This morning I woke up early and was trying to be so quiet so everyone
else could sleep in for the first Sunday in ages. I made coffee and
didn't even disturb the dogs. As I turned to get the cream I stepped in a
giant puddle of cold water leaking from the fridge - my sister's family
calls this floppy sock, and I hate floppy sock.
The fridge had been leaking for a while, like for-a-year while. A
friend said it was probably a clogged drain tube, so we just wiped up
the water in the bottom of the fridge once a week until we had time to
deal with it, which was today because I HATE FLOPPY SOCK!
So I got on google. That brings the list of things fixed through the
magic of google to: the dryer belt, the dryer blower wheel, the car
stereo, and the fridge.
And because that wasn't enough fun for one day, later in the afternoon
the washer overflowed the wash sink in the laundry room, to the point
that we were using quilts to mop it up and the basement is scattered
with plastic bins while the storage area dries out. Floppy sock again,
for the second time in one day.
So glad we don't have a dishwasher....
February 26, 2012
February 19, 2012
and in this corner....
Two of the kids had friends sleep over last night. I'm not sure how they decided who would get which room, but this is what I found when I woke up this morning:
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| In the living room |
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| In the family room |
February 18, 2012
Brrrr.
Today the oldest participated in a polar plunge for charity. 42 degrees. Couldn't pay me enough.
February 14, 2012
All sugared up!
Today one of my coworkers organized a cupcake extravaganza, and I ate cupcakes ALL day, and I mean ALL day. Before I fall over into a cupcake coma, here are the recipes for my two contributions:
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes from Joylicious
1 package graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
12 Tbs unsalted butter
1 cup + 2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
4 large egg whites
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
In a medium bowl beat the egg whites until stiff, glossy peaks appear, about 3-4 minutes, be careful not to overbeat. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the vanilla and beat on a low-speed. Add half the flour mixture, then mix in the sour cream or yogurt. Add remaining flour and mix until just blended.
Gently fold 1/3 of the egg into the batter until combined. Do not over-mix the egg whites or the cake will fall flat. Add remaining egg and fold in the chopped strawberries. Fill each muffin tin about 3/4 of the way and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Top with cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberries.
Chocolate Hazelnutella
Make chocolate cupcakes using a box mix or your own recipe and let them cool completely.
Filling:
4 tablespoons softened butter
1/2 cup of chopped hazelnuts
1/2 cup of Nutella
1 cup of rice krispies crushed in food processor
2 to 3 tablespoon of heavy cream
1 cup of powdered sugar
Use a spoon to scoop out the inside of the cupcakes (save the pieces for later).Mix butter and Nutella together until well blended. Add powdered sugar, rice krispies, and nuts. And heavy cream a little at a time until the filling is spoon-able, but thick. Use a spoon to fill the cupcakes. Replace the little pieces you cut out (like a jack-o-lantern).
Frosting (white butter cream):
1 stick butter
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
up to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Soften the butter, but don't melt it. Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. It should be really thick still. SLOWLY, as in a teaspoon at a time, add cream until the frosting is the texture you want. I replaced the vanilla and most of the cream with Hazelnut flavored Torani syrup (like the Starbucks coffee syrups). Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts.
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes from Joylicious
1 1/2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
12 Tbs unsalted butter
1 cup + 2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
4 large egg whites
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
In a medium bowl beat the egg whites until stiff, glossy peaks appear, about 3-4 minutes, be careful not to overbeat. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the vanilla and beat on a low-speed. Add half the flour mixture, then mix in the sour cream or yogurt. Add remaining flour and mix until just blended.
Gently fold 1/3 of the egg into the batter until combined. Do not over-mix the egg whites or the cake will fall flat. Add remaining egg and fold in the chopped strawberries. Fill each muffin tin about 3/4 of the way and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Top with cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberries.
Chocolate Hazelnutella
Filling:
4 tablespoons softened butter
1/2 cup of chopped hazelnuts
1/2 cup of Nutella
1 cup of rice krispies crushed in food processor
2 to 3 tablespoon of heavy cream
1 cup of powdered sugar
Use a spoon to scoop out the inside of the cupcakes (save the pieces for later).Mix butter and Nutella together until well blended. Add powdered sugar, rice krispies, and nuts. And heavy cream a little at a time until the filling is spoon-able, but thick. Use a spoon to fill the cupcakes. Replace the little pieces you cut out (like a jack-o-lantern).
Frosting (white butter cream):
1 stick butter
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
up to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Soften the butter, but don't melt it. Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. It should be really thick still. SLOWLY, as in a teaspoon at a time, add cream until the frosting is the texture you want. I replaced the vanilla and most of the cream with Hazelnut flavored Torani syrup (like the Starbucks coffee syrups). Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts.
February 13, 2012
Yum, yum, yum.
A preview of things to come....Tomorrow more pics and recipes!
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| Strawberry Cheesecake with Cream Cheese Butter Cream |
February 10, 2012
Overheard at Starbucks today...
Dad: (to teenage son dancing around) What's up buddy? Have to go the bathroom?
Teenage son: Daaad (roll eyes).
Dad: Are you nervous? Got a crush on a girl here? Having a baby?
Teenage daughter: (look at Dad with raised eyebrows and OMG expression).
Teenage son: Dad, seriously?
Dad: (with dude, I'm a cool dad face) Whoa, good thing you're not having a baby because when your mom and I---
Teenage daughter: DAD. STOP. TALKING.
Teenage son: Daaad (roll eyes).
Dad: Are you nervous? Got a crush on a girl here? Having a baby?
Teenage daughter: (look at Dad with raised eyebrows and OMG expression).
Teenage son: Dad, seriously?
Dad: (with dude, I'm a cool dad face) Whoa, good thing you're not having a baby because when your mom and I---
Teenage daughter: DAD. STOP. TALKING.
February 6, 2012
sleep-shopping
This morning I went in to wake up middle girl and after the third time she snoozed me I said, "Honey, you have get up right now."
"But everything's on sale."
"Huh?"
"Oh, haha. I was dreaming that I was shopping and everything in the store was on sale."
"But everything's on sale."
"Huh?"
"Oh, haha. I was dreaming that I was shopping and everything in the store was on sale."