tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17178526212068787422024-02-07T11:55:10.726-05:00college&cupcakes.Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-58252141611939991292011-01-09T14:47:00.000-05:002011-01-09T14:47:25.256-05:00Things I Need to Make<ul><li>Lobster Pot Pie (or just Chicken Pot Pie)</li>
<li>Macaroni & Cheese (yes, again. I will get it right!)</li>
<li>Huevos Rancheros</li>
<li>Elvis Cupcakes (a belated birthday at Birdie's)</li>
<li>Cinnamon Rolls</li>
<li>Granola Bars</li>
<li>Snickerdoodles (I never did make them for Christmas!)</li>
<li>Pizza (I suppose this will have to wait until I have a baking stone again :\)</li>
<li>Soft Pretzels</li>
<li>Pizza Nachos</li>
</ul><div>I need to settle on a few things and hit up the grocery store/butcher shop this week. I'm hoping that I do well the next few days at work so that I have a decent amount to work with. I haven't been to the grocery store to <i>really</i> shop in a long while and I'm due.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I've also clearly been watching too much Food Network and Cooking Channel. Chalk it up to spending last Thursday in Philly with my fabulous friend Michaela and watching yummy food all day. I even made chili today even though we made it then. I'm in a cooking mood again and I like it.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-8456167041220048292011-01-02T13:08:00.002-05:002011-01-02T13:10:26.587-05:00Lazy Sunday MorningsWinter break makes me crave breakfast. I made Blueberry Pancakes on Thursday and had Chocolate Chip Pancakes at the diner on Friday. Today? Waffles. And after throwing ideas back and forth with the boy, he suggested brown sugar and cinnamon.<br />
<br />
I was a little apprehensive at first because I'm still learning to be more adventurous with food (I've spent the last five years or so breaking my bland-food upbringing). I didn't mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in with the batter at first because I was scared I wouldn't like it. After I made the boy's, he said it needed more and I agreed. That's when I added it to the batter and .. wow. So tasty. And my kitchen smelled so good!<br />
<br />
I wanted to make them 100% whole wheat but a lot of the waffle recipes I've seen that are 100% whole wheat use whole wheat pastry flour and I only have regular whole wheat flour so I need to look into that (any information/tips would be grateful!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUXLW_r9CiRi6uNQ_71O6nMdbSGXnBCsu5fYWhEolrNgYD8v5u9yYPIBf3dbD20vvQb1a1Zbr280xpXi2zlAEs2QDLuYO0jPh8FPJKYplayVW1_EvEKvx40jtomep1qzvAQu8WX12qe6j/s1600/Brown+Sugar%2526Cinnamon+Waffles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUXLW_r9CiRi6uNQ_71O6nMdbSGXnBCsu5fYWhEolrNgYD8v5u9yYPIBf3dbD20vvQb1a1Zbr280xpXi2zlAEs2QDLuYO0jPh8FPJKYplayVW1_EvEKvx40jtomep1qzvAQu8WX12qe6j/s320/Brown+Sugar%2526Cinnamon+Waffles.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<b>Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Waffles</b><br />
<i>Makes 1 Dozen Square Waffles</i><br />
Also on <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/?p=107133">The Tasty Kitchen</a><br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<ul><li>1 cup All Purpose Flour</li>
<li>1 cup Whole Wheat Flour</li>
<li>3 teaspoons Baking Powder</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon Salt</li>
<li>3 Tablespoons White Sugar</li>
<li>2 1/2 Tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar</li>
<li>2 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon</li>
<li>2 Large Eggs</li>
<li>2 cups Milk</li>
<li>2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract</li>
<li>4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter</li>
</ul><div>Directions:<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions. (Note: I have a two-square iron. I preheat and set atop a baking sheet lined with wax paper and a paper towel to catch any batter if you over pour.)</li>
<li>In large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Place butter in microwave and heat, on 20 second intervals until completely melted.</li>
<li>Add eggs, milk, and vanilla to dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. After butter has cooled slightly, add that until batter is fully incorporated. Try not to over mix!</li>
<li>Once your waffle iron is hot, spray with non-stick spray and ladle batter into iron. (I usually get a little over one ladle to fully cover all the squares with minimal loss of batter.) Cook as per your manufacturer’s instructions. I suggest about 5-7 minutes.</li>
</ol><br />
<br />
This makes a double batch of waffles, about one dozen. I like to make double batches and freeze most of them for quick morning meals. (Note: If you plan on making some to freeze, sometimes it’s best to not cook them until crisp so that they get crispy when you reheat.)<br />
<br />
To reheat: Defrost waffles for a minute or two then toast in toaster.</div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-3699747708271614572010-12-22T20:05:00.000-05:002010-12-22T20:05:21.325-05:00Missing In Action.I think the reason I don't blog on here much is that I'm not as witty/interesting/exciting as other bloggers and that leads me to believe no one ever reads my blog. I post on Tumblr every now and then, but mostly just stalk blogs and dream of how I could be like them (see my sad attempt at wit/interestingness below). Sad, but true.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm going to post my recent <a href="http://stephycupcake.tumblr.com/post/2422534786">Tumblr</a> post on here just because I felt the need to post.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="post" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 40px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="regular" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><h2 style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="http://stephycupcake.tumblr.com/post/2422534786" style="color: #ffc6a5; text-decoration: none;">THE LIST.</a></h2><ul><li>Cranberry Muffins</li>
<li>Blueberry Muffins</li>
<li>Holiday Chip Waffles (or pancakes)</li>
<li>Cran-apple and/or Apple Crisp (Although I don’t know if my thumb can handle another chunk being taken out by the peeler)</li>
<li>Chocolate Chip, Sugar and Chocolate-White Chocolate Chip Cookie Gift Logs</li>
<li>Chocolate Chip, Sugar, Chocolate-White Chocolate Chip and Snickerdoodle Cookies</li>
<li>Cookie Dough Dip</li>
<li>Bark</li>
<li>Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes</li>
<li>Gingerbread Cupcakes</li>
<li>Christmas Confetti Cupcakes</li>
</ul>I need jars for the dip. And cellophane bags. And possibly more ribbon. Could prolly use a bigger oven and more counter-space too. While you’re at it, throw in a bigger fridge.<br />
<br />
Oh, and bigger pants.<br />
<div><br />
</div></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-86582701562569100592010-09-12T12:23:00.000-04:002010-09-12T12:23:43.147-04:00Time to "Get Whipped"It's been a long time coming. I've dreamed of the day when I would start my own business. The day it would become "official". Hours spent writing a business plan with four boys in my Entrepreneurship class. Countless hours of measuring, mixing, baking, and piping. Several back and forth e-mails trying to get everything <i>juuust</i> right. And then, it happened...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whipped/139163249448552"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Bus0Y0BVRBXL7erzyvG_NUlBEnUwGHHsB82Fa4R1HFWfkgp9rxqycNKFnFs8mLtvmchUGxvZEZiyD8yfpYD5KA6EYpPXlsK-AigeDpr1-D00J2TxpVHlLvxf5TYreuBNj0ZobwuTcU8R/s320/Logo+600x400.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm "official". I have a logo. A Facebook page. A website in the works. A deal with a local cafe/coffeehouse that sells my cupcakes. I feel like I've finally made it. I still have a long way to go. Legal stuff -- blech. I guess you could say I'm prolonging that as long as I can, simply because I know it's going to take a lot of work, probably a good bit of money, and a lot of time. Time isn't something I necessarily have right now. Twelve hour days at school three days a week, up to twenty hours of working on the weekend. And let's not forget cooking, baking, cleaning, and organizing. Oh, and homework. There's a lot of that. But, I know it will all be worth it in the end. To know that I have accomplished something like starting my own business.