20 Jul
today is my little sister’s birthday.
My sister is one of the most amazing women I know. She is an amazing mother, a devoted wife, a fiercely loyal friend, and she has the kindest, gentlest heart I have ever know a person to have.
I love you, sis!
xoxo
19 Jul
I’ve been having a bit of a harder time getting back into writing regular blog posts than I had anticipated. I’ve gotten over the apprehension that was keeping me from blogging regularly for the past year, and I really want to write now. I have many things in my mind that I want to put on these electronic pages, but I’m having a hard time finding my voice again, I think. That and I have about a million things floating around in my mind that I need to get sorted into some sort of cohesive mix. To help with that, I’m declaring this week the week of lists.
16 Jul
As promised, here is the recipe I used for the Red Velvet cupcakes in jars for my Random Act of Cupcakes. This recipe is based on a recipe from the Joy of Baking. The first time I made a red velvet cake it was for my friends wedding cake. The recipe I used was amazing! Sadly over the years I lost it. I remember that specific recipe because it called for lard, and I remember being completely grossed out by that. I swapped the lard out for shortening, and it was amazing.
I started using the Joy of Baking recipe back in 2007 but I found that it didn’t taste quite as good as the one from before so I switched it up a tiny bit to resemble that old recipe. Now I find it tastes just like my memory of that old one recipe.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
red food coloring (I find the paste or gel works best. You have to use a lot)
1 tsp white distilled vinegar
1 tsp baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.
In a mixing bowl sift together the flour, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
In bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the shortening until soft (about 1-2 minutes). Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
In a measuring cup whisk the buttermilk with the red food coloring. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour.
In a small cup combine the vinegar and baking soda. Allow the mixture to fizz and then quickly fold into the cake batter.
Working quickly, scoop the batter into lined cupcake tins.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.
Remove from the pans and allow to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Cream Cheese Frosting
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (plus more depending on the thickness and consistency you are looking for)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter.
Add the vanilla, then gradually beat in the icing sugar.
Voila!
25 Jun
so apparently I had my settings screwed-up. I think it is fixed now.
Sorry about that 
1 Jun
My love of lululemon has now turned into an addiction.
I noticed a lot of people wearing these great lulu capris at the race last weekend, and though I’d check them out. So, off I went to lululemon last night to see for myself.
After chatting with a very nice saleslady who suggested that I try several different styles (the Crop Slit Boogie, the Chakra Light Crop, and the Circuit Crop) to see which one works best, I was off to the fitting room with three pairs of pants, each with a different length, cut and style. All solid black.
I’m sure they suggest things like that because they know just how great their clothing is. It was painful to have to choose just one pair. At $85 a pair, I was only allowing myself to get one (this week). I settled for the ones I originally had in mind because they seemed to be the most versatile. While they are a little longer than the others, they have the cute slit in the back, and can probably be worn for the most occasions.
Actually, I am wearing them at work today. I dressed them up with a white, short sleeve cotton dress shirt, and my flat shoes. They look better than most of my black work capris.
I’m going back for the shorter ones next payday…where I will undoubetly be picking up either another jacket, or another top.
Has anyone else noticed how amazing they make the butt look?!!
Somebody help me!!!
11 May
With the busy work week near its end, the headache almost gone, and the forecast calling for great weather for the next two days, I am super-excited about this coming weekend.
Saturday, I plan to check-out the Ladyfest Craft Sale, then hit a spa for a pedicure (and an eyebrow wax), then Saturday night, I have plans to watch the Sens game with friends at a local pub. Sunday will be a day of total relaxation, as I have made absolutely NO plans!
9 May
It’s only 10 am, and I am already in a completely foul mood.
The day started out great, the birds were chirping as I left for work, the forecast was calling for a sunny, gorgeous day; I was feeling fantastic, then BOOM - I get to work and everyone is on edge, snippy and generally in a nasty way. I tried my best to be chipper, but they won out.
Now I want to shut myself in and ignore the world.
Why is crankiness so contagious?
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