Easter Cupcakes, Cupcake di Pasqua

When the boys were little we used to color eggs. They are not interested much anymore...but they are interested on Easter Cupcakes. Inspired by my friend Beth to who I promised I will make Colorburst Cupcakes at the end of the month.

 Here is my version with lighter food coloring just for Easter.

I only had a package of Betty Crocker super moist  lemon cake mix......I do follow the package directions but I do few things a little bit different.
I do sift the dry ingredients and add a bit of almond extract to the batter.

 I chose Blue and Pink food coloring. The blue turned green mixed with the yellow batter and pink turned into a pretty orange. (I think)

Divide the batter in three bowls and add the food coloring in two, since the yellow is already colored.

This is the batter without a layer of yellow

and with a layer of yellow to top it off.
Ready to go in the oven

Fun morning spent making Easter Cupcakes.

I also want to wish my brother Giuseppe
"Happy Birthday" the BIG  50!

Buon Compleanno a te Giuseppe!

Ciao for now
Rita


Linking to Bunny Blog Hop

Cupcake ideas
HERE

My favorite colors in the HOME!

I am so happy to be able to use my camera in manual mode! Sometime I do think is pure luck.....I took this photo and Voila' no editing at all!
The photography 101 class is worth it and Cynthia Shaffer will be teaching more classes this Spring in Santa Ana.

My favorite combination in absolute!!! Red, White and Green. Red and White stripes, Polka dot, Jadeite.

I am rearranging, moving bowls from the kitchen Hoosier hutch to the dining room  corner hutch.
Have a Happy Weekend

Ciao for now
Rita

Just finished two more tin ceiling magnet boards
posted on Mercatino Blog
Here

50mm LOVE

Enjoyed a lovely lunch today and also had the opportunity to practice with my friend Christine's 50mm lens.
We captured my first hollyhock bloom and some other friends from the garden.

Ciao for now
Rita 

Something new

Great Day!

I made few Message in a Bottle filled with seashells, glass glitter and few pearls.

The fine WHITE glitter reminds me of the White Sand in the Eolie Islands close to Sicily.

I had so much fun with this "Ruffle pin Board", WHITE ornate frame and the ruffle is a light pink.....too cute!

and a "Magnet board". I saved this tin for so long and found the right ornate frame for it. It's really easy to put together. I hope to have a tutorial soon.

I made the magnets using rhinestones and pearls buttons.

I am honored to have been chosen by Jenny Doh to be the Guest Curator  of ART SAVES this week.

Ciao for now

Rita

linking to White Wednesday 

thank you Kathleen for hosting.

                                                               

                                                             

Endless Summer!

I am looking for inspirations....our next Vintage Marketplace at the Oaks will be 

a Vintage Seaside Summer!

I am not into Nautical or Beach personally but I love to see houses and cottages featured in that particular style. So excited to purchase a copy of the latest Romantic Country and really getting inspired. Cabbage Roses mixed with Beach Items. Perfect!

Editor Mary Forsell, photo by John Ellis, styling by Sunday Hendrickson, Homeowner Amanda Cieslewicz

Text and Styling by Fifi O'Neill, photography by Mark Lohman, Homeowner Roberta Laprade

Thank you Romantic Country! I am ready to get to work....
Ciao for now
Rita

Orange Muffins

Time to Bake!

Click on the recipe to enlarge.

Enjoy

Ciao for now
Rita

Manual Mode

I took my first Photography Class Saturday with Cynthia Shaffer

and it was amazing!

Cynthia has so many talents that she made the class very interesting.  Also what makes the class fun is....a great group of ladies.

My first attempt

After an hour or so we walked out of the Studio and lie on the ground. As you can see I didn't lie on the ground....I don't follow directions that easy. 

Cynthia and Jenelle

Our model and the sweetest girl EVER Cynthia Flores
So fun to be able to speak in Italian to her and she would answer in Spanish. Loved it!

Back in the Studio I played with colors and contrasts and this was the result. 

It was raining and we didn't mind at all!

More in the Studio

Dinner at Menphis

Yesterday I took my first photo at home.
I don't regret taking this class at all .... photography is an ART.

Thank you Cynthia Shaffer

Ciao for now
Rita


Cynthia Shaffer
Studio Crescendoh

soldering classes

Callie and Milo

They Make me Smile!

 When my 5 year old puppy Bennie died I was so hurt and said...never again I would get another dog. Well as you can see it didn't happen. Last year on our way to the grocery store Deano wanted to stop by a pet store. It was raining, but still 2 cages were in front of the store. One of the cages had Milo and Callie. Callie was cold and wrapped in a blanket, Milo was just been Milo...we have a name for him but I don't think I can say it in blog land.

 Anyway....Deano asked me if I was ready to take one home and to pick one. I told him I couldn't chose or both or.....both.

The rescue company is called ARC. They do not take credit cards so.... we did skip grocery shopping and use the money to buy the dogs. 

We love them! 

Have a beautiful Weekend

Ciao for now

Rita