« June 2009 | Main | August 2009 »
Emails From Crazy People
Look At This Fucking Hipster
Probably Bad News
Health Insurance Consumer Protections
There's Something Stuck in EVERYONE'S Vagina
Blogging with Integrity
Lease
Worst Band Names
Google Voice Says What?
The Meat of the Problem
*If you have any great links, leave a comment. If I use your link in my next Things I'm Enjoying post, I'll link to your blog.
I thought I would share with you something fun that I came up with-
For one of my best friend's baby shower I did a cupcake buffet.
I thought it would be fun, because everyone could have their cupcakes however they wanted them, plus, cupcakes are so much easier to transport when they're not already decorated.
You can make everything ahead. So easy!
I made three kinds of cupcakes- Chocolate, Vanilla, and Lemon.
I made four kinds of icing- Vanilla Buttercream, Fudge Frosting, Vanilla Whipped Cream, and Marshmallow Fluff (That one was store bought).
I had three kinds of toppings- Sprinkles, Chocolate Chips, and Coconut Flakes.
The possibilities are endless-
You could make red velvet cupcakes, orange cupcakes, banana cupcakes, etc.
You could omit the vanilla in the butter cream and add almond, lemon, or orange extract, or some strong coffee.
For toppings, you could use mini M&M's, crushed up candy bars, nuts, etc.
I broke the buttercream into smaller batches and colored some of it blue and pink. I made cute little signs too, and put them in picture frames. I cut out small strips of paper and hot glued them to silver twist ties that I bought at a party supply store, so I could make tiny signs.
All of the ingredients were organic or all natural. Even the food coloring, sprinkles, and paper cups for the cupcakes were all natural. Whole Foods had an amazing selection.
Here is my amazing buttercream recipe. It has been featured on Smitten Kitchen. If you read the comments there, you'll see that it really is the BEST buttercream recipe.
This recipe is the largest one that fits in a 5 quart mixer. Feel free to cut it in half.
2 cups of egg whites (Approximately 14- depends on egg size)
3 Cups of sugar
5 Cups of Butter, softened
1 Tablespoon of Vanilla
Whisk egg whites and sugar together in a big metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure bowl is sitting above the water and not in it. Whisk frequently until you can’t feel the sugar granules when you rub the mixture between your fingers.
Pour mixture into your mixer's bowl (make sure to wipe the condensation off the bottom of the bowl before you transfer it to the mixer's bowl) and whip until it turns white and about doubles in size.
Add the vanilla.
Finally, add the butter a stick at a time while whipping.
It may take a loooong time for the buttercream to come together. Don't worry- this is normal.
If it is too soft, you can chill it in the fridge for a bit and re-whip it.
This buttercream can be frozen. I stretch out some plastic wrap and plop some buttercream in the middle. I fold it up like a little package, pick it up, stretch out more plastic wrap, turn it 1/2 way, and wrap it again. It will keep in the freezer for up to six months. To reheat it- put it in the microwave in one minute increments at half power. I take it out and massage it after every one minute cycle to break it up a little. When it is softened (but not too soft!) I cut off one corner of the plastic wrap and squeeze the buttercream into my mixer's bowl and re-whip.
You can make chocolate buttercream by adding cocoa powder to taste. You can add a few tablespoons of strong coffee either by itself for coffee buttercream, or with the cocoa powder for mocha buttercream. You could also omit the vanilla and add whatever kind of extract you'd like. It's a very versatile icing.
In the near future I'm hoping to make a video showing you how to ice a cake with this frosting.
If you try the frosting, or have a cupcake buffet, please let me know if you enjoyed it in the comment section.
I'm not writing, because I don't want to complain.
It's not so much that I'm worried about annoying my readers, as it is I'm worried about annoying myself.
I'm sick of my negative attitude and my lack of gratitude.
I want to be a positive, grateful person.
I should be thankful that my husband even has a job, not complaining about how for the first two weeks of his new job he will leave the house at 5:45am and not come home until after 8:00pm.
I should be thankful for what an amazing husband I have, who does more than his fare share, instead of selfishly worrying about me not getting a break.
I should be thankful for the roof over my head, not constantly worrying about money.
I should be thankful that I'm able to walk and have access to great medical care, not complaining about how much pain I'm in, and how I can barely use my right arm.
I should be thankful that my husband had 5 weeks off, instead of being disappointed in myself for all of the things I didn't get accomplished.
I'm tired of worrying and complaining about everything, but it's a really hard habit to break.
Indulge me please.
1) At what age did you give your child a pillow?
2) At what age did your child stop sleeping in a crib?
3) At what age did your child stop using sippy cups?
4) At what age did your child stop using bibs?
We've had a lot going on lately.
Here's a recap:
The morning of July 4th our town had a celebration on the town green. Willa had a great time.
She loved when everyone was singing.
She also enjoyed playing with the older kids.
July 4th is a special day for us- my husband and I met 12 years ago on July 4th.
That night we were supposed to go out to dinner and then see the fireworks, but both Willa and my husband weren't feeling well, so we had to stay home. I was disappointed because the 4th of July is my favorite holiday, and I was really looking forward to the fireworks- but, lucky me because the next town over has a great fireworks show, and we could see them perfectly from our front stoop.
The following Monday the husband and I drove to the Catskills and stayed in a little bed and breakfast BY OURSELVES for two nights. It was my first time being away from Willa, and it was actually much easier than I thought it would be. Maybe that's because she was with my mother, or maybe it's because it was the right time. Either way, we had a great time. The grounds of the Bed and Breakfast were beautiful.
We also went to my favorite place in the world for the day, Mohonk.
The day after we got back, we went into the city and Willa got to go to Central Park with her father while I had a newborn photo shoot.
Then on Saturday we went to my cousin's little girl's birthday party. Willa pretty much thought it was the best thing ever because she got to wear a crown and get a tattoo.
She also got to dance with a ribbon streamer. I'm not sure if I've even seen her so happy.
After the party, we went over to my in-laws house. Willa always has a great time there because they have guitars and a piano, which she loves to play.
Yesterday, we went to our first game at the Mets' new stadium Citi Field. I have mixed feelings about it because I'm very sentimental about Shea stadium.
But, I got to meet Cow Bell Man, so I can't complain.
A web site that maps the yard sales in your area.
Emails from an asshole.
The best of Craig's List.
The ten funniest TV episodes from the past 20 years.
Awkward Family Photos.
Hot chicks with douche bags.
Best bumper sticker ever?
Books organized by color.
Ugliest Tattoos.
Ridiculous pictures of boy bands.