4th of July Cupcakes

So I made 4th of July themed cupcakes today!



I used this chocolate cupcake recipe, and the following cream cheese frosting recipe from Cupcake Blog.

Cream Cheese Frosting
From Cupcake Blog
(Makes 4-5 cups)

1-1/2 packages of Philly cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter at room temperature
4-5 cups of confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1. Using a mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until creamy.
2. Add the confectioner's sugar and vanilla extra, mix until smooth and combined.
3. Fill your cake and frost it. For cupcakes, put frosting in piping bag with tip and make your swirl! Keep in mind, there will be leftover frosting.

New Entryway Table!

My significant other and I really needed an entryway table for our condo. I saw this table, and I fell in love. I love the finish of it, but it's also simple, yet somewhat elegant.



I will post pictures after I build it!

Cayenne Pepper and Sore Throats

The other morning I woke up with a horrible sore throat. I get sore throats pretty often, about 6+ times a year. I've also had my fair share of strep throat and tonsilitis. And let me tell you, these illnesses are no fun.

So when I woke up with my sore throat, I knew I didn't want to deal with it, especially with Easter coming up. I decided to "Google" a cure. I've done this before, but it usually comes up with the standard gargle with salt water. I've done this and it helps a little but won't cure your sore throat.

And then I found the gargle with cayenne pepper water recipe.

I was skeptical at first, read the reviews, and found other sites with this information so I knew it wasn't a joke. Gargle with pepper water? I mean really. But my sore throats are BAD, so I decided to give it a shot.

I am horribly sensitive to spicy foods so this was a hard task for me, but I will tell you that it worked. I only gargled two mouthfuls, but my sore throat is only a slight annoyance now.

Enchiladas (& homemade brownies)

I cooked enchiladas for the first time tonight. I put ground bison in Justin's and cheese and beans in mine. I used store bought sauce but added diced onions. They turned out pretty good. I spread some warmed enchilada sauce on the inside of the dish and the tortillas, filled them up and tucked them into their sauced little bed. Popped 'em in the oven for 20 min at 350 (next time I'll do 25 minutes). Maybe broil a little to make the cheese nice and crispy.

Before oven picture:

*I squeezed a 3rd one in there after the picture.

After oven:

Yummy!

I think I might have the perfect fork for food pictures. It's super shiny. I like.


I also made homemade brownies tonight. It was a really fun recipe. They turned out pretty good, but next time I’ll add chocolate chips or toffee. YUM!


Enchilada Recipe: (Made this up as I went along)
INGREDIENTS:
~6 Tortillas
~Half Can Refried/Whole Beans
~2 Cans of Enchilada Sauce
~One pound meat
~Half Pound of Cheese (I used colby)
~Half of yellow onion (chopped)
~Taco Seasoning for meat

1. Warm enchilada sauce and onions over low heat.
2. Brown meat.
3. Put enchilada sauce in the bottom of the dish you will be baking them in.
4. Dip tortillas in sauce, fill and roll them, place in dish.
5. Cover tortillas with sauce and then cheese.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until bubbly.


Brownie Recipe from Tasty Kitchen Here

Life: Updated (possible The Office spoiler)

What's been going on with my life?

I am officially done with school for spring break! Woo hoo!! I have 8 more pre-reqs to do for the ultrasound program at my college. Then I can apply, get in, become a sonographer, and live happily ever after.... I hope.

I love photography. I have not been lugging my dSLR around me as I should be. I want to start taking lots and lots of photos again. In high school, I took 3 years worth of photography classes. When I graduated, I stopped taking pictures as often. I'm going to try to go out shooting at least once a week. I'm also going to start bringing my camera everywhere again.

101 list- If you don't already know about 101 in 1,001 lists, they are basically a to-do list for you to complete 101 tasks, in 1,001 days (almost 3 years). I have finally completed mine and have already started on my tasks. Check it out here.

I have just started the Latin American Spanish version of Rosetta Stone!! It's amazing. It works as well as I thought it would, and I'm glad to say I'm happy with it. It's a fresh way of learning a language. I have a few tasks on my 101 in 1,001 list that include my learning of Spanish.

The Office (t.v. show) -Let me just preface this by mentioning that I LOVE, love, LoVe, The Office. My significant other and I started this show on Netflix last year and watched all 5 seasons in a matter of 2-3 months. We're crazy about it. But, this season overall = downhill. I don't know why. The most exciting things have happened. Pam and Jim got married, had a baby... blah blah blah. But the humor is lacking. Last night's episode was pretty funny, but OVERALL, this season is one of my least favorites. What do you guys think?

xox.

Pioneer Woman

Last night I made a pasta dish that I fell in love with on Pioneer Woman's blog.

This is a simple enough recipe to make in around 15 minutes (more time if you add shrimp), yet it looks fancy schmancy. It was very delicious and turned out exactly like her pictures.

Few Questions

Question 1: Where were you 5 years ago?
I was a freshman in High school, dating a boy for 6 months at the time, and living at home. I was also a size 6/8, which is where I'm trying to get to by end of summer.

Question 2: What is(was) on your to-do list today?
1. Pay bills
2. Do hw
3. Work 345-8
4. Study!
5. Watch Season Finale of True Blood Season 2!!

Question 3: What five snacks do you enjoy?
1. TRAIL MIX ('nuff said)
2. Kettle Sea Salt & Vinegar Chips
3. Bars
4. Granny smith apples
5. Toast

Question 4: What five places have you lived?
1. Renton, WA
2. Seattle, WA
3. Kirkland, WA
4.
5.

Question 5: What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Buy a house
2. Fill a room in the house with built-in book cases
3. Get a new car
4. Buy something for my boyfriend
5. Save!