Happy Birthday Chocolate Cupcakes

This weekend we celebrated my granddaughter Ashley's fifth birthday. We had a wonderful time that was shared by family and friends, and she got way too many presents. But isn't that half the fun of a birthday party when you're a child, to open birthday gifts from people who love you.

Days like this make me count my blessings. There are so many things I'm striving and hoping for, but when I realize how blessed I am by such a loving family, I'm truly humbled. I hope Ashley grows up to feel that she is blessed too. It's not a small thing in this big, hard world, to know that there are people out there that love you and wish the best for you always.

Okay, so on to these fabulous and delicious cupcakes that the birthday girl herself helped me bake and decorate. She has been baking with me for a couple of years now, and is now more interested in the actual baking instead of just licking the mixing beaters.

This is a Martha Stewart recipe for the cupcakes and the frosting. It's actually pretty simple to make the cupcakes, and the frosting is ready in no time. I doubled the recipe to make 24 cupcakes, and tinted the frosting pink. So, so good!!

Recipe for Martha Stewart's Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.         

Into a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.
   
Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
     
Cool in pan 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe for Easy White Icing

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 pound (3 2/3 cups) confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk (optional)

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter until smooth.
  
Gradually add confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. If too thick to spread, beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons milk.

Frost cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles if desired.

Makes 12 cupcakes.


-Post by Patricia 

Quick and Delicious Hurry-Up Biscuits

I know everyone is busy getting ready for Thanksgiving right now, my family is too. It's really my favorite holiday, filled with good food, family, and friends, and a chance to stop and reflect on all we're grateful for.

This year we moved to Nevada, so now I live very close to one of my sons and his family, which of course is wonderful. But my other son and youngest daughter will be spending Thanksgiving back in Seattle due to their jobs, and they're coming for Christmas.

My other daughter, Laura, who is my co-writer here on the blog, always has Thanksgiving in California. I'm hoping one year I can get all of my kids together around one table and spend Thanksgiving together. That would make me so happy. And I hope I haven't confused you, but as the mother of five grown children, they often confuse me!

Which brings me to these yummy and easy Hurry-Up Biscuits. I know how important side dishes are to Thanksgiving dinner, we have our family favorites that are almost the same every year. But I don't think the biscuits should be overlooked, for me they are important for soaking up that delicious turkey gravy.

So I tried out a couple of different biscuit recipes today, and this one was my favorite. Not only do I love the taste, but they are so easy to make. You could pre-make the dough if you like, and pop them in the oven after you've taken out the turkey and letting it rest for a bit.

Simply put the dry ingredients in a large bowl and add 2 cups of whipping cream. Then drop 1/4 cup of dough on a baking sheet and pop in the oven. Super easy!

Recipe for Hurry-Up Biscuits

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

4 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add whipping cream, stir just until ingredients are combined.

Drop by 1/4 cupful's spaced 1 inch apart on baking sheet. Bake 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with butter or jam.

Makes 12 biscuits.

-Post by Patricia  

Holiday Molasses Cookies

Growing up in Southern California, we never got to do some of the things that I pictured other kids at Christmas time doing. Like playing in the snow, building a snowman, or coming in from the cold with rosy cheeks from caroling and then enjoying a yummy cup of cocoa.

I can remember a few times when my mother pulled the Christmas ham out of the oven and had to wipe the sweat off her face because it was in the 80's outside and felt like a hundred degrees in the house. Maybe I saw too many Hollywood movies and all the impossible perfection they supplied my mind with, but I still feel like Christmas should somehow involve snow.

But there is one thing that happened in my house when I was growing up, and that was Christmas cookies. My mother made dozens and dozens of them for us to eat and give to our teachers and friends. I can remember coming home from school and eating them with a glass of milk, and watching my mom roll dough into a ball and then rolling it around in a bowl of sugar to make Molasses Cookies. I think they were my favorite out of all the kinds she made.

I've said many times that I wish I had some of her recipes, but I never asked her for any, and by the time I was interested she had already passed away. But I think she would have loved and approved of this wonderful recipe I found for Molasses Cookies in Taste of Home magazine. They are wonderful, and smell so good.

These cookies are quite soft, and are quite large too. Shaping the dough into 2-inch balls is the perfect size, I think. And they keep well for a few days in a container with a tight fitting lid.

I made a batch for my family and the grandkids loved them. We also gave some to friends who raved about them too. So they are going to be part of my cookie-making this year, and I'll be sharing them with friends and family.

Recipe for Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar, plus 1/4 cup for rolling dough in

2 large eggs

1/2 cup molasses

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; gradually add to cream mixture and mix together well.

