MOVED

Hey guys,

You know I've moved to another blog site....well, I've made it even more official. 

Follow me at http://mintandpeaches.com

Thanks a bunch!

D

Wordpress.

I've decided to change it up.  I need a blog site that I can edit and customize to my liking.  Blogger is simple, easy to use, but not as customizable as I want.

I've moved locations - modestmoment.wordpress.com

Mahatma Gandhi once said...

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."  I've always loved this quote.  Something about it has always rung true.  I don't know why, maybe because it is.  

Now, more than ever, I realize that tiny little word - mistake.  What exactly is a mistake?  Dictionary.com defines it simply:

mis·take

  [mi-steyk]  noun, verb, -took, -tak·en, -tak·ing.

noun

1.

An error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc.

2.

A misunderstanding or misconception.

As humans, we make mistakes.  We make mistakes daily.  Sometimes we are forgiven and others we are not.  However, in the society that we live in, it is entirely our prerogative to make these mistakes. 

Some mistakes are shackled to us like the shackles on an inmate, there is no getting rid of what has been done or said.  But is that not harsh?  Unjust?  I suppose it truly depends on the situation.

I’m a young adult; I’ve made mistakes and only imagine that I will make more.  I suppose you’re wondering what the heck I’m talking about.

Let’s just say …I made a mistake and I could not agree with Gandhi more as I do now.  Freedom has been questioned, entirely.  Freedom not in the sense of prisoners in shackles: but freedom in the sense of opinions, judgments and even sympathies. 

I’m entirely too honest for my own good.  Like most characteristics this can be proven to be both a blessing and curse.  In the situation that I have put myself in, my honesty has proven to be nothing but a curse.  My honesty has made me make a mistake.  A vital mistake.  BUT a mistake nonetheless.  One that has been attached to my ankles like chains. 

I am talking in code, clearly, and I mean to.  I wish that I could explain what has happened and what I’ve said or done.  I can’t.  One can only help but avoid the repetition of such mistakes.

If you know me, you know what has happened.  If you do not, I hope that you can somewhat agree with what I’ve said.  Regardless, I just needed to rant :).

-D

Love.

It's 1:50-ish in the morning and I'm wide awake.
Today has been quite a day. Hectic as can be, tiring as can be.
I'm laying here, wide awake, going through Pins.
I came across this one. This quote. Down below.

It's quite the quote. I adore it. I don't hate love though. I just cannot help but agree with the way this quote is written. Regardless of what kind of love we feel - it does get inside you and it can most definitely, without a doubt, rip you apart.
This quote hit home on a hectic ad tiring day, like today.
It's funny how the love we feel for someone or someones can affect our entire day(s) ...good or bad.

Mini NY Cheesecakes

Traditional Turkish cooking

The next few weeks, rather than solely focusing on baking, I'll be delving more into the world of cooking. Cooking that my mum and the women of my family know by heart. Cooking I have no idea how to do.

Stay tuned. This should be interesting.

-Denise

Don't count your muffins until they're baked

Yesterday I wrote about my creative outlet and how baking and cooking has become just that.
I wrote about how I wanted to bake cinnamon muffins - I'm not entirely sure why I chose to bake cinnamon ones but I did.  I think it had to do with a slight craving for gingerbread cookies (I'm the WORST at baking cookies, fyi).

They turned out quite delicious, when heated up and buttered up.  If you don't like your muffins heated and buttered, well you're truly missing out.

Anyhow, I suppose I should get on with the recipe, hey?

The Recipe:

1 cup                                   flour

3/4 teaspoon        baking powder

1/4 teaspoon             baking soda

1 teaspoon                    cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon                        ginger

a teansy bit of allspice 

a teansy bit of cloves (1 or 2 or 3?)

1/4 teaspoon                            salt

1/4 cup                       brown sugar 

2                                             eggs

2             tablespoons maple syrup

3-6 tablespoons                       milk  

2 tablespoons                        butter

Preheat oven to 350° degrees.

Ready with all of your ingredients?  Okay!  Blend all dry ingredients together.  

Add all liquid-y ingredients to the dry.

MIX.

Grease up your baking pan, I used butter, but it's completely up to you (Pam, cooking oil -work just as fine).  

