Cookie Dough(n't) You Want Some??

So, I did it. I put my favorite thing in a cupcake. I found the most incredible recipe. I baked the best cupcakes in the entire world. I think I have sort of a sense of what utopia feels like, for your mouth. :)

Here is my picture... These were my final project... Read ON if you what more mouth-watering information about these awesome, sensational, breath-taking, yummmmmmyyyyyyyy cakes.

So the best way I can explain what this consists of is,
1, the cupcake tastes like a chocolate chip cookie
2, the filling inside taste IDENTICAL to cookie dough (no raw egg though!)
3, the frosting is the best part, just the right mix of brown sugar with a bite at the end... SALT

My story behind these cupcakes is quite simple. I have a love/hate infatuation relationship with cookie dough. I would (and have) eat raw cookie dough at any opportunity! Gross, I know. But remember, this is my blog. :)

So, when I was reading this incredible blog, Bake at 350, that my great friend Kelli had sent me a link to... I saw that at the bottom of that day's feed was this recipe. I IMMEDIATELY called John over and said I have got to try this!
We made a plan to make them on Sunday, the day before V-day. That way we could enjoy them and then take the rest to school (work) to share! At this point, I think in my mind I had decided I was trying these to make for my husband... Talk about denial... I was totally making them for myself, and I am so glad that I did!!

This cupcake took awhile, won't lie. BUT it was a wonderful experience. I got to try something I normally don't do.. put a filling inside a cupcake... I am now hooked and can't wait to try MORE fillings!!!

So, while I was baking, John and I were discussing how a person can say this is 'my' recipe.. well... really?? How so? Did you make it up? Um no. Not this cupcake girl!

So, after a long debate I starting really paying attention to what all of my 'foodie' bloggers do and low and behold, they always give some sort of props to the source. How nice it was to see that! Finally, I have found a community, cohort, group, etc that LIKES to share. :)

Well, this really got me thinking... who did this recipe come from...

Here was how my scavenger hunt went for me to find the source of this AAAAMMMMAAAAZZZZZZZINNNNNNGGGGGGG cupcake.
 My friend, Kelli sent me the link to
Bake at 350, then within that entry I learned that the frosting recipe was 350's, but the cupcake came from...Ucreate Foods so I was like, okay, here we go!
Nope, Ucreate sent me to Annie's Eats...
Finally! As close as I care to get! Annie's Eats, did however give credit to where/who she got her inspiration from.
of course, if you would like to continue my scavenger hunt, please do so!! :)

P.S.- If you are looking for compliments OR sometimes feel as though all your efforts go unnoticed (especially in the work area) then I suggest you try your hand at making these. Everyone will totally LIKE these. I received soo many compliments! Not to brag, but numerous people literally came to me/sent e-mails/told others how amazing this cupcake was and how it was the BEST, EVER!!
One teacher/friend of mine made a shrine of sorts... You are wondering what he did, aren't you?? Well, if you want to know, just ask! ;) It is definitely a FUNNY story!

Okay, I gotta go. I have to stop thinking about these cupcakes, I have met my limit... times 3. Shhhhh... don't tell my jeans, my scale, or my friend, Mallory. ;)

Yes, I shared some of my FAVORITE blogs tonight! 

The Best and Worst Things of 2011... Part Two

So I know I tortured some of you by saying I was going to wait to post the 'worst' things thus far of 2011.

Before I start let me clarify that I am not normally a negative person. I am positive, most of the time. But ya know, sometimes when things suck and keep sucking you just can't hold it in any longer!! So, this is my spill for the first two months of the year. I promise to be positive... for awhile anyway. :)

WORST THINGS OF 2011

• SPELL CHECK
• So this one is kind of a LOVE/HATE relationship. 
• I love, lust over my iPhone... but the spell check is starting to P!$$ me off! I have all kinds of random words pop up for automatic suggestions. I mean, seriously, I have sent some ridiculous texts lately. 
• Not to mention, that when I go to type in 'texting' it switches to 'testing' Ummmm HELLO?! Does anyone else see something wrong with this? I am TEXTING?! Wouldn't that be a popular word in spell check?! 
• Whatever.
• And by the way... I somehow set this automated 'voice' to tell me what I 'meant' to type... She is loud and kind of annoying. No, I don't know how to get it off. Yes, I am going to the Apple Store to get help. Don't Judge me. This is my blog. 
• DRAMA
• Need I really say more?! I mean, seriously... it is never ending. Apparently I was ignorant to think that I would ever get a way from this. I really don't understand why people can't just mind their own business?!! If someone, anyone reading this blog feels the same way... I am asking you to please reach out. AND If I am the only person on this earth dealing with drama of all sorts, please tell me I am The.Only.Person.
• Now, let me back up and explain what I mean by this... I am not talking about rumors and horrible things happening. I am simply discussing the little nit-picky things people set their sights on and just WILL NOT leave alone.  
• While teaching recently, I caught myself getting into the middle of two girls and boy with 'drama.' I simply said, "I have told you since the beginning of the year, leave your drama at my door. Get over it. Move on." Well, apparently that is easier said than done. Because here I am complaining about it. Hypocrite... I know. 
• TAXES
• Again, probably an obvious term. I have yet to reap any benefit from filing income taxes. I totally dread writing a check to the IRS. Well, you are probably thinking... fix your w-2?! I know, I know... it is our fault! But, not really. No one ever told me how taxes and deductions work. So, this year J and I finally figured things out for ourselves. Next year, WILL be a better year come tax season. Enough said. 
• POLITICS
• I try not to mix my personal life and my career, especially here on the internet. But, sometimes it is inevitable. Being a teacher isn't just a job, it is a career, a way of life, a way of thinking. It.Is.Never.Ending.
• In case some of you aren't aware of the education situation right now, I HIGHLY encourage you to do some research. Believe me, you won't have to look far. It is everywhere right now. Of course, I would even further encourage you to look into Florida's predicament with the education budget cuts and changes. Two words to describe all of it right now........... IT SUCKS.
• So, the Situation (haha... Jersey Shore...no pun intended) is on my mind a lot lately. 
• It is stressful.
•  I am a planner, and all of these changes don't do well for my 'plan' that I have had all along.
• Ugh.

