How I beat the heat? Sharks and cupcakes!

By Dody Denman

It was one hundred degrees in Houston, Texas this Saturday with a heat index factor of 108. That is hot, no matter who you are or where you are. I may have discovered the secret to living with such extreme temperatures.

I awoke at 7 a.m. and my first thought was that I wanted to go swimming. Then I thought I need to clean the kitchen and pick up all the toys and destruction from keeping my 22 month old great grandson for 14 hours Friday. Then I thought that I really needed to buy groceries, since it had been about two weeks. Then I thought about working in the yard. Then I went back to sleep.

I re-awoke a couple of hours later and went straight to the sofa to watch bad television. The sofa is where I stayed. When I became hungry I made cupcakes. It was the perfect meal for my do nothing day.

The highlight was watching “Sharknado 2 and 3”. I really, really do love the overly ridiculous, quite campy, total mockery played seriously for laughs…and laugh I did. Part of the fun came from the cameos; I counted 28 in the firsts sequel.

I know I cannot have too many “do nothing” days, but I took great pleasure in my wasted Saturday. So, I suppose, it was not wasted at all.

The cupcakes I made today were Triple Chocolate Fudge with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting. The cake was a Betty Crocker mix. I offer no apology for using a cake mix. They are usually great, but prefer homemade frosting and today’s was exceptionally good.

If it’s too hot to go outside then stay in and eat cupcakes!

Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1-2 T milk

1 T vanilla extract

Directions

In a medium bowl cream the butter and cream cheese together until thoroughly mixed. Add two cups sugar as you continue mixing. After all sugar is absorbed, add another cup and mix. Add last cup of sugar, 1 T milk and vanilla. Continue mixing until all is combined. Check the consistency. If you want thinner frosting add remainder of milk. If thicker consistency is needed, add more sugar. Frost cooled cupcakes and enjoy!