Spoon batter approximately 2/3s full and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Done!

-Enjoy

Creative outlet!

What have I been up to the past couple of days??  I feel like I haven't written in eons.  Which I know is completely untrue but it just feels that way.  No judging, kay?  My couple of days have consisted of absolutely nothing really, aside from feeling ill.  Ill due to homework and headaches, which I haven't really had in while.  I guess it was about time.

I've realized something though.  Going a couple of days without cooking or baking kills me.  Accounting isn't a creative course, it's a straight forward balanced out course (with a few grey areas).  So where do I let out my thoughts and creativity?  Aside from this mini-blog, I cook and I bake.  As well as a couple of DIY things I have going on.  BUT ---when I don't do anything creative for a couple of days, I'm not myself.  I'm grumpy and mean.

In order to save some of my friends from a whiny bitch fest, I decided to bake.  I swear, I did it for my friends, no one else!  Just kidding.  Clearly, I needed a way to get some "colour" into my life, the bleak black and white world of accounting and business math just wasn't cutting it for me.

Rather than baking a cake, or the miniature kind I adore OH SO MUCH (cupcakes, if you didn't get it;)).  I decided to bake muffins.  It's been years and years since I've baked muffins.  Shocking.

I decided to go with something different, not typical blueberry muffins that I tend to run towards, but instead, cinnamon muffins with a sugary glaze topped with walnut scraps.  They sound good, eh?  I thought so too.

Keep reading for the up-coming recipe and pictures :).

-D

eggs IN toast.

I woke up this morning, feeling kind of....grumpy.  All I've done lately is school, school, school.  Aside from baking. But things just seem very, boring?  Yeah, I'd say that's the right word.  Boring.  Maybe even repetitive.

So, I thought I'd change it up a little bit.  I'm not morning food person.  Actually, that could almost be deemed a lie.  I love pancakes and waffles and bowls of delicious fruit, even oatmeal.  Not bland oatmeal, oatmeal with maple syrup and brown sugar, or apple cinnamon.  Mmm.  However, when it comes to eggs and cereal.  I gag.  I don't know why, but eggs, especially eggs, make me want to throw up.  I don't mind so much if they're covered in stuff to the point that I can't taste that gross eggy taste, but if they're not.  Gross.

You're probably thinking "Okay?  I swear I see eggs in the picture....".  Well, you do.  I was reading a blog last night, in bed, when I ended up coming across a woman around my age saying she used to hate eggs, but she decided to give them another shot.  In my mind I was thinking, "Oh my!  How bold of her!!!" (no sarcasm!!).  It made me realize that I haven't had eggs in years.  And if she could do it, so could I!

Yeah, ...no.  I made myself eggs and toast.  Eggs IN toast.  I made them all pretty, cut out stars in each and even topped them off with salt, pepper and feta.  They looked good and I was excited!

Big mistake.  Gag gag gag.  I'm not an egg person.  I cannot do it.  I can't venture out of my comfort zone, which I thought I could do.  I like trying different things, different foods, different drinks.  Eggs are just not my thing.

If you have any suggestions on how I could POSSIBLY become an egg enthusiast, let me know.  Otherwise...

Forever an egg hater,
-D

PS
I did finish one whole piece of egg in toast.  Just to let you know:).

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

Last night I said that I'd post the recipe for the red velvet cupcakes I made.  Let me just tell you, they're to die for.  Mind you, anything with cream cheese icing is to die for, you don't have to agree, but I guarantee, most of you do.

I'll keep this short and sweet.

Rubber Ducky, you're the one....

...I don't have a fascination with rubber duckies, I'm not crazy about them, I don't use them, nor are they my "very best friend".  That fella up there, the rubber ducky, is Mila's new toy.  I found out a while ago that she loves chewing on them.  So I decided to buy her a nice big one, that would keep her occupied for hours and not give her gas.  Boy, does she have awful gas.  It's terrible.  

The reason behind the rubber ducky was to keep her busy and distracted with something that didn't make a THUMP! every, single time she dropped it.  Nothing hurts my head more than her bones hitting the ground from over two feet up, while I'm doing homework.  So, this seemed like the reasonable answer.  She does have other toys, but when it comes to ones that will solidly keep her busy, well, she ran out.