I know that I just had a major pessimistic moment. But, the truth is, I think that we all need to 'let it all hang out' a little more often. I feel that so many times people are afraid of expressing their feelings for fear of what people/friends/family might think. Honestly, if someone really truly cares about you, they understand, they are there to listen to you, and they probably aren't all surprised when your feelings come pouring out. Sometimes, it is just a necessity of life. 

But most of all...

They are supportive. 

They cry with you. 

Encourage you. 

 Make you laugh. 

And to my 'people' that are always there for me, thank you for loving me. 

Even if I might be a little crazy at times. ;) 

Love you 

The Best and Worst Things... of 2011

So I had planned to do a list of my favorite Christmas gifts of 2010... Well, you can probably guess why that wasn't successful.
You Got It! It is now February and I officially stink at staying focused with 'my plan.' Oh well!

Anyhow, I feel that I am somewhat better than last year.. Baby.Steps.Right?

Since the school year is now fully into the 'swing' of things, I am finding myself mentally and physically exhausted at the end of each day. When we get home, the last thing I want to do is sit at a computer and type. I spend on average about 30 minutes on the computer when I get home...
What am I doing you might wonder? Well, I read up on a list of my favorite blogs, maybe one day I will share my new favorites. :)
I check our banking information and lately have been making reservations for some up and coming trips! Yahoo! That is about the extent!

So, tonight, I decided to finally sit down and get all of my thoughts out of my head and on the paper computer.

Favorite/Best:

TYLER

Chelsea, if you are reading this... I miss him, I miss you. I want to need to see him soon, real soon. I need some snuggle time. I need some baby time. I need Tyler.

My new camera lens. Enough said. 

Cupcakes. Or really just baking in general. I have been so blessed to have baking jobs through the month of January and I am now booked through February. I love every minute of it. 

Plus, who wouldn't love a HOT pink cupcake with a zebra print liner and the best chocolate cake you have ever put in your mouth? =HEAVEN!

Of course, this goes without saying...

I think this is the best gift I have ever bought myself. :)

Aghhhhhhh... My life saver in the morning. Enough said.

Oh, and my favorite mug below. The first coffee mug J ever bought me. Now, the whole coffee cup gift giving is literally turning into a big joke. We have the most random collection. I hope we aren't alone...

My Tervis Tumbler... I use it every single day. My friend Mallory gave it to me for Christmas and I LOVE IT! She knows me well, I am a creature of habit and very practical. 

Oh and my iPhone!!! J and I bought each other new phones for Christmas... This was the last bill that our parents so joyfully handed down to us. We are now officially paying ALLLLLLLL of our own bills. Sucks. Anyways I'm getting off topic. 

My phone is my other half of my brain. I love it. I have it with me all the time. I think it is superglued to my hand hand, figuratively of course. Actually my phone is sitting next to me as we speak... AND I am texting my Tervis Tumbler friend, Mallory. (Mentioned above.)

Lastly, my Otterbox. For those of you that don't know, it is my phone case. In case you didn't know, I am really hard on phones... I don't mean to be, I just am. So, my otterbox is the BOMB!

This picture should explain it all. I love my slippers. Call me an old lady if you like, but there is no better feeling than slipping on a pair of slippers at the end of a long day.

I know, I am getting ridiculous here. I don't blame you if you don't read any further. But these boots are  pretty great! I just love them! They are comfy and so incredibly cute with jeans, skirts, or dresses. 

Awwwwwww look, it it John! Well, obvisouly he is one of the best things. Ever.

However, this facial hair he is sporting is new. This picture was taken about a week ago. So, it has filled out even more. But, I like it. I think it looks good on him. Maybe even sexy. ;)

Pillows, oh my!!

That is right folks, I made these alllllll by myself. Well, kinda. My NanaC, has assisted in walking me through the sewing process. She is a great teacher and so incrediably patient with me. We have a grand time laughing at our my mishaps. I am learning. These are some of the throw pillows I made for our home.
BTW: I also know how to thread the machine and the bobbin! Also how to back stitch and turn corners!! Wahoo! If nothing else, I can make pillows!!!

So, this post was a lot longer than I planned.... hmmm. I think I will save the worst things of 2011 for another day. Maybe I will keep a couple of you hangin. ;)