by Sheryl Berk
Maggie walked over and handed her new stepmom a velvet pouch. “I think this might work,” she said. In it was a silver heart-shaped locket with the letter B for “Betty” spelled out in tiny blue sapphires. “I thought you could put a photo of you and Leo in it.”
“Que linda! It’s perfect,” Jenna’s mom said, hugging Maggie. Once again, Jenna flinched.
“It was really sweet of Maggie to get her a gift,” Lexi whispered to Jenna. “She’s really nice.”
“Uh-huh,” Jenna brushed off her comment. “Where are the bouquets? Why aren’t they here yet?”
“They are,” Kylie said. “Which is our surprise for you, Jenna.” She handed Jenna a box. Inside was a bouquet made out of mini cupcakes, covered in white and gold fondant. “It was your mom’s idea for all the bridesmaids. A little PLC personal touch!”
Lexi handed Jenna’s mom her bouquet: each of the cupcakes was decorated with a white fondant rose. “Te gusta, Jenna? Do you like it?”
“I love it.” Jenna smiled.
“Now all we’re waiting on is the juez de paz, the justice of the peace, to arrive,” Marisol said, checking the time. He was more than thirty minutes late. Leo had just sent her a text saying the guests were all melting in the scorching midday sun. Where was he?
“I tried his cell phone—there’s no answer,” Gabby whispered to her.
“Qué? Dónde está?” Their mother was starting to fret. “We can’t get married without someone to marry us!”
They waited and waited…’til the guests were wilting and the ceremony was almost an hour delayed.
“Where did you find this guy?” Jenna whispered to Gabby.
“Wed-in-vegas.com,” Gabby replied. “It was him, Liberace, or the Elvis guy who performs here at the hotel.”
“Elvis? Elvis is a justice of the peace?” Jenna gasped.
“I guess so,” Gabby said. “Why?”
“Mami, get ready to walk down the aisle.” Jenna beamed. “There’s someone who owes us a big favor…”
As the harpist played Elvis’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,” a white carpet rolled down the pathway to the garden gazebo. Ricky and Manny were the first to walk down it and only punched each other half the time. Sadie, Lexi, Delaney, and Kylie followed in pairs, then Marisol and Gabby and Maggie and Jenna, each carrying a cupcake bouquet.
Finally, the audience rose to their feet, and the bridal march began to play. Jenna watched as her mother slowly walked down the aisle, smiling nervously. She met Leo under the canopy of roses and stared at the person presiding over the ceremony. It was Elvis, dressed in his finest crystal-studded white leather jumpsuit.
“Ay, dios mío!” Jenna’s mom said, but Leo held her hand tightly and smiled. “It’ll be fine, Betty.”
“Dearly beloved,” Elvis began. “We are gathered here today because Leo asked Betty, ‘Will You Love Me Tender?’ and she agreed…”
“Oh, boy.” Jenna gulped. “I hope Elvis doesn’t overdo it.”
“I know these two love each other with all their hearts,” Elvis continued. “I can see it in their eyes. And I know how much their children love them as well.” He looked over at Jenna. “They’d do anything for you. Even wake Elvis up before noon.”
He motioned for Ricky to bring him the wedding rings on a pillow. “Come here, little fella.”
Ricky shook his head and stomped his foot. “Not unless you give me your sunglasses,” he insisted.
“Dar ahora!” Jenna gritted her teeth. “Give it to him now!” She would have pounced on him and wrestled the pillow out of his hand, but Kylie was holding her back.
“Sure, I’ll give you my cool, one of a kind King of Rock and Roll glasses for those rings,” Elvis said, making the trade. He handed the first ring to Leo. “Do you, Leonard Winters, promise to take this woman, Beatriz Medina, to be your wife? To love, honor, and care for her, as long as you both shall live?”
Leo’s eyes were filled with tears. “I do.”
“And do you, Beatriz Medina, take this man, Leonard Winters, as your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and care for him as long as you both shall live?”
“Sí, I do,” she said, placing the ring on Leo’s finger.
“Then by the powers invested in me by the state of Nevada and the King of Rock and Roll, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”
The crowd cheered as Leo and Betty embraced.
“That’s my cue to cut out of here.” Elvis winked at Jenna. “Everyone, Elvis has left the wedding!”
•••
The fiesta that followed was equally memorable. There was dancing, feasting, even a piñata. Leo clinked his fork on the side of his wineglass to get everyone’s attention after lunch was served. “I would just like to thank everyone here for making this day so beautiful and so special,” he said. “Especially my wife and my entire family.”
Sadie elbowed Jenna. “That would be you.”
“Don’t remind me,” Jenna said.
“You’re not still moping over your mom marrying Leo, are you?” Lexi asked.
“I guess he’s okay,” Jenna admitted, digging into her plate of paella.
“He’s more than okay,” Delaney said. “He’s awesome.”
