Hummingbird Cupcakes
Got my bake on.
The thing about my tried and tested butter-cream frosting recipe is that I need to test it as I go to get the perfect balance of icing sugar and butter. Often I add cream cheese, and this is what this recipe called for. I want the cream cheese to be subtle however the texture of a butter-cream for me is paramount. The downside to all this is now thanks to ingesting all of this pure butter and sugar I will be on a sugar high for the next four days. Give or take.
And tomorrow morning I will wake up with a sugar hangover. Still better than the Gin and Tonic hangover I had a couple of years back. Shivers run up and down my spine at the mere remembrance of those two days curled up in the fetal position on the bathroom floor.
So today, because my Uncle is visiting and we have decided to have a nice family dinner tonight I felt like making something sugary and unique for dessert. Main and starter is always mothers problem, I excel at the apres meal course. So I trolled online and found a wonderful recipe from Natalie’s Killer Cuisine for Hummingbird Cupcakes.
Now don’t be too concerned, no little buzz-y birds were harmed in the making of this yumminess. Hummingbird cake is an American variety of baked good found mainly in the southern United States, however it has been said it originated in Jamaica. Mon.
The icing, if I do say so myself, is a perfect combination of cream cheesy and sweet. The cake is incredibly moist and would be enjoyable even on it’s own without icing. I really need to pick up some coloured sugar, red was all I had leftover from Caloriemas.
A Dab Will Do Ya
Monday night Jan and I went to Delta Bingo.
I felt like doing something different and getting back to my roots. Both my Baba and my Gran O’Curry used to love to dab. I often went with Baba, car full of grey hairs from the Ukes retirement living centre and I would spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon at the parlour trying to win all the jackpots. It was always fun and I haven’t been in years so I roped Jan in to accompanying me.
I got slight Bingo card ordering anxiety. The other patrons were professionals and I ended up somehow with the above large book of cards to dab, a laptop of some kind and two books of laminated cards. I have estimated per game, between the laptop and I, we were covering over 20 cards. I will not play that many next time, it was workout, I had to pat my brow a couple of times.
If you want to know how I got the little computer I can’t even recall. I said something about a package and was handed copious amounts of things, both laminated and not. I was so confused it wasn’t even at all funny. Luckily we had a couple experts sitting beside and behind us that were happy to help and my computer dabbed in pink hearts for me and provided a count on how close I was on each card it was watching for me. Two numbers away on three cards and so forth.
Luckily the very first game I won, along with another winner so we had to split the $100.00. I blame the streak of frewsh-out-of-the-gate luck on the ballin’ green dabber I bought there. Shiny lid does the trick. I pimped out when it came to dabbers. The rest of the evening was uneventful except for some tense moments when were we merely numbers away from ten thousand dollars. I love Bingo! Both exciting and relaxing at the same time and a fun Monday night.
Just an FYI, if you are a Bingo virgin…free dabber and coffee with your first visit, everyone is very helpful so ask lots of questions and it’s cash only. And when you win a bunch of blue hairs give you a big smile and a thumbs up.
Bovine Serum?
Sit around kids, I have an interesting tale to tell.
Once I started using MyFitnessPal I realized my various diet related deficiencies. Protein being the one that often came up, barely able to reach half of my intended goal for the day. I was getting little messages about tips to up my protein levels. So because of this I went to Sprawlmart and picked up some protein powder. After all, it’s not often I suddenly crave two cups of brown rice or a whole large can of chickpeas. A nice mango somethingorother flavoured powder that could be easily stirred in to some water as a supplement fit the bill.
I’m not about to go down the negativity path and list the brand of the powder I purchased. For what its worth it was delicious, mixed up with water well and served it’s purpose. However, one day, as I was mixing up my latest shake I started to go through the ingredients listed on the packaging. After five or six unpronounceable and lengthy ingredients I start to get worried…then I read…Bovine Serum.
What?
I know what a Bovine is but what possibly could be the serum of such animal? Stomach turn. Oh ingredient listing sometimes you are so terrifying to those as blindingly trusting as myself.
Investigate Internet work, lots of Googling, lots of Wiki-ing. Several tense minutes later, bottom line: it’s cow plasma. Dried and processed, powdered, and mixed in with flavourings and powdered soy proteins. Ew, really, truly, ew. Oh. My. God. EW! WTF?!? I was beyond disturbed. I usually am a label reader but for something I thought so simple, especially when the name itself dictates an ingredient – soy, who would question?
