How was your 4th of July?

Mine consisted of a breakfast with homemade biscuits, scrambled eggs, LOTS OF BACON, and goat cheese! Bacon is probably my favorite food. When bacon mania exploded on the scene a few years ago, it was was trend that I was happy to indulge in. Then I made America some happy birthday cupcakes, using Billy's Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe , which I have been meaning to try for at least a year. They were EXTREMELY good! I had been wanting to dye the batter red, white and blue, in order to make tie dye cupcakes in patriotic colors, but I was completely out of red food coloring. So sad. Luckily, though, Mr. Pie had gone out earlier in the day and bought some American-ized sprinkles for the occasion. Everyone LOVED the cupcakes! I used my very own frosting recipe, which is thus:

1 & 1/4 sticks of Smart Balance 50/50 blend stick *
1 (8 oz.) brick of cream cheese
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1 T. instant coffee granules
2 T. milk
powdered sugar

* this brand of margarine is crucial. It seriously makes the most whippy-dippy frosting that isn't overpoweringly rich, but silky and smooth just the same.

- Let one stick of margarine and the cream cheese hang out at room temp until they are soft. Beat the bejeezus out of them with a mixer until they're all happy together.
- Melt the chocolate and 1/4 stick of margarine together over the stove. You should probably use a double boiler, but I just put it in a small pan over very low heat. When the chocolate is melted, stir it together and let it cool for a while. Then beat it in with the cream cheese mixture.
- Mix the coffee granules and milk together and add those to the bowl.
- Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating after each addition, until you have frosting. When you refrigerate this, it will become very stiff. Let it sit for a bit before spreading.

TRY NOT TO EAT THE WHOLE BOWL OF IT BEFORE YOU FROST THE CUPCAKES!!!!

It makes enough for about 35 cupcakes.

And here is me and my new sister-in-law, Cyndi. She married Mr. Pie's brother on a random Wednesday last month. Their baby is due December 31st. They are hoping it squeezes in just in time for that tax break. Mr. Pie and his brother modeling their high school jackets, which their Mother made them take home so that they aren't taking up storage space anymore. I think they are sooo cute! Kelly ( brother-in-law's) so super 80's "members only" style, since he graduated in '88. Ryan's is a little more typical letter jacket style. They were the Covington Catholic Colonels.
Today, Monday, my 3 nieces and my parents and I went to a parade. It was hot, but fun.
My parents chilled in the shade. We shook a lot of polititian's hands.
The two littlest nieces, Olivia and Emma, who are sisters, stood on the street to get candy. They loved it.


What did you do this weekend? I was off work for two whole days in a row.