Jenna saw her mom and Leo gazing adoringly into each other’s eyes. She pushed her chair away from the table, stood up, and cleared her throat.
“Jenna,” Kylie whispered. “What are you doing? Don’t do anything crazy!”
Jenna clinked her fork on her water glass, just like Leo had done.
“Beso! Beso! Kiss! Kiss!” she shouted, and the rest of the guests joined in.
“Phew!” Kylie breathed a sigh of relief.
Sadie pointed out that it was time to wheel in the cupcake tower. “Cross your fingers that it doesn’t melt the minute it hits the scorching sun out here. I feel like a french fry!”
Lexi and Delaney gently wheeled the round table holding the tower into the center of the gazebo. There were oohs and ahhs, and Jenna’s mother got up to walk around and admire it.
“Que bonita!” she exclaimed. “It’s so beautiful. Gracias. I love it!”
Jenna was pretty proud of PLC’s handiwork—especially the granadillas topping each cupcake.
“I want one!” Manny suddenly shouted.
“Me first, me first!” Ricky countered. He ducked under the skirt of the table, trying to escape his twin’s grasp. “You can’t catch me!”
The table wiggled; the tower wobbled. The cupcakes began toppling over, and Jenna, Lexi, and Delaney tried to grab them before they fell to the floor.
“Cut it out!” Jenna screamed, trying to grab Ricky by his tuxedo jacket out from under the display. Instead, she yanked the tablecloth, and the giant cupcake on top fell from its perch.
“No!” shrieked Jenna. “Not the sculpture!” She closed her eyes, waiting to hear the plaster figure of her mom and Leo hit the floor and shatter. But there was nothing—not even a clank or a clunk.
She opened her eyes and saw Maggie cradling the figure in her arms.
“What a save!” Delaney applauded.
“I think Maggie’s as good a catcher as Jorge Posada was on the Yankees,” Leo said, grinning. “What do you think, Jenna?”
She could barely catch her breath. “I think I am going to put a leash on my little brother,” she said slowly. “Ricky, you almost ruined the entire wedding!”
“I got the first cupcake,” he said, his face full of crumbs and buttercream.
“Nuh-uh, I did,” Manny said, holding up the giant cupcake. “I caught it when Jenna knocked it over. So now it’s mine.” He plunged his face into the fondant and frosting.
“I think Manny is the best catcher,” Maggie said. She took a lick of frosting off the side of the sculpture. “But Peace, Love, and Cup
cakes are the best bakers. Yum!”
Jenna smiled and hugged her new stepsister. “You’ll get used to the Disaster Duo,” she assured Maggie. “They’re not so bad…and neither are you.”
The first thing Jenna wanted to do when she got off the plane from Vegas was visit Rescue Rover.
“Can I go, Mami? Por favor?” she asked her mother. “I miss Dulce so much!”
“Jenna, we have a lot to do at home, so much unpacking…”
“I don’t mind taking her,” Leo volunteered. “I can drive her over for a quick visit.
“Sí, not too long…” her mother warned.
When they arrived at the shelter, Lucky was busy giving a huge dalmatian a bath.
“Hey, Lucky!” Jenna called. “I don’t see Dulce in the window. Where is she?”
Lucky looked up. Her shirt was soaked and her hair was covered with soap suds. Jenna wondered who was washing whom!
“Oh, Jenna! Good to see you!” Lucky said. “Dulce has found a wonderful home.”
Jenna felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. “How? When?” she cried. “How could you?”
“Jenna,” Leo tried to explain. “You know Dulce belongs with someone who can love and care for her.”
“But I love her! I love Dulce!” Jenna sobbed. Lucky got up and brought the dalmatian back to the pen with his canine friends. Then she brought out a pink bag and handed it to Jenna.
“What’s this?” Jenna asked, sniffling. Then she noticed the bag was moving and recognized a familiar little yap coming from inside.
“Dulce!” she cried, unzipping the tote so the little dog could leap into her arms.
“She’s all yours, Jenna,” Leo told her.
“Mine? Really? All mine?” Jenna couldn’t believe her ears. The puppy covered her face in sloppy kisses and seemed as happy as she was.
“Your mother and I agree you showed tremendous responsibility at the wedding. And Lucky and I agree Dulce couldn’t find a more loving and devoted owner. So we’ll make room for your dog in our new home.”
Jenna put Dulce down and flung her arms around Leo’s waist. “This is the best present I’ve ever gotten!”
Leo blushed. “And having you for a daughter is the best present I’ve ever gotten,” he replied.
•••
That night, after all her siblings and her mom had played with Dulce, Jenna brushed her coat, fed her dinner, and tucked her into her pink, cushy dog bed. She made sure the little dog was snuggled up cozy, comfy, and warm. “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, cryin’ all the time,” Jenna sang as a lullaby. “Sweet dreams, little puppy.” As the dog drifted off to sleep, a loud whistle came out of her nose.
