Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

Since Reese's Peanut Butter cups are my favourite candy (and believe me, I like a LOT of candy!) I knew when I saw this recipe that I had to make them. The recipe starts with a full size Peanut butter cup in the bottom of your muffin liner. It doesn't get any better then that.

The sour cream and just a hint of peanut butter in the cupcakes do not overpower and the marshmallow fluff in the icing makes the dense buttercream a little lighter. I have already passed this recipe on once and the recipient said they turned out very well. Give it a whirl...

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

1 white cake mix

¾ cup water

1/3 cup oil

4 eggs

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup sour cream

24 peanut butter cups

Marshmallow Butter cream

1 cup butter

1 (7oz) jar marshmallow fluff

3 cups icing sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

Place unwrapped peanut butter cup in the bottom of each lined muffin cup. Mix together cupcake ingredients. Fill ¾ full and bake at 350F for 18 minutes. Cool and frost.

FInal wrap-up of the Fundraiser

The afternoon of the fundraiser featured the raffle draws, a bake sale and cake auction.

As you can see, there were many delicious items to choose from.

The Cake and Pie Auction allowed people to bid on their favourite choices.

Lindor made a guest appearance and our wonderful day of scrapbooking, eating and visiting with friends drew to a close. With our fundraising endeavours, we have been able to sponsor Chester, Epcot, Kingsley, Krosby, Kasper and Khloe and 3 more puppies in the future. Thanks everyone for a great day!

More reflections on the Crop

We had a delicious lunch of salads; Greek Pasta, Caesar, Napa Cabbage and Mandarin spinach, along with lots of veggies, snacks, pickle tray, egg salad and cold meats.

Followed by an array of home-made baked goods for dessert....

The strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting were so light and delicious along with Mennonite shortbread and lemon cracks.

Keri made these adorable pretzels dipped in chocolate to look like ladybugs. Everyone got a package of these in their goodie bag.

Lindor is on the Facebook section of the National Service Dog website with an announcement of the results of our fund-raising. Check it out! 

A look back at this year's Crop

Our day kicked off with a yummy mid-morning snack of fruit and freshly baked muffins and loaves.

There were many fabulous raffle prizes, mostly donated by some very generous friends.

The blankets and quilts were fantastic items. Anyone who is a crafter will know how much work and love went into these items.

Robin and her mentor Keri, made this warm and cozy fleece throw.

Corrina made this bright and vibrant quilt.

And Jody created this fabulous and intricately quilted creation.

There were some very happy raffle item winners. ALL of the prizes donated were much appreciated and made our day so much fun. Stay tuned for more reflections on the day.

Heat Wave

It's been really hot for the last few days here in Southern Ontario, so I filled up the pool for the girls. While Maya will occasionally lay right down, mostly they just like to stand in it as I heard recently that they cool down with their foot pads in the cool water. I just may have to jump in myself if this weather keeps up.

Flowering Shrubs

I'm still planning on posting pictures from the Crop and more recipes but I haven't had a chance to sort through them so I thought I'd share some shots of the beautiful flowering shrubs around my yard that are just finishing blooming.

Love the hydrangeas.

I'm not sure what this is but I DO know that it was over 2 storeys tall and over the last 3 years I have pruned a third of it down at a time. I was worried that it would only bloom on the old wood but I had a beautiful display again this year.

Looks like I have a thing for white flowers. Love the smell of the Mock Orange.

Maya likes laying in the cool soil under the shrubberies. I just wish the blooms would last all summer.

Bran Muffins

This may not have been everyone's first pick at the Crop because it's not fancy but it is a delicious and easy to make muffin. Moist and tasty, this is my dog sitter's (Aunt Donna's) Number ONE request when I'm baking.

This recipe came from a Cookbook columist in the Brantford Expositor named Mary Moore many years ago. My mother had cut out dozens of recipes from this lady and they are always quite good. I think you'll enjoy these bran muffins.

Bran Muffins
1 cup flour
1 cup bran
2 Tbsp. wheat germ
3/4 cup brown sugar packed
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Mix these dry ingredients.

1 egg
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup buttermilk or soured milk
1/2 cup chopped dates or raisins
Mix wet with dry ingredients. Fill 12 muffin cups. Bake at 375F fro 18 - 20 min.

Note- To make buttermilk put 1 Tbsp. of vinegar in bottom of measuring cup and fill to 3/4 mark with sweet milk and let set for 10 minutes.

Breakfast at the Crop

Now that the majority of the work is done and the clean-up is well underway, I have a chance to look back and go over some of the details of the day starting with Breakfast. We pride ourselves in making all the food ourselves and serving only fresh items. Because I like to bake the majority of it is done by me and I like to do it the day before so nothing has to go in the freezer. Here's a look at what was served....

