Be The Change | Till Then Smile Often

December 10, 2013

Caramel Apple Cupcake with Apple Frosting

I like to make a new recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas every year. It gives me the chance to experiment and get feedback on if others like it too. I found the recipe for these here and I knew I just had to try them. Since you are using a boxed cupcake mix it is not too labor intensive, though there are a few steps.

Ingredients: One box of Duncan Hines Caramel cake mix (plus ingredients to make according to box) ~ One bag (14 oz) Kraft Caramels or bits ~ ½ cup sweetened condensed milk ~ 1/4c. butter or margarine ~ 1 stick (4 oz) salted butter ~ 1 stick (4 oz) unsalted butter ~ 2 cups powdered sugar ~ 2 teaspoons clear vanilla flavoring ~ 1 packet of Crystal Light – Appletini

Directions: Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Make cake mix according to box and divide into 24 cupcake liners in a cupcake tin. Bake according to box. Remove from oven and cool completely.

In a small saucepan, combine caramels, sweetened condensed milk and butter (The bits is only 11 ounces so I added a few cubes of leftover caramels I had in my house). Melt (stirring constantly) until creamy and smooth.

Pour warm caramel into a small bowl. Dip tops of cooled cupcakes into caramel to coat the top. If it cools too much and hardens you can microwave for 15 seconds, then stir to smooth.

Allow caramel to cool completely. Make frosting by adding butters, powdered sugar, vanilla and Crystal Light drink mix together in a mixing bowl. Beat together on low until combined and then beat on high until light and fluffy. **note: the apple flavor in the drink mix is strong and tart– I only added a third of the packet and it was really sour/tart, you might want to add it a little at a time and taste as you go to decide how strong a flavor you want.**

Frost each cupcake with the apple frosting, then try not to devour them all in one sitting!

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

December 9, 2013

Weekend of Shopping

I am so sad this weekend is over! It was so amazing to spend it with the most amazing women I know. There was a ton of laughs, lots of catching up and even more shopping. I only have one more gift to pick up and then I am done Christmas shopping. I luckily have Monday (today) off from work to wrap some gifts, get caught up on laundry and other chores. Since we have a lot to get to…

Friday: I headed up to my friends house so we could drive together up to Stonewall Kitchen where we meet up with the other girls. Since we were about 40 minutes early we decided to hit Ogunquit beach which was a few miles down the road.

Ogunquit Beach – best friends and sisters

Stonewall Kitchen – Sisters/Twins

After leaving Stonewall Kitchen we went to Big Al’s. This dollar store is something else but it has the most random stuff ever.

The ho ho balls provided many jokes later on! After Big Al’s we were back on the road and stopped at Moody’s for lunch. They also have a gift shop in the back that we stopped at too.

After we were so full we could barely walk we headed to the hotel to rest for a bit.

We headed out to catch the parade but ending up missing it trying to find parking so we decided to just go shopping, duh?! We hit a bunch of little shops in the town and also a place called Reny’s which is a discount store similar to an Ocean State Job Lot. It is only in Maine so not surprisingly I found a lot of Duck Dynasty items.

We then hit up Applebees for dinner. They have a good special for Margarita’s and 1/2 price apps. I have never laughed so hard. Mom T. never really drinks and she tried a Sangria. We may have ordered one too many apps!!! We couldn’t finish half of it but they were all so good!! Proof that even non-bloggers take selfies!! (So caught girls!!!)

Saturday: We started the morning with breakfast where they make donuts fresh every morning. So yummy. The High school craft fair was next. I got a hand painted ornament, then we went to the town center for a few smaller shops.

Lynn and I decided to hit the Farnsworth Museum and they happened to be showing the Wizard of Oz exhibit. You can’t take pictures but I did snap the decal that were on the bathroom doors. Too cute.

Then it was off to Home Goods/TJ Maxx and the Hallmark store. After that we were hungry so we stopped for lunch. We rested a bit at the hotel and then it was time for the bonefire where we sing carols and Santa comes in on a fire truck.

We went back to the center of town for a bit more shopping until the fireworks display. My good friend Heather also helped a boy buy a nutcracker for Christmas. He wanted one so bad and she went in an told him she found the money on the ground.

We went back to Applebee’s for dinner and then headed back to the hotel and watched Christmas movies and laughed till we cried. Sunday came way to quickly and we headed home. Another wonderful trip and memories with my girls. I am forever grateful I have such amazing women in my life that I can count on, you make each get together even more memorable than the last one.

