Words of Wisdom

Via the internet.

Really in need of some inspiration these days to keep my mind on the right track. I can always count on quotes to get me motivated and put a smile on my face. Some people just really know how to say it...

No more cubes...no more!!!

Isn't that kitty the cutest thing??

Have a great week everyone! :)

Zebra Cake

I helped out someone at my office this week by making her a cake for her cousin's baby shower tomorrow. Their theme was zebra and pink so I brainstormed and this is what I came up with.  Inside is a vanilla cake with strawberry mouse filling. I was really happy with the outcome and it definitely proved to me that I might actually have a knack for this stuff.  What do you think? Would you want to have a cake like this?

Bakin' with Bacon

There is a reason why people say "bacon makes everything better!".  They say it because it is true.  Bacon on sandwiches, eggs and bacon, bacon wrapped dates, bacon in salads, bacon in ice cream sandwiches (I discovered this lovely treat at Craft and Commerce restaurant in Little Italy)...oh the list goes on!

I have been waiting to take on the challenge of baking with bacon and this weekend brought the perfect opportunity.  After making breakfast with my family we had a lot of bacon left over.

Sadly sitting there...

...alone...

...about to go to waste.

Brittany to the rescue! I saved the poor little bacons and put them in some delicious scones.  They were interesting but definitely a hit with the family.  I'm pretty sure my little sister took down about five of them on her own. Go girl!

Bacon Scones with Maple Glaze and Bacon Bits


3 1/4 cup AP Flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1tsp vanilla extract
5-6 strips crisp cooked bacon, crumbled


Preheat oven 425 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. Press in and incorporate cold butter until the mix resembled crumbs.  Add buttermilk and vanilla extract and fold in bacon.  Roll out onto a floured surface, knead and roll out to two 7 inch rounds. Cut into 8 wedges. Bake 14-16 minutes or until just browning.


Maple Glaze
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Combine ingredient until smooth.  You may add more confectioner's sugar to make glaze thicker or small amounts of water if you need to thin it out.  Drizzle over scones and top with bits of crumbled bacon.  Enjoy!

Late Late Late ..tsk.

Fill in the blank...Saturday! Woo...sorry for not being punctual. Enjoy your Saturday :)

1.   If I could get away somewhere for the weekend I would go       to Santa Barbara   and I would bring      sundresses, taylor, michael and an appetite for cheese and wine and I would NOT bring my crackberry blackberry   .

2.  Something I often rant about is    all the things I want to do in my life. the list is endless! also, how I think every person should have to work a customer service job at some point in their lives. it would help make people kind, patient and respectful  .

3.  One item I need to have in my fridge at all time is     hummus. for the crackers in the cupboard  .

4.  My "life-saving" product is   chapstick. without it i would perish  .

5.  A friend is someone who     still answers your phone calls after you have ignored theirs for a week cuz you are too busy. and someone who knows how weird you really are and still wants to hang out with you anyway  .

6.  If I could write my own blank it would be       the best desert i have ever had was...   .

7.  My favorite kind of art is       definitely photography. its so real and the world is such an amazingly beautiful place and when it is captured in great photos - its perfect. i can relate to photos much more than a painting.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!! 

I promise I am getting a USB cord this weekend!!!!

Broken USB Cord

What can chew up everything in sight and still be precious? 


Puppies. That's what.


I am sitting here trying to figure out why my Mac is telling me that my USB is using up too much power and is being deactivated. What in the world?!


Looking down I realize that Taylor chewed up my USB camera cord sometime in the last few days and it no longer works. It is a goner.  I hope she enjoyed chewing on wire and plastic (soo not good for her!).


Anyway, I have a bunch of new pictures I wanted to show you but now I can't. They are prisoners in my camera and until I go buy a new USB hook up.  *tear*


In honor of the little monster destroying my wonderful blog post that was supposed to be about banana oatmeal muffins (check back for that later this week..) here are some of her latest photo opts and adventures.

Until I get a UBS cord...

Fill in the Blank...Sunday..!?

Ohhh I know I'm bad. This shows my true procrastination skills but in my defense this has been the busiest two weeks I have had in a looong time! Tomorrow is my first day off work since Mother's Day. So can you cut me some slack? Thanks friends :)

So here are my Friday fill ins on Sunday. Oh, and congrats on making it through the "end of the world" today. I am glad we are all still here.

1.   People always tell me I look like      Melissa from the Bachelor. I won't complain she is a cutie!   .

2.  Friends don't let friends    go it alone  .

3.  A sunny day is perfect for     everything! the beach, running, picnics, drinking, hiking...oh the list goes on!   

4.  My favorite accessory is   my two $8 rings and my necklace...I pretty much never take them off  .

5.  If I could afford it I would     start a bakery and travel the world  .

6.  The cure for boredom is       baking! duh   .

7.  I am currently "in like" with       teaching Taylor new tricks! She is a fast little learner    . 

Marscapone + Strawberry Filled Cupcakes

Who says cupcakes have to be topped off with a mound of frosting? Not me.


These simple cupcakes are light, fresh and delicious. No flavor overpowering the other...harmony :) 


So much so that they are completely acceptable to eat for breakfast..I know from experience.


Slightly Vanilla Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup granulated white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature (cut into pieces)

1 large egg, room temperature

2 large egg yolks, room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (ie: light and fit vanilla yogurt)

Combine all dry ingredients in your stand mixer.

Mix in butter, eggs, egg yolks, vanilla and yogurt. 

Mix until combined.

Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until firm.

Cupcake Filling

1 cup marscapone cheese

1/2 cup strawberries

1/4 cup white sugar

Combine in food processor until smooth.

Cupcake Glaze

1 cup water

1/2 cup white sugar

4 cups confectioners' sugar

Mix sugar and water over the stove until dissolved. Bring to a simmer and then pour into a bowl with the confectioner's sugar and mix until smooth. (Don't prepare glaze until the cupcakes are cooled and filled, it hardens somewhat quickly)

Once the cupcakes have been cooled, fill a pastry bag fitted with a small tip (ie: #4) with the strawberry filling.  Insert the tip into the bottom of the cupcake and fill until you feel the cupcake plump.  Then pour glaze over the top of cupcake and let cool completely.  Add sliced strawberries for decoration.