I'm really on a roll here with updating my blog. The St. Patrick's Day cupcakes are done so I thought I'd post a picture before they get eaten and I get too busy to bake something for a while until maybe the next holiday.
A cupcake is a cupcake, as long as they're baked properly, and I used a somewhat fudgy recipe, which is actually what I prefer, rather than something that's too dry. Maybe they just turned out this way because I cut down the sugar by half a cup, used soymilk and also Ghiradelli hot chocolate powder instead of unsweetened cocoa powder. My coworkers are sure to love them.
I'm sure you've noticed that I added a fun new feature to my blog. As a future librarian, I couldn't help adding "tags" to each blog post so that most posts are now in categories: "cupcakes," "holiday," "pasta," "travel," "cute party foods,""cookies,"and "cakes." I may come up with more categories over time, if more subjects present themselves.
I'm sure you've noticed that I added a fun new feature to my blog. As a future librarian, I couldn't help adding "tags" to each blog post so that most posts are now in categories: "cupcakes," "holiday," "pasta," "travel," "cute party foods,""cookies,"and "cakes." I may come up with more categories over time, if more subjects present themselves.
Hi Jen!
ReplyDeleteI have just a few minutes... just want to say "YUMMY" Yes, you are on a roll! I do love your website and visual posts. I did notice your tags, I will utilize them and THANKS! Friday night, and that means movies here. A good friend has an out-of-town guest. I am charge of popcorn, I ran out, must go out to buy more.
Will drop in later on this weekend!
Yep! My coworkers loved these and ate every single one. One even commented on how cute my dinosaur sprinkles were. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good movie night! My Friday night is resting and studying for my midterm.
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteSorry I did not venture back until now..Friday night "cheap" movie night, worked out great. My good friend who just obtained a big screen tv, that I hope can be utilized on less watching the "Zzzzzzzzzz NEWS" stations but convincing there's much on BIG SCREEN TV...then watching a fake tan and the same thing over and again.
Well one of my bestfriends who happens to be his daughter was in town, it was GREAT! However, we missed watching the movies till the end, on Friday night, we were yacking. LOL. We tried again Saturday, but, because my wonderful friend who traveled almost 5 hours was in town...it was almost a pajama party. Ummmm the movies will be back on I am sure for her Dad to watch.
Do you know what I did? I decided to go to a convenience store as opposed to a regular grocery store.Here in Canada the cost for junk food can be very expensive.When I said I was going to buy popcorn because I ran out. I should have gone a few blocks away, and bought the stuff you place in the microwave or place in a saucepan. Well this pre-fab bag cost almost $6. IT WAS STALE too! Major sigh!
Despite all, my weekend started on a "iffy-note" it picked up first thing Sunday morning, I tell ya! I WAS MOTIVATED! Do you ever feel you're invincible? I did, anyway, at 11ish I hosted a great departure brunch for my good-friend and hers, two other guests also partook . Everyone were stuffed! I had some left-over avocados, no I didn't do Green eggs, but great appetizers made with shrimp great recipe that I ill share, my homefries, my scrambled eggs (my recipe, that I can share too) crisp bacon, sausages, baked ham, crescents and buttered toast. Lots and lots of orange juice.
Sounds like an exciting weekend! Sorry to hear about your overpriced popcorn but glad to hear you got to see some friends! I look forward to hearing more about your breakfast goodies. I love breakfast. When I think of green + shrimp, I think of an amazing recipe I found recently... prosciutto wrapped shrimp with basil and goat cheese. I may just make it sometime and share it here. :)
DeleteI watched a really sweet movie last night called "Avenue Montaigne." It's a French movie and it's one of my favorites. I have it downloaded on my computer. Maybe I could e-mail it to you if the file is not too big. :)
AHHH, great food, great minds, great company, plus great movies equal fun times...
ReplyDeleteAm feeling a little motivated myself--happens every time my day starts off with an international operator. Best wishes on your midterm, Jen. Agree with Meesh @ your site is looking fabulous.
Any leftovers on those yummy cupcakes? Or, did your grateful co-workers make sure that wouldn't happen? Was thinking of you and your Friend when I saw the following article...
http://local.msn.com/spring-flower-fests-in-bloom
Enjoy your day, and week ahead, Jen.
Glad you had a nice day, Al :). I have one cupcake left, my coworkers ate all the ones I brought and I saved some for myself. How nice that there are so many flower festivals all around the country. I am not sure if my friend will make it to the cherry blossom festival this year, but it's sure to be lovely.
DeleteHey Jen!
DeleteWanna flip heads or tails for that last cupcake, or is it too late? Just kiddin'--am suffering hunger pangs as the lunch hour is approaching here on the East Coast. We are having similar weather like Meesh is having, so I'll venture over to the park nearby and fetch the special from the hotdog vendor's cart.
Glad you enjoyed the link announcing Spring's arrival; and, Yes, couldn't agree with you more that the cherry blossom festival is a lovely experience. Toss in a picnic basket along the sparkling Potomac River...
Headed down to read your exchange with Meesh...enjoy your day, Jen.
Haha, well I already ate the last one. This means I will need to bake something else soon. :)
DeleteHahaha...they were that good that not a single one enjoyed a shelf life expectancy of even 24hrs--thanks for at least sharing a picture that isn't edible. Have a safe and wonderful weekend, Jen.
DeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteToday I wore my capri shorts, t-shirt and sandals, it's summer here in SW Ontario.. A bad hair day, for me. On my day off I decided to get my hair cut no big deal right? Do you ever do colours? Well one of my best friends is my hairdresser. The last visit we talked about (or I did) about "kewl" new colours. We talk time and again, outside the shop, we're friends, she asked me over and over, "we're doing it right?" I said "whatever" She told me she ordered the colour. Well Jen, I am a natural auburn light haired I go towards blonde in hair colour. You could classify as blonde. Sheesh! Once she applied the colour, I sat there, did not say a word............SHREEK I have violet/purplish tinge on chestnut brown hair. Oh yes, there's silver highlights too. Must got to bed! My recipes will follow promise.
Sidebar I had the most amazing phone call this morning,wishing me luck, did he know? LOL
Sorry to hear about your hair coloring mishap, Meesh. I've never gone with unconventional colors, I've just had my hair colored a little redder from time to time-- but not like, fire engine red. Natural color reddish, red. I kind of want to get it colored again soon, but it's kind of a pain to have to keep going back to get it colored again or to have the person come over who's going to color it.
DeleteNahh it's only hair, it grows back, oh did I mention that it's really short too. It's summertime, time for fun-stuff... I guess. I'm off to work, fun? No. LOL Talk later.
DeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteI love "fun colours" I even thought of bright red ...fire-engine red too, I believe it could work for you within highlights. Where's AL?
My recipe for my shrimp/avocado.. I think I originally found it at ALLRecipes and then went to the Kraft website.
The recipes were so complex, my recipe is so simple.
I find ripe avocados,a bag of frozen of salad shrimp and tweak it a tad.
I place my frozen shrimp in an iced-water dance it with sweet onion slices/2 garlic cloves/ lemon slices, place in the fridge as it defrosts (overnight). I occasionally peek when the shrimp looses that "smell".
My ingredients, not 15 spices as depicted on some websites, I found if you buy "Kraft Thousand Island" dressing 1/4 cup add a pinch of chili powder, with some fresh chives. Mix the shrimp in the dressing. Now halve each avocado . Once you remove the pit, I also scoop out a bit of the meat. Reserve it. I then scoop in the shrimp concoction inside the "avocado boat" I top the lovely coral concoction with slivers of avocado,
Ok My recipe for great scrambled eggs... how I mastered (to me) the best recipe, no it's not fancy. I will offer a bit of history, I do not like egg whites... just eggs in general do not fizz me.I preferred Scrambled eggs, but they were rubbery or scorched .
ReplyDeleteWithin my teens, my best-friend's brother-in-law (who was a car mechanic) offered me a few tips. Well at breakfast-time his wife announced this is Wayne's specialty.
Beautiful! I still utilize this recipe... grab a few eggs that have been out of the fridge (two hours) Beat the living crap out of them, add milk or cream ( a tablespoon)... in the microwave 2 teaspoonful of butter (melt) addthe butter to the egg concoction - one teaspoonfuls of onion powder, I add two sprits of salt. I make sure to baby-sit the eggs for 1 minute. The secret is fresh butter/milk.
Sounds like a Mmm, mmm good treat--think Sunday brunch, the big newspaper and good company. Have a safe and wonderful weekend, Meesh.
DeleteHomefries, no biggie, just add real butter as opposed to oil to heat it up... "salted" once again I love the powders "onion/Garlic powder"
ReplyDeleteYou are a seasoned cook, I expressed my easy thoughts, at 4 years old I had to cook and still do. :)
Thanks for sharing the recipes, they sound very tasty with lots of flavor. I just bought some avocados, I like making them into guacamole. Tonight I'm making matzo ball soup. Perfect for this chilly weather.
DeleteThat's the spirit and winning attitude about your hair, Meesh, it'll grow back. Besides, it's what's on the inside that counts, and from where I'm sitting it's coming up C-L-A-S-S-Y
ReplyDeleteAhhh Here's my Al!
DeleteThe hair dilemma is not a big deal, I rather like it, definitely punker look a bit darker than my blonde-look, perhaps at work I will be taken more seriously? LOL
Jen, matzo ball soup, I want your recipe.did you post it? We are going through a heat-wave...not within your standards in California. But I do love to serve up soup with all of my meals. That goes for cold soup...my best recipe is Vichyssoise.
Share yoour favorable sentiments wholeheartedly Meesh when it comes to Jen's Matzo Ball Soup. Hahaha @ yoour winsome sense of humor at being taken more seriously at work...
DeleteSay, Jen, meant to ask you if you had any lamb recipes handy? No biggie if not...back next week to see what goodies are next on tap here at your Epic Treats.
ReplyDeleteNo lamb recipes, Al... I don't really tend to eat lamb, but I definitely won't pass it up if it happens to come in a fancy pasta dish or something. :)
DeleteI'll see what I can come up with for next week.
Okay, Thank You for seeing what you can come up with @ lamb recipes, Jen. Meanwhile, no rush if you find yourself busy at work, or otherwise committed to other priorities. Fancy pasta dishes are always a treat. Am scrolling up to your latest post to get another look at that magnificent, or as Meesh would say, Magnifique donut...am beginning to drool, so better get going. Hope your week is off to a great start, Jen.
DeleteHere is my recipe for matzo ball soup... it's really just a soup mix, super easy to make if you have some eggs, veggies and possibly chicken on hand. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://epictreats.blogspot.com/2011/09/matzo-ball-soup.html
Took a little searching to find it since it doesn't fall under any of my current labels, but I think I will create a "jewish" label since a lot of the foods I've posted are Jewish. :)