How was your weekend? Have you gone to any Christmas weekend festivals?

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

December 5, 2013

Out of Office – Christmas By The Sea

First things first – I want to get some feedback regarding doing a GIVEAWAY! I am coming up on 1 Year of Blogging in January and wanted to giveaway a Target Gift Card. So I ask my fellow bloggers, anyone willing to do it with me? I will be posting something on Twitter too but wanted to ask my regular peeps first!

Okay onto some news – I am going to Christmas By The Sea in Maine!! I am so excited! We leave on Friday morning and get back Sunday afternoon. I lose cell reception halfway into Maine (sometimes Sprint sucks) but I will have WiFi at the hotel so I will still be around a little bit I just may be slower to respond.

What is Christmas By The Sea?? It is a girls only trip to Camden Maine for a weekend of laughs, memories, shopping and getting in the Christmas spirit.

We head up on Friday with a pit stop at Stonewall Kitchen in York ME. Even though there is a store in Camden Maine the one in York is much bigger! It also has a cafe in case we are hungry for lunch. The have all the latest gadgets and samples. For a baker like me it is a little slice of heaven! I have to try really hard not to buy anything for myself!

We head back on the road and stop at a place called Big Al’s. It is a dollar type store and you can find lots of stocking stuffers or kitchen appliances. It’s also great for stocking up on gift bags, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. We usually reach the store around noon and are ready for lunch! There is the cutest little diner called Moody’s Diner that we have stopped at but it can vary from year to year. Sometimes we wait till we get to the hotel and then go somewhere around there.

: View from our Hotel Balcony

We relax for a bit before planning out the activities that we really want to go to and the optional ones we will go to if we have time. Mind you it is just a game plan and we play it by ear. Sometimes the shopping takes a lot out of us! 😉 We do head to the center of town for a little more shopping and to get our places for the parade.

A lot of the local shops have a float in the parade. There is a big lobster and even some riding mowers that get in on the action. Kids participate, candy is thrown, glow sticks are passed out to some of the kids. The street lights are decked out in wreaths and the high school kids are selling baked goods to raise money for some club.

After the parade we head over to the church for the Walk Through Bethlehem. While waiting for our number to be called the choir leads us in singing Christmas carols. It is a little bit of a wait, but it is SO. WORTH. IT. The church is decked out in painted walls, curtained rooms to make it feel and look like the time period of Christ. There are people at different stops telling the story of the Christ and his birth. It ends at the stables where they have live animals, a marketplace of tradespeople. They hand out juice, fudge and oranges. I am not a really religious person but it really is put together so well and it really puts us in the spirit.

The library accepts donations of mittens for the kids doing without, the bank has a band who sings Carols and passes out cookies and Apple Cider. We stick around the town center for more shopping. They have discounts of 20-50% off so it is so worth it. We head to dinner once we have shopped till we dropped. We get a little drinks is us and the gigglefest begins. We have been known to keep the waitstaff entertained with our shenanigans!

Saturday is made up of more shopping a possible stop at the Three Dogs Cafe for breakfast or for an evening pastry. They have a fireplace and lots of dog artwork.

We head off to the local high school for a craft fair. They have horse-drawn carriage rides through town and free pictures with Santa for kids. After a little more shopping we find a place to get warm and eat lunch because at noon Santa and Mrs. Clause comes over the water in a tugboat.

Once off the tugboat they walk around the town and say hello to all the kids and people waiting around. Once we are shopped out, we head back to the hotel for a nap or just to relax a bit. We may watch a Christmas movie on t.v or just sit around and talk. I usually leave this trip with all my Christmas shopping done if not 90% done.

Some other great attractions – a great wine place called the Cellardoor Winery Villa has wine tastings. They have a bonfire and carols on the beach. There really is so much to do and something for everyone. For a complete schedule of events click here.

Can you see why I am excited? If you are in New England you must visit Maine on this weekend and experience it at least once in your life, you won’t be disappointed. Let the countdown begin…

What has been your favorite vacation?

Do you plan an annual trip?

December 4, 2013

25 Random Facts About Me

I promised my girl Liz that I would do a 25 Facts about me post after reading and commenting on her blog Fitness Blondie. This girl is a firecracker and totally plays up to the role of the blonde bombshell, but don’t let the hair and make-up fool you, she is not a cliche and a total sweetheart! Basically she is my kinda people! If you want to read her 25 facts go here.

