Friday, January 29, 2010

Don't These look YUMMY....

These are called "Life By Chocolate" Cupcakes
 from the Pioneer Woman


Ingredients:
CUPCAKES
2 cups Sugar
2 cups All-purpose Flour
¼ teaspoons Salt
½ cups Buttermilk
2 whole Eggs
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 sticks 1 Cup Butter
4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa Powder
1 cup Water, Boiling
18 whole Hershey's Kisses, Unwrapped
Canned Pitted Cherries (optional)

GANACHE
8 ounces, weight Bittersweet Chocolate
1 cup Heavy Cream
6 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 18 muffin cups with baking spray.
To make the cake batter, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate container, combine buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir to combine and set aside.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and stir to combine. Add boiling water, allow to bubble for a few seconds, then turn off heat.

Pour chocolate mixture over flour mixture. Stir a few times to cool the chocolate. Pour buttermilk mixture over the top and stir to combine.
Pour 1/4 cup cake batter into each muffin cup. Lightly set one kiss in the middle of each cupcake; do not press down.
(Alternately, you can add 3 canned, pitted cherries to each muffin cup before adding the batter.)

Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove cupcakes and allow to cool on a baking rack.

To make the ganache, heat cream and corn syrup over medium heat. Chop chocolate and add to a bowl. Add vanilla to cream mixture, then pour cream mixture over the top of the chopped chocolate. Whisk together until melted, smooth, and glossy.

Dunk cupcakes in ganache. Allow to cool and set before

For Step By Step Photos...go here:  The Pioneer Women This is my favorite cooking website!!! I have her cookbook and everything I have ever made comes out so Good!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Congratulations to Donny & Sherri

Our friends Donny and Sherri welcomed baby #2 into the world.
Cody Michael was born on 12/23/2009
We finally got around to visiting baby Cody but he fell asleep the minute we got there, so I have no pictures of the adorable Cody, but he is a cutie. Cody's big Sister, the Beautiful Miss Riley was wide awake and kept us entertained, she is so cute, and loves to dance in the kitchen with her Daddy and she LOVES Rob!!

Riley and Rob



Is She the Cutest Thing!!!

We Love You Miss Riley!!!
XOXOXO

Friday, January 22, 2010

Please Pray for the People in Haiti

Please do whatever you can to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. Especially the orphaned children, they so deserve a chance at a better life. Watch this video and try not to cry for them CNN Video these children are so innocent.

Tonight please watch the telethon it'll be broadcast on multiple networks, even just $5 can help these people. If you can't donate then please say a prayer for them.

Here are several other links for charities helping Haiti, and this is just a few.

My husband and I are proud to be Americans who are so privileged to live in this Great Country and we are so thankful for all the things we take for granted that so many will never have. As Americans it is our honor to help these poor people who can not help themselves right now. We can't give very much but we can do something and if everyone gives just a little something, that would be huge!!!


National Palace, Port Au Prince, Haiti
This Historic Building Is No Longer Standing

Thursday, January 21, 2010

My Husband Rocks!! and he builds....

Do you remember the post a few months back showing our room transformation, and how I mentioned my wish list of things I wanted to complete the room. bedroom makeover.
Well finally I got the new bookshelf I wanted. The one I had been using was a piece of junk older than the hills and made out of pressboard the back was even cardboard and falling off, it was Nasty! Well my Super Talented Husband built me a new one and I Love It!!

Before picture
(it's not a great picture but you can see how tiny and junky it is)


New Custom Made Shelf

Isn't it GREAT!!!
Notice the detail there is Crown Molding around the top and bottom
He made it to match the bedroom furniture.

Honestly it so much Larger than I expected but I love it
I just put in a few things I had, but I want to get some baskets to go along the bottom shelf.

Thank You Baby!!! I Love it!!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Happy Birthday Mom

Today would have been My Mom's 66th Birthday
Happy Birthday Mom!!!
I Miss You More Than Anything!!!

Today I Celebrate your Life Mom!!
I cherish all the memories I have of you Mom
and I am so Thankful for them.
I hope you are at Peace Mom and
I know you are at watching over us.
I LOVE YOU MOM!!!
XOXOXOXOXO

I want to share something that my Special Aunt Ginger (who has always been a special Angel from Heaven here on this earth with us) sent to my Sister & I today:

When you can no longer feel the human touch of my hand, I pray that somehow Dear ones you will still understand my love for you is everlasting and within your heart I dwell, My parting is but for a moment, Not alasting or final farewell. Far beyond the sorrow and tears, beneth the canopy of heaven's light our spirts shall joim together in the forever of eternal light...
XOXOXOXO

Friday, January 15, 2010

Update on Maria Elana

Here are the latest Pictures we (my friend Kelly & I ) recieved of our Sponsor Child in Gutamaela.
These pictures show Maria with her Mother recieving their Tamala Basket during the Holidays
 Look how happy Maria looks.

Maria has the sweetest Smile!!

XOXOXO

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Happy Birthday Marcia!!!

Today is My Mother-In-Law Marcia's Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Marcia!!
May All Your Birthday Wishes Come True!!!

Happy Birthday Gorgeous!!
We Love You!!
XOXOXOXOXO

Friday, January 8, 2010

Happy Birthday Uncle Lenny

Happy Birthday to Our Uncle Lenny!!
We Hope You Have The Best Year Ever and
 May All Your Birthday Wishes Come True!!


(This picture would not let me make it any bigger)

Happy Birthday
We Love You!!
XOXOXO

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Congratulations Mike & Robin

Congratulations to our friends Mike & Robin on the birth of their first baby.
6lbs 11oz 18inch - Baby Boy

We are calling him Baby, for now,
as Mom & Dad have not decided on a name yet!!

He is a Cutie!!!
(picture courtesy of Aunt Lisa)

Update: Baby's Name is Zachery Michael