The energy of 5 year olds, vanilla cupcakes

I am telling you what, these kids have no idea how lucky they are to have the energy they have. One of Jack's best girlfriends is here for the afternoon, and they are absolutely darling. They've been "hunting" something in the backyard with a bug net and an old wrapping paper tube. Hilarious. Now we've got cupcakes in the oven, and they're making a mural. When I watch them, my mind immediately conjures an image of whirling dervishes. They're both beanpole-thin, the same height, arms and legs akimbo as they move and bounce, dance and tumble. You can see that they're perfectly at ease with each other, and it's very dear. And I like that she doesn't take any nonsense from Jack. Hilarious! While I did have an egg-free chocolate cake recipe, I didn't have a vanilla one. Now I do, and based on in-depth batter tasting by me and my spoon, I'll tell you that it's good. After we taste-test the finished product, I'll post the recipe if it's up to snuff. It's dairy-free too! I wish I'd had some shredded coconut to stir in but instead swirled in a ribbon of strawberry puree.

 

I just can't patty things

YUM! Well, if you've been following Em-i-lis through the fava bean cakes, through all other non-beef/turkey/salmon burgers, you'll know that pan-sauteing "pattied" cakes is not my strong suit. They always fall apart. Tonight after one failed shrimp burger, I decided, what the hell, why stress about the presentation. How about if I just saute this stuff all together and then pack it on a bun a la lobster roll? Yes! This was a great, delicious, extremely easy idea. Henceforth I will make this recipe this way (and will post it for you soon). For our side dish, I made roasted brussels sprouts with grapes and walnuts. Very nice. And pretty!

PS- Did y'all see the pathetic response to Herman Cain's silly 9-9-9 plan by Michele Bachmann: it's 6-6-6 turned upside down, the sign of the devil. For real? She is so not even one toe in the running anymore.