Anyone in the mood for Red Velvet?

Ok...I'm puttin' my camera where my mouth is! One of my favorite pastimes is baking, and I can make a pretty decadent Red Velvet Cupcake if I don't say so myself. Baked up a couple dozen Red Velvet Macadamia Nut Crunch cupcakes for two very special ladies a while back. I don't have the heart to not share the recipe so here it is...Enjoy!

BTW...this recipe is so simple because the shortcut is white cake mix.  The best I've used is Pillsbury White. Good luck!

"Jo's Red Velvet Bliss with Macadamia Nut Crunch Frosting"

In a bowl mix together:
1 box white cake mix w/pudding in the mix (if no pudding, then add a box of vanilla instant pudding)
3 T. Unsweetened cocoa powder
1 T. White vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
4 large eggs
1 cup milk

Mix well then add

1/4 cup Red food coloring

Pour into 9" x 13" pan or two round 8" cake pans, or a 12 tin cupcake pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes (15-20 for cupcakes) or until toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake. Let cook completely on rack before frosting.

Frosting:
1 blk. butter (not margarine) at room temperature
1 8 oz. package good quality cream cheese, softened
1/3 box of powdered sugar
1 1/2 C. chopped Macadamia nuts

Cream butter and cream cheese, gradually add powdered sugar and beat until creamy. Stir in 3/4 cups chopped Macadamia nuts. When all cupcakes have been frosted, sprinkle the remaining nuts over the top.

*I personally do not like heavy frosting so I lighten it by folding in 1/3 tup of Cool Whip. The frosting does not lost it's taste, and it is not so overwhelming when you bite into it. Yum-a-lum!

Family

We may have our tats and disagreements, but at the end of the day it's always LOVE no matter what. That's how the family unit works...or the majority thereof...Hahaha! (Pictured below: The Schwalger Aiga & Hoke Ohana)

Lawrence & Ah Hoy

Kids Wisdom...

They'll teach us patience, humility, and most important...unconditional LOVE! Kids are by far the greatest teachers! 

Be YOUr Beautiful self!

This is what I see through my lens...I enhance it just a tad and play around with different hues...but I don't have to do much with beautiful subjects such as the women photographed above/below: Carina Aldrich, Esther Cravens Schwalger, Lanea Snow, Camilla Bomgren and Rebekah Cravens Fonoimoana...simply gorgeous!

If we could see everyone through God's lens...this world would be so AWESOME!

Children are my most favorite subjects!

Children are pure, innocent and give nothing but true expression.

I have learned that when photographing children, you've got to follow them around, be a part of their little world and just let them do their thing..gotta love 'em!