Pumpkin Cupcakes

These are great fall cupcakes/muffins (if you don't put the icing on them)- VERY pumpkiny.



I got this recipes out of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes Cookbook.

3/4 C unsalted butter, room temp.

1 2/3 C all-purpose flour

1/4 C fresh sage (optional)

2 t. baking powder

1 t salt

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 t ground cloves

1 C canned pumpkin puree

1 C packed light-brown sugar

1/2 C granulated sugar

2 large eggs

Oven 325 degrees. Rub muffin tins with butter and dust with flour. Melt butter in a saucepan over med-low heat. Add sage now if you want. Occasionally swirl the butter until golden brown. Pour into a bowl to stop the cooking, leaving any burned sediment behind.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In another bowl, whisk together puree, sugars, eggs, and butter mixture. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined.

Fill tins three-quarters full. Rotate tins halfway through cooking (20 minutes).

Cupcakes can be stored overnight or frozen up to 2 months.

When ready, dip top of each cupcake in icing, then turn over quickly and let set. Keep at room temperature.

Brown Butter icing:

1/2 C unsalted butter

2 C sifted confectioners' sugar

2 t pure vanilla extract

2 T milk, more if needed

Melt butter in a saucepan over med. heat, swirling pan occasionally, until nut brown in color....about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and 2 T. milk, a little at a time, just until icing is spreadable. Use immediately.



Baby likes Metal

I have a little metal head living inside me. I've never gone out of my way to listen to heavy metal...until now. I can't change it from the metal station, for fear I will miss the awesome sounds of NIN or 5 Finger Death Punch. Seriously - Bad Company is one of the best remakes I have heard in a long time.

So I'm attributing this change in listening preference to the baby. She must really like to rock out, that is the only answer. Don't get me wrong, we still listen to classical when I cook. But in the car - it's the heavy stuff.

Easy Pickled Jalepenos

We have had a really good turnout of jalepenos from the garden, so I decided to pickle them. Tony eats pickled jalepenos on almost everything anyways. This is super easy and they turned out great.

Wash and put your cans and lids into boiling water.

Bring to a boil:
2 C Vinegar
2 C Water
3 crushed garlic cloves

You can slice your jalepenos or leave them whole. Pack your jar as full as possible. Really make it tight - then pour your vinegar mixture over them. Seal the jars and double boil for 10 minutes.

Almost 26 weeks

I feel like I have grown this week. My body is a bit achy too. Maybe the baby is going through a growth spurt!! I am really feeling her more these days and I can't wait for Tony to feel it too! I keep thinking it will happen any day.

Berger's

Last Saturday morning I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking my coffee and listening to NPR just like every good Saturday morning. Then I remembered that I had brought home Berger cookies from Baltimore! As I opened the package the lady that was being interviewed on NPR started talking about how one of her favorite things about Baltimore (the interview was about everything along the I-95 corridor) was Berger cookies!!! Errie coincidence? It just reinforced what a great purchase I made!
What are Berger cookies? They are shortbread with a thick heaping of chocolate on top!! So good!!

There is kind of a funny story behind the purchase of them though - it involves Irene, Baltimore City, a parking cop and Luckies, my favorite old corner shop right by where we used to live. Needless to say I ran out of the store to keep from getting a ticket while Irene stayed inside and bought my cookies and a new toothbrush for me. Then I realized I didn't have enough to pay her back....I'm lucky to have such good friends who forgive so easily and understand that these are the things that happen when you are with me.

Maryland

A couple of weeks ago I went to Maryland for work. Meaning I got to see friends!!! I know, the point of the trip wasn't to socialize, and I did get a lot of work accomplished, but the best part is getting to see people I miss so much. And I was really excited that they got to see Pregnant Melissa.

Here's a picture of Heather, Brooke, and Gary....and soon, very very soon, Baby Mackenzie!

Jesse and Renata

Me and Jen

I always intend to get more pictures - then forget to bring out my camera!!! Visit Jesse's page here for a few more pics.

Pickled Beets

I've done a lot of canning these past few weeks. Bordering burnout....but I just keep trying to think about how much I'll appreciate it this winter.
Here are the pickled beets I made. They came from my garden! My mom and grandma have made these my whole life...but this was my first try. This is their recipe.

First wash and cut most of the stems and most of the roots (but not all - they are going to peel off anyways).

Boil without peeling until the beets are tender (approx 20 mins. You will know when you stick a fork in them). Transfer to cold water, peel, quarter.



Mix the following together to boiling:

2 C. Sugar

2 C. Water

2 C. Vinegar

1 t. cloves

1 t. allspice

2 T. cinnamon

Wash and boil your cans and lids. Pack the beets into jars, pour mixture over the beets. You should probably stick a knife into the side of the jar to get some of the air out. Seal the jars. For this recipe you do not have to double boil.



Rhubarbs.....they're here!!

Ahh, finally it's time for rhubarbs!! I've been waiting and waiting and I finally found some at the farmers market. I was so excited! So I finally had all the ingredients to make strawberry rhubarb jam....so good!!

2 cups chopped strawberries
2 cups chopped rhubarb
5 1/2 cups sugar
1 box powdered pectin
1/4 cup lemon juice

Bring everything but sugar to a boil - add sugar - bring back to a rapid boil and boil for 1 minute stirring constantly.

This is going to be a fav. I'm going to get more rhubarb next weekend and try to make a pie....everything Garrison Keller talks about rhubarb pies my mouth waters - so I figured I'll give it a try.

Oh, and another thing I got at the farmer's market? Roasted Green Chile...now it's not Hatch, but it's something. It is actually really tasty, we are almost done with the bag that we bought on Sunday. It's another sign that fall is just around the corner!!

Kirby in training

So I figured with the baby coming I really need to start training Kirby. It's not that he is a bad dog...it's just that we never really trained him. He just gets super bad on leash because he has leash fear. This is not because we never socialized him. When we lived in B-more he went to the park EVERYDAY to play with other dogs. Without his leash on. Big problemo now because I want to walk him without him flipping out! It gets scary and dangerous the further along I get.
So I bought a Cesar Milan book.

And I started out training. It really only consists of repition. We walk every morning before work. I love walking in the mornings because it is cool enough for both of us and there are less people/dogs to run into. So right now I am focusing on him not pulling on his leash - but walking beside me. He does better some mornings than others. But he is making some progress.

I also bought a shock collar - which I have yet to use! I guess I'm a little freaked out about it....it is supposed to shock him every time he barks. I think I'm going to take it back and get the other kind though - the kind that I can control when it goes off.

The root of the problem? We never told him he was a dog! He has been treated like a child....and I know - it is a disservice to him. But all we can do now is try to make everyday a new day and be better dog owners...

Graduation Present

My parents bought me this for graduation:

YEAH!!! SO EXCITING!! I have been in need of this for a while...especially after the homemade bread debacle. Isn't she a beaut?

I Graduated!!

A week ago last Friday I graduated from grad school....such...a...relief!! I really can't believe it's done - the past two years have been really difficult - emotionally, mentally....just kind of draining. The whole time we have lived in Colorado has just been non-stop for me. Working, going to night school, homework every weekend. I am so glad I am through (well, for the time being, but more on that later). But looking back - I did it at the right time in my life. Being in the part time program at DU really gave me an opportunity to meet some really great people. And I am glad that I waited to go back - I'm not sure if it meant more, but I felt like I could really contribute more from my experiences. Don't get me wrong - there were times when I was FLAT OUT miserable and wanted to quit. I'm so glad I didn't. I'm happy I got this degree before my baby is born - that way I can focus on her and not worry about the other million things (I will worry about well over 1 million things, but they won't have to do with grad school).

Last weekend was just wonderful though! My family came up - Amy, Mom, Dad, and my grandma, and my  friend Beth. We had such a nice time, and it meant SO much that they came to see me graduate. I really had not wanted to do it....but my mom talked me into it and I am really glad that she did. Everyone was so proud...I guess I was just feeling like this was something that I did....like grocery shop every weekend, but my family being here made me realize it was so much more and it made me feel proud of myself. I'm not sure if that makes sense....

So for now my college days are through. I have my nights and my weekends back!! I already have a book list and a movie list going. And I want to start watching TV shows....and sewing and cooking and baking...thingsI have dreamed about for 2 years. And of course, priority #1, start decorating the baby's room!

Newest family member

Wanna see a picture of my new nephew?

This is Boots and I want to snuggle with him. So does Kirby.

We are having.....

A GIRL!!!

She was very cooperative during our ultrasound and we are so happy we were able to find out the gender. But even more important than the gender is that our little girl is perfectly healthy. Everything looked great in the U/S and she is growing at the right rate. We are just so thrilled!!

Here's a picture of our beautiful baby girl!! Even just looking at it now thrills me beyond belief. This is the best thing that has ever happened to us! Isn't she amazing?!?

What's new with me....

Quick update:

Weather - finally cooling off slightly.

Belly - getting pretty big - 19 weeks today!!

Tomorrow - FINAL GRAD SCHOOL PRESENTATION!! After tomorrow morning....I am pretty much through. I can't believe it's almost over - I am almost giddy.

Graduation - one week from Friday!

Ultrasound - one week from Today!!

Family coming - one week from Thursday!

27 Days until I can decorate for Fall (oh, yes, I look forward to this for MONTHS! It takes everything to wait until Sept. 1)

What's new with you?

picture updates

Me - almost 17 weeks

Tony - almost Grizzy Adams

Jam Makin'....

I've been in the mood to make some jam, so when strawberries went on sale I went a little nuts. Like 12 pints nuts. I figured it was best now to start making Christmas presents, since come Christmas I probably won't feel much like shopping or making anything!
The jam turned out so tasty! Peaches went on sale this week - so last night I made strawberry/peach jam. Delish! I went a little rouge on the recipe, so it didn't quite set like I wanted it to. Tonight I'll add more sugar to it.
2 Cups Strawberry's (sliced/diced/processed)
2 1/2 Cups Peaches (same as above)
5 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 packet pectin (I've begun using liquid - but powder is fine)
cinnamon to taste (I only like a little)

Bring fruit and sugar to a boil - let boil for a few minutes and get the peaches soft. Add lemon juice and cinnamon. Stir a lot! This needs to be at a rolling boil before you add the pectin. After you add the pectin let it boil for 1 minute (depending on elevation - I have to let it boil for a minute and a half). Take off heat.
In the mean time your jars and screw tops have been boiling in water - take them out as you fill them.

Now I got my strawberry jam to set without double boiling - but I think that might have been another reason my strawberry/peach didn't set last night. So this time after I fill the jars I will put them back in boiling water (2 inches above the top of the jars) for 15 minutes.

I also got some plums today so I'll be making that this week too.

Coming along...

Here are some pictures from yesterday - being 15 weeks 4 days. It's funny how in maternity clothes I look more pregnant than in regular clothes. I am mostly wearing maternity clothes now - they are so much more comfortable. I still wear my regular jeans with a bella band, but I don't know how much longer that will last.

So here are the pics - even though I feel like I look more fat than pregnant. I'm sure that will change in the next couple of months though!

Week 13

Today I am 13 weeks and 5 days along. It's odd - some days I really feel like I am showing....then other days not so much. I definetly look chubby, but not obviously pregnant. I am feeling great though! This has been easy so far. I was nauseated for about 4 weeks or so, but that is getting better now. There are still some foods that I can't really eat, but I'm sure that will pass. The most disappointing this of all is that I haven't been cooking....I just don't have it in me to do it. And then when I do cook, by the time I get done I can't eat any of it. I am really hoping this will pass - I miss cooking!!

Tony is living up in the mountains. I miss him so much!! I know I'm being extra emotional, but I just cry and cry when he leaves to go back on Sundays. It's awful! I'm glad he's getting it out of the way now though, and then he'll be that much closer to being done.

The good thing is that I have been really busy with my own classes, so I haven't had time to dwell on Tony being gone. I am getting so close!! This last capstone class if really demanding, but I just keep thinking this is it! And I'll have my degree and be done with school for a while.

6 more weeks until we find out the sex (hopefully)! Everyone said that pregnancy seems to go by quickly and they were right. I'm so eager for things to slow down in life so that I can just focus on enjoying the pregnancy and getting ready for the baby!

Look at what I'm growing!!

THIS:

OH YEAH.....AND THIS:

That's right  - you are looking at the first picture of our baby!! Tony and I could not be more thrilled. I am 12 weeks and 4 days today. So far everything looks wonderful. I am due around Christmas. This is the most amazing thing that has every happened to us! It's been kind of hard to keep it a secret because we have known for a couple of months, but we just wanted to wait and make sure that everything looked ok. I have just started showing, really showing this past week.

Orlando

The day after we got back from Minnesota I had to fly to Orlando. I had a conference for work. It was originally supposed to be in Nashville, but was moved to FL because of the flooding. I was really really looking forward to Nashville, so I was kind of disappointed that we were going to Orlando. But it was great! Much better than I thought it was going to be.

The conference was really good - and I got to catch up with an old friend and make a new friend! Here is a picture of me, Sarah, and Emily at Universal.

On Friday we went over to Cocoa Beach for a little while. It wasn't as nice as I thought it would be, but still, it was a beach and I had a nice time just visiting with friends.