If you're a pet owner, actually an owner of a very rambunctious breed of dog, get them a rubber ducky.  I swear by it (:.

Did I get my six question, six plus part accounting homework done today?  I did.  So there ya have it.

Stay tuned for my awesome red velvet cupcakes - tomorrow.

-D.

Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes

After working on homework ALL day yesterday, I decided to give myself a little break.  I wanted to relax, have a glass (or two) of red wine and bake.  And that's exactly what I did.  A girl friend and I got together last night and decided on what kind of cupcakes we wanted to bake.  Well, I'll be honest, I decided what kind of cupcakes we should bake.  I wanted chocolate, I wanted strawberry filling and I wanted cupcakes.  Fairly straight forward, I think.

As always, I found a recipe I was interested in and tweaked it.  My mum had a bunch of Martha Stewart recipes she had printed off, so I found one that interested me, called the "Hi-Hat".  I really think the name grabbed my attention more than the cupcakes, haha.

Anyhow..Here's what these bad boys turned out like

The recipe ...

Mason Jars

I can't go a day without coffee.  Ever.  When I do, come 6 o'clock, I go through major withdrawals.  My withdrawals don't consist of a million symptoms, just one.  A headache.  No, actually, THE headache.  This headache is so awful that I can't leave the house, let alone walk from point a to point b in the house.  I'm paralyzed.  Sad, isn't it?  

My coffee addiction today was satisfied.  Just as the coffee maker beeped at me to let me know "hey, hellooo, I'm ready", I realized that I didn't have a clean mug - and the dishwasher was running.  I looked at where all of our mugs and glasses are, nothing, nada.  I was in absolutely no mood to burn my hand whilst using a water glass.  No, sirry!  Then it dawned on me, "that mason jar is the same size as my regular coffee cup AND it won't burn me".  Sheer happiness.  I know you're probably thinking, "why didn't she just grab a dirty mug and wash it???".  Well, ya see, I was just beyond lazy.  Worst case scenario, I would have definitely cleaned one up.  

The mason jar coffee cup, indeed, was a success.  I got my daily dose and was drinking out of glass wear that I am seriously drawn to.  I've got bunches of mason jars in my room.  They hold my pens, pencils, paint brushes as well as some of my paints.  They're even in my bathroom, keeping my cotton puffs and q-tips nice and clean.  

My next DIY project, which I stumbled on to via Pinterest (as usual), will consist of a mason jar; sand, dirt, rocks, or all; and a candle.  A mason jar lantern, brilliant isn't it?!  Here's the link, Make it Do by Calli.  She's got some pretty great "make it do" projects.  This by far being my favourite.  Cannot wait to try them out!

Oh, also, I do plan to use this INSIDE and outside.  I'll probably make a couple just as candle holders :).

Homework beckons once again.  

-D.

PS

As I was on the Flipboard app on my iPhone, I came across the cuppow!  Oh the endless possibilities for mason jars ;)

For the love of dog

The morning after

It's out!  It's out!  What you may ask?  Well, if you're just tuning in, I suppose I should explain my excitement.  The sock bun is out.  I woke up this morning, after an incredibly rested sleep, brushed my teeth, put my face on and decided "Okay, it's time, now or never!" and removed my hair that was in the sock bun (kind of reminded me of a donut, really pretty and vintage ;)).

My verdict?  It's absolutely awesome.  If you're like me, and hate the tedious task of actually using flat-irons and curling irons then this is the method for you.  I will say this though, I should have been a little more tidy with some of the pieces I tucked into the bun, there are a couple of pieces that look like I just got electrocuted.  Majority of my hair is gorgeous, big and small curls, definitely a natural look.  

Although it's said to be an overnight method, I really don't see why it can't be an all day method.  By this I mean that if you know you've got plans later on.... Wake up, shower, blow dry your hair just so it's damp enough (NOT SOAKING) and just put your hair up in the bun.  I mean sure it looks a little silly, totally old school and like something old women would stile there hair like but in all honest, it's not like walking out with curlers in your hair, hehe. Besides, no one can see the sock!  

