Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Chocolate Frosting

So today I decided to try something new! Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate buttercream frosting.

So I started with the dry ingredients...

Sugar, flour, baking powder, unsweetened cocoa, salt

And I put it all in a bowl and mixed the dry ingredients together.

I then added the wet ingredients...

Eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, 1c of boiling water

The cups were all set to be filled... oh the anticipation!

The batter was mixed!

And poured...

And all set to go in the oven!

For the frosting:
I melted some semisweet chocolate morsels over a double boiler and whipped it with some unsalted butter to make the frosting and...

Viola! Ready to eat!

I wasn't super happy how it turned out. I got impatient and didn't add my wet ingredients at room temperature. :/ (I know... not good). But It was still chocolatey and yummy.

What new recipes have you tried lately? Anything I should try?

Pecan Pie Muffins

I ran into this recipe for Pecan Pie Muffins online last night. So I thought, "I like pecan pie + I like muffins= I like Pecan Pie Muffins!" So I made them.

I also thought this would be a good opportunity to play with light and the Av setting on my new camera. ;)  Eventually I'll make my way to full Manual! Can't wait!

So here are a couple of pics of my yummy muffins. I forgot to take pics of the process of mixing the various ingredients but you get the idea with the photos below.

In the oven and ready to bake.

New Hobby!

I did it! I took a dive and purchased my first Digital SLR camera! Do I know how to operate an SLR camera you ask? ... Um... well... No. But I plan on learning! I'll take a couple of classes, talk to a few folks who I know regularly use one and take great photos. I'm a fast learner I'll get it.... eventually.

Here is a pic of the camera I purchased:

It's a Canon EOS Rebel T1i (not sure what that really means).

So, I was dying to start a hobby and develop a new skill so I decided to try photography. It wasn't random... really.  I am a full-time mom and work part-time as the Director of New Life Kids Ministry at New Life Fellowship. Needless to say I have NO TIME for hobbies.  But all work and no play makes Rosie a very grouchy mama and wife. No bueno!

{Advent} Day 2- Crown

Karis and I did day two of Truth in the Tinsel today!  I know I said I wasn't doing every day, and I'm not.  But we had the supplies and the time so we did it!

Karis found the box with the #2 on the tree, opened it and found the "Crown" clue inside. We read Isaiah 9:2-7 again (same verse as Day 1), and talked about Jesus as King.

She wasn't as enthused as yesterday at first...

 

{Advent} Day 1- Candle

I know... I know it's Day 2 of Truth in the Tinsel and my title says Day 1. Well... life happened and we never got to doing our Day 1 Advent activity. In fact, I didn't even get to set up my Advent "calendar" till very late that night. At first I felt horrible. Then I came to my senses and realized. BIG DEAL! No one is monitoring me... it's not a test! The goal is to take time with Karis (2yrs) to learn/remember what we are truly celebrating this season. The birth of our Savior!

So, I had decided to do an alternate schedule with Truth in the Tinsel. My life is pretty busy with New Life Kids and being a mom to Karis and wife to Rick. So I decided to go easy on myself. ;) I never had the opportunity to purchase a full advent calendar so I printed some numbers online (see previous post: Getting Ready for Advent), and prepared my Advent days 1, 5, 9, 16, 19, 24.

Leftover favor boxes from my sisters wedding.... 6 years ago!

Getting Ready for Advent

Ok... I've downloaded my copy of Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands by Amanda White of Impress Your Kids. (Not sure what I'm talking about? See my previous post.) Now It's time to get ready to start Day 1 on December 1st!  I have decided to do one of the alternate schedules, "Just the Basics" since Karis is still pretty young and my schedule  has been pretty unpredictable lately ;).  "Just the Basics" includes, Day 1, Day 5, Day 9, Day 16, Day 19 and

{Rescources} New Advent E-book for Kids!

So, I have been following a blog for a little while now called Impress Your Kids. Amanda White, mom & blogger, created this blog to share ways that we can IMPRESS Gods word on our kids' lives and hearts. I started reading and found it so helpful. It's chock full of great ideas of things to do with your children.