So here are my facts in no particular order.

1. I am the baby of the family. I have an older Brother and Sister. I am the favorite! 😉

2. At one time I wanted to be a cop, a private eye, or a crime scene expert. I think because I like solving puzzles.

3. I could care less about the over/under toilet paper debate. Who really cares as long as there is some to wipe your bum?!

4. Along those same lines I don’t get bent out of shape if the guy doesn’t put the seat down. Seriously he has to raise it to pee why can’t you lower it to pee?! Quit being a diva. Just kidding but get some perspective people!

5. I am a total exclamation point junkie, I use it way to much and I don’t care to stop!!!!

6. Grammer – As much as I try to type correctly I don’t stress if there is a typo. Sometimes my mind speaks faster than my hands. I try my best but I am not perfect. Get over it.

7. If I start a puzzle I have to finish it the same day. It will totally bug me and I won’t be able to sleep until finished.

8. One of my Pet Peeves is when stores put only one thing in a bag, such a waste.

9. If I could have a superpower it would be to eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight. True story.

10. I love sleeping in a tent. Hearing the birds in the morning and crickets at night is so soothing. When I was given the choice to sleep on the porch at the Cape house to pitching my tent, I took the tent.

11. I know my Mom was in her 20’s when she went almost completely gray though she says her colorist charges her a lot to call it “blonde”. Sorry Mom. If I didn’t color my hair it would probably be 20% gray too.

12. I have never technically broken any bones but when I was hit by a car while riding my bike I separated my clavicle along with many other injuries.

13. As much as I love to bake I am completely self taught though I have contemplated going to Le Cordon Blue.

14. I read about 1-2 books a week. I like to read for 30 minutes when I wake up and 30 minutes before bed. Are we friends on Goodreads? Currently I am reading The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

15. I will forever be a Daddy’s girl. He has the kindest heart, but he never let us get away with anything.

16. I almost never watch shows when they air. I usually have to DVR everything. The gym and blogging usually takes up my evenings.

17. I bought my home in February 2010 by myself. It is a half duplex and I got it cheap so hoping it becomes a great investment. It is 3 bedrooms and 1-1/2 baths. I have a home gym in my basement which I love for doing workout DVD’s or free weights. It is not all sunshine and roses though, sometimes I feel house poor and wish I could do more improvements.

This is the pic from the For Sale Flyer

18. If I only have time to check one social media site it will always be Instagram.

19. I will always own at least one pet. They truly make every day better.

20. I went through this weird phase of reading lots of philosopher/theology/beat poet books. Searching for the meaning of life or something. For example: Tolstoy, Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Kerouac (born in Lowell Mass), Faulkner, Ginsberg. I loved them all for many different reasons but mainly I just loved learning different takes on the meaning of life and the search for inner peace and happiness.

21. I love Trivia. I rock at movie trivia and random pop culture questions. I once wrote out all these 6 ways to Kevin Bacon in a notebook. I am weird.

22.I went to Clark University for Multimedia design but never really used it for a job. It was kinda right before the dot com companies went bust.

23. I once owned so many DVDs that I kept the titles typed up in a Word document in alphabetical order and stored them that way too. OCD much?! I don’t do it anymore though.

24. I love to knit even though I tend to do it in cycles (usually in the winter).

25. In January I will have been blogging for a year! I can’t believe it but I am so grateful for all the great people I have met or talk to on a regular basis. It really is the best community ever!

Hopefully that gave you a little more insight into who I am, and hopefully didn’t scare you off!!

December 3, 2013

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars – Buckeye Bars

Is there really any better combo than chocolate and peanut butter? No I didn’t think so. I have been making some version of this dessert for about 12 years. I started with the Eagle Brand boxed version but they started to become hard to find and maybe got discontinued so I started to search for recipes that used ingredients I could always find. After trial and error I finally found this recipe from Kraft Foods. I have been using this one for about 6-7 years now and it is perfect every time.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened ~ 3/4 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter ~ 22 NILLA Wafers, crushed ~ 2 cups powdered sugar ~ 1/2 of 8-oz. tub Cool Whip Topping (Do not thaw) ~ 3 oz. BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Directions: Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, leaving the ends extending over the sides. Beat butter (I microwave the wrapped stick of butter for 15 seconds) and peanut butter with mixer until blended.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars - Buckeye Bars

You could use a hand mixer or mix by hand if you don’t have a mixer. Add wafer crumbs and mix well.

