By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes

It's a sad day around here. The company is going through hard times (who isn't I guess..) and there were layoffs here. AM was let go......I'm so deeply sadened by this. So sad. Boston was let go too and I was just startin' to like the guy... ;) And others- 5 in total. For a staff of 25 that's a lot. I guess the best way to explain how I'm feeling is calling it "survivors guilt" and I know that is no where NEAR the correct way, but I feel guilty for still being here, but totally grateful for being here. "Layoff guilt"?? I dunno. But just wanted to add a quick entry for this day. It's going to be hard not to see AM everyday... she and I have grown really close in the 14 months we've known each other. But I'm promising here that I'm not letting her friendship go. Not like the other people I've worked with.

So much for the great Superbowl entry I was gonna make today....

Alicia

I miss AM

I wonder as I wander...

This is one of those days when nothing really is going on right now. Same old same old. Remember that old Del Taco commerical? "Same thing, same thing. Day in, day out" Yeah that's me right now. No new fun recipes to share. Don't get me wrong, I'm still in the kitchen. Just making the same old things right now. And as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE to bake, the boys at home just don't eat a lot of sweets. I made a wonderful white cake last week. Just a single layer 9" white cake. No frosting since I had whipped the batter so much it was a nice lil fluffy cake. "Aren't you a nice lil fluffy cake?! Yes you are! Yes you ARE!" Sorry, was having a walter-dog moment. Well I have one really great 9" pan and two 8" pans and most of the time I use the 9" unless I'm making a cake for an order. So with the leftover batter, since it's supposed to make two 8" cakes, I made mini cupcakes. Well we ate those all in one night! mmm I love minature things...cupcakes, liquor bottles, those desserts they serve in a shotglass... But the poor cake is still sitting there after a week. Really should try and polish that off tonight with all the milk we have. I've added mini cupcakes to the Superbowl party. Brown sugar batter. Mmm I may leave the frosting off just so I don't feel so guilty after I've eaten half of them. Fighting AM for half of them anyway...lol.

Until I wander aimlessly again-

Alicia

I <3 CC

Yay Superbowl! I'm so excited this year. We are having our own Superbowl party at our place this year. Yay! My focus is going to be on the food of course and I'm still looking into new menu items. We have a friend coming over that is diabetic so I'm keeping that in mind also. I do want to make these low carb pizza bites-
You'll need:
Large pepperoni.
Mix together some cream cheese (some is 8oz), 2 eggs, 1/4 cupsugar-free pizza sauce, toss in some oregano and garlice powder. Add CHEESE, mozarella anyone? 1/2 cup please. You can also add in any pizza toppings you like- make it 1/4 cup. Jalapenos (I think I'll add those), bellpeppers, mushrooms. Anything as long as you chop it up small. Diced. NO-minced. There ya go- The use the pepperonis like the crust and put them in the mini muffin cups and add the mixture. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned and se in center. Allow to cool for 5 or so minutes so you don't burn the roof of your mouth off. This should make 24 cups.
MMmm!
I'm looking into other options asl well, I'll be sure to add them here incase anyone wants to try. There's also an avacado dip that I'm working on.

Until I mini-muffin pan again-
Alicia

I <3 CC

the weekend is coming! the weekend is coming!

So I made a new brownie recipe! Well memo to me, "chewy" brownies don't do so well in muffin pans. Gotta use the "cake" brownies. Okay okay. So they came out like little cups! And now I'm on a mission to see what great filling(s) I can put in them! Great idea or what?! :) More than just the usual buttercream frosting I mean. Cheesecake! Yes, I think I will try cheesecake next. Mmmm... hee hee-

Until I bake again-

Alicia
I<3 CC

Things to do, plan, buy, shop for...