Unfortunately, by the time I remembered to take a photo, the Lemon Poppyseed cake was almost gone. We also had delicious fresh fruit.
We served banana bread (front), Lemon Blueberry muffins, Bran Raisin muffins, Lemon Poppyseed cake, Sour Cream Poppyseed Streusel muffins and Zucchini Bread. I'll be sharing some of these recipes over the next few days starting with Zucchini Bread.

I'm terrible at making loaves. They were always raw in the middle and overcooked on the edges until I started using these sweet little loaf pans. Now, my loaves always turn out great, especially when I use THIS recipe.

Zucchini Bread

2 cups sugar
2 cups shredded zucchini
2 eggs
Mix and set aside

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. lemon peel
Mix with above

3 cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup pecans or walnuts, if desired
Mix all ingredients together. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
I made 6 mini loaves from this recipe.

THANK YOU!!!!

Yesterday's Loonies for Lindor Fundraising Crop for NSD was a HUGE success thanks to many wonderful contributors and friends. We will be able to sponsor several puppies with the funds that were raised.
Thanks to the donors both corporate and personal. Every contribution was appreciated. Our raffle table and door prizes were very popular. Please support the businesses that show their generosity to our cause.
To everyone who helped set up and lug those dreadfully heavy tables back to their spots. It was a horrible job and I appreciate everyone who came and stayed to help with it. There were many of you that stepped up to help and you are appreciated SO MUCH!
To my official photographer, Lori. I'm sure you will see some of her work on my blog in the days to come.
Thanks to my friends; Kathy and Liz for manning the Registration table and for staying all day to help with the raffle set-up and ticket sales.
Thanks to my young helpers; Kate and Claire for assisting with the raffle and sales.
Thank you, Keri for making all the adorable dipped pretzel ladybugs and yummy Cadbury cookies. They were gone in a flash as usual.
Thank you, Tammie and friends for the adorable purses and goodie bag and for picking up some great prizes for our raffle.
Noel, your ladybug sticks were so cute and your strawberry cake a show-stopper.
Anne Marie, as always, stepped up to help wherever it was needed.
Robin and Kathryn, the doggie paint cans for raffle were so adorable.
Corrina, I still can't believe you made all those neck warmers for me. It was a huge job and I never doubted you would finish them for a second.
Jenn,  friend and fellow NSD Breeder Caretaker, thank you for all your hard work preparing food and getting that fabulous meal together. The comments on the food speak to all your efforts. It was great.
My brother, Bob for the yummy ice cream treats. Those Triple Chocolate Drumsticks are delish!
Thank you to my sister-in-law, Lisa, who worked for several days baking and worked tirelessly on food prep and set-up and anything that was needed including coffee runs.
I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. To be honest, I can't even find my planning book at this moment.
ALL of you have helped make this Event so successful.
I'm off to walk the dogs and then I think I'll  read a good book. There's always tomorrow to finish the clean-up.

Dianne

One More Day until Loonies for Lindor Crop

All the door prizes and raffle items are getting packed up.....

The snacks have been purchased...

And the last minute baking has begun...

It will be a long day but this is why I do it....

Catch you later!

K pups are 3 months, 3 weeks old

I missed a couple puppies at the first class so I wanted to go see them again. They change so quickly at this age but they are still doing really well.

I snapped a picture of these two handsome fellas while I was there. Just because Lindor doesn't carry the yellow gene doesn't mean I don't like this colour too! Say hello to Bowie and Lennon.

Dog Show

Even though Lindor's big fundraiser is less then a week away and I have a few things still to do, I'm pretty organized and now its just down to the last minute details, baking and food prep. So I took some time off to go to the Labrador Owner's Dog Show in Cambridge. I've never been to a dog show before although I've always been interested in judging and conformation since I was in 4-H clubs way back when.

I met Linda from AppleMeadow Kennels and she told me many interesting things about showing and breeding top quality Labradors. It is a labour of love for these dedicated breeders who are only interested in producing the highest quality of animals in their lines. They take the time to make sure that the dogs are free from genetic problems and combine lines that will produce friendly and lovable companions to their owners for years to come.
Here she is showing Wellington, a chocolate male.

Of course, as you know, I'm partial to chocolates.

Isn't he beautiful?

I thought I would try picking my favourite in a class of 4. With only a few dogs entered, surely I had a chance of "guessing" the winner correctly. Unfortunately, my pick ended up 4th! I guess I have a lot to learn. It takes years to acquire the knowledge that these breeders have acquired and I really admire their passion for this wonderful breed of dogs. 

Packing the Goodie Bags

Well, Lindor's big scrapbooking event is only one week away so there are lots of little (and big) details to take care of. Last night, my friend Kate came over to help me pack up the goodie bags. She's been working on them at home as well which has been a big help.

We also pulled out the adorable raffle cans made by friend Robin and her daughter Kathryn. Aren't they the cutest? I'm hoping we use them ALL again this year with our raffle items. It's looking promising.

Well, I'm off to make some buttercream frosting. It's going to be a busy weekend.