This Week

I'm afraid I don't like my days off.

I start off the day with so many anticipations of what I'm going to get done.

But, when I'm at home, all I want to do is lounge and eat and nap and watch movies.

When I go to a "workplace" I'm busy and I loose myself.

Oh what work does for one's soul.  

Lazy days aren't good for me.

The only thing I really do love about days off is sleeping in.

But even then, I sleep in till 8.

The one thing that is wonderful though,

Is not having to set an alarm.

Knowing that nothing else will wake me up up but my own stirring.

Here's things I should start doing:

1) Cook more.  I do live with the parentals, so this one is tricky.  But oh how I love cooking and inventing.

This one would be fun for this time of year.

Go HERE to check out this wonderful blog full of fun and inventive recipes

Does this not look delicious?

Go HERE

Shut up, I have to try this...

Imagine a pie with this lace topping for a crust.

Go HERE

2) Craft more.  I need to relish my time off!  And not try and get so many "serious" things done. 

3) Work out.  Let's be honest, I haven't for like 3 months.  This is really sad......

cooking mistakes are ok too.

The mistakes sure provide a funny story.  This was me and Mandie's attempt to be nice and make a baked good for a church activity.  WARNING to all bakers!  Let cakes cool before you frost them!  I knew it, but sometimes my lack of patience gets to me.  It's called too many to do's on my to do list.

My moto still stands though!

If you can read and follow directions, you can cook.  What else is a recipe?

I tell my unconfident students this all the time.

If you haven't discovered homemade cream cheese frosting, it is time...

So It was my friend Chelsea's birthday last weekend and we decided to throw her a surprise party with the theme of "cupcakes".  Cupcakes are so fun to create, we had a glorious time decorating them.  I'm going to share with you how I made my favorite cupcake: chocolate raspberry cheesecake.  It's so easy!

Beforehand:
Make and bake a basic chocolate cake mix.
Make sure it is cool before you attempt to frost them!

Basic Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 package cream cheese
1 cube butter
1 bag powdered sugar (might not use the whole thing)
about 2 Tbsp milk, depends
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract

Cream your butter and cream cheese till you have a smooth consistency.  Add like one cup powdered sugar.  You'll want to add your milk after.  Keep adding powdered sugar until you have the consistency you want.  Add more milk if you need to.  Taste test!!  This is the most important part!  You'll know by the taste if it's done.  Add vanilla and almond extract at the end.

Most importantly making this frosting depends on your own objective.  You make it how you want it, that's what I love about it.

Add a raspberry to top your cupcake off.  And there you have it!  A cupcake surprise party in the making!  See the pictures of my experience.