Rainbow cakes

I love cake, and I love color, so bringing the two together is only logical! I decided to make rainbow cake in a jar (My inspiration) and rainbow cupcakes. Last night I had quite the adventure trying to get the recipe right.

Doesn't it look yummy?

So after looking at the picture, I'm assuming you want to make these. Here's what you'll need:
1 box of white cake mix
the ingredients the cake box tells you
different colors food coloring
Cake pan or cupcake tray (with cupcake papers)

Betty Crocker white moist cake mix

Mix all the ingredients on the cake box. Just follow the instructions.

mix mix mix

Its a rainbow of fun!

Once the batter is all mixed, pour it into individual cups and add the desired food coloring. 

is that slime? haha

Color by color, pour in a little batter. Do this slowly so it doesn't just all mix together.

This was the beginning of the cake in a jar. Little did I know what was to come...

into the oven you go!

Now pop everything into the oven, again, follow the instructions on the cake box. Just keep a close eye on it in case of ...

Rainbow Lava

THIS! Yes, I poured in too much batter. Though I must say this rainbow lava was pretty neat

As you can see, it got a little bit crispy, but it was a fun learning experience. And the cupcakes?

They turned out perfect!

mini cake for the kids with left over batter

I wasn't able to get the frosting on them fast enough before everyone was snagging them. I made the frosting too. Butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. I played it by eye though so I don't have an exact recipe to give. I'm sure you could find one or just buy some from the store.

I hope you'll enjoy these, I know we did. Here are a few more pictures from my rainbow adventure.

Vincent wanted to lick the bowl! MMM

The frosting. I don't think I did it quite right, but it tasted great

Cut off the top of the jar cake, and the lava flow.

I see you!

Curiosity made me take the cake out, this is what it looked like

add sprinkles and you have the ultimate rainbow treat

Solstice Celebration

Today is the longest day of the year. To celebrate the sun I was going to wake up early, watch the sunrise, and tonight watch the sunset. However, I stayed up most of the night and so was too tired to hear my alarm. Thats ok, theres always next year! and I still have the sunset to look forward to!!
I plan on going for a walk today, enjoying the fresh air, maybe seeing if I can find some useful tools after our big storm last night. I also want to make something special, and I found this recipe for a honey apple tea, along with some useful information on litha.

I think I'll make this tea, slather on some sun block, and drink it out on my front porch. What are your plans for summer solstice? Leave a comment.

~Lynx

Tuna Pasta Recipe

Eating the same thing gets boring sometimes, so I occasionally look for new recipes to test. This recipe I found, tweaked, and enjoyed! Its so quick and easy to make too.

Ingredients:
1 Can of tuna (or chicken)
1 large can of stewed tomatoes
A few squirts of lemon juice
a bit of garlic and onion for taste
Parsley
2 cups favorite pasta noodle (I used elbow macaroni)

Heat the stewed tomatoes, lemon juice, and garlic/onion in a pan. Boil the macaroni in a pot. (haha obviously) Once the sauce is heated up, add the tuna. Stir it all together. When the pasta is done, drain it and put some on a plate, top with the sauce and add a bit of parsley.

It has a sweet kind of taste to it. I enjoyed it. Oddly enough, my mother in law said it tasted like Filipino sardines, which she likes. Try it and tell me what you think.

What's for dinner?

A couple days ago I tried a new recipe using grape jelly, chili sauce, and meatballs. This recipe has been around for a long time but its new to me! Well, It went great and so I have decided to try it again tonight and change it just a bit to make it more of a meal. Here's what I'm gonna do:

8oz grape jelly
12oz chili sauce
Hawaiian bread (you can find it in the bakery section usually or just use hot dog buns)
shredded mozzarella cheese
Meatballs! (I use Armour original meatballs, a small bag)

Take the grape jelly and heat it in a pot on low. stir occasionally. While that heats, set the oven to 350 and put all the meatballs on a cookie sheet in a single layer. cook for about 15 minutes.

Once the jelly is a little more liquidy, pour in the chili sauce and stir together, continuing to heat on low.

When the meatballs are done, take them out and pour them into the sauce. Go ahead and turn the heat off.

Take the hawaiian bread (or whatever you're using) and open it up, sprinkle a little shredded mozzarella cheese in and place a few sauce covered meatballs.
Voila! You have a delicious meatball sandwich thats a little sweet, and a little saucy. If you want something with more of a kick, you can put in crushed red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper.

My kids LOVE these things and I doubt we will have any leftovers. These are also great by themselves as an appetizer for parties.
Enjoy!

~Lynx

Tea for the sick

Being sick is certainly no fun, and if you're like me, you hate taking meds and try other alternatives.

If you are nauseated, sore, have a sore throat and the sniffles this tea should help. All you need is peppermint, and honey. If you want to use peppermint leaves thats fine, or if you want to go to your local grocery store and buy the peppermint tea bags that works just as well. Do what works for you. I'm assuming everyone knows how to make tea, but if not Boil some water, then pour it over the peppermint into a cup. let it sit for about three minutes then take out the peppermint leaves or tea bag. now pour in honey to sweeten it up a bit.
Any time im feeling under the weather this is my go to tea, its simple and effective. I also like to take a lavender bath to relax my muscles and help me get to sleep. Just put a bit of lavender oil or some of the plant in the water while you bathe and relax.
Hope this helps someone. A good friend of mine is sick right now so this post will probably come in handy for him lol
~Lynx