Now I do eat bovines on occasion admittedly but something was just not sitting well with this serum and chemically processed things.
So to replace the offending powder I head over to Today’s Health Solutions in Uxbridge, my most favourite of health food store in the entire world. The help there is awesome and as soon as I dramatically go over my tale of Bovine Serum related woe, she steers me to Progressive Harmonized Vegan protein powder. We go through the ingredients and not a single one turns my stomach, in fact they are all pronounceable! Like they are from real things in this world!!!
How lovely!
I read further; free of artificial ingredients? Check! 100% vegetable proteins? Check! Immune support and supports healthy digestion? Check! Not a single mention of Bovines? Check!
So I left the store armed with my new Perfect Shaker and my protein powder and high hopes. Which were not disappointed.
That metal ball, as well as the protein powder of your choice and water/milk/juice all go in to the shaker. After a little shakeup you’ve got yourself a shake on the run. Coyote tried it out with his protein powder and I badly need to get him a shaker too. It’s so conveinent to just keep in your car with some powder and whenever a boost is needed add water, shake and voila. Oh look lunch! And BPA free for my hippies out there.
The protein powder serves it’s purpose well, however, I prefer this stuff whizzed up in the Magic Bullet with water and some fruit added as it can be a little grainy on it’s own. I chose Vanilla to facilitate adding other flavours, the Vanilla is subtle and doesn’t taste artificial at all (probably cause it isn’t). Next time I am going with the Berry flavour. You can’t lose for 25 grams of protein per 35 gram scoop which is also low in carbs, high in fibre AND soy and gluten free.
Trail Walkin’ Dawg
Evan and I went for a hike a couple of weeks ago with Har. I am purposely partaking in activities I could not complete while gainfully employed. I refuse to waste this unexpected vacation lounging but instead taking advantage of a beautiful day with a beautiful dog on beautiful trails.
Uxbridge is some sort of trail capital…of course I’ve never been. I was slightly concerned Harley would bolt and/or hurt himself in some way but he was quite well behaved. As well behaved as a huge spazzy dog could possibly be anyway.
He can be relaxed…like this morning…
Lazy late morning bed cuddles.
Of course the ancient leash I took with me ended up being chewed (sad eyes, guilty look on face) when I left his canine highness in the car for ten minutes alone while I was getting cracked at the chiro. So, not letting such things defeat my dreamy day, a quick stop in to Pet Valu was required. I bought the Kurgo Quantum Leash, totally reasonably priced and a nice manly red and blue for Harley. I LOVE IT.
Not only can this leash be used as a three feet training leash but also as a six foot leash, which is great for trails because with other dogs and people on the trails I wanted the option of keeping Har closer to me just in case the other party wasn’t a fan of having 130 pounds of drooling idiot leaping towards them. AND the leash can be used as a tether, two dog leash (will come in handy when Coyote and I adopt several dogs), courier style (around your body like a messenger bag) and belt style. How cool is that?!? And it has a 12 month guarantee! WIN!
I reco the trails. They are well kept and winding, it was good exercise for everyone involved. I should have eaten something or at the very least brought a Clif bar but instead we just walked and chatted and Harley peed on…everything. Twice.
The Power of Gratitude
As I have eluded to in several past posts I am currently reading and completing the 28 day The Magic course. It’s a book by the same author of The Secret and The Power, Rhonda Byrne. It’s mostly about the law of attraction but more importantly about love, joy and gratitude. The very first morning of the course you wake up and type or write a list of 10 things you are grateful for, and why you are grateful for such things.
There are no rules with this. It could be anything from the tiny most insignificant thing in your life that makes you smile to the biggest and all encompassing thing, like even being awake. There are people who didn’t wake up this morning, all over the world, of many ages, and each one of those had a family and friends. Sobering yes but true.
So I have been completing this assignment daily for about a week but thought I would share todays list. I felt like typing it and sharing it today but mostly I keep this quite personal.
1.) Sunshine. Today is summer-ish and yesterday I needed to go back to the house for a toque it was so chilly. But today, I wore a tshirt to clean the barn. Thank you sun for making everything so bright and beautiful out there in beautiful Northern Ontario.
