Orange Applesauce Cupcakes

I got gas today... 3/4 of a tank because I was heading to Portland to get a Bowen treatment. Gas was $51.84. Ouch. I also went to the store again because I realized that we were out of cat litter and cat food (and the kittehz won't wait) and I also needed to stock up on some woman products that were on sale and the boys needed no-tears bath soap, and etc, etc. Plus I needed some ingredients for tonight's entertainment (below) which included the purchase of a silicone cupcake baking pan. I couldn't stand to use the old, rusty one any more and I figured I'll be saving money on cupcake liners in the long run. So, unfortunately, groceries were: $61.65.

For tonight's entertainment, the boys and I made some fairly healthy cupcakes (if you don't count all the sugar, of course.)

Orange Applesauce Cupcakes

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream 6 tablespoons of softened butter and 1 cup of packed brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in one egg. Beat in 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce, one teaspoon of vanilla extract and one teaspoon of grated orange peel. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Gradually add the dry mix to the creamed mixture until blended and then stir in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.

2. Fill paper lined muffin cups (or greased muffin cups) half full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. For frosting, in a small mixing bowl, cream 1/4 cup of softened butter and 2 cups of confectioner's sugar until light and fluffy. Add one and a half teaspoons of grated orange peel and 2 to 4 teaspoons of orange juice to achieve desired spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes.

For some reason my cupcakes came out crumbly, but I think that may have been because I cheated and melted the butter (because I had forgotten to leave it out to soften.) Either that or it was because we used whole wheat flour instead of white. Still pretty tasty and I would try it again. After the cupcakes, we shot off some fireworks in the street (it's legal in our state). The kids had bought a package of fireworks with their own money, so I'm not couting that.

However, I will count the alarm clock that I bought for Puck for $9.99. He's going through a phase where he really, really needs to feel like he has some control over his life. It had occurred to me not too long ago to get him one of those oversized calendars like teachers use and teach him how to use a calendar. We went through the year, especially this month, and we talked about upcoming events and activities and important dates, and he came up with pictures to draw on those days so he'd know what to expect. He refers to the calendar quite a bit and I've noticed that he's been a lot calmer and happier and more cooperative. The other night, he was really upset because the evening didn't go as he expected and bedtime snuck up on him, so it occurred to me to get him a wall clock (analog, because it's more visual). He really wanted an alarm clock, so I got him an old-fashioned wind-up clock that he keeps by his bed. He took to it really quickly. I explained to him how to read the clock earlier today when we bought it, and tonight, he walked up to his dad and informed him that it was 9 o'clock (he was right.) We had to stay up a little later to let it get dark enough to light off the fireworks.

Total spent today was $123.48. Holy crap. #@%$ing gas! (I should probably curse the cats, too...well, and myself for getting the silicone cupcake pan, but we will use that pan over and over and it won't get rusty like the other one.)

Total spent overall: $287.05. Rats.

Kay has spent $171.11, but she's not blogging at the same time of day as me, so I'm a day ahead.

Oh, for dinner we ate whatever... confetti spaghetti, or the rotisserie chicken I had a coupon for (with more of the spinach and Valdosta salad that I've blogged about before.)