Shape dough into 2-inch balls and roll in sugar until well coated. Place 2 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 13 - 15 minutes, or until tops are cracked. Place on wire racks to cool.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

-Post by Patricia 

Making A Wecome Home From The Hospital Gift Basket For A Dear Friend

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyCaregivingStory #CollectiveBias

If there's one thing in life I've learned, it's how valuable our friendships are, especially as we get older. Friends may come and go at certain points, but if we're very lucky, we will keep a few that are with us through thick and thin, good times and bad, and through the health problems many of us are challenged with as the decades go by.

I have a dear friend who is kind, and smart, and talented, and who always listens to me with an open heart. I know I can tell her anything and she will support me and help however she can. We also have a lot of laughs together, and I consider her an important part of my life.

Since she's in her seventies now, the last few years have not been easy for her in terms of her health. She's had some very serious heart problems and surgeries, but somehow manages to bounce back to her old self pretty quickly. I truly admire her wonderful attitude and love for life.

She recently had surgery again so I wanted to bring her a gift basket filled with things that she can use, and things I knew she would love. I've discovered that just because you are ill or recovering from illness, doesn't mean you no longer care about feeling special in the way you take care of yourself.

My friend loves to dress well, and pamper herself in small and simple ways. There's nothing she loves more than a warm, soothing bath so I decided to make her some Pumpkin Honey Sugar Scrub Cubes that I know she'll use and appreciate. 

Along with the sugar scrub cubes, I included some cards she can send, some note pads, warm socks, hand cream, a new coffee mug, and a favorite book of mine on faith.

I think a gift basket is one of the nicest things you can give someone for almost any reason, and it's a lot of fun buying and gathering things to make it special for the receiver.

I also included something that I know she needs and will really appreciate me buying for her, and that's Poise® Maximum Absorbency Pads. With all of her health problems and surgeries, it's a relief for her to have a product she can depend on to deal with her incontinence, and still feel fresh and clean.



Since a lot my friends have had to start dealing with incontinence as they get older, or become caregivers to elderly parents, we look for products we can use and trust.

Sam's Club offers Poise® Maximum Absorbency Pads that provide even more absorbency to give you the confidence and protection you need for your Light Bladder Leakage (LBL) with discreet and worry-free protection.

Look for the new packaging now available on Poise® and Depend® products that shows just how much you save by shopping at Sam's Club. I love the convenience and saving of buying in bulk, and not running out on important essentials.



I'm always so touched whenever anyone gives me something they made. It's just such a warm and sweet way to show they care about you. These easy Pumpkin Honey Sugar Scrub Cubes are super easy to make and the pumpkin spice in them is especially nice this time of year.

How to make Pumpkin Honey Sugar Scrub Cubes:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup unscented soap, shredded

1 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon honey

1 heaping tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the oil and shredded soap. Microwave on high in 20 second intervals until soap and oil are combined and melted. Add in the sugar, honey, and spice and then stir to combine.

Quickly pour the mixture into an ice cube mold and place in freezer about 30 minutes to firm up.

When the cubes are firm, store them in an air tight container to maintain their proper consistency. But for gift giving, I put them in a plastic bag and labeled them with a tag. They smell so good!

To use them in the bath or shower, take one and crush it slightly in your hand, Then rub it over your body before rinsing. They act like a pumpkin scented exfoliation and really feel great on your skin.

This recipe will make 12 sugar scrubs.



Along with Poise Maximum Absorbency Pads, Sam's Club members can also find Depend® FIT-FLEX® Underwear for Women. They are now more comfortable and feature all-around leg elastics, and a smooth, close-to-body fit.

And when you open your Depend packaging it will have a sticker inside that you can use to redeem at the pharmacy for a great caregiver sample kit. This offer is available while supplies last, so hurry in today to find your packaging with this offer!

Be sure and check out Sam's Club Family Caregiving, a one-stop destination for all of your caregiving needs, including prescription refills, personal care products, and free health screenings. This is really awesome for all members, and I know I'm going to take full advantage of it.

Be sure to download the Digimarc Discovery app, you can scan anywhere on the Depend packaging, and it will take you to the Sam’s Club Caregiver website where you can find more information.

Whether you are a caregiver for a family member, or simply care very much about someone special like I do about my friend, it feels wonderful to share in making their lives a little better. I know my friend will appreciate her gift basket and everything in it. I'm just happy to spend time with her and enjoy her company.

Do you know someone who would be able to use Poise® Maximum Absorbency Pads? Sometimes the gift of giving basic products that we need are so appreciated. Do you have a caregiving story you would like to share?

Leave me a comment below, I would love to hear from you.

-Post By Patricia

Fresh Peach Cake Recipe From Back In The Day Bakery Made With Love Cookbook

It sort of feels like I should call this cake the "end of summer fun cake". Tomorrow my grandchildren will start a brand new school, in a brand new town, in this brand new to us, state of Nevada.

I think my daughter and son-in-law have prepped them well for this new adventure, emotionally, and with the must have new clothes, backpacks, and shoes. I think, and hope, and pray that the new school will be a great place for them.