Slowly add in the powdered sugar.

Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.

Microwave the Cool Whip and chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH for 1 min and stir.

Microwave for an additional 15 to 30 seconds and stir until chocolate is melted. Spread over the peanut butter layer.

Refrigerate for 2 hours to set. Pull foil out; cut and serve.

Then just sit back and watch them disappear!

What is your favorite sweet treat?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

December 2, 2013

Favorite Things – December

I am a little late to the game but blame it on trying to play catch up after being lazy for 4 days straight. I’m linking up with Emily & Kylie to share a few of my favorite things lately.

One. I love this face wash. I use it everyday and it really helps my face from breaking out. I love the smell too.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub

SOURCE

Two. Lifetime, Hallmark, and ABC Family. I am so addicted to these cheesy Christmas movies. They get me in the spirit of the holidays and let me be reminded of the possible good in the world even if it isn’t reality. One can dream!

Three. I usually rotate my perfume between American Beauty – Beloved Red Rose, Clineque’s Happy and Fancy by Jessica Simpson but American Beauty – Beloved Red Rose is my favorite.

Beloved Red Rose American Beauty for women

SOURCE

Four. It gets really cold here in the Winter and second to my obsession with scarfs is ear warmers. I usually like them to be discreet but when I was looking to find a pair to replace the ones I lost (my last pair was black and I can’t find them, I think they are probably in my closet and buried in some corner somewhere) I saw these at Target and had to buy a pair! They will be perfect for days when I have to shovel or take Seamus or a walk.

SOURCE

So those are just a few of my favorite things.

What are some items you are loving lately?

December 2, 2013

A Week of Thanks

Has it really been this long since I posted? It was kinda nice to be away but I have missed being here too. With preparing for Thanksgiving and just enjoying the time off I have been busy. I will try not to bore you too much, since to be honest all the days kinda ran together. Seamus tricked me into being lazy with him.

Wednesday: After a quick workout I had to start making the desserts that I bring to Thanksgiving. I am not allowed to go to Thanksgiving without bring Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars so those are a given, and then I like to try a new recipe every year just for fun so I made Caramel Apple Cupcakes with a Caramel coating and Apple Frosting.

Thursday: I spend my Thanksgiving up on the North Shore at my Aunt and Uncles place. I didn’t take a lot of pictures but my nieces were adorable. My Dad, Brother, Sister in Law, my Cousin Jason and his wife Meghan and their 4 kids were all there to celebrate. It was so good to spend it with family. A little selfie action of course. Even though I did my hair and makeup, I was totally wearing stretchy pants, a tunic and a sweatshirt. Keeping it classy, I know. The thing I look forward to the most is Broccoli pie but the most interesting thing on my plate is TURKEY!! I haven’t eaten it in over 20 years, but I was determined to at least try it again. It was good but I still prefer Ham. (Short story behind not eating turkey – My Dad tried to make it when I was 12 and didn’t warn me when he dumped the turkey neck into the sink – seeing that pink, wrinkly thing scarred me ever since and never ate it again – my poor Dad)

Friday: I started the morning off with some fruit to try and minimize the damage from Thanksgiving. Seamus was lounging as usual. Such a lazy bones. I also began bringing out all my Christmas decorations. Half is the tree decorations and the other is home decor. I had to move some furniture around to make room for the tree then I put together the village set my Mom gifted to me.

Then a little display for the top of my T.V. Stand. I then went to pick out my tree. It seriously took me forever to pick out a tree. I kept coming back to this same one so I know it was the right one. It was so full and not too tall that it wouldn’t fit.

The rest of the night was Christmas movies, hot chocolate and doing chores around the house.

Saturday: I spent the morning being lazy and writing out my Christmas cards. I am only half way done but I do sent out all the cards for my family plus my own personal ones too. The tree finally fell enough so I could decorate it. I like my tree to be colorful but also to have non-traditional ornaments, here are a few of my favorites.

Sunday: Trying to use up some fruit before it goes bad, so juicing it was and perfect to help detox. Seamus being his lazy self again, he really makes it hard to get motivated to do anything. Such a bad influence. After a trip to the grocery store I took Seamus for a walk and then ~~tortured~~ documented his love of the holidays! He is such a good sport! I cooked up some chicken for the week and then had some for dinner with 2 cucumbers.