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But let's get back to my business deal! <a href="http://www.birdiescoffee.com/">Birdie's Cafe Coffeehouse</a> in Westminster, MD is selling cupcakes by Whipped on a weekly basis. I have been looking to get more exposure so I contacted the owner and asked if this would be something she was interested in. She seemed very excited, and next Tuesday I'll be delivering my third dozen to her. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8zRcoQ"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DL0p-TKhWl8DqFV-LkwRqTbhPeuXIoB5FCvD_Q2jlurZlG60w8v4mkLwx0nXsl6yrxZW8zoCRRb0LnfKEpWpxTF-UuwRr5GCcfDIWR_M0XCtm-vmW9Z1wt0aMb-xS4d3ZO-XY-qtfZBX/s200/DSC_0057.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=302679&id=139163249448552"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fIJs8vxZrrvCwu-39_7CF-stDUk3oRiimZYA67GnBlzaaiPEN4XzyUrF4VPiSssMFHveVkmeMIiEyouJvA8lKImnrEVEbXZmBoINBi3QsoRuZ8rJe-oa5oFu7ObP7u0o1H-T7v59G-q0/s200/DSC_0007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>{Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream & Oreo Cupcakes with Oreo Buttercream for first order, Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream & Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes for second order}</i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The best part about this arrangement is I get to pick the flavors. So to start I've been doing one traditional flavor and one more "exotic". I haven't quite decided on this weeks flavors yet. Pretty sure I want to do Red Velvet but I haven't settled on the second. Suggestions are always welcome ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
I'm really excited to see where my dream takes me. And I'm so glad that I have such supportive friends and family that stand behind me and encourage me every step of the way. I think that's the most important thing beside my passion for it, and I'm so thankful for all of them.<br />
<br />
Now off to do homework aka daydream of cupcakes, haha.Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-41122632867619101762010-09-06T21:33:00.000-04:002010-09-06T21:33:14.413-04:00Labor Day Goodies<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I thought that today was going to be the first day of my internship at WTMD. However, I should've confirmed with my supervisor because I could've saved myself a few hours and gas. Turns out she wasn't in today, so I drove down to school (with two dozen fresh blueberry muffins) for no reason. And what sucked even more was that I couldn't get a hold of the boy (he left his phone at home), who was at the Maryland State Fair (which I really wanted to go to today). I knew it would be crowded there and I didn't want to have to a) pay - they had free tickets and b) search all around the fairgrounds for him. Flustered, I ate a muffin then went to Starbucks before heading home where I enjoyed two more muffins, my hot chocolate, and ... MY CHAISE! The good part about having the house to myself is free range of my wonderful chaise. Short lived but it felt good.</span></span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've made these muffins </span></span><a href="http://mscupcakeface.blogspot.com/2010/06/grumble-grumble.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, and this time decided to triple the recipe and use only fresh blueberries. I also (by accident) didn't follow the crumb topping recipe exactly, but I think it still tasted fabulous.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8yMyhT"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4965513915_e9f3a93655_m.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8yMymr"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4965514121_e081406cec_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Best Blueberry Muffins Ever</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Adapted from </span></span><a href="http://vanillaandlace.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">craftedmybones</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes 2 1/2 Dozen</span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=13zqA-NX4BtgVeH2nK7gGPrHlZLPD35TgHoIGyoBoi9w&hl=en&authkey=CJ3L9o4H"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Printable Version</span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Muffins</span></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 1/4 cups Sugar</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 1/2 teaspoons Salt</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 Tablespoons Baking Powder</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 cup Vegetable Oil</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 Eggs</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 cup Milk</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 cup+ Blueberries (I didn't measure, used most of a </span></span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Crumb Topping</span></span></span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cups Sugar</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cups Flour (use 1/3 for a more crumb-like topping)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 Tablespoons Butter</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon Cinnamon</span></span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Directions:</span></span></b></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin cups with liners. Make crumb topping by mixing together ingredients with a fork.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Whisk dry ingredients into a large bowl. Add in vegetable oil, eggs, and milk; mixing until incorporated. Fold in blueberries.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full and sprinkle with one teaspoon crumb topping and bake for about 8-9 minutes, adding another teaspoon of crumb topping and baking for an additional 8-9 minutes, 18-20 minutes total.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">-----</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8yQD8h"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4966115514_94d8696ce5.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After enjoying my muffins, I decided I needed to head to the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner as well as other grocery necessities. I picked up some fruits and veggies, tons of frozen meals (perfect for me to take to school), granola cereal, Nature Valley granola bars, yogurt, water, and of course, the most recent issue of the Washingtonian. Once I got home, I had to reorganize the freezer and fridge so that everything fit nicely (and made me feel good).</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8yMyz8"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4965514857_f1413f1196_m.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Snack time came, and good thing I picked up a ripe avocado, cause I whipped up some guacamole. I kept it simple, just mashing the avocado and adding a little roasted tomato salsa. Served it with some multi-grain Tostitos and ate it all up. Perfect snack/lunch. The bowl was made by my grandfather. I've got a total of four bowls I think. As well as a fork, spoon, mixing spoon, and spatula. I've been using the mixing spoon/spatula a lot more lately, and am going to try and get in the habit of using the bowls as well.