Day 165: And It Put A Smile On My Face - June 14, 2009

My Project 365 picture for yesterday, June 14, 2009 is titled "And It Put A Smile On My Face." It's not the best picture I took that day - far from it. However, it's something that put a big smile on my face when my eyes glanced upon it.

It's only normal. Maybe for you it's a song that triggers it. Or, possibly a place. Suddenly the memories come flooding back. For me, yesterday, it was a Peanut Butter Nutella cupcake.

I swear when I saw the sign I had to do a double take. I couldn't believe my eyes. I haven't had, or thought about Nutella in ages (In real time, just a few months). Instantly I wanted to pick up the phone and say, "You'll never believe what I'm looking at right now." But I didn't. Instead, I just smiled and told the friend I was with how much I loved Nutella and that the combination sounded so decadent. However, I have to confess, there was more to that comment that meets the eye - and only one other person knows why.

As I ordered my Peanut Butter Nutella cupcake I recalled the first time I had Nutella. I had gotten the jar of it from a friend because I was on an anti-high fructose corn syrup challenge which limited my intake of sweets. Funny enough it wasn't until after the challenge was over would I take my first taste of this sweet treat.

It was deadly. I was hooked from the first taste . . . and it would soon become forbidden in my home. My love affair with Nutella would be a short one, but not due to my lack of admiration. Sometimes it's better for us to cutout things, even if we love them a lot, because in reality they aren't the healthiest thing for us. My enabler agreed. Their initial intention was for me to have a treat when I couldn't partake in the others I had before, not for me to form a bad habit.

I allowed myself to indulge in this tasty treat yesterday. It was absolutely perfect. The peanut butter cake was light and fluffy and the Nutella had a rich chocolaty taste, but not one that was too over-whelming. Once again, I wanted to pick up the phone and say, "You'll never guess what I just had."

And as for the double meaning of my initial comment to my friend yesterday. . . that's between me and the one other person - and it always will be.

Until later . . .

The Great Virtual Cookie Swap '08

I LOVE to bake.

However, I do not bake as much as I would like to because I also love to eat what I bake - that is when baking becomes dangerous!

When I saw Emily's (aka Yarn Miracle Goddess) post about The Great Virtual Cookie Swap '08 I was all about participating. I cannot tell you the number of times I've glanced over at my KitchenAid stand mixer and considered all the things I could be using it for.

I considered several recipes, but at the end of the day I only chose one (time was running out and making multiple treats was not an option). The recipe that made the cut - Tyler Florence's Chocolate Covered Snow Peak Cookies. Or, at least it was the base for my cookies. As I read over the ingredients and instructions I decided minor alterations were necessary.

Instead of using dark chocolate chips I used Andes Mint Baking Chips. Also, since I love chocolates so much I ignored Tyler's instructions to just place chocolate at the base of the cookies. My cookies sport a chocolate coating all over. The last alteration I made was ignored Tyler's instructions to "pipe 24 bite-sized 'kiss'-shaped meringues." Don't get me wrong, I almost got my pastry bags and tips out however I decided to make free-form dollops in various sizes was the way to go. I figured that way those that wanted a small taste had a bite size treat, whiles those that wanted more could fill their appetite without feeling like they were a pig because they kept coming back for more.

The result . . .



Might I say they Y-U-M-M-Y!!!

Since every product should go through quality control, I sought out a taste tester. It could not be just anyone. It had to be someone who I knew would not sugar coat (no pun intended) the truth . . . and I knew just the right person! I was happy to find my cookies passed the test.

Now all that is left is finding a worthy group to share them with.

Being the shutterbug that I am, I snapped a few shots while baking - The Great Virtual Cookie Swap '08

Friday Freaky Fun Fact & Foto (try saying that fast seven times)

I was tagged by YarnPrincess yesterday to participate in the friday freaky fun fact & foto post. Yes, I know it's Tuesday, and almost a week later, but that's when Velma (whom I do not know) posted the original tag so that is what I'm calling it.

With that in mind, here goes nothing. . .



This bike is the first thing you see when you walk into my old company's Milwaukee office. I about died when I saw it the first time - I love motorcycles, especially Harley's.

The next day after first seeing this for the first time, my boss and I went to Harley's headquarters to visit some of our employees who were working there. While waiting for them I couldn't help but stare at the bike they had in their lobby. The nice security guy noticed this and asked if I wanted to get on it. I thanked him nicely, but declined his offer. "Are you sure," he asked. Again, I smiled and nicely declined. (My boss was near by and I was trying to be as professional as possible.) Then the security guard asked one last time. This time I quickly glanced at my boss, looked at him and said sure. OMG! It was awesome! It was my first time sitting on a motorcycle. This past June, I finally got my first ride on a motorcycle - it was even more fun than I thought it would be. I can't wait to go again!

