Thursday, August 18, 2011

Little Updates

Well, The Cocoa Bean is currently in possession of my resume. Please pray for me so I may get the job of my dreams.

I almost died last week at Seven Peaks. Not really, but it was scary. Marjorie, her sister and I were on a three person tube going down the slides. On one, we went so high up on the side during a turn that I was just about to fall out when Marjorie used her legs to keep me in. I was almost lost a couple times. It was an exciting day. I used sunscreen this time so I didn't get burnt. I also went down some of the other slides. One was pretty high up and long, but not steep (so it wasn't scary). It was so fast, I got the biggest wedgie of my life!

I've been reading The Help. I ordered it online through Borders. Since they're going out of business it was a good price. I also bought a James Patterson murder mystery. It's nice having two books on my shelf. I miss being at home with lots of books to read. Sadly, I have not read as much this summer as I usually do, so I've been loving having something to read. There is just something about falling asleep while reading a good book. 

After three weeks, I finally stopped peeling and was able to wash my sheets. 

I keep getting eaten by the minions.

I got a haircut, just an inch off and layered. I want to keep growing it longer, but my previous layers had grown out so much. My hair just kind of hung there and looked like it was all one length. I had a girl in the ward do it because she is a graduate of the Paul Mitchell School and did it for $10. It's not a huge change, but it's a nice one.

I think that's pretty much it for now.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Colorful Cupcake Decor

I made one of my cupcake crafts this weekend! I had a coupon for Jo-Ann's and they were having their founder's sale, so I was able to get everything I needed for a great price. 

Here is the example:

And here is mine:


My frame isn't as fancy, and that's okay because it was only $3 at Walmart. I also didn't use the pop dots to make them stand out because it really doesn't matter since they're in a frame (plus there wasn't room in the frame I used). I also didn't make marks where each cupcake was supposed to go because I'm not that patient. Although I tend become an OCD perfectionist when I do projects and crafts, it just seemed too time consuming and I was too excited to finish. I think I did a pretty good job by just eyeing it. And I've been slowly trying to teach myself that the little imperfections (that only I seem to be able to see) add character and make it better. Besides, I can't expect something handmade like this to be completely perfect. Let's face it, nothing in this world is.

In case you missed the post with the link to the tutorial, here it is again. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Strawberry Cupcakes & Exciting News

So this post is a little late, but better late than never right? Last Sunday for ward break-the-fast, I made strawberry cupcakes. I thought it would be fun to do something summery and that would go perfectly with some cute liners I had. 



I found the cupcake recipe on the blog Plant Food Fabulous and it was actually adapted from Martha Stewart's website, who got it from Candace Nelson of SPRINKLES (the first Cupcakery ever!) I knew it was going to be good. I also used the frosting recipe that went along with it. Now I'm going to share them with you.

Strawberry Cupcakes

3 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks of butter, softened
2 1/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 egg white
1 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups finely chopped strawberries

Preheat the oven to 350ยบ. 

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium size bowl. Set aside.

In the mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time and mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if you need to. Add the vanilla extract. 

With the mixer on low add about a third of the flour,  half of the milk, a third of the flour, the rest of the milk, then the rest of the flour. Basically 3 batches of the flour with milk in between. Mix each addition until combined. 

Stir in the strawberries by hand. Fill cupcake tins, with liners, 3/4 full. This recipe makes about 30 cupcakes. Bake for 20 minutes, or until testers come out clean.


Strawberry Frosting 
(yields enough for 1 dozen so I doubled it and had enough)

1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed (I used fresh)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
Pinch of coarse salt (I used regular salt)
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract



  • Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed. 

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. 

    • Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. 

      • Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended. 

      • Do not over mix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

      • I didn't manage to take a picture of them because I was still frosting them until the last minute. I wish I had, they looked really good. They were such a hit (When are they not?). People were grabbing them before they were even set down on the table, which was a smart move because they disappeared fast. I pity those that didn't get one. James (the other Oregonian) wanted a second one, but he said he saw a guy eyeing the last one from across the room and decided to let him have it. I think I caught a glimpse of the eyeing and I believe that it would have been that person's second cupcake too. Lucky him for being the only person to get more than one.

      • In other cupcake related news, I have been asked to make cupcakes for a friend's wedding open house in January! I'm so excited because it's like my first real cupcake job, except I'm not being paid. We're all about service in our church. I'm a little sad because it is kind of a big job and it does cost money, but Marjorie said she'd be willing to split the cost with me and even help me make them. Consider it your wedding present Beth & Cody. I'm hoping this could lead to other potential jobs and some friends in the ward know to come to me if they want cupcakes at any family events or birthday parties.