail, Visitors’ Center, Far West

Stay in Independence area

Fri Jul 24 – Drive to Omaha, NE – 195 mi, 2 hrs 59 min

Visit sites in Omaha – Mormon Trail Center, Kanesville Tabernacle

Go to Winter Quarters temple (402-453-3406) Fri. 10, 12, 2, 4, 6, 7:30

Stay in Omaha area

Sat Jul 25 – Go to Winter Quarters temple (402-453-3406) Sat. 8, 10, 12, 2, 4, 6, 7:30

Fly home out of Omaha airport

Nauvoo Pageant – no tickets required, July 7 to Aug 1, Tues-Sat, Pre-show at 7, pageant at 8:45

Hill Cumorah Pageant – no tickets required, July 10, 11, 14-18 – starts at 9:15 pm

Northwest Airlines - $438/person (LV SLC 7:10 am, AR BUF 2:40 pm; LV OMA 5:25 pm, AR SLC 6:54 pm)

Southwest Airlines - $250+$145/person (LV SLC 8:55 pm, AR BUF 3:55 pm; LV OMA 4:45 pm, AR SLC 8:25 pm)

Avis Van Rental - $1,400

Target Bargain Shopping and Kimberly

Kimberly wrote: Ok, I am guilty of bargain shopping at Target, even when I don't have much time. I really like to pick up my shampoos, body washes, ect, when they are cleared out under 2 bucks--especially when I have coupons to put them under
a buck.

Today I ran into to pick up a few things for Sorina's birthday cupcakes and I wheeled by the "bargains." I bought some shampoo and conditioner (I guess I will check to make sure that's really what I bought.) and them some mousse for my hair. Well, they were a great deal at $1.54. I showered in a hurry this afternoon so we could leave for the Sorina's party. I was putting the "mousse" in my hair thinking, wow, this is really cheap mousse, I was ripped off. Then I read the label. Apparently Oil of Olay does not make mousse for your hair, but body lotion mousse. I am hoping my hair turns out better when it dries, as I do not have time get it out. Who knows maybe I have new
beauty regiment. :)

Kimberly