Hotel Aranjuez

What would your life be like if you could start every day with a breakfast like this?

...In a setting like this?

...With people like this?

Life would be very nice.

The only way it could be any nicer is if my kitchen had tile like this:

Yes, I seriously love this tile.  I know most people probably hate it and think it's hideous but I adore it and would give my eye teeth to get it put in my kitchen.

Need a chocolate fix?

If so, have I got the cupcake for you.  Seriously, these are gooood.  Really good. 

I've always been a huge fan of cream cheese frostings, but this one reaches a whole new level of deliciousness.  I've used the frosting on this particular chocolate cupcake recipe twice, as well as on a batch of white cupcakes.  Both combos were amazing.

Next time I'm thinking about swapping some Kahlua or Bailey's for the heavy cream and vanilla in the frosting.

PS: These make the best breakfast and pair really well with a cup of hot coffee.

PPS: Does anyone have a birthday or special occasion coming up soon?  I would love to have an excuse to make yet another batch of these yummies.

65 years and counting...

Two weekends ago we braved the frozen overpasses to head down to Galveston to celebrate my grandparents' 65th wedding anniversary.  No, that's not a typo, they really have been married for 65 years. 

They have definitely set a great example for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  It hasn't been a cakewalk by any means.  They have had their fair share of issues to deal with, but they have chosen to deal with them together.  Sadly, that becomes more and more rare these days. 

Makes me appreciate the Hubs that much more.  I know he's in it for the long haul.  Our relationship isn't perfect (we're both human), but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's always willing to work on us and to work things out.  There's a lot of security that comes from that. 

We don't get many photos of the two of us (he's the one always taking the pictures of everyone else), so I was incredibly happy that I found this one while going through the pictures from the celebration weekend. 

We'll be having a low-key evening here at home (we don't like fighting the Valentine's Day crowds) grilling burgers and enjoying the 70 degree weather.  I think we have a nice dinner out planned for this weekend... I'm hoping for something ethnic.