Happy New Year and All That

Well, I've been meaning to blog for awhile now, not that it's been any great loss to you that I haven't. December took its usual busy toll, along with 4 of the 5 of us being sick (times 10 days each)...well, you see how that kind of time adds up. And yadda, yadda, blah, blah...and all that. 

So, I'm still overcoming the "post holiday slump" I guess. Nothing is in order around the house, kids still not back to school, and those holiday pounds are making themselves felt in my tight clothes. If I were a resolution-making person (and I'm not) I would resolve to do many things better in 2013 than I did in 2012. But, shouldn't that always be what we're doing? Striving to be a "kinder, gentler" version of ourself from one day to the next?  Becoming more "Christ-like" with every breath?  So, instead of making resolutions that I know I will not keep, I'm choosing Micah 6:8 to live as my life verse this year:

"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?"

And, in case I haven't told you lately...

Festive Cupcakes

Friday's promised cupcake post was preempted by sickness -- mine. Blech. Still feeling yucky, but good enough to share pics of these fun cupcakes I made for my Sunday School party. I love the icy blue tint of the frosting, sprinkled with chips of peppermint candy (to match the cupcake liners) See how I did that there? Matched the cupcake to the liner? Genius, right?

And, I couldn't resist experimenting with making tiny snowflakes for the top. (to match the snowflakes on the liners) Sensing a pattern? Jeff came into the kitchen and saw these lined up on the counter and asked where I got them. I told him I made them, to which he replied, "No, seriously, where did you get them?" Me: (facepalm)...replied, "I have a little talent, you know. Geez..."

And what's a snowflake without a little sparkle? I'm in love with sanding sugar.

Finished product - pretty and yummy

Cupcakes Even a Grinch Would Like

My friend, Elisa, just happened upon several pages worth of cupcake recipes last week. They included this Cookies 'n Cream recipe that looked interesting. They are so fattening, however, I couldn't bring myself to eat one.  I did have a couple Tablespoons of icing though, so it's not like I'm being good or anything.  When I took this first photo I didn't realize the stack of Christmas books were in the background. Guess the Grinch is still being "grinch-y" after all these years!

The whipped cream cheese icing was SO GOOD! And with 3 dozen Oreos scattered throughout only 24 cupcakes you can imagine the taste of those as well.

Neat factor: This is the bottom of the cupcake. Cute!

On the mess making factor? I think I'd have to give them a 10. I'm still finding little black crumbs on my countertops a day later.

Christmas cupcakes coming Friday!

School - Day #48

Someone sweetly reminded me yesterday that I had not been taking photos of the girls on schooldays. And I'm so relieved she did because MY SCRAPBOOK PAGE! (Thank you, Sylvia.)

As you can see, the weather is a bit cooler here, but Abigail has the same pained look of tolerance on her face that she usually does. But, it's Casual Friday so everybody is usually in a happier mood because they can wear jeans and Grace Prep shirts and not have to bother with uniforms.

Making Twinkies

In recent days the cries of "No more Twinkies ever!" have been resounding around the U.S. I'll be honest...I haven't even tasted a Twinkie since I was in elementary school and I don't remember liking them that much then. All I remember is a very dry no-taste cake with a sticky center. So, when I posted on Facebook a few days ago about saving the world with my homemade Twinkie and Ding Dong Cupcakes, I thought "hey, why not look for a recipe?" And here we are.

I will say that I am going to have a hard time making these again. They are extremely time consuming when compared to the cupcakes I normally make and, like their namesakes, I don't think you get that much taste for your buck. They are better tasting than "real" Twinkies to be sure, but I'm just not sure they are worth that much effort. (Maybe the Ding Dongs will be better? They are chocolate after all.)

Right out of the oven. They look very Twinkie-ish in color.

Centers were carved out (by hand) by my extremely capable assistant, Abigail

Marshmallow Creme filling was piped in,

cores were returned to place,

And Marshmallow Creme frosting was added. Yes, I know Twinkies don't have icing on the outside, but these are cupcakes after all.

And...tahdah! 

Early taste testers revealed their surprise at how much they tasted like actual Twinkies, but better. For now they've gone into the freezer to wait for serving on Thanksgiving Day.  Stay tuned for "Making Hostess Ding Dongs Better," coming soon to a blog near you. This one.

Photo of the Day

There's nothing special about this cupcake. I just thought after yesterday's post this might be a little happier. And, I love the bluish-purplish colors. Lovely...

Dead Flies in the Fridge and Other Things That Irritate Me

I opened my fridge this morning and there, upside down, motionless was a fly. Gross. It irritated me that he had flown in there in the first place and then apparently stayed long enough to "freeze" to death. This led to pulling out the shelf, which led to awareness that caramel sauce from some unknown container had run down the entire back of the fridge. Oh joy...

Here's a few things that are irritating me today: (Aren't you glad you stopped by the blog?)

people who have the opportunity to be prepared and don't take it

people who are skinny and don't have to watch what they eat

laundry

dishes

dry cupcakes

dry eyes

our government being trillions of dollars in debt

the liberal media

the fact that I hate exercise in any form but desperately need to be doing it

junk mail

dark circles under my eyes


Happy Day, Everyone! I'm going to go find my eye cream, put my Restasis drops in, start a load in the washer and find a rice cake to eat for lunch.

And In Other News...

Texas A&M beat Alabama 

tonight in Tuscaloosa!!!

29-24

FROM ESPN: INSTANT ANALYSIS

What it means: The Crimson Tide's (9-1, 6-1 SEC) BCS Championship Game hopes took a huge hit with this loss. Three teams -- Oregon, Kansas State and Notre Dame -- could remain undefeated after their games on Saturday night and jump Alabama in the BCS standings. And on the flip side: Welcome to the SEC, Texas A&M. Many wondered whether the Aggies could compete in the SEC when they made the move to the country's premier football league. Not only have the Aggies (8-2, 5-2) shown they can compete, they've shown they can beat the best teams the league has to offer. Kevin Sumlin has this team peaking, and it could jump into the top 10 with this win. It's definitely a new era in College Station, Texas. 

Dear Santa,

How about tickets to a bowl game this year?

Signed,

Excited Aggie in Ft. Worth

Apple Cider Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream

A most tasty treat are these cupcakes. I'm actually horrified by the amount of butter that went in to making them, which is why I only ate one. The rest will be doled out tomorrow at church.

View from the top

I wish my mother was here to have one with a cup of hot tea. I was going to make them while she was here and we spent too much time shopping. So, Mother, I'll owe you one at Christmas.

Fall Festival: Read at Your Own Risk

We spent our usual Halloween at church working Fall Festival. These first two photos are of the Worship Center where a giant pumpkin welcomed kids and talked to them about God's love. I loved the special effects.

This cute little nurse helped hand out candy during "trunk or treat."

Here's the disturbing part of this post. I hope you understand that me as a halfway dressed Green Lantern is not the scary part. Yes, that is Jeff dressed as one of his Jr. High football coaches. He had everyone in stitches the entire night.

Here he is with our referee friend, Jeremy. Don't they make a cute couple?

Sorry for the disturbing images, but I just had to share! : )