So there ya have it, the sock bun worked it's magic and my hair is pretty and wavy and curly.  I'm pretty impressed and happy.  Homework beckons.  

-D.

Sock bun curls. Yep, that's right.

I find myself writing an hour too late.  The last couple of entries I've written exactly when I've wanted to (well, the same day I did what I talked about lol).  However, today was just kind of really hectic.

Prior to the hectic mess of a day I woke up with my puppy snuggled up against me with her head on my shoulder.  She melts my heart.  Truly melts my heart.  She is my baby.  She even knows when I'm starting to get ready it usually means I'm going to leave for an hour or two or more and starts looking up at me whining.  Hehe.  ANYWAYS...  I got a little side tracked there.  When I realized she was snuggled and sleeping I decided to go ahead and get a daily dose of my addiction (for those of you who know me, no I do not mean coffee).  Lately I've been incredibly addicted to Pinterest - if you don't know what this is, go to it, NOW.  While going through the Style pins I came  across one labeled "Sock bun curls".  I was intrigued, the curls were absolutely gorgeous and came from using a sock?  Huh?!  I clicked and found that a how-to video was also posted, thank you, _______ because reading how-tos when it comes to hair doesn't work for me.

After watching the video I was even more intrigued.  Why?  Well, I have long, thick and wavy-ish hair and lots of it.  So curling it with a flat-iron or curling iron just takes way too long.  This on the other hand seemed quick, easy and comfortable (BONUS!).  I bet you're interested now, if you haven't heard of this technique that is.  I'd love to do a little how to about it but I believe that this video posted on YouTube is pretty darn straight forward.  I'm ranting and raving after only a short go at this but even the little amount I left my hair in it for turned out spectacular.  I've put my hair up in the sock bun again just a couple of hours ago, I'll post more pictures of it tomorrow.


Wish me luck (;

-D

Cinnamon Donuts with a Raspberry Lemon Glaze

SO! The baking experiment is done. Done done done!

I was originally going to make these donuts a banana and cinnamon however, when I started I completely forgot about the banana, hehe. Regardless, I'm impressed. Excellent recipe that I found on Butterflyfood.  I may have tweaked a couple of things to make them what I wanted, but essentially that recipe is what inspired me.

Here's my version

Cinnamon donuts with a raspberry & lemon glaze

The Recipe:

Donuts

3 to 4 tablespoons      active dry yeast

2 ½ tablespoons         granulated sugar

1 cup                          water

1                                egg beaten

1/3 cup                       butter, melted

1 teaspoon                  vanilla extract

3 teaspoons                cinnamon

1 teaspoon                  nutmeg

½ teaspoon                 salt

3 to 5 cups                  flour

In a bowl mix together the yeast and and 1 cup water (warm!) – let it sit for approximately five or so minutes, or until you notice that it has a foamed up top layer.  Add the egg, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt..Mix! 

Now slowly start adding the flour, I say 3 to 5 cups because lets be honest, my “cup” may be different than yours…Even though I used a generic dry measuring cup, you may fill differently.  As you continue to do this, pay attention to whether or not it’s sticky.  Once you can touch the dough without getting physically attached to it, you’re done!

Now knead and roll out the dough to about ¼ to ½ an inch thick and cut out your donut shapes.  I used two different sized jars as I didn’t have the patience to actually cut lol.  Once you’ve done this, leave them for half an hour or so to rise. 

Fry in oil.  Your choice.  I used grape seed oil, however typically canola oil is used (from what I’ve read).  Turn them once, to ensure both sides have cooked and place on paper towel to remove excess oil.  Voila!  And there you have it.  Pretty simple, eh?

Now for the glaze….

1 cup              granulated sugar

¼ cup             confectioners sugar

¼ cup             water

1 teaspoon      vanilla extract

3 teaspoons     raspberry jam

3 teaspoons     fresh lemon juice

There are a few ways to make glazes.  Unfortunately for me, I ran out of confectioners sugar.  However, I made due with what I had.

First begin by boiling the water, add the sugar and lower heat to just below the half way point.  Mix well so that the sugar has dissolved.  Once this is done, add confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, raspberry jam and lemon juice.

Done.

I hope you enjoy :).  I know I definitely did.