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And then, it was onto dinner. I wanted to fix it relatively early so that I'd have enough sunlight for some decent pictures. I hate that a lot of the dinners I fix are later in the evening when the lighting sucks and I get sucky pictures. It's sad that I'm planning meals around the lighting, isn't it? Oh well. Okay, back to the meal. I had decided to make Chicken Sliders after glazing over How Sweet's </span></span><a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/08/30/buffalo-chicken-burgers/comment-page-2/#comment-24594"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Buffalo Chicken Burgers</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and Ezra Pound Cake's </span></span><a href="http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/2902"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rattlesnake Sliders</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. I also wanted to make a Chipotle Mayo because, well, I love mayo. And chipotle-ness. And have been wanting to make chipotle mayo for like, ever. So there you have it -- Chicken Sliders with Chipotle Mayo. Recipe and pictures below :)</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8yQDmC"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4966116288_a0c82035bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<b><div style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.23291587503626943" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chicken Sliders with Chipotle Mayo</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Serves 4</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1wTKMdH_h7czSYbmOnI-dCJ4EAGJkIw8lX8Lc--hF0kA&hl=en&authkey=CMer3vIF">Printable Version</a></span></i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chipotle Mayo</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes about 1/2 cup</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6 Tablespoons Mayo</span></span></span></div></b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon Ground Chipotle Chile</span></span></span></div></b></span></li>
</ul></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chicken Sliders</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes 8 sliders</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 pound Ground Chicken</span></span></span></div></b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon Salt</span></span></span></div></b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon Ground Pepper</span></span></span></div></b></span></li>
</ul></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thoroughly mix together mayo and ground chipotle. Put in an air-tight container and put in fridge until ready to use (can be made up to 2 days in advance).</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For the sliders, preheat an electric griddle (or grill or grill pan) to medium-high. Mix salt and pepper with the ground chicken until fully incorporated. Shape into balls and flatten, placing each patty about an inch apart on the griddle. Cook, turning once or twice, about 8-10 minutes.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To assemble, toast a small whole wheat roll (like </span></span></span><a href="http://www.kingshawaiian.com/images/products/hnywht-12pk.jpg"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">King’s Hawaiian Honey Wheat Rolls</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">) and layer lettuce, tomato, and mayo on the roll. Top with burger and enjoy!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">And that was my day. No dessert this evening, was feeling a little lazy (I did make Cookies & Cream Cupcakes yesterday, but I'll save those for another blog). Also didn't get any homework/reading done. Oops. I did do yoga though. I'm feeling a little defeated by it though, I'm wondering if I'm doing it right. And I hate that I'm not that flexible/steady and had difficulties with today's lesson. I guess if I keep at it I'll only get better, but it's hard when you're doing it by yourself in your own home with no "formal" yoga training, haha. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">How did you celebrate your Labor Day?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-79664526804580905142010-09-01T11:17:00.001-04:002010-09-01T11:20:43.326-04:00Perfect together.<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I got to thinking about relationships and partial lobotomies. Two seemingly different ideas that might just be perfect together - like chocolate and peanut butter.” -- Carrie, Sex & the City</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh, chocolate and peanut butter. You make me so happy. Especially when you combine one of my favorite candies into a cookie. Lucky for me I was sending a care package to my lovely friend Nicole, who is attending FIT in New York. I asked her what her favorite candy was, to which she replied Reese's. I didn't want to just send a bag of candy, and I had remembered seeing a recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Cookies that I knew would be perfect.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAQZLTfaBkVYp4bCKo8mSTviZt-HnBTr30e9cmDbAfsCuMhM-FhnBdz4ub6nacBaDFWXE7WdcUoGvel_uvuI7mfNpcDyPjdpX8tYzVAqtdBavhiJo17xjJSzfzwW6REiUfjIFWgEGeKzz/s1600/Peanut+Butter+Cup+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAQZLTfaBkVYp4bCKo8mSTviZt-HnBTr30e9cmDbAfsCuMhM-FhnBdz4ub6nacBaDFWXE7WdcUoGvel_uvuI7mfNpcDyPjdpX8tYzVAqtdBavhiJo17xjJSzfzwW6REiUfjIFWgEGeKzz/s320/Peanut+Butter+Cup+Cookies.jpg" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peanut Butter Cup Cookies</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">adapted from </span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/peanut-butter-cup-cookies-00000000021356/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Real Simple</span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon Baking Soda</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, at room temperature</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup Granulated Sugar</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 Large Egg</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">About 30 Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, coarsely chopped</span></span></span><br />
<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 375</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">° and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cream the butter and sugars. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Add in the flour mixture until incorporated. Fold in the peanut butter cups.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Using a medium sized scoop, drop dough about 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets (*see note below). Bake for about 10 minutes, until light brown around the edges (centers will still be soft). Remove from baking sheets and allow to cool on wire racks.</span></span></span></li>
</ol><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Things I learned from making these cookies:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #643d1e; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #643d1e; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;"><div class="recipeDirections"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ul style="line-height: normal;"><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do not bake more then 10 minutes</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chill the dough (I did one dozen before chilling the dough, and also overbaked them so chilling the dough was a good idea)</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Don't put mini Reese's in a food processor (they get too ground instead of chopped. Breaking them up with my fingers was much easier. I also think I'd use regular sized ones next time)</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The recipe does not make 48 cookies. Unless you're using an itsy bitsy cookie scoop, which I do not.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Simply folding the broken Reese's into the batter isn't enough (and your cookies won't look like the ones in the picture). You must flatten the cookies a bit after placing them on the parchment and push a few more pieces of crushed Reese's onto the tops of the cookies. </span></span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And also, as promised, here is the recipe for Peanut Butter Chip Brownies from my </span><a href="http://mscupcakeface.blogspot.com/2010/08/cupcakes-brownies-shepherds-pie-oh-my.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">previous post</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpdV9z7Zbq0f-SR2_c-sgaDv-8ydAiR4QMt9PLz0gaY4wW2HWSF9YYhyAgI-kEnhUEZf0Su6QvwLMI2BdamnyIPiP54g4RfKzSnTbgxdNVSGjeTOm840qNL64lE_UJQKJ7Z6t6FZaTddY/s1600/Peanut+Butter+Chip+Brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpdV9z7Zbq0f-SR2_c-sgaDv-8ydAiR4QMt9PLz0gaY4wW2HWSF9YYhyAgI-kEnhUEZf0Su6QvwLMI2BdamnyIPiP54g4RfKzSnTbgxdNVSGjeTOm840qNL64lE_UJQKJ7Z6t6FZaTddY/s320/Peanut+Butter+Chip+Brownies.