Saying Goodbye :-(

Well, Friday was Sara and Anna's last day at work. I had worked with Sara since I started 4 years ago and of course, Anna had been with me since Labor Day for her year-long apprenticeship.

I decided I would make them each cupcakes and I kind of gave them a say as to what kinds. Well, I gave Anna a say. She chose my Irish Carbomb cupcakes. You can check out that post here.

I decided for Sara that I would make her some Mickey Mouse Cupcakes. I had made her Mickey & Minnie Mouse Cookies for her birthday (here's that post) so I thought the cupcakes would be cute. Luckily she agreed. :-)



I was up to my elbows in different batters. I ended up making two dozen of EACH cupcake, so having to frost 48 cupcakes wasn't really a thrilling thought at 10pm at night (really midnight when it was all said and done).

Sara's Mickey cupcakes were easier to make, but time consuming to decorate. I made a chocolate cupcake with a simple whipped vanilla frosting that I tinted. Then I added yellow frosting buttons and mini-Oreos for ears.

Anna's was the chocolate-Guinness cupcake, with a chocolate-Jameson ganache and a Bailey's buttercream frosting. I used more Bailey's than powdered sugar in the frosting, so it was thinner than the last time I made it. It still tasted good.

I was happy how they came out and while I wanted happy that they were leaving, I was happy I could do this for them.

I'll miss you both!!!!!

Ten Penny Ale 5K

Ah...Ten Penny Ale time!

Today was the Shamrock Duathlon & 5K out in Glastonbury. Something that was just a fun run for Bryan and I, but something Arielle was training for.

A couple months ago, during my kick of getting people at work to sign up for training programs, I managed to convince Arielle to join this particular 5k training group. Bryan and I were already in our half marathon training program, and this group would meet at the same time. It was something I know she wanted to do, but I was hoping she would actually do it.

And guess what...she did.

So...Bryan and I decided that we would sign up for the 5k and run with her (see that post here). And run with her we did. We never left her, kept saying motivating things and giving her tips to get her through a little easier.

She was a trooper...even when Bryan physically pushed her forward at one point during the race (ok, it was just a nudge...but it was funny). We got her water when she needed it, let her take walk breaks when she needed and tried to keep her smiling.

I even recruited a cheering squad for her, consisting of her fiancee Andrea, Robyn, Stacie, Andy and Traci. Sure, they were there to see us too...but they were mainly there for Arielle.

She finished in 43:38 and I couldn't be prouder!

We celebrated with a Ten Penny Ale at the finish line and then the group of us went to breakfast...which was delicious by the way! I think one of the greatest things was that we did it as a team. It was one of my favorite experiences so far!

The half marathon is two weeks from today...this was my first run in 2 weeks because of my injury and I feel pretty good honestly. The foot is doing well...so I can only hope that, as long as I'm careful, I'll be ok for that big run. Keep those fingers crossed. :-)

See this post on my running blog.

Margarita Cupcakes

Hey Cinco De Mayo!

I decided that I would make some margarita cupcakes for the Friday before Cinco de Mayo (ie TODAY). I had browsed Pinterest for some ideas and low and behold, I found one.

I basically took the recipe from here: Annie's Eats  and then tweaked it slightly.


I would add tequila and orange liquor into the batter as well as brushing some on there after baking. I think its up to your taste, but I feel the full quarter cup combined (half and half) is a good amount both in the batter and on top.
The frosting was pretty buttery, but the lime was a really a good addition. I feel that it helped cut the richness of the butter. I would add more tequila to it it next time...so again, your call.
Hope you like it. I have more coming. Yum!



DIY Lamps

Well, this was a project a while in the making. We have, like, a ba-zillion clear lamps that were dingy, not good looking at all and really dragged down the apartments they were in at work.

So, after browsing some home improvement stores, Pinterest and watching probably a bit too much HGTV, I decided we could DIY paint them and help spruce them up a bit.

So, we loaded them all up and headed down to the paint shop for a little paint shop party...

The end result was actually, fantastic. I'm super pleased with how they came out and now that they are in their respective apartments, they are starting to help the rooms come together!

I will say...we did leave quite a mess. BUT it was a beautiful and colorful mess...

I can live with that. :-)

O'Hartford 5K

Max's O'Hartford 5K was the end of my 5K training group this season. It was something I was building up for...and not all at the same time.

I didn't put everything I had into training for this race. There ended up being so much happening in my life at the time, both good and bad, that I didn't really do what I wanted and needed to do to make this race amazing.

But, that being said, you better believe I was happy that I did it. I was happy that Stacie trained with me and proud of her for finishing. She ended up finishing only about 10 seconds behind me. Not bad!

I also know that if it weren't for our coaches (Liz and Allison) that we both wouldn't have done as well as we did. Allison ran with me (picture below) and Liz with Stacie. I can't thank them enough for their support.

I've got the Amica Ironhorse Half Marathon that I'm training for next and I'm pumped! If you would like to check on my progress during my training, check out my running blog, 365 Days To Become A Marathon Runner. There is also another post about this particular race here.

I'll post that race here as well, but I'm sure there will be trials and tribulations, successes and failures in the next 3 months! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

This St. Patrick's Day I decided to try a new recipe for me. And since I wasn't drinking alcohol (a choice due to training for my 5k) I would have my alchi in a different way:

IRISH CAR BOMB CUPCAKES!

They ended up deliciously! It was a chocolate Guinness cupcake, with Jameson chocolate ganache inside and a Bailey's buttercream frosting on top.

It was actually very easy to make, but rather time consuming. I took the recipe from the blog Une-deux senses (http://une-deuxsenses.blogspot.com/2009/11/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes.html) and it was very easy to accomplish.

When I got to the ganache, I had the choice of using Baileys or the Irish whiskey. I felt that with the Baileys in the frosting, the Jameson would give it a nice contract. It was a good choice.

I will be doing these again as the were just sinful...and a perfect treat to bring into the office on the Friday before St. Patty's Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you!!

The Word Oreo IS a Word!

I'm sorry...but this is just unfortunate!

How can the word OREO not be an acceptable word?!

I was playing Words With Friends, with a friend of mine...of course, and I got this message.

And of all days, I got it today: March 6, 2012...which just happens to be the 100th birthday of Oreo, America's best selling cookie!

So tell me again...how is OREO not an acceptable word?!?!