-d.

The Baking Experiment

Today is a homework and study day, you're all probably like, "okay........?", well in my world this means I don't leave the house.  I brew myself some coffee, eat lunch, and start reading the marvelous Accounting textbook that I adore OH SO MUCH.   Not.  So, like many professors say, "study for an hour, take a break, repeat".  My break for today will consist of baking, like it has the last couple of weeks.  Yay:).

What's my baking experiment for today?

A quick and easy brunch, lunch or dinner

I've realized lately that I don't cook much at home.  When I'm not studying, I'm usually out and about and always grab something to eat at a restaurant or something of the sort.  And when I am studying...well I usually just snack on almonds or popcorn, and tons of coffee.  I figured, I should start to change that nasty habit of mine.

While going through some recipes on a couple of websites -which I'll list at the end- I decided to make quiche.  I've never made quiche before.  After deciding that, I had no idea what would be the "best" recipe.  What I did know is that I wanted to combine a couple of ingredients.  So rather than following one specific recipe I kind of did my own thing :).

The Recipe:

12 tablespoons  bread crumbs
1 cup diced up honey ham
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup spinach leaves (or 6 or so leaves)
1/3 cup green pepper
4 large eggs, 2 egg whites
2 tablespoons chopped onion (you could use green onion too, if you so choose)
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375°degrees

Spray bottom and sides of cupcake pan with olive oil and sprinkle each cup with one tablespoon bread crumbs (crust for the quiche!).  Gently shake so that it is evenly distributed.

Place ham, green peppers, spinach and cheese into each cup.  I made some with just ham, spinach and cheese and others with everything.  The cupcake pan is perfect!

In a medium bowl beat eggs and egg whites, continue by beating in the cream, milk, salt & pepper, dijon and onion.  You may choose to put the cheese into this mixture rather than in the individual cups, however I chose not to and it turned out fantastic.

Bake for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, or until they are firm.

A great dinner with a side of salad!!  Healthy too:)  Well, somewhat.

"When life gives you lemons... just bake some lemon cupcakes."

After an incredibly stressful day of accounting homework (gosh is it ever tedious!) I decided to bake some cupcakes.
I've found that lately I am baking more and more. It's probably the best stress reliever yet, aside from going for 5km walks with my Australian shepherd-Mila.
I can be creative with what I bake, typically cupcakes. The best part is decorating them. Some days, depending on my free time, I go all out and other days...well, I stick to somewhat simplistic ideas. Regardless, the outcome is always delicious.
Today's cupcake was a rather basic vanilla cupcake, with grates of lemon zest to give it a little kick and just an easy to do vanilla icing. With more lemon zest sprinkled on top.


The Recipe:
1 1/2 cups all purpose four
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 fine sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup whole milk, room temperature
1/2 tablespoon lemon zest (one may add more - purely personal preference:))

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a cupcake pan with wrappers.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until blended. Beat in vanilla. Add the flour mixture and milk; mix thoroughly. Add the lemon zest and again mix thoroughly.

Fill each cup 2/3 full and bake for 18-24 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely and frost as desired. Makes 12 cupcakes.


By far, the most delicious. That may be because I'm a huge lemon fan :).

-d.

Like a Boss...

On Sunday - January 15th - my best friend picked up his puppy. He then came to visit me at work with the lil' guy. What a precious, adorable, bundle of joy! Although all he wanted to do was sleep.
A few hours later, he and Lars (the puppy's name at the time) came to visit my puppy and I. Mila is almost 6 months old and a basket case. Also, incredibly huge! No, not really, but when compared to that tiny fella, oh boy.
I keep getting sidetracked.
Anyways! They came to visit and Mila was confused. So confused by him and he just started to growl and bark. A mean mean bark, I must say! He scared her. Which surprised us both.
He then proceeded to chase her. Honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen!
I will say this though, I do not miss the super young puppy stages. It makes me feel good to know my puppy knows her name as well as command and tricks. Oh, and the fact that potty training is done and over with:).

Oh..and Lars' new name is Boss. Why? Well...he's like a boss ;). Silly? Yes! Fitting? Incredibly so! Besides, the name Lars is just bleh (my opinion, no offense whatsoever)!