Busy bee

It's been a while since I updated last, I felt like I needed to let you recover from that cupcake recipe. MMM.  Moving on...

I ran my first 5k this weekend! I know this might not be a big deal to anyone, but it is to me!  I really don't enjoy running...maybe it's the swimmer inside of me that is used to non-load bearing exercise, but whatever it is, I pretty much have never liked running.  I still don't.  Well, I have some friends who work for the UT Autism Project, and they had organized a 5k to benefit it.  Since 1) I needed to get my butt into shape, and 2) my money was going towards a cause i'm passionate for, I signed up...with only two weeks left before the actual race (oh yeah, and have I mentioned that I don't ever run?). Oops.  So with only a couple of "training" runs in, I somehow completed my first 5k.  This was only made possible by God for not letting me die, and by my friend Tiffany for doing the whole thing right next to me even though she's an experienced runner and could have lapped me.  My hips and hamstrings have been in pain, but I hope I can make myself spontaneously sign up for another one someday...(maybe next time a little more prepared though).



Tiffany and I at the end...I can't believe how normal she looks after running 3 miles.  Makes me sick ;)



The evening after the 5k was my friend Erin's bachelorette party.  We did dinner, drinks, presents, and karaoke! Perfect night.

The bride-to-be



Making a fool out of myself



Beautiful ladies



In my own wedding department, David and I took our engagement pictures! I 'm SO pumped to see how they're going to turn out.  We also mailed the invitations and booked the rehearsal dinner.  I'm on a roll...with a million more things to get done.  Less than 2 months now :)

After I finish my awful research paper, there are exciting things in store for the upcoming weekend too: my sister coming to town, bridal portraits (as long as it doesn't rain), tiff's wedding shower, my own wedding shower, and the one i'm most excited about is GOING TO THE PHOENIX CONCERT!!!  Can't wait, I might die of happiness.

As promised...

I'm a woman of my word, and this post is dedicated to sharing a delicious cupcake recipe.   But for those of you wondering,  we received all good news concerning David's health: NO CANCER!  God is the ultimate healer, and David and I definitely felt the outpouring of prayers from all of you.  Rejoice!  And now onto something yummy:  Strawberry & Mascarpone Cheese Cupakes...Rejoice some more!

Here's what you'll need:

1 box of vanilla cake mix

1 8 oz container of mascarpone cheese

1/2 cup  strawberries

1/3 cup sugar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

• Grab your box of cake mix and cook according to the cupcake directions on the back of the box.  Once done baking, set aside and let them cool.


• In a food processor, combine strawberries, cheese, sugar, and lemon juice and blend until smooth.  If you're a poor student like myself and lack a food processor, chop up the strawberries as small as possible and just get a fork and mash everything up as fine as possible.


• Transfer the strawberry mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a small tip. Push the tip gently into the bottom of a cupcake and squeeze in the strawberry mixture until the cupcake plumps.  Again, I lack a pastry bag, so I took the round handle end of a serving spoon to create a hole...as you can see, i'm extremely professional *insert a sarcastic, dramatic eye roll here*


• Take the remaining strawberry mixture and spread on top of the cupcakes.

Disclaimer:  This recipe is an accidental adaptation of Giada de Laurentiis' recipe.  Her recipe has a sugar glaze that you make at the end, but for some reason the first time I made it, I totally left that part out somehow...but I enjoyed the way I made them so much, why change it?  So if you're into the sugar glaze thing, check out the real way she makes them.

Seriously, I have fallen in love with this recipe.  I'm not a fan of icing, so to have a substitute for that as the topping is just perfect for someone like me.  They're light, fruity, fluffy, and you won't be able to stop eating them.  You've been warned.



This post has made me realize two things:  1) I want to make these cupcakes a third time, and 2) I really hope someone's gracious enough to buy me some kitchen items off my wedding registry (hint, hint).

Hope everyone y'all are having an amazing day.