Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Yarn!

I'm feeling a little bit like a 70 year old lady tonight. The last two nights I have been making yarn balls while snuggled up on the couch with my big cozy blanket. But it is all in the name of my Christmas craft.... coming soon! I am hoping to finish it this weekend so stay tuned.

It turns out that making yarn balls is actually quite relaxing. Can't wait to show you my craft that was inspired by another blog!

XOXO,
Whitney

Need Her

she is amazing.
Thanks to my sister in law Whitney she sent me this lovely picture of pictures of Audrey and said if she was more richer she would buy these for me for Christmas. and you know what I said... I told her that if she loved me enough it wouldn't matter that she wasn't rich and that she would buy for me no matter what the price because that's how much she loved me. Let me guess you are all thinking that worked. Well it didn't, at least I don't think it did... cause Whitney never responded to my text.
Which I guess is why I'm blogging about it, maybe this will get her attention. Hi Whitney:)

Much Love,

nicole

Early Christmas present

Remember how I stayed up late and went Black Friday shopping? And while I was out the Mr. was doing some online shopping. Well, he found a steal that we just couldn't pass up. And the other day it was delivered to my front porch. I was in the shower and the Mr. comes running in with the huge box in his arms and says "Look what just came!!!". He had already taken it out the box and put it together by the time I was out of the shower and I couldn't wait to try it out. What was it you ask??

A Dyson DC33 Vacuum

Yep, we are that excited about a vacuum. It was a christmas present that we bought with the Christmas $$ my parents give us each year. But there is just no way I could wait until Christmas to vacuum my house with it. Are you kidding me??? It is so light, quiet and easy to manuever, I absolutely love it. And guess what? Even the Mr. was caught vacuuming the house with it. (I should have taken a picture of that!) Best Early Christmas Present EVER.

XOXO,
Whitney

lights fill the streets

Tonight I saw these lovely Christmas lights.
I love Christmas light, so tonight definitely won't be the last time I go wandering through the streets to see them this holiday season. notice: the title is a line from one of Justin Biebers Christmas songs, can you guess which song it came from???

tis the season,

nicole

Dark Chocolatey Chunk Cupcakes w/ Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

It is Christmas time which also means Family time. I love the Holiday season because it is filled with family get togethers. Tonight we had our annual family party. I was asked to bring a dessert. I made these mini cupcakes last year and everyone loved them so I thought I would make them again this year only improve them! First of all, I changed them so that they are dark chocolate with dark chocolate Ghiradelli chunks. YUM. Dark chocolate anything is just better. I have also improved on my frosting skills. I used my favorite tip the Wilton 1m:

I love how this decorates. It makes the cupcakes look so elegant! And it is so easy to use, just a little swirl and you are good. Then I just sprinkled them with some crushed candy canes.

 I love making and decorating mini cupcakes. They are so tiny and cute. Plus, they are much easier to eat. For some reason I feel ok about eating one or two of these rather than eating one normal sized cupcake.

 The Ghiradelli dark chocolate chunk gives the cupcake a little texture and a pop of dark chocolate flavor. Have I mentioned that I love dark chocolate yet? ha ha. These really are the perfect little Christmas Cupcake. (And they are super moist!)

So if you have a family or friend party and are asked to bring a dessert... you should maybe consider taking some of these cupcakes!

Here is the recipe:

Dark Chocolatey Chunk Mini Cupcakes w/ Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

1 1/4 C all purpose flour
1/4 C unsweetend DARK cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 C shortening
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 egg yolks
2/3 C cold water
2 egg whites
1/3 C sugar
1/2 C Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Chips (60% cocao)

Preheat oven to 350.

In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

In a large bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium high for approximately 30 seconds. Add 1/2 C sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined, scraping sides of the bowl as needed. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each yolk. Alternately add flour mixture and water to shortening mixture. Beat on low speed just until combined.

In a large bowl beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add 1/3 C sugar and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold 1/4 of the beaten egg whites into chocolate batter. Gently fold in the rest of the egg whites until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Divide batter into mini cupcake liners.

Bake for 10 minutes, rotating tins halfway through.  Remove from tins and let cool completely on wire racks.


Peppermint Buttercream Frosting
6 C Powdered suger
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp vanilla extract

Blend butter and sugar together until frosting consistency is reached. Add extracts and blend to combine. Keep in the refrigerator if not using immediately.

Frost cupcakes using a Wilton 1M tip. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane bits up to 2 hours before serving.

Power

I guess there is a first time for everything, and for me today it is blogging from my iPhone. If I'm being honest I don't really like it so much but this is what it comes to when.... Your power has been out for 24 hours and counting. It's looking like it'll end up being more than 48 hours plus with out. If you've ever wondered what it's like to have no power just close your eyes then try and get ready = what it's like to have no power. We have the crazy wind to thank for this, but it's cool. Generators on and we at least have tv. ThankGoodness!

Much love,

nicole

DVR-less TV (X-factor spoiler alert)

Yes, we are some of those "people" who do not have a DVR. It feels like we are in the dinosaur age without a DVR!! The good thing is, if we miss an episode of one of our favorite shows we can always count on Hulu. Since we can't record our favorite shows, if we want to watch something on TV we actually have to watch it when it airs. Can you imagine that? Last night we got all cozy on the couch and turned on the TV ready for our favorite show Modern Family to start. And what do you know? It was a re-run. That is seriously the worst when you look forward to your favorite TV show and you have to wait another week for a new episode.

The good thing was that since Modern Family was a re-run we were able to watch all of the X-factor without any interruptions. They did a Michael Jackson theme.Can I just say that I am loving all of Simon's girls? They are great, especially Drew and Melanie. Simply amazing.  Tonight we were watching X-Factor to find out who was going home... I guess this week is just not a great week overall for TV watching because I was SERIOUSLY disappointed. I mean, really judges??? You sent home one of the most talented singers on the X-Factor show??? I loved Drew. The most talented 14 year old singer I have ever heard.

Was anyone else stunned that they sent her home? Ridiculous, and you could tell Simon was TICKED.  Maybe I should have voted and now I am not so sure if I want to continue watching the show but I have to becaue I also like love Melanie Amaro. 

XOXO,
Whitney