All of a sudden on a random Monday morning in January, I feel so busy! Not really sure why, maybe because I FINALLY FEEL BETTER! Yeah that could be it. Things running through my head...let's see...off work next Monday- going to AMs house to play with kitties. Superbowl coming up, want to have friends over, problem tho- not a lot of friends, must remedy. Family vacation in June, looking up all fun things to do while camping in North Rim of Grand Canyon and fun things to see while driving to and from. Thinking maybe driving old Route 66 on our way...gotta watch "Cars" again and get inspired. But also want to just see things on the drive that I haven't seen in our million drives on this stretch of I-40 over the last 13 years. Hoping to get that new camera this weekend, REALLY looking forward to that. Found out the camera we are looking at is same camera brother and sis-in-law have and that makes me stoked since their photos always look awesome. Found recipe for dessert-like lemon bars but it's more like margarita bars since there is wonderful wonderful tequila and limes in it. Hope to try this weekend and bring to AMs. Have doctor appt next Monday also, had blood drawn this AM. Arm still a little sore. This coming Friday is blissful 2nd payday of 3 paydays this month! Yay! Going to look at tents for upcoming vacation and local camping in our favorite spot in Manzano Mountains.
Wow reading over this...total gibberish. Oh well, it's just one day..........

Until I run-on again-

Alicia

I<3 CC

oh...so...sick

As of this post I have been sick 5 of the past 6 days. It started over the weekend with the stomach flu, I was well on Monday, then Tuesday got a head cold. Three days of this and I'm starting to feel better. I love Sprite. Never have I loved Sprite so much as these past 6 days!

On my well day I decided to finally make the pumpkin pie I've been meaning to. Not feeling all the way in the baking mood I remembered I had 1 frozen pie shell. Yay! So I make up the filling, having a great time and realized that the filling makes 2 pies. Well great. I really don't think we can eat 2 pies up (sure we COULD but shouldn't). So I pull out the butter and flour to make the pastry. At this point I decide to make little "tarts". I received a great new (2 actually) muffin pan and cut out little pastry circles and made mini pumpkin pies. Baked at 350 degrees for 35 minutes and they are great! A little dollop of cool whip on top and they are good to go. I'm gonna try these little ones next time with apple pie. They are really perfect to pack up for lunch. Or a late evening dessert when you don't want to go overboard. Yay!

*on an end note: I would like to get photos on here but at this time don't have the camera cord to upload, in the future I hope to remedy this as we are in the market for a new camera at this time.

Until I bake again-
Alicia

I <3 CC

Quick & Easy snack

So I love love LOVE to make this little snack. Good thing I don't keep cream cheese on hand all the time or I'd be in trouble!

1 long skinny baguette cut into small slices (under 1 inch)

1 pkg cream cheese. Sometimes the whipped is easier for spreading purposes.
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Chop them up and mix into the cream cheese. (take out the seeds!)

1 pkg sliced turkey. The thinner the slices the better, and I've even gotten that cheapie under a dollar smoked turkey- for this recipe it's perfect! Chop turkey up into little squares or small bit sized pieces.

*things to have on hand: vegetable oil, garlic powder

Turn oven on to 350 degrees. Use a pastry brush (got mine 2 for $1 at the $1 store!) to brush vegetable oil on one side of the bread slices. Sprinkle with little amount of garlic powder. Don't over do this part. Yes I have a love affair with garlic but too much and it's over whelming. Start small and add more the next time you do it. Or go whole hog, it's your bread. :) Place on baking sheet oil/powder side up.
Bake in the oven about 10 minutes. Or until very lightly browned. This is a personal choice.
Side note: I often forget to watch the clock when I put them in so I'm constantly checking them -yeah I got an egg timer for Christmas that has a magnet to stay on the fridge or a rope to hang around my neck but I forget to use that too. Sorry honey!
Take bread out, spread with the chipotle cream cheese and top with the turkey. If you even wanted a little more kick sprinkle a few chile flakes on top.
Enjoy!

(I've also made this without the turkey and chipotle peppers for a super quick snack. )

Until I cook again-

Alicia

I<3 CC