Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Victoria Day long weekend

So as you may or may not know; this past weekend was Victoria day long weekend here in Canada. Now I don't work so it wasn't anything that special =P And I'd rather watch someone elses fireworks. Regardless, it was a good weekend. The hubby and I just did our usual relaxing stuff we cooked, watched movies and went for walks when I felt alright to do so ^^

Today was a go to the hospital/doctors day. Mainly for me, I had some xrays taken and then *YES* tested for pregnancy as I missed my monthly. As we all know it's sort of common for it to happen. Especially if you're under a lot of stress, or you've changed medications. Both of which have happened to me most recently. The urine test came back negative; I was given paperwork for blood work to double check. I don't think I'll bother, I really don't think I am pregnant. It was just a precaution. I'll just have to wait and see what happens next month =)

It dawned on me today when we got home, that I managed to forget my recipe for the baked goods I planned on posting. Hah not my best moment...I'm at the hubbies until the 4th or 5th so I'm not sure what I'll do with that as I planned on making more here this weekend hah. I may ask someone at home to give me the recipe so I can actually have something to post for you all this week ^^

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The news of Val

So this is a bit overdue. I’m not going to lie; I’ve been gaming all week. That’s right; I own and play on my PS3. I’m not sure if you’re aware but recently the PSN (PlayStation network) was hacked. People’s credit card info and addresses were taken. My info was probably taken and in all honesty I’m not that upset about it. Yes it’s a bit unnerving that someone has my info, however, if let’s say someone tries to use the credit card it would be pretty hard to prove that it was me who made the purchase. I’ve heard about people being concerned that their identities will be stolen. I happen to know that unless you have your sin number out on display for the world, it’s pretty difficult. Regardless I’m concerned but not fuming. Also, all the games I play are single player games and don’t require online co-op. So the fact that the network was down wasn’t a big deal to me at all.

What concerns me now is the security of their system in the coming future. I, like everyone else understand that it’s a free service (in a sense; you still have to pay for internet : /) But when you have items such as your address and credit card info saved to their network you would think they would have the very best security. It doesn’t matter if you pay for the service or not; anyway you look at it you have the potential of losing customers because of this sort of thing. I’m not going to back away from the system, I love it. But I know several people who have already left or are in the process of doing so. One thing’s for sure, I’ll be thinking twice before I re-add any of my info which really is a shame especially because I get DC (downloadable content) from of them. Hopefully Sony will prove themselves.

In other news, I need my wisdom teeth pulled! I know, I know…why has it taken me so long? Well they’ve only bothered me maybe 4 times in my life, and as my new ital family would say “don’t replace it unless its broken” you get what I mean =P I got a very sad reality check when I saw the surgeon last Friday. As I have so many un-resolved medical issues, he refuses to put me under for it. My heart sank instantly; I hate needles in my gums…it’s just un-natural! It feels so weird on top of the pain. He won’t put me under unless all my medical “stuff” gets resolved. Which with my luck, will take years -_- so I made the difficult decision to just let them needle me (4 times for each tooth 4x4=16 oh boy) which in turn made the bill cost a lot less. It was $70 for the consultation and $802 for the surgery. I was thinking it would ballpark $1500-$2000. So now I’m waiting on a response from the insurance company about how much they’ll cover. I believe it’s done by percentage which is bull poopie! If I get a set amount each year I should just get it…So once I get that answer I suppose I’ll be making an appt. Oh joy!

Next Tuesday I go for an appt with my family doctor, who knows next to nothing about being a good doctor. I have to see her because a few months ago I had some tests done that now require more testing; so my recommendations were sent her way. I’m so completely not looking forward to seeing her. Just thinking about this stresses me out and makes me depressed. I need her help with the gov helping me with my disabilities. Kinda confusing, long story short; the first paperwork she sent them basically indicated that I wouldn’t have what I have a year from the time I applied.

This has now turned into almost 2 years of fighting with the gov! It’s completely unfair; the gov gives assistance to drug addicts for goodness sake. Why can’t they help me and make it easy for me? The entire thing is so upsetting. My final hearing date is July 12th; I have until June 12th to submit any and all paperwork for it. If they turn me down again I can simply re-apply. Just thinking about it though is exhausting, mentally and physically. I need to get copies of the recommendations from her; I’m so very stressed out about this. She’ll probably charge me.

Phew, that’s a lot of stuff to get off my shoulders!

I believe that’s it for now, I have a yummy surprise lined up for this weekend. I was very pleasantly surprised myself! Does anyone have any opinion on any of these topics? I’d love to hear from you ^^

Monday, May 09, 2011

Lavender Honey Cupcakes


Perfect Mother's Day

Happy belated mother’s day everyone! Hopefully everyone had just as much of a delightful day as I did.

As promised, I made dessert for everyone yesterday. It went over quite well! And without further ado….

Lavender honey cupcakes! Oh they were so darn good; super moist and it was a nice change from vanilla or chocolate. Everyone loved them, the look and the taste. I got a few head turns when I mentioned that it was lavender flavored; they knew there was a different taste to it but didn’t realize it was flower flavored hah. Regardless it was loved by all.

Perfect Mother's Day

As you can see I got impatient and over filled the cupcake liners hah, notice the “muffin tops” I won’t be doing that again. They didn’t turn out horrible or anything because of it but I would have preferred no overhang for the sake of prettiness. I was also very sad decorating these; I used to be able to decorate cakes and anything else I wanted with ease and precision. It’s not the case anymore; ever since I got sick I’ve had uncontrollable shakes. I hate it for many reasons, but this is at the top of the list. So please don’t judge me too harshly on that, I’m going to try and work on it slowly and see if I can improve it somewhat.

Perfect Mother's Day

Perfect Mother's Day
See! I over filled them...didn't change how awesome they tasted!

Perfect Mother's Day

So here’s my recipe, please feel free to tweak it to your liking.


Lavender Honey cupcakes (double for cake)

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups flour
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 ¼ cups lavender sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract OR Butternut Extract (so much nicer)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Leave honey separate for the time being. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Add honey in near the end. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with whatever topping you’d like.


Let me know what you think, or any changes you made for the better or otherwise hah

Monday, May 02, 2011

Amaretti Cookies

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend

Amaretti Cookies! Oh man, almond flavoring is my favorite! I was just thinking about them and went ahead and made them. This was my first stab at trying this recipe; for mother’s day I’m going to be making a new batch, probably with some more modifications.


I love these things!


I wanted to try using flour…it doesn’t call for it and they were supposed to be a lil more chewy but I wanted to see how it would turn out. They were still good! they weren't chewy but they were soft. This weekend I’ll be making them again, this time exactly as it's printed. I have to mention this; the almonds need to be compressed as much as possible when measuring them out. Just push them/crush them into the measuring cup because if you don’t you won’t have enough. So without further ado, here’s the recipe.


I love these things!

I love these things!

I love these things!


Cookies

2 cups sliced unblanched almonds
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Glaze

2 large eggs
3 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
1 cup sliced unblanched toasted almonds, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup sugar

• Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven.
• Heat the oven to 375°F.
• Dab lightly on baking sheets with butter and line with baking parchment or waxed paper.
• Lightly butter the parchment or paper.
• Put the almonds, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and the cinnamon in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade.
• Process until the mixture begins to clump together.
• This should take from 45 to 60 seconds.
• This is an important step; when the almonds are very finely ground, the cookie will have a chewy texture.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks at medium speed.
• Increase to medium-high and beat until thickened and lightened in color, about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes.
• Add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar slowly, taking about 1 minute. Mix for another 30 seconds.
• Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts (add as little or as much as you like, I like it real almondy =P)
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the almond mixture in two parts.
• To make the glaze, place the eggs and the Amaretto in a low, flat dish (like a pie plate), and whisk to blend.
• In another low, flat dish, combine the crushed almonds and the sugar.
• Shape the dough into 1-inch balls.
• Roll each ball in the egg mixture, then in the almond-sugar mixture. Repeat the dipping procedure, and then place the dough balls on the prepared pans.
• Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, or just until the bottoms are lightly browned.
• To ensure even browning, toward the end of the baking time, rotate the pans from top to bottom and from front to back.
• Do not over bake. (this is important! You’re better off under baking slightly then over baking)
• Let sit in the pans for 4 minutes, and then remove to cooling racks.
• The cookies can be stored in an airtight container, layered between strips of waxed paper, for up to 3 weeks, or frozen.


Tips: remember that the cooking will also depend on how thick or thin your pans are. The thinner the pan the less you should have them in. The thicker the pan you should have them in little longer. Also you don’t have to use the glaze, it’s completely optional. It makes the process a lot longer, especially because they’re so small. If you’d like, do half and half and see how you prefer them
 
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