Pittsburgh's Going to the SuperBowl!

All the Steeler Ladies!

In honor of my Pittsburgh Steeler's making it to another Superbowl I made some little cakes to enjoy. They are the basic vanilla and chocolate cakes from my earlier post but I made fondant logo's to go on top. I have to say that for my first attempt at fondant decorations on cupcakes I think they turned out pretty neato. I could pick at them for hours about what I think I did wrong but overall I'm happy with my skills.

So tune in on Sunday to see how the Steel Curtain does against the Arizona Cardinals.

Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go!

Best Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes

So I haven't baked in awhile and I've been craving cupcakes. I'm heading to DC this weekend and decided to try for some basic vanilla and chocolate cakes. I'm thoroughly pleased with the outcome of my special cakes. I think I've appeased my craving and have eaten 4 today! Delicious. I'll post the recipe's I came up with shortly. I just wanted to tempt you with some pictures.....

We Are The Change

Yesterday was the pre-inauguration, on the even of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Celebrities, politicians, and every day people were welcome to join President Elect Obama and his family celebrate on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Although I was very sad that I wasn't in the city anymore to enjoy the amazing celebration, I was able to watch the concert on HBO.

What a wonderful site to see so many people celebrating a politician and this amazing achievement. The truth of the situation is Obama isn't just the change we needed in America, but he inspires each citizen to be the change in their own lives. I couldn't be more excited for the inauguration tomorrow. Here are a few pictures for the free concert and a link to the text from President Elect Obama's speech.

I Love Oat Scotchies Cause Their So Delicious

I think I've been a little down with the searching for a job and wishing Pat was home. So, desperate times call for something sweet. I have been craving something comforting....something from my childhood. When I think of my favorite cookie I can think of no one I loved more than Oatmeal Scotchies.

Something about the combination of the oatmeal and the butterscotch that is so warm and comforting. Especially with the weather being so cold, the comfort was necessary.

Oatmeal Scotchies
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl beat butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Add baking powder, baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and cinnamon. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in as much of the flour as you can. Stir in remaining flour and rolled oats.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack and let cool.

Temptation

So I'm trying to eat healthy and work out because Pat is coming home soon. He's lost over 25 lbs. since he's been gone and I need lose weight that I've gained! So I'm doing really well. I'm not dieting, just making healthy choices and working out.

I haven't posted about my baking in awhile because, truth be told, I haven't baked. I didn't want to have the sweets around while I'm trying to eat healthy. I wanted to send something sweet and delicious to Pat in his "I Love you Valentine's Day" package. So I found this recipe on Bakerella's website for Betty Crocker's chocolate chip cookie dough brownies. I wish I could show you pictures of how delicious mine turned out but my camera battery was dead and I was already in the thick of the cooking when I realized it. So this picture is what they should look like, and is from Bakerella.
Here's the link for the recipe from Betty Crocker: Chocoplate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

So I made these tempting brownies and the apartment smelled wonderfully of chocolatey goodness. I had to break down and sample a little sweetness and they are delicious! They are so simple to make and use pre-packaged brownie and cookie mix. There should be no excuse why you can't make these goodies; well, unless you're trying to lose weight!

Long Time Gone

so it's been a terribly long time since i last posted. i supposed i got very wrapped up in the holidays and christmas shopping. it's all over now and i'm ready to get on with the year. patrick come's home in less than 100 days and i'm completely excited!

i spent a good time at home in parkersburg, wv for the christmas holiday and spent new years eve with my cousin and friends in washington d.c. i'm happy to be back at home and now recovering from a cold caused by all the travelling i've done in the past weeks.

i'm still looking for a new job since my job in d.c. ended jan. 1. luckily i have an interview on tuesday so let's hope it works out!

i plan on posting some of my favorite gifts that i got this christmas. most of the best revolve around cupcake things, which isn't surprising :)

first i received this amazing cupcake paintings/art from my sister. i was so surprised and they are so perfect! I can't wait to hang them on my wall:

I got these great cupcake stands and cupcake christmas ornaments from my mother-in-law. aren't they adorable?! i got more cupcake stands that i'll post later:

these great cupcake stands were given to me by my mother and my aunt. i saw them when i was in savannah and i love them. perfectly cute and the prefect size to showcase mini creations. they came from back in the day bakery they are handmade and i'm not sure from where but the name lisa is etched on the bottom. thank you, lisa.
my sister also purchased me this great non-edible cupcake from and etsy store she found, mosaic cottage she makes wonderful fake cupcakes out of broken china.my parents also got me a great 50ml lens for my camera so i can take wonderful shots of my cupcakes and make my blog prettier.

those are just a few of my favorite gifts. it was a wonderful christmas and a happy holiday. i hope you all had a wonderful time and spend lots of time with your loved ones.