When you live with your grandchildren like I do, there isn't really the emotional separation from their lives like other grandparents have. And so I can get caught up in what is happening to them, and just like a parent, I want everything to always go smoothly for them, and life just isn't like that as we all know.

So all I can do is offer them love and support, and cake. Trust me, cake helps. I made this delicious cake for dessert for them last night and they loved it. Who doesn't love yummy cake with peaches and whipped cream, right?

This is actually another cake recipe from the Back In Day Bakery Made With Love Cookbook, by Cheryl and Griffith Day. I absolutely love their southern style way of life and baking. It's become one of my favorite cookbooks.

I found delicious peaches on sale at the grocery store and thought this cake would be a great end of summer dessert for us, and it was. So good!!

Recipe for Fresh Peach Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

10 large peaches, peeled, pitted, and cut in half

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square (or round, like I used) cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper and butter it as well. Lightly dust the pan with flour, tapping the pan on the counter to shake out the excess.

Stir together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the lemon juice. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl, using a hand held mixer), cream the butter, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar on medium-high until very light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary. Add the vanilla and mix until just incorporated.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and use the rubber spatula to incorporate any ingredients hiding at the bottom of the bowl, making sure the batter is completely mixed. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and gently smooth the top with the spatula. Tap the pan firmly on the counter to remove any air bubbles from the batter.

Arrange the peaches on top of the batter, cut side down. Stir together the remaining 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle on top of peaches.

Bake for about 1 hour, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan, peel off the parchment, and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

- Post by Patricia













Enjoy A Delicious Cup Of Morning Coffee With International Delight Simply Pure Coffee Creamer

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #IDSimplyPure #CollectiveBias

I'm definitely a morning person, and so glad I am. I love getting an early start to my day and feeling like I have plenty of time to accomplish what I need to do, and enjoy a little quiet time for myself before the rest of my family wakes up.

I start every morning with a big cup of coffee. I honestly feel like my brain can't function without that first cup. For years I used milk and sugar in my coffee, which was totally fine. But kind of boring.

I'm happy to say that now I get to enjoy a really great tasting cup of coffee because I recently found International Delight Simply Pure Coffee Creamers.

They come in three delicious flavors, Vanilla, Caramel, and Hazelnut. Simply Pure is the perfect everyday creamer, and made with only 5 simple ingredients.

Besides my coffee, another thing that is important to me in the early morning is to look at my vision board. A lot of my friends and family keep saying that they would like to make one, but just never get around to it. I feel like it's definitely worth the time to make one because mine have inspired me to work hard to make my dreams become reality.

I love making vision boards for whatever you want to have happen in your life, whether it's a new job, a new home, or even something like being more in touch with your own feelings.

When I'm fully awake and onto my second cup of coffee, I usually have a little something to eat, sometimes fruit or toast, or even a slice of one of my favorite coffee cakes that I like baking.

Since everyone in my family are coffee lovers, I bought all three flavors of Simply Pure Coffee Creamers at Walmart. Honestly, all of the flavors are yummy, but the Caramel just might be my favorite.

I like that when you use Simply Pure, you don't have to use extra creamer to get great flavor in your coffee. And it's made with real milk, cream, and sugar. Yum!

Have you ever made a vision board? It's super easy, and fun to do.

Start out with some of your favorite magazines, they can be old or new. I like to go to my local library to buy them for only a quarter. The magazines can be of general interest, or more of a theme, like mine are.

Since what I would love to have is a new home, I picked out decorating magazines to cut out pictures and words that have meaning for me.

You just need magazines, a poster board, a glue stick, and scissors. And the ability to let your imagination come out and play.

Just start out cutting pictures that you like or that appeal to you. I had fun finding pictures of pretty rooms and houses. And words like Cottage, Vintage, and Family really spoke to me.

When you have found enough pictures and words, start arranging them on the poster in whatever way looks most appealing to you.

Now glue everything down. Don't worry if things are a little messy, or it's not perfect. Your vision board is only for you, to inspire you and help you dream your dreams.

This is my finished vision board. I was a little surprised that I picked out the picture of the yellow kitchen cabinets because I really thought I only liked white cabinets.

And my board is a little more country-like that I thought it would be. I must like informal country decorating more than I thought. And that's one of the great things about doing a vision board is to bring out your inner thoughts and desires that you normally might not pay much attention to.

If you're like me and love a delicious tasting cup of coffee to get your morning started, Simply Pure Coffee Creamers are for you.

And they're great too for that afternoon cup of coffee that can give a real pickup when the day is long and tiring. For me, coffee is something I always welcome no matter what time of day it is.

Be sure to look for all three flavors of International Delight Simply Pure Coffee Creamers at your local Walmart in the dairy section.

You can also find more Simply Pure inspiration by going here.

Have you ever created a vision board? What would you make your theme or idea for it be? I'd really love to know, so leave me a comment please.


-Post written by Patricia