OK, in attempt to keep the ball somewhat rolling, I tag and challenge the following bloggers to follow my Friday Freaky Fun Fact & Foto lead:

jennantonnix - I know I still owe her a package and I want her to know I haven't forgotten and I feel bad about it.

daisysmom - I know she looks at my blog often and enjoys it - which I appreciate knowing.

littledragonfly - It's been too long since we've talk. . .

sarahdluck - Long time no talk!

britnlind - Thanks for the cookie recipe!

Jam Packed Wrap-Up

It would not be a Sunday evening without 800 things on my mind and a 1000 things to do before the work week starts . . . and of course what am I am doing? Blogging. . . Duh!

Halloween 2008 was fun. My work costume was once again my "Boo" t-shirt and this year I added a purple wig. Actually several people said I looked good with long, purple hair. Hmmm . . . I have been debating whether or not to go back to my natural hair color. Maybe I should go purple instead. (And yes, there was a non-work costume as well)

My pumpkin did not turn out too bad considering it was the first time in years I have carved a pumpkin AND that I have absolutely no artist ability what-so-ever.

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The HFCS Challenge began yesterday and so far so good. I actually had the opportunity to use the eating out loophole however, I did not take advantage of it, I was completely conscious of what I was eating/drinking. So much that I skipped having a Pomegranate Martini (a fave of mine) because it contained pomegranate juice which I would bet dollars to donuts had HFCS in it. Additionally I gave up partaking in a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich (another fave) even though I was not even at my own home and a sample of the Ginger Pumpkin bunt cake (which could very possibly have had sugar in it, but I did not want to bother the workers at the shop)they had out at another place I was at this weekend. Lastly, I discovered Uncle Ben's puts the forbidden additive in their flavored rice products.

It's going to be a LONG month, but I am truly committed to doing this right. My hope is that if I can cut out a lot of crap during the next 30 days I will be able to continue to do so beyond November 30th. Just another step towards improving myself (cheesy I know, but true). I was out with a friend this weekend who said they wouldn't tell if I cheated. My response to them was, "Yeah, I know, but I would know and that is what matters." We are of course the ones who have to live with the truth of our actions regardless of what we profess to others, right!?
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I saw the movie "W." this weekend. Good movie. Not outstanding, but definitely insightful. I won't get into the details because I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it. What I will say is that it very interesting to see how all the events of his life more than likely influenced his first term. I say "more than likely" because I'm sure there was a lot of creative license used to make the movie a good fit for Hollywood.
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The Bears BARELY won. However, both TCU and the Bears won this weekend so it was a good weekend for football.
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My mom and I went to a yarn shop near where she lives and she picked out sock yarn for her birthday socks. Actually, she picked out yarn for two pairs of socks. This is what she picked out:

On Line SuperSocke 100 (Superwash)

AND

Zitron Avanti

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The baby blanket, which is now known to most as the "Huge-Ass Baby Blanket," is almost finished. Just to give you an idea of how large it is, I laid it out on my over-sized ottoman this weekend and it basically covered it. That means it's about 45"W x 30"D - all presuming I castoff where I am at the moment. I have not made a decision about how long I would like for it to be. I did transfer the blanket from the circular needles I've been using to the straight needles I originally started with. I did this mainly because when I am ready to start working on it again I will be able to drape it over my legs so I can keep warm. Yes, now that it is colder on a consistent basis, blanket knitting is once again welcomed because I can stay nice and warm in the process. Try having a blanket draped over your legs in 70/80 degree weather - not comfortable.
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Lastly, my Brangelina hat is a hit. I've worn it out several time and each time I do I get many compliments on it. At least half a dozen people I know have asked me to make them one. Oh, and it's comfy and warm too.

That's all for now. Until later. . . BB!

I've Accepted the Challenge

I've decided that I'm going to take on the HFCS challenge. During the course of yesterday another one of my friends decided to accept the challenge as well. It should be an interesting November - Stay tuned to see how it all turns out.

No More High Fructose Corn Syrup (at least for 30 days)

One of my all time favorite places to eat just announced they are eliminating High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) from all their foods - Jason’s Deli Is First Restaurant Chain in U.S.To Remove HFCS in Food.

The timing of this news is ironic as I am considering taking on a challenge during the month of November to eliminate HFCS from my diet (not an easy task). The idea was given to me by a friend of mine taking on this challenge. Here are the details of the challenge:

From my friend's blog:

"The Challenge (if you choose to accept it).

Starting November 1st you will not eat or drink anything containing HFCS until November 30. Restaurant meals are excepted because you can never be too sure and I don't want to spoil a birthday or something. This should give you a week to alter your menus and get your pantry prepared. Then just start reading labels. Don't buy or eat anything with HFCS in it. You have to check every label- even bread can be hiding some. You don't have to go all organic, but you may have to change brands on some things."

At this point I am leaning towards taking on this challenge. I'll let you know once I have made a final decision.

Until later . . . Ta! Ta!