“Seriously, Jenna? Your puppy snores like you?” Gabby groaned, covering her head with a pillow. “I can’t get a break!”
Jenna leaned over and whispered in the sleeping puppy’s ear. “I knew we belonged together. Welcome to mi familia, Dulce.”
I first tried tres leches when I was on vacation with my family in Puerto Rico. The Piña Colada Club restaurant at the Caribe Hilton suggested I try it for dessert. I had never tasted anything so delicious! The name means “three milks” because it uses three different types of milks in the recipe. The cake was spongy and light and a little soggy—but in a good way. It was swimming in a sweet sauce. For our cupcake version, we used the same three milks and sprinkled the frosting with toasted coconut flakes.
For the Cupcakes:
1 stick (½ cup) butter (let stand at room temperature to soften)
1 ½ cups sugar
4 egg whites
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
For the Tres Leches:
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup evaporated milk
½ cup coconut milk
For the Frosting:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
Directions
1. In the large bowl of a mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg whites, one at a time, beating well. Add the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Make sure to beat well after each addition.
4. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. Fill each liner two-thirds full with the batter. Bake at 350° for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Remove cupcakes from liners and place on a serving plate. Poke a few small holes in the cupcakes with a straw or skewer.
6. Combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, and coconut milk in a mixing cup or bowl; slowly pour over cupcakes, allowing the cake to absorb it. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
7. In a large bowl, beat whipping cream until it begins to thicken. Add the confectioners’ sugar; beat until soft peaks form—it should look like meringue. Frost the cupcakes.
8. Toast some coconut flakes and use as “sprinkles” on top. I like to put a tropical umbrella on top so it reminds me of my fun in the sun in Puerto Rico.
The King of Rock and Roll always asked for peanut butter and banana sandwiches, so he would have loved these PBB cupcakes!
Banana Cupcake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas, mashed (approx. 1 ½ cups)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Frosting:
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Directions
1. In the large bowl of a mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add the bananas and vanilla extract and mix on medium until well blended.
2. Place cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Fill cups two-thirds full with batter.
3. Bake at 350° for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before frosting.
4. In the large bowl of a mixer, combine the peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and milk. Mix on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and creamy and easy to spread or pipe. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon more of milk at a time and mix.
5. Frost cupcakes and decorate with fondant guitars, musical notes, chocolate chips, banana slices, etc. Use your imagination for an Elvis-inspired cupcake!
My mom and I made these for my puppy Maddie. Of course, like me, my little dog LOVES cupcakes! We combined some of her fave flavors in the cake: carrot, cheddar, apple, and honey.
Pupcake:
Makes 12 pupcakes
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup plain yogurt
2 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 egg
½ apple, finely diced
½ cup grated cheddar cheese
¼ cup carrots, finely diced
Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese (let stand at room temperature to soften)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. In the bowl of a mixer, blend together the yogurt, vegetable oil, honey, and
eggs, then stir in the apple, cheese, and carrots. Add the flour mixture and stir just until just mixed. The batter should be a little lumpy.
4. Fill the liners two-thirds full with the batter. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the pupcakes cool for 15 minutes.
5. In the mixer, combine the cream cheese, honey, and peanut butter until smooth. Frost the cupcakes. I like to add a mini dog biscuit on top for a decoration!
I was so excited to meet Kristin and her cutie-patootie pup at a fund-raiser last year for her charity, Maddie’s Corner. It’s named after her adorable Maltese Maddie, and it’s an organization “celebrating the bond between people and their pets while lending a ‘helping paw’ to those in need: People helping animals—animals helping people!” Kristin is not just an amazing singer-dancer-actress; she’s also a great mommy to Maddie. She truly cares about animals and wants to help them any way she can.
I asked Kristin if she would answer some questions for me—and she said sure! If you would like to make a donation to Maddie’s Corner, check out its website, www.maddiescorner.org, or email [email protected].
Carrie: Tell me about your organization Maddie’s Corner. Why and when did you start it? What does it do?
Kristin: Maddie’s Corner helps animal shelters and rescues with financial aid. We also help bring awareness to the many groups working all over the country and encourage people to adopt from them. I have had rescuers bring dogs to my concerts! We support spay-neuter clinics and pet food banks, and have stepped in to help with vet bills. We also support service dog organizations. We want people to know the many ways animals help people in need too!
Carrie: How can kids help animals in need? What are some good ways they can make a difference?
Kristin: There are lots of things kids can do to help. Animal shelters always need lots of supplies. They can do toy drives at their schools; they can collect cleaning supplies. They can have lemonade stands to raise money or do a fund-raiser where they just ask people for spare change—even pennies! When kids are a little older, they can volunteer at their local shelters, play with the dogs and cats, maybe just even help by bringing them some toys and treats.
