Grapesoda Cupcakes

Today I decided that I wanted to bake, something that I really enjoy, but don't do nearly enough. I wanted to try a new recipe, so I turned to my Cupcake Bible and decided on making these Grapesoda Cupcakes and they actually turned out pretty good!

Cupcake Ingredients-

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 envelope grape kool aid
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, DIVIDED
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, DIVIDED

Directions-

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pan with paper baking cups.
• Whisk flour, drink mix, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
• Beat sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy, add the eggs.
• Add the flour mixture, beat until blended, add 1/2 cup of milk and 1 tsp vanilla beat until smooth
• Divide batter evenly into muffin pan, bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 
• Let them cool for 10 minutes in the pan, and then cool off the rest of the way on a cooling rack.

Frosting Ingredients-

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla 
• Purple good coloring
• 3-4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream

Frosting Directions-

• Beat the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, heavy whipping cream and food coloring in a bowl with an electric mixture on medium speed until fluffy
• Spread or pipe onto cupcakes
• ENJOY

Fresh from the oven

The finished Product

Source: The Cupcake Bible

*The original frosting recipe called for 3 Tbsp milk, but I changed it to 3-4 Tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream

Blueberry Cupcakes with Lemon Icing

Cupcake Ingredients-

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup blueberries, plus some extra for garnish 

Directions-

• Preheat oven to 350°F, line 12 standard muffin pan with paper baking cups. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl
• Beat 1/2 a cup butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla, beat well. Add the flour mixture and 1/2 cup  milk, beat at a low speed until combined. Stir in the blueberries, spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.
• Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan for about 10 minutes, remove to wire rack and cool completely.

Frosting recipe-

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter (softened)
• Zest of one lemon
• Juice of one lemon

Directions-

• In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together the sugar and butter until smooth
• Mix in lemon zest and lemon juice
• Spread over cooled cupcakes
• ENJOY!

Cupcake source: The Cupcake Bible       

Frosting Source: kitchenbelle.com

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Week 2 Update...And Other Stuff

Okay so actually I lied, there is no update because I have not heard from Adam...yet. And I spent a good part of the week either sick, at work or working on redoing my bedroom...nothing exciting.

Now to the "Other Stuff" I love salad, they're healthy and there are so many different kinds, my top three favorites are:

• The berry mango salad from Zupas
• Caesar (especially when I make it at home with homemade Caesar dressing)
• And Fruit and Spinach with poppyseed dressing

Tonight we had the fruit and spinach with the poppyseed dressing salad for dinner. So as I made it I thought I'd share the recipe because it's soooo good.

Salad:

Romaine Lettuce and Spinach

Mandarin Orange and Strawberries

Mozzarella Cheese

Roasted Almonds

Homemade Poppyseed Dressing (recipe below)

Poppyseed Dressing:

• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup White Vinegar
• 1/4 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
• 1 Tbsp Poppyseeds
• 1/4 cup minced white onion

Mixed together then toss with salad!

And you've got yourself a delicious salad!

1 Year Mark!

A year ago today this blog was created, since it's been created its had two different names and three different backgrounds. And I'm it'll keep changing as time goes on and life takes me different places. Although my blog was abandoned for a few months I feel like I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things now that I have more free time on my hands. So happy 1 year mark and hopefully many more to come!

On a side note I was given Josue and Adam's boot camp addresses today and sent off their first letters. If you are reading this and you know them and you'd like to write some encouraging words to them shoot me a message and I'd love to share the address with you!

1 Week Down, 12 To Go!

I MADE IT! I survived week one. I've heard from multiple people that the first week is that hardest! And it was hard. I woke in the best mood this morning knowing that it'd finally been a week, I know there will definitely  be hard days in the next 12 weeks (81 days) but I also know there will be lots of easier ones too and I'll fall into a routine.

Some reasons the 1 week mark means a lot to me:

• Tomorrow I finally get Adam and Josue's address and I can send them their letters
• In the 2 months Adam and I have known each other I have not gone more than 2 days without seeing him. So 1 week has felt like an eternity.
• And last but not least I am know 1 week closer to seeing him again!

How I spent my week. Like I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I am going to try and keep myself busy with projects. I did paint my room this week, and know I will spend probably the next two weeks getting new decor and setting it up. I also started the book Adam recommended I read (Atlas Shrugged) and so far I like it. I went to yoga twice this week so slowly but surely I am getting back into my gym routine (I should be going 5-6 days a week). And then obviously I worked. I definitely kept myself busy and it does help the days go by a little faster.

Last but not least I bought a few shirts this past week that are Marine themed and my favorite one I bought is this one:

I love it for several reason, one being the color, two being that I do need to keep calm and just be patient and three it has the Marine logo on it so people will realize who I'm waiting for! I NEVER wear shirts that have writing on them but this is definitely the exception.

What's USMC Boot Camp Like?

So I was curious as to what exactly Adam was up to for the next 12.5 weeks. So I got online and found the schedule. Looks like the first few weeks wont be too bad for him.

Phase 1

weeks 1-4

Topics for training in this phase include:

• Military & Marine Corps history
• Military & Marine Corps Customs and Courtesies
• Basic First Aid
• Marine Corps Uniform Standards and Care
• Marine Corps Leadership
• USMC Core Values
• Hand-to-Hand Combat Techniques through the Marine Corps Marts Arts Program (MCMAP)

Phase 2

weeks 5-8

• Water Survival
• Swim Qualification
• Initial Written Test
• Initial Drill
• Marine Corps Rappel Tower
• Boot Camp Gas Chamber Training
• Marine Corps Recruit Marksmanship with the standard M16 A2 Service Rifle
• Team Week
• Final Drill

Phase 3

weeks 9-12

• A-Line / Basic Warrior Training
• Basic Field Training and USMC Recruit Combat Skills
• Boot Camp Day / Movement Course
• Marine Target Training
• Combat Endurance Course
• Training Practical Application Evalutaion
• Final Drill
• Written Testing
• Ceremony Practices
• Marine Corps Recruit Graduation

The Power of Music

I love music, I listen to everything from rap to classical. Depends on my mood. This past week I've been listening to soothing music. Since Adam has left I have not listened to a single Rap or Hip hop, pop song. I've mostly listened to the piano boys because that's what I need right now. That music puts me in the mood I need to be in, calm, relaxed and happy. Not the kind of mood that hip hop, rap or pop puts me in. Here are my my two favorite songs for the week.

What Makes You Beautiful originally sung by One Direction, performed here by The Piano Guys, BEAUTIFUL!

Love this video because these young boys play so beautifully plus I love this mash up, Lady Gaga meets Journey.