2.) Not waking up at 6:30 and staying up until 1 a.m. last night to browse all sorts of marvellous inspiration on the interwebs. My body tells me what sleep I need and I get it. I don’t miss that rundown feeling where I was running on fumes from Wednesday to Friday. Thank you freedom!
3.) My late night inspiration! I have misplaced my darling Alien Penguin necklace and yesterday upon trying to find a replacement came across the blog of it’s creator, Emma Girard. Thank you Emma for all the inspiration from your beautiful projects you blog and share with us!
4.) Roger, Darren and Marilyn. Mom puts on the radio in the morning and we always listen to them. I adore these three, they always make me wake up laughing. Thank you morning team!
5.) My secret appointment at 3 p.m. today that I am very excited about for several reasons. I have spoken to Jennifer twice now and she seems lovely and to be surrounded by pretty things is but a dream of mine. I adore flowers and people and together what a lovely grouping. Thank you universe and Fran (awesome glasses lady) for the opportunity!!!
6.) Getting a break tonight from farm life and spending the night with Coyote. With seven horses, two dogs, three cats and 40 acres of property I have been going non-stop for a while with chores and it’s getting to me a bit. I love being out and meeting new people, seeing new things and bumping along the countryside but I am grateful Mother has a job where she can come in later and put out the horses and feed the animals before she leaves for work. I can’t be cooped up here chained to this place and it’s wonderful inhabitants constantly. So thank you universe for working it out that we can be farmers and women about town!
7.) Experimental smoothies, the liquid breakfast. Every morning I fill the blender with bananas, avacado, cinnamon, chia seeds, almond milk, almond butter, strawberries and whatever else I can get my paws on and happily sip my breakfast. Thank you Magic Bullet and Produce for making breakfast a little more wonderful.
8.) Hey thanks skin for finally clearing up and getting your act together. So happy and grateful this is working itself out because this affliction has made me very self conscious for the past few weeks. Thank you oil levels in epidermis for becoming somewhat more normal.
9.) Getting my shit together and writing out all my dreams today. It felt good and there are so many but I can capable of such things one at a time, getting them out of my delicious brain on to paper was a lovely task indeed. Thanks schedule for the time to do this.
10.) Time with brother this week. Although somewhat tumultous (screaming match of epic proportions) we smoothed things out and he stepped up and helped out a bit on the farm. We both have our faults but we both always laugh and at least I have one of out of three siblings who I can confirm has (sometimes) brain cells. Thank you Mom and Dad for deciding to have another.
I went in to great detail but you don’t need to…keep a little notebook handy and throughout the day start seeing the little happy things and jot those down! And then remember to say thanks for all the little things.
Big Things *Jazz Hands*
Of course as soon as I get my shit together enough to plant all my seeds ahead of time and now am stunned by the plethora of towering bean and pea shoots ahead of schedule the weather is too cold to plant outside. Jiffy pot, I thank your inventor.
Chili was a big help!
I can haz halp. (Oh, Lolcat. Facepalm of adorableness.)
All this PLUS PLUS PLUS.
Mother and I kinda went a little dirty hippie granola gardening crazy at Richters on Sunday. Somehow we ended up booking a table at the local farmers market and splicing a good five acres currently reserved for horse grazing to organic veggie gardening. And don’t think I am giving up the Alpaca and Chicken swooning either. That’s on the move too…cause that’s how we do. I am striving for a cornucopia of delightful and adverse lovliness. Get your party dresses ready.
In other news thanks to vehicle musical chairs I was without Bella today and haven’t left the house since Sunday and to be honest with you I could pee myself out of excitement to go out tomorrow. I have an opportunity to sort out, two actually, and then off to have a sleepover at Coyote’s. It may just be relationship reviving dinner (and booty call) but I am so looking forward to it. Taking a break from the usual; get up, feed horses, clean barn, busy self by purging yet another area of the farm. (I am tying chains to heavy machinery and then to large fallen trees and pulling them romantically from their falling place and listening to Skid Row loudly and hooting and holleringa at each accomplishment. Shaking my fist to the sky proclaiming my genius every ten minutes! Local farmers drive by and laugh.)
Not to mention Daisy the dog needing medication twice daily and having to wear the cone of shame because of a licking problem and a yeast infection on her leg. The vet said it’s when moisture stays in the fur and becomes trapped (Daisy is woolly like a sheep) and then yeast forms and irritates the area. Quite gross. And having to wash it I have more than once had to smile and coo to her as I secretly gag. Poor Daisy Lu! Poor Tinka!
Headquarters 2.0
I may have had to stop and have a three hour nap today. This Ikea shelving unit almost killed me, thank the universe I get to see the chiro tomorrow. And I get to pick up my new glasses too! Incorrect prescription no more!
Final tweaking is still required. As is my brother or Coyote coming by to hang the magnetic board and cork board and new picture that for now is atop my new high gloss gorgeousness….
My adorable Mother put Todd in there. Adorable, a Todd house.
Tomorrow is busy…chiro, house showing (fucky fuck fuck), new glasses pickup and then Coyote’s hockey banquet. Can’t wait for all the awkward conversation with other players wives/girlfriends. As soon as they start talking about kids I start talking about all my freedom. I’m happy for the breeders but Marty is enough of a handful for me sweet darlings. I’m planning on wearing something whimsically and fashionably stupid so I indeed become a spectacle. In my new spectacles.
Look at that face! Win!
Spring Purging
This is from one single room of headquarters, the office shared by Motherbomb and I…
One. Fucking. Room.
In her defense as she used to run a business out of this one crazy room therefore the vendor literature was plentiful. Ranging in dates from 2003 until the present, pool steel specifications as far as the hand can purge. The energy is the office is ten times better without having to step over files boxes filled with ghosts of invoices past. But today’s exercise does confirm we are going to need a garage sale of epic proportions.
There is just so much! So much stuff! Of every variety and use.
I have no need for this clutter any longer. Cluttered space cluttered mind and I am devoid of productivity without organization. Speaking of which, I lost my lucky adventurine. Dammit! I don’t know what the hell I did with it but promise myself wherever I put my little gem I indeed said to myself – do not forget you are putting this here. I want to say it was in a pocket of some article of my clothing but I have dug through all pockets without luck.
Then I forgot that whole moment.
Next is to obtain a proper bookshelf for the office and then sort and purge books, cookbooks, non-fiction. Then to arrange the electronic and household garbage dude for the giant and very dead big screen TV and the old cell phones and computers. Then to sort the paint cans. Then the workshop. The barn itself. Then the small barn. Then the old fleet of trucks mom still has. Then sort and put on tables and spend an entire three day long weekend haggling dollars and cents with little old local broads.
I am looking forward to it…you?
There goes any fun plan for May long weekend, so booked for hawking mine old wares. Allll weekend baby!
It’s Technically A Thursday
Thanks to the short week, even for us unemployed folk.
I may be now but kids you should see all this amazing and fun stuff the world we call home is throwing my way. My note from the universe today called me the Boss and as much as I toot mine own orchestra things are beginning to take shape. It’s all sparkles and olives darlings. See? Everything happens for a reason and everything is happening. My one area to continue to work on however is schedule, that Pacman daily diary I purchased hasn’t felt the pressure of my pen in much too long. Also my Magic course has fallen by the wayside because I spent over an hour yesterday reading my own blog posts from years ago.
It was fun.
Sunday turned out to be a lovely day and we visited my brother, sister in law and Violet my niece at their new home. Violet and I played legos and she, much alike her aunt, loves organization and grouping alike legos together and then having fun putting them away in their appropriate storage container. A fellow organizer! Watch out world! Easter shopping for a 15 month old on Monday was amazing. How fun is it to go in to a store to buy shiny sparkly things for a little person to then claim was left by a mythical rabbit?! holy underrated life pleasure! And how marvellous will it be when she walks in and sees her dog Harley is indeed the rabbit! (He was not thrilled to learn of my plans for his Sunday dressup afternoon but he can take one for the team on this holiday.)
I am off for my very first Thai Massage. I had a traditional massage a couple of weeks back and to be honest having my face stuck in the massage table face hole for an hour made me a bit dizzy and disoriented after. I felt spacey and I dislike that feeling muchly so I found an alternative that may require me being in yoga pants in semi-public but whatever, my back knots need some love!
SMRT
As in I am so…
Look below this post…after several attempts at linking within I have indeed found the plugin of my dreams. Excuse me while I pat self on the back and pour myself a big drink because dreams do happen kids. Thank you universe for this being mostly pleasant and only keeping me up until 11:30 at night.
Now, for beddingtons and surely self congratulatory dreams.