Sometime's Life Gets in the Way

Well...it's been a few weeks since my last blog.  My intention is to blog more often, however this time around..life just got in the way.  We've had some issues going on at work (layoffs).  I must admit most of my focus was on what "might" happen.  Well, though I was definitely impacted by the issues, I was lucky enough to stay employed, though in a different position.  Also, like most of you, my life is not perfect.  Between juggling the issues at work, our young son has been acting out at daycare.  SO!  We've had a lot on our plates.

The good news..when I get stressed...baking and cooking help me to relax. 

A friend of ours is due to have her first baby (a girl!) this January.  I've been lucky enough to receive an invite to the baby shower and have offered to make her some cupcakes for the shower.  She's a very low maintenance woman (quite the opposite of me).  Her only requirement..something kind of girly.  We've decided to go with a chocolate cupcake with chocolate buttercream with some sort of cute and girly decoration (still TBD).  The other is a strawberry cupcake with strawberry buttercream.  The flavors of the cupcakes are a definite, however, we are trying to decide on our decorations.  Here is a our first try:

Our chocolate cupcakes will be something like this, but with some sort of girly decorations:

We sent a few of the strawberry cupcakes down to the neighbors for a "taste test"...thankfully they passed the test  :)  I will say this is the tastiest strawberry cake recipe (and frosting) that I have ever tasted.  As I've stated in previous posts, I gather a lot of inspiration from other bloggers.  My new FAVE blog/website is Sweetapolita.  I have made several of her cake recipes (and frosting) and she is simply amazing.  Here is a link to her site and more specifically her recipe for Strawberry Cake w/Whipped Strawberry Frosting:

http://sweetapolita.com/2011/08/strawberry-layer-cake-with-whipped-strawberry-frosting/

Living in the Midwest, our Summer has quickly shifted to Autumn.  Along with the crisp air, I LOVE heartier foods.  Stews, soups and chilis are among my faves.  A few years back I came across this recipe for Root Vegetable Beef Stew.  Filled with cubes of rutabaga, parsnips, sweet potatoes and potatoes, this dish sticks with you.  Add a slice or two of buttered crusty bread to sop up the gravy..and it just doesn't get much better.

The recipe was in a little Irish cookbook put out around St. Patrick's Day.  It was a Taste of Home publication.  Here is the link to the recipe.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Root-Vegetable-Beef-Stew

Finally I had a request from the boys (including the hubby) for some chocolate chip cookies.  I've created my own recipes for chocolate chip cookies..and I've also borrowed recipes.  I can honestly say this is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe that I've ever used.  The cookies end up lightly crisp on the outside and melt in your mouth soft and cakey on the inside.  Here is a glimpse of the end product.

Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Original Recipe Yield 6 dozen

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

2.    In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3.    Bake for 16 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.

I guess that's it for now.  We are now at the beginning of my favorite time of the year.  BAKING SEASON!!!  Keep an eye out for more frequent posts w/pics.  I've made it easier to follow the blog by subscibing and receiving it to your email address.  Also, please feel free to post suggestions or questions regarding things you'd like to see.  Happy Kitchen Adventures!!