26 Things You Maybe Don't Know About Me?!

{Yes, I'm aware this photo has absolutely nothing to do with this post}

But also, maybe it does.

It's super springy out & I am finally feeling refreshed

after a lengthy abandonment from this dear blog of mine.

{I'm sorry, baby! I'll never leave you again!}

Moving on.

I've always wanted to do my own '25 Things You Don't Know About Me' segment.

All the celebrities do it!

Why shouldn't I?

Actually, what I was really thinking (and hoping I suppose) is that I may have some fresh faces just newly following, and some random 'did-you-know's' might just be the ticket to welcome this new year of blog-y goodness.

So, without further ado,

26 (just to be different) Things You Maybe Don't Know About Me?!

1. The only nick-name I had growing up was 'Raquely-Belly' or 'Raquely O'Belly'.

I was once called 'Raquelculator' by a fellow peer in math class... And.  I wish it would have stuck.

2. I make it my life's mission, not to be late.  If anything, I'm 15 minutes early.

3. I don't fart.

Although, my husband is convinced he's caught me a few times...

4. I wake up at 6:30 every morning, Mon-Fri.  The early bird catches the worm, or at the very least, enjoys a peaceful 30 minutes to herself before the day begins.

5. I keep an insanely impeccable calender.  The Mom's Fridge-Magnet Calender to be precise.  Appointment/activity/birthday.... you name it.  It's on there.  I'm