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peanut Butter Chip Brownies</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4-1oz squares Unsweetened Baking Chocolate</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10 Tablespoons Butter</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 cups Sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 Large Eggs</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 1/2 cups Flour</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon Baking Powder</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 teaspoon Salt</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1-10oz bag Reese's Peanut Butter Chips (approx 1 2/3 cups)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 350</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">°</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and grease a 9x13 baking pan. </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Microwave (or use a double boiler) chocolate and butter until melted. Set aside to cool.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Whisk together dry ingredients (excluding peanut butter chips*) in bowl.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beat sugar, eggs, and vanilla on high speed for five minutes.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beat in chocolate mixture on low speed. Beat in flour mixture until blended.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Spread in pan and sprinkle top with peanut butter chips. Bake for about 20 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.</span></span></li>
</ol></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*If you wanted the chips to be mixed in with the batter, simply toss with a little flour and fold them in after step 5.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"></div></span></span></div></div></span></span></span></div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-26781273209961897772010-09-01T10:43:00.002-04:002010-09-03T13:10:39.607-04:00Waffles Take Two.<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I made homemade waffles back in July using a recipe from <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/">Tasty Kitchen</a>, and wasn't super pleased with the results. So when I had my mental health day at my MiMi's last month, I came across "</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/50-pancakes-and-waffles-1--10/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">50 Pancakes & Waffles</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">" insert from the Food Network Magazine and she told me to take it home with me. It's been sitting on my desk since, and I've been wanting to make waffles so today I finally did it. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I modified the "<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/50-pancakes-and-waffles-31--40/index.html">Classic Waffle</a>" recipe, and was quite pleased with the results. I will admit, I was a little skeptical at first because I wasn't sure about the shortening. I don't recall ever putting shortening in waffles before, and I'm not really sure what it does for the batter, so I guess I really can't complain. I also added vanilla, because I love vanilla and add it to everything. The batter was thick, and it made enough for the three of us and a few extra. Next time I will double the batch so I can stick plenty in the freezer for quick breakfasts. I will also add some mini chocolate chips, because pancakes and waffles are always better with chocolate chips (except the previous recipe I tried, haha).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4Q7uwEcluFFsTU-OJl8TP_CLgtYdcMvLAhwno-Fuh-ghcWlhl3eELlKeExYMiSitcJehpoIx2PaJgjjj4238dWMPy3HW0SAVX1pRbDyscjNdjIyScjGs2gUEUsBcWFEnHXnpdjQYSdVT/s320/Whole+Wheat+Waffles.jpg" /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Whole Wheat Waffles</span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>adapted from Food Network Magazine</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>posted on </i><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/breakfastbrunch/waffles/whole-wheat-waffles/"><i>Tasty Kitchen</i></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2 cups Whole Wheat Flour</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">4 teaspoons Baking Powder</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2 Tablespoons Sugar</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1 teaspoon Salt</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2 large Eggs</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1 1/2 cups Milk</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">5 Tablespoons Shortening</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">4 Tablespoons Butter</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6b6d6d; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1. Melt shortening and butter in microwave at 20 second intervals until fully melted. Meanwhile, whisk together dry ingredients in large bowl and preheat your waffle iron.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2. Add liquid ingredients to dry and whisk until incorporated (do not overmix!)</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3. Ladle mix into waffle iron and cook until crisp.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 15px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Makes 10 square waffles.</span></span></span></div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-27711985821019357772010-08-23T16:05:00.001-04:002010-08-23T16:07:03.674-04:00Cupcakes, Brownies, Shepherd's Pie, OH MY!I've been on a roll lately with the cooking/baking. And while not all cooking endeavors are blog-worthy, there are a few that are. And with that, I give to you:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8uP83x"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12opeSkvMKeRZf_M2JCSKtTxfE30C_cTu_ZOChIC4l5LP6UPzdRa9_-IsxA8U-CR3EUfhGXU3PreJg_FEAST3irkj6j0Bcj-8Gmgw42KURLhDjGcaAC8XoO35oV6TPtEY3rB7MlMTIKYD/s200/Chocolate+Chip+Cupcakes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Frosting! This recipe came from <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/03/05/chocolate-chip-cupcakes-with-cookie-dough-frosting/">How Sweet It Is</a> and was just as delicious as described in the blog post. Perfect ending to our end of the summer crab feast last week!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephycupcake/4920553635/"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl0WuTJNL1kR73osRjKKtHjy1oy7KYaIBDQHApdITgnZckhcd0s0nnJO6WzFtzetSepshxpe7AMpRg0AvXnj86gJhDlR3m0rwiLplbya1DeExXYiyKvgU-V7ViZe2-EZ5cYpyVQ6zMPoA/s200/Peanut+Butter+Chip+Brownies.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephycupcake/4921152844/"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EABKkFN1_YONBkP6daoiqXjOYw17GhvAm96K4ByaPScsWP5y3EP3JMa5RFcH_vn0ewodhEj7HtIxXD7zVvdDG1KOhVjT_W6ZqwMTpIiLGuhzRwKVB1ibEqKnqdZWovrcuh04DTjmbAkm/s200/Vegan+Strawberry+Cupcakes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Peanut Butter Chip Brownies AND Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes! I used my mom's brownie recipe for the brownies then added peanut butter chips on the bottom and top of the batter. Fudgey, chocolatey, peanut buttery. So good. The cupcakes were 100% vegan, the first time I've actually done so (I've made vegan cupcakes in the past, but have used a non-vegan buttercream). They were a huge hit at the White Trash BBQ, and I plan on making them for one of my co-workers who is obsessed with my strawberry cupcakes. I want to see which ones he thinks are better!<br />
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And last but not least...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNWS98Gs5yF4vHzIg-N-tBvbAeUtMVffNl6MtWuusk4ezgkQBhDNPQEKuThc7RKRziHCKOYabb15T7RqNH7LZX2tExv7dVC3SFFZs-QHgWJLKqkhjpgCSw9a_7qTYCVMrg4BFN6-w05AE/s1600/Sweet+Potato+Topped+Shepherd%27s+Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNWS98Gs5yF4vHzIg-N-tBvbAeUtMVffNl6MtWuusk4ezgkQBhDNPQEKuThc7RKRziHCKOYabb15T7RqNH7LZX2tExv7dVC3SFFZs-QHgWJLKqkhjpgCSw9a_7qTYCVMrg4BFN6-w05AE/s200/Sweet+Potato+Topped+Shepherd%27s+Pie.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmsGIKUjEy9neEMmIwbu8Q4wxJB0y2QUoDIBWOnahhMlNHyFj5weRggr5PmppcmB1CpYMeDi9Zp3EiTalRx7aW_fCrnhPsaMIb_SFnhoTQVdTP3_gBY98VSbcx_WfJVWpUwc1UqR8DaKC/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmsGIKUjEy9neEMmIwbu8Q4wxJB0y2QUoDIBWOnahhMlNHyFj5weRggr5PmppcmB1CpYMeDi9Zp3EiTalRx7aW_fCrnhPsaMIb_SFnhoTQVdTP3_gBY98VSbcx_WfJVWpUwc1UqR8DaKC/s200/DSC_0125.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Sweet Potato Topped Shepherd's Pie and buttery, flaky, Pilsbury biscuits! I have been wanting to make Shepherd's Pie for a good month or so, and Rachael Ray must've known because she put not one, but TWO recipes in her recent issue! I went with the sweet potato topped one, which coincidently is the first time I've ever even purchased a sweet potato (even though I bought them from my job because restaurant sweet potatoes are way cheaper then supermarket ones, haha).<br />
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I think the only things I would change would be to double up the gravy recipe and use (I used one in the dish and made another on the side since I wasn't sure how much the sweet potatoes would soak up), and I would use less milk with the sweet potatoes because personally, they were too moist for me. I was expecting a firmer topping, and I know that sweet potatoes are generally softer then white, but I think the milk and the gravy attributed to making them even softer.<br />
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So there you have it, folks. Cupcakes, brownies, and Shepherd's Pie. I'll be posting recipes soon, if you'd like to try any of these yummy dishes!Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-33170424152408725302010-08-22T14:45:00.001-04:002010-08-22T15:22:58.351-04:00The Five Year Plan<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">The Five Year Plan -- I'm on it. And in two days, I start my first day as a fifth year senior. Can we just talk for a minute how happy I am to know that in just 277 days (which is 9 months and 5 days if you're counting) I will <i>finally</i> be graduating with my bachelor's. I can't wait to get this semester over with. I only need seven more classes, all of which are upper levels for my major/concentration.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/djh9oX" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://bit.ly/djh9oX" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's the damage -- six classes totaling eighteen credits. This is the most I've taken on in one semester, but I had to do it. That leaves one class for the spring, which I'm hoping will be offered as a once a week night class so I can work more but that's not something I'm even going to think about right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My internship (Professional Experience) is with <a href="http://www.wtmd.org/">WTMD</a>'s membership director working with their Fall Fund Drive and Membership stuff. That'll be Monday/Wednesday 10-1 and Thursday's 10-2. So essentially on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, I will be on campus for about ten to twelve hours a day. That also means I will be eating lunch and dinner on campus and must force myself to not eat at Panera for every meal. I'm limiting myself to Thursday's only, haha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily Professor Paul was my Entrepreneurship professor last semester and always lets you out of your night class around 8:30/8:455 and is a really nice/helpful professor. Good thing I have him for three classes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a meeting with the woman I'm going to be working with for my Independent Study, who works in the office at my dad's work. I'm going to be working with their "Christmas Committee" who does fundraising in the fall for various local charities and families who don't really get a Christmas. I'm going to be in charge of a silent auction for the <a href="http://www.rmhbaltimore.com/">Ronald McDonald House</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three of my books have arrived. I only had to purchase four online, I have the one I need for Business Strategy&Policy since I bought it from a kid last semester, along with my Project Management book from the summer. I purchased two International Editions because they cost about half of what a domestic used book did. I also snagged <i>Seven Habits for Highly Effective People</i>, which I need for Professional Experience for $0.01. That's right, a penny! Granted I paid $6.95 for priority shipping, I figured it was still my cheapest/most economical route.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm going to be so busy. I hope I can still make time to make yummy meals and desserts and cupcakes!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-59844424350789839052010-08-15T15:25:00.000-04:002010-08-15T15:25:33.176-04:00It pays to bake cupcakes.So I had my first paying cupcake gig last weekend for a former co-worker of mine. Her daughter just turned nine, and they were having a luau themed party. Camile knew exactly what she wanted -- chocolate cupcakes with green frosting inside and on top, strawberry cupcakes with turquoise frosting, and vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting. She also wanted hula skirt, flip flop, and palm tree fondant decorations.<br />
<br />
I was really excited about this order because I loved Camile's ideas and was excited to give fondant another try. This was only my third time working with it, and although everything didn't come out exactly how I would have liked, I think I did pretty well considering everything was done by hand with no stencils, etc.<br />
<br />
Cindy (the mother) told me that everyone loved the cupcakes, and she was so happy with how they turned out. I also made a two-layer marble sheet cake with chocolate icing and kept saying "I hate making cakes". Not that I hate making them, but I would much rather frost and decorate a cupcake rather than a sheet cake, haha.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWCPHbJjz6__t5m1pexKKEaffL-HS-feTsjKeo4v65RwIjoJY2RyyJE1tzVWILZMT2xu_D4SCSnOYmaczMk7acbbb9ugR7VwTn5aU_R-PivF37QuIjph67Sdj4V6cm5UyrzI40SgX4-Pv/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWCPHbJjz6__t5m1pexKKEaffL-HS-feTsjKeo4v65RwIjoJY2RyyJE1tzVWILZMT2xu_D4SCSnOYmaczMk7acbbb9ugR7VwTn5aU_R-PivF37QuIjph67Sdj4V6cm5UyrzI40SgX4-Pv/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5nT-wk21Pcy6fANEnhSZ_bk3WDhGBuPbY-iLWMwqql7N0XuPEU3Ide8dxHtqOfCu5BhCr3ZR7f5hkEoNDQ66DhMlsa64CsS4CEEcS4a6Yi6QzJRD33q0yEDVLUiMH79ss-11jd7kqFzd/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5nT-wk21Pcy6fANEnhSZ_bk3WDhGBuPbY-iLWMwqql7N0XuPEU3Ide8dxHtqOfCu5BhCr3ZR7f5hkEoNDQ66DhMlsa64CsS4CEEcS4a6Yi6QzJRD33q0yEDVLUiMH79ss-11jd7kqFzd/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a great learning experience, and I'm really excited for future orders. Tuesday's this fall are going to be cupcake tasting days with some friends, so I'm going to be testing out a bunch of recipes and getting ready for future orders as well as <a href="http://dc-cupcakecamp.blogspot.com/">Cupcake Camp DC</a> :D</div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-36877011645955920362010-08-15T15:15:00.000-04:002010-08-15T15:15:52.033-04:00Scones cure.At the beginning of the month I went to the beach with my cousin, Sarah. After being told to "not forget sunscreen", I come home looking like a lobster. My bag/legs/butt were so burnt that it hurt to sit/move/lay down. I was miserable. But nonetheless, I threw on my black dress and headed over to Miss Nicole's for another bake date. This time -- scones.<br />
<br />
And let me tell you. Scones cure sunburn. They also cure a case of the Tuesday's, as we made them again last week when I was having a blah day, haha. I found the recipe on <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/breads/very-berry-scones/">Tasty Kitchen</a>, and the only modifications we made were using half whole wheat flour and half all purpose and we decided to only use blueberries instead of a mix of berries. Oh, and we sprinkled sugar on top. Which is a fabulous idea.<br />