Hopefully with the workouts I got in and the cleaner meals I did I ~~didn’t gain anything~~ I lost 2 pounds over the holiday. I am looking forward to this week too since it is a 4 day week and then I am heading on a girls weekend to Christmas By the Sea in Maine! Can’t wait for my girl time with some of the bestest people I know!!

How was your long weekend?

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

November 26, 2013

Glühwein – Mulled Wine

I first learned of Gluhwein while in Germany and although I am not a big fan of red wine I fell in love with Gluhwein. Think of it like hot apple cider but with wine! What is not to love about that especially in the cold winter months we are getting lately here in New England. Know that you can make this with any quality of red wine, but the lower the quality, the more sugar you will have to add to the wine. I used a mid-range bottle and used Truvia.

Gluhwein - Mulled Wine - Perfect Holiday cocktail

Ingredients: 3/4 cup water ~ 3/4 cup white sugar or Truvia ~ 1-2 cinnamon stick ~ 1 orange ~ 10 whole cloves ~1 bottle red wine (750 milliliter)

Directions:

In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and cinnamon stick (I used 2 since they were half sticks). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer.

Cut the orange into slices and push cloves into the orange and place in the simmering water. Continue simmering for 30 minutes, or until thick and syrupy.

Pour in the wine, and heat until steaming but not simmering (about 5-10 minutes). Taste the wine and add more sugar if needed. Remove the orange slices. Serve hot in mugs or glasses that have been preheated in warm water (cold glasses will break). Garnish with a fresh orange slice or one from the pot.

Feel free to double or triple the recipe depending on how many you are serving. In Germany they had crockpots filled in just about every store. This can easily be reheated in the microwave for about a minute. Just a warning, this will knock you on your butt a bit faster than regular wine, the heating process really strengthens the alcohol so consider yourself warned. Drink up!

Have you ever had mulled wine?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

November 25, 2013

Winter Wonderland

Happy Monday! I am not hating it as much as usual, maybe it is because it is a 3 day work week. It could be the mass amounts of family time and food on the horizon, it could be the crazy giddiness I am feeling for this time of year. I know you can slap me, I make myself sick. I can’t lie though it was so cold and it snowed a little and I just wanted to snuggle with Seamus but it was still perfect.

1. The morning started out like most weekends…shopping!! I hit up Michael’s for some yarn for a few projects I am doing as gifts. I also got a few new pieces for my Christmas village when it gets put together next weekend. Library and grocery shopping was next.

2. I made a yummy salad for lunch. Lettuce, cucumbers, pears, tomato, red onion and walnuts.

3. I made some Gluwein (mulled wine) while watching Christmas movies. I originally had this in Germany and I was hooked. It is really strong too but sweet.

4. I let Seamus out before bed and noticed a small dusting of snow!!

5. I went to a craft fair and there was over 130 vendors showing their goods. They even had a map so you could find everything. I ended up getting 2 gifts and one small item for a filler to a gift. I would share but the people I got them for may be reading.

6. It was really cold and the weather channel was forecasting snow. It started to flurry but stopped really soon after it started.

7. Just walking back to my car and my nose was already red. Rudolph called and asked for his nose back!

8. Lunch was a little random but really good. Lean top sirloin beef, corn, and cucumber with some green tea with lemon.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning, making dog treats and watching Christmas movies, then the Patriots game. Oh and knitting….

How did you spend your weekend?

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

November 22, 2013

The List of Five

Happy Friday!! I am so looking forward to this weekend. I have a ton of things on my to do list (when do I not though). Hoping to get some more presents purchased and crossed off the list. Okay that is all the energy I have for now onto my five things this week!!

One. I am so overwhelmed and blessed to use my blog as a platform to help bring some support to the troops. I want to thanks all my blogging peeps who showed interest in my post of spending letters and/or care packages to the troops. All the links provided are ones I have used so I know they get to where they are supposed to go. See proof below of my homemade cookies and brownies. The guy in the first row second from the right said they made him king for the week until they ran out.

I sent them dozens of cookies and brownies

Two. I am going to a local craft fair this weekend and I am kinda excited. I love supporting local artists and hopefully will find a few X-Mas presents there.

Three. Reese’s Fudge. Do I really need to say anymore?

Reese's Fudge - Quick and Easy - Gal on a Mission

SOURCE

Four. Is it weird that I totally still want a Pug, even after watching this video. I don’t mind the snoring.

Five. To get this Friday going here is an old school jam. Hope it makes the day go by quicker!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: