My Projects

I've noticed lately that, although I love my life, I don't have very much going on right now that excites or interests me. My job, while I am very grateful to have it, isn't the most stimulating way to fill one's week. So I've decided that I wanna be like the many talented friends and relatives in my life that I've always admired who make and do interesting things. Here are a couple of projects that I've been working on lately:

Beaded Vase

(I should note here that this is a photo I swiped from joann.com, where I got the instructions on how to make it [http://www.joann.com/static/project/0903/P070154_beaded_brilliance_vase.pdf]. It is not the one that I made because I forgot to snap a photo of that one while it was still in my possession. However, the finished project looks relatively close to this one.)

Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes

I made these for a work party that I got to help plan with my co-workers Kristen and Lori. It was lots of fun!

Below is a pic of the whole snack set-up. Lori did the lemon cupcakes and Kristen (sitting behind the table) did the vanilla ones with colorful sprinkles:

I think it all turned out kinda springy and nice, what do you think? I also made a dip for the crackers too, one of those cream cheese-pineapple-pecan-bell pepper dealies. Here are the recipes, if you're interested:

Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes

chopped hazelnuts (optional)
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate hazelnut spread, divided
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/4 cups milk

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 18 standard (2-1/2-inch) muffin cups with paper or foil baking cups.
2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Beat 1/3 cup chocolate hazelnut spread and butter in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
3. Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until cupcakes spring back when touched and toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
4. Frost tops of cupcakes with remaining chocolate hazelnut spread. Sprinkle with hazelnuts.

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Pineapple Cream Cheese Dip

2 – 8 ounce packages softened cream cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped scallions
1/3 cup finely chopped red and green bell peppers
1 cup crushed pineapple in syrup (drained well)
1 cup pecans (finely chopped in processor)
1 tablespoon seasoned salt

Add cream cheese, scallions, peppers, pineapple, pecans and seasoned salt to bowl. Mix with a mixer to a smooth consistency. Serve with your favorite crackers. Keep in refrigerator.

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Next on my list is to take up knitting. We'll see how that goes...

Not-so-recent happenings

Wow, do I ever have some catching up to do! I'm a major blog slacker. All I can say is, life's been busy, although at this point, I'd be hard-pressed to tell you what with...

So, anyway, yeah, remember Valentine's Day? I barely do. Nonetheless, I found this image on my digital camera that I'd meant to share months ago of the breakfast I prepared for my hubby on Feb 14th:

I made him cinnamon rolls (one of his all-time faves) and scrambled eggs and served them to him in bed, which made he was pretty stoked about since he'd never had breakfast in bed before.

Aaron had planned on washing and waxing my car for my Valentine's Day surprise, however, it rained a good part of the day, so that plan didn't exactly pan out, but he did replace my windshield wipers, so all's well that ends well. It wasn't what you'd think of as a traditionally romantic thing to do, but it was what I really needed, so I was more than happy with it. I should mention, too, that Aaron also surprised me with a gift certificate for a massage at a local day spa. I used it the following weekend and was in utter heaven!

To dispel any thoughts you might be having about our gift-giving being one-sided, let me assure you that I did indeed purchase a gift for my hubby as well, however I will spare you the details of exactly what it was, because it was... well... bedroom-related and would fall into the category of "too much information." (You're welcome.)

Later that night, we had dinner at P.F. Chang's with our friends, Dean and Stephanie Hubbell. Good times were had by all, primarily due to the fact that we were one of the few parties that had actually made reservations. The place was PACKED, but we pretty much got right in.

All-in-all, it was a quiet but nice day. I've never been a huge Valentine's Day fan, but now that I'm married, I'm enjoying the chance to have a special day set aside for being just a little extra romantic and showing your spouse that you love and appreciate them. Aaron does so many sweet and thoughtful things for me throughout the year, and I seldom give him enough credit.

Love ya, babe!