<br />
The scones have a great flavor and aren't too dry and don't have any weird aftertaste. The nutmeg and cinnamon are a great addition, and after making this recipe twice, it's definitely going to be a common breakfast in my house and the perfect baked good to send Nicole while she's at school :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe_c7POAMZMJOtS9uAGrHqdC3CP47TvBCvFT10LhhHKXDHHIhHdRcm7HsAY9O55Na3ehtG8Quzz3NjDdlhP2-WdS2R91jMd_Tkq8JNAua1R1PJW8gXqTvvJJwvuNv0aA0E2ULHpfA6jDx/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe_c7POAMZMJOtS9uAGrHqdC3CP47TvBCvFT10LhhHKXDHHIhHdRcm7HsAY9O55Na3ehtG8Quzz3NjDdlhP2-WdS2R91jMd_Tkq8JNAua1R1PJW8gXqTvvJJwvuNv0aA0E2ULHpfA6jDx/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" /></a></div><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="Section1"> <div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Very Berry Scones<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p>by <a href="http://meeshiesmom.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/very-berry-scones/">meeshiesmom</a></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="ALL" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /> </span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">2-½ cups Flour<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">2 teaspoons Baking Powder<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">2 Tablespoons Sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">½ teaspoons Salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">1 teaspoon Cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">½ teaspoons Nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">6 Tablespoons Butter, Chilled<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">1 cup Dried Berries (mixed or one kind)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">¾ cups Milk<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Directions:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Sift and measure the flour. Re-sift the flour with the other dry ingredients. Work the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers. Add the dried fruit to the flour mixture and mix thoroughly. Add the milk and mix until just incorporated. Do not over mix. Divide the dough into two equal parts. On an ungreased cookie sheet, pat into a round about the thickness of a biscuit (about 3/4 to 1 inch thick). Cut into wedge shaped pieces, like a pie and bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-42943353344781713462010-07-25T14:54:00.001-04:002010-07-25T15:04:47.827-04:00Comfort FoodEven though I didn't really grow up eating it, I think that Chicken Pot Pie is an incredible comfort food. You've got your meat, veggies, potato, and a yummy crust (whether it's made from a pie crust, a puff pastry, or biscuit topping). Perfect for a chilly evening or if you just want to whip up something quick.<br />
<br />
I had my bake date with Nicole on Thursday (see <a href="http://mscupcakeface.blogspot.com/2010/07/recipe-molten-lava-muffin-cakes.html">previous post</a>) and I knew I had off that evening so I wanted to make dinner. There were two stray chicken breasts in the freezer and two lonely ramekins that my MiMi had bought me that had yet to be used. So I started thawing the chicken breasts and washed the ramekins. Then went to work on finding a recipe.<br />
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I hadn't made pot pie since living in Florida, which coincidently was the first time I had ever made it. I used a pie crust and made it in a pie dish. I'm pretty sure it tasted good too. But I wasn't really sure a) where I got the recipe from and b) if I printed it out, where it was [more importantly, I was too lazy to look in my recipe book]. So I went to my new go-to recipe site, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/">Tasty Kitchen</a>. I searched through several different pot pie recipes, and decided to take the filling from one and the topping from another. They were super yummy and I will definitely use this as my new pot pie recipe.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DBxXWrQLIQKPkxJEYJFjx7xVO7NpEWqRDUygHwwclpee7eWY0SSLR9unJNRo5n2hwh9ZhM_LA3y0rgMj3X9b6DScnIeWoXngV3Zi89AoSK5-iZnj2GqDpkAqAJFQ2hWc0iI2My9HNnVs/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DBxXWrQLIQKPkxJEYJFjx7xVO7NpEWqRDUygHwwclpee7eWY0SSLR9unJNRo5n2hwh9ZhM_LA3y0rgMj3X9b6DScnIeWoXngV3Zi89AoSK5-iZnj2GqDpkAqAJFQ2hWc0iI2My9HNnVs/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Indvidual Chicken Pot Pies</b><br />
<i>adapted from </i><i><a href="http://www.thedinkykitchen.com/2010/03/recipe-for-chicken-pot-pie.html">The Dinky Kitchen</a></i><br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
2 Cooked chicken breasts, cubed*<br />
1 Bag frozen mixed veggies<br />
1 Cup diced potato<br />
3 Tablespoons butter<br />
Quarter of small onion, diced**<br />
1/2 Tablespoon Italian seasoning<br />
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup<br />
1 Cup Milk<br />
Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste<br />
1 1/2 Cups Bisquick<br />
3/4 Cup Milk<br />
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*To speed things up, I cubed the chicken before cooking it in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes<br />
**We're not huge fans of onions, so I didn't measure this but just cut up enough<br />
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Directions:<br />
Preheat oven to 375. Boil potatoes for about 5 minutes then add veggies for another minute (just to heat them up). Drain, and take off heat.<br />
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In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat then add onion and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions are soft. Add soup and milk and salt/pepper to taste. Stir constantly so that you do not burn the mixture. Simmer the mixture (stirring occasionally) for another 5 minutes.<br />
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Combine sauce, chicken, and veggies and stir to incorporate. Taste the sauce to make sure the seasonings are where you want them. Divide filling into two ramekins, filling almost full.<br />
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To make the crust, mix together the Bisquick and 3/4 cup milk. Divide and put on top of pot pie filling (the crust expands and soaks up some of the juices in the filling so if you want to keep that from happening don't use a lot of the Bisquick mixture).<br />
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Put ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-33206503515936248172010-07-25T14:20:00.003-04:002010-07-25T15:03:34.780-04:00Recipe: Molten Lava Muffin Cakes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This past Thursday I had a bake date with my lovely friend Nicole. She wanted to make something romantic, so my initial response was "lava cakes!" I feel like they're on a lot of restaurant menus and are perfect for a couple to share. I searched </span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Tasty Kitchen</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> for a recipe, and found </span><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/molten-lava-muffin-cakes/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">this one</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> by </span><a href="http://dishinanddishes.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">dishinanddishes</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEXoq4pRUM9cfMU5iYo3ATpL2KPg71k_tifweL550WJ3yE_SOxRZw7qiMT8wAGiu5SE-H-tjBXNRf4pkgIowcj5IQTKj31AnNxXWdjj8VJAq1xMxZ_s0N5ziXnt8xrV71LQTPZBHlLc57/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEXoq4pRUM9cfMU5iYo3ATpL2KPg71k_tifweL550WJ3yE_SOxRZw7qiMT8wAGiu5SE-H-tjBXNRf4pkgIowcj5IQTKj31AnNxXWdjj8VJAq1xMxZ_s0N5ziXnt8xrV71LQTPZBHlLc57/s200/DSC_0008.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The recipe itself was very simple and required minimal ingredients/skill/equipment. Perfect for my friend Nicole, as she said she isn't the most amazing cook/baker and hasn't done a lot of baking from scratch. The instructions were easy to follow, but we found that the bake time was no bueno. We baked the cakes for 11 minutes, as per the recipe and while the recipe said that the edges would be done but the center gooey was false. The entire cake was baked through and incredibly chocolatey, even though we ate it with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and raspberries.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We do plan to make these again, but decrease the baking time in order to get a molten center.</span><br />
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<div class="western" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 0.16in; margin-bottom: 0.07in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Molten Lava Muffin Cakes</span></b></div><div class="western" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 0.16in; margin-bottom: 0.07in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">by Katie, aka Dishin & Dishes</span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div><div class="western" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 0.16in; margin-bottom: 0.07in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">6 ounces, weight Unsweetened Chocolate</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">6 ounces, weight Semi-sweet Chocolate</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">1-¼ stick Butter</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">½ cups Flour</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">1-½ cup Powdered Sugar</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">3 whole Large Eggs</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">3 whole Egg Yolks</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract</span></li>
</ul></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div class="western" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 0.22in; margin-bottom: 0.09in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6b6d6d; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Directions</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Grease 12 muffin tins. Melt the chocolates and butter in the microwave, or in a double boiler. Add the flour and sugar to chocolate mixture. Stir in the eggs and yolks until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Divide the batter evenly among the muffin tins. Place in the oven and bake for 11 minutes. The edges should be firm, but the center will be runny. Run a knife around the edges to loosen and invert onto dessert plates. Serve with chocolate syrup or hot-fudge-drizzled plates, a scoop of ice cream and a sliced strawberry! Sprinkle with powdered sugar.</span></span></div></div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-85206028332565008332010-07-10T14:38:00.000-04:002010-07-10T14:38:51.692-04:00It's Raining in Baltimore<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Today's a lazy, rainy Saturday. I have to work at 4, and of course, don't want to. Le sigh. I also don't want to study for my Project Management Midterm that is on Monday. Guess I'll get around to that tomorrow and Monday morning before the exam, haha. I still need to make my cheat sheet for the problem solving portion too. Not to mention I'm baking cupcakes for a coworker's birthday tomorrow and of course working. When's a girl got time to study? Cupcakes > studying.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Speaking of cupcakes! I need to find a good resource for creating recipes, best way to make test batches, baking in bulk, and what to charge. Anyone have any insight into any of that? My first big *paying* order is next month -- a coworker's daughter's birthday party. Luckily she knew exactly what she wanted: Strawberry Cupcakes with Turquoise Buttercream, Chocolate Cupcakes with Green Buttercream both on the cupcake and inside, and Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream. The party is beach themed, so I plan to make some fondant decorations [palm trees, flip flops, sunglasses, and/or beach balls were their ideas]. I still haven't messed around with fondant that much so I'm really going to have to practice [and soon!] I've been looking online for some fondant molds that might make all of that a little easier too.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZgDXscWaBEOYHeZirfbAPyyGctgSdoulm4umP8BKvnBAejY0ctxj4MJDlk-FrwPeUNBvRke_sMe09wQ6VmMojEfl8qDpcaujh9aNv-utUUmCrj8tSXFFuUmke5bXtlOqTH7Sxmu0PJs/s1600-r/cupcakecamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZgDXscWaBEOYHeZirfbAPyyGctgSdoulm4umP8BKvnBAejY0ctxj4MJDlk-FrwPeUNBvRke_sMe09wQ6VmMojEfl8qDpcaujh9aNv-utUUmCrj8tSXFFuUmke5bXtlOqTH7Sxmu0PJs/s1600-r/cupcakecamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">I'm also going to be baking for <a href="http://dc-cupcakecamp.blogspot.com/">Cupcake Camp DC</a> in September! I'm really excited about this, and I think it will be a great learning experience for me. The boy is going to accompany me and I think we're going to make a weekend out of it and *<i>finally</i>* get to DC to sight-see [and taste cupcakes of course!] I'm still trying to finalize what I'm going to be making so that I can send in my registration form. I'm pretty sure I'm going to do a Chocolate Cupcake with a Vanilla Raspberry Buttercream. And I haven't decided if I'm going to fill the cupcakes or not. I'm also trying to decide whether or not to do a second flavor for judging. Decisions, decisions!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">I really need to take a day or two and do nothing but test recipes. But I need to figure out the most economical way to do so so that I am not wasting a lot of money/product/time. I need to perfect my Strawberry Cupcake recipe [everyone at works RAVES about it, but I need to tweak it out and write down exactly how much strawberry I'm using so that I'm not guessing every time.] I also need to find a really good base recipe for chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. I haven't been wowed by the ones I've made and I don't think many others have either. I also need to perfect the Margarita Cupcake. Luckily the best friend is honest and up front and told me what she didn't like about them so I pretty much know what I need to change about them. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ6D0UKyZ71Cy1ecEc29fLf0TbSw4xAMHhlp4dtSTWqslsh6-ptwkLpMoQGz_7d-aLVb4L0p4N7XRQxDJk5-ya0TKlazkpfCfoIe188ObIFLhF1x5BZfL7Zt8HdIocxAUOmuaI09UpDSY/s1600/4758945309_d813aa753a_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ6D0UKyZ71Cy1ecEc29fLf0TbSw4xAMHhlp4dtSTWqslsh6-ptwkLpMoQGz_7d-aLVb4L0p4N7XRQxDJk5-ya0TKlazkpfCfoIe188ObIFLhF1x5BZfL7Zt8HdIocxAUOmuaI09UpDSY/s320/4758945309_d813aa753a_m.jpg" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">I really wish I didn't have class right now so that I would have more time to do more cupcake-related things. I've got so many ideas and things I need to do but no time to sit down and get to it! Obviously school is the most important thing right now but since cupcakes are what I want to do with my life, I need to set aside more time for it. Which also means getting a logo made up and really starting to get the business out there.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Well, If I'm not going to study I guess I could straighten up the office and start looking for some more cupcake resources online. Please comment if you have some good links!</span></span></div>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-69453195296120575292010-06-25T14:19:00.002-04:002010-06-25T14:20:00.271-04:00Grumble, grumble.I am so sick and tired of college. I can't wait to be done. And thanks to complete BS, I'll be stuck there until the spring. Mind you I'll be taking 6 classes this fall and then I get to have the pleasure of coming back in the spring to take one measly class. FML.<br />
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On a brighter note, I made amazing muffins this week. And I'm talking, UH-MAY-ZING. I found the recipe on Tasty Kitchen, which is a fabulous little cooking community. The recipe is called "<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/breads/best-blueberry-muffins-ever/">Best Blueberry Muffins Ever</a>" by <a href="http://vanillaandlace.blogspot.com/">craftedmybones</a> (the link is to her blog). And I'm going to have to concur, even though I used mixed berries instead of just blueberries (but do not fear, I definitely plan on making these over and over again, next time with just blueberries).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp0QkXW1WIeRARoh67Kob75MTzanhL8wycKSB_TPXlusiz0sOcNGkUYH_wEf2kprkLcS3xN4Tb7-9pUUlQOu1UBtkp5gKj8C8yDIbBNjxQwt073vZEVs0Qd4oTjzFkR5kRzKNEdtQ61bU/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp0QkXW1WIeRARoh67Kob75MTzanhL8wycKSB_TPXlusiz0sOcNGkUYH_wEf2kprkLcS3xN4Tb7-9pUUlQOu1UBtkp5gKj8C8yDIbBNjxQwt073vZEVs0Qd4oTjzFkR5kRzKNEdtQ61bU/s320/DSC_0512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There was really no point to this blog other than for me to actually update. I better finish the laundry and dishes before I leave for work. Oops!Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-81908756308960122152010-06-22T19:43:00.000-04:002010-06-22T19:43:57.603-04:00Summertime...<i>and the living's easy?</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Yeah, right. Easy. I thought summer was supposed to be a time of sleeping in until noon, relaxing by the pool, eating piles of Maryland crabs and sweet corn, and spending time with friends and family. Guess things always look so much better in our mind, haha.<br />
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Summer school kind of takes away from all of that. I just finished my first class today, and my next one starts on Monday. I'm glad that this one is over because it was an 8am, and waking up before the sun during the summer is not my idea of fun. The next class doesn't start until 11, but I have a feeling I'll still be up earlier than I would like to be. But if all of this means I'll graduate this fall then I will sacrifice my summer for the greater good [aka a diploma].<br />
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I spent all day yesterday by the pool with my parents and a few co-workers which was a nice way to spend my day off. Even though I had to eventually study for today's final and completely forgot to put sunblock on so I've got some pretty sweet raccoon eyes ;)<br />
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Aside from trying to enjoy the sunshine and the days off, I've been trying to do some more cooking and baking. I'm also trying to do some more work on getting the cupcake business up and running. First step -- get a logo designed. I've already ran out of my fabulous <a href="http://us.moo.com/en/">Moo</a> business cards, and I want to get some new ones with the business name printed up along with some stickers and tags that I can put on containers and hand out to friends, family, and customers. I also need to work on a menu, and come up with some of my own recipes. So much to do!<br />
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I've also been trying to use the DSLR more which usually ends up with me taking <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25583347@N04/">pictures</a> of my cupcakes or the food I'm making, haha. But I have been trying to branch out a little, with posting some photo assignments from <a href="http://www.dailyshoot.com/">The Daily Shoot</a>. I don't have a lot of photography knowledge, but I figured it would help with branching out and teaching me some new things. I would really like to take a photography class or two, but I'm just not sure when I'd find the time!<br />
<br />
Well, I know it's not a very fascinating or exciting update, considering it's been quite some time since I actually updated this blog. However, I've decided that I need to pick blogging back up. So, until next time :)Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-29479911833975860102010-05-06T13:03:00.002-04:002010-05-06T13:03:49.609-04:00The Final CountdownLast paper/presentation due tonight.<br />
<br />
Finals start Wednesday.<br />
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Let the countdown begin!<br />
<br />
[Too bad I'm taking summer classes all during June, haha]Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1717852621206878742.post-79545543445246803912010-05-04T21:05:00.001-04:002010-05-04T21:08:19.494-04:00Stop and Smell the Roses.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wrote this blog for my e-Business class and figured I'd post it since we were just supposed to write it in Word and print it, haha. Feedback is welcome.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Aside from the environmental advantages, what is society’s infatuation with technology? We are constantly on our phones, laptops, and MP3 players relying on them for our music, news, entertainment, and communication. E-mail and Facebook has replaced Pen Pals, </span></span><a href="http://www.hulu.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hulu</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> has replaced watching shows on your TV, texting has replaced phone calls, and MP3s have replaced CDs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Millions of people every day are connecting to the internet through both their portable devices and cell phones. The availability of internet service through Wi-Fi hotspots and 3G and 4G services allows people to browse the web anywhere, anytime. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Need to find out what’s playing in theaters? There’s an app for that. The iTunes App Store offers a variety of movie apps, with the most popular being “Movies by Flixter”, which not only tells you what’s in the theaters, where the nearest ones are, theater information including show times and if you can buy tickets. It even uses </span></span><a href="http://www.yelp.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yelp</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to tell you what restaurants are nearby.</span></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Cell phones have been transformed into mini computers. After the iPhone came out I always said that I would never get a phone like that because I had a computer, and that I didn’t need a phone and a computer all in one. Just last month I found myself upgrading my LG Dare to the Droid Eris, and paying $30 more a month just so I could enjoy the benefits of Verizon’s 3G service. And I must say, I love everything about the phone. I love the fact that if I’m not near a computer that I can look something up in a matter of seconds. My TomTom has become obsolete thanks to Google Maps and I even have the ability to use my phone to provide Wi-Fi connectivity to my laptop on bus rides to Philly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> cnet’s </span></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">news article “</span></span></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20004088-94.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More people buying Wi-Fi-enabled devices</span></span></a></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">”</span></span></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, author Lance Whitney says “portable gadgets with Wi-Fi are in hot demand and expected to get hotter.” Whitney also quotes Frank Dickson who says “W</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">i-Fi swept through the computing market, driven by the need to access and share broadband connectivity.” Laptops, iPods, printers, gaming devices, and even picture frames come with and use Wi-Fi technology, providing users with many more opportunities than before. You can wirelessly print something from your iPod to your printer and surf the web on your laptop at the local coffee house. We all want to be connected at any point in our day, no matter where we are.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What is going to become of us? Will we be a product of technology instead of technology being a product of us? As guilty as I am of all this, I think it’s about time that we all unplug and go for a walk sans technology.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></span></span>Stephyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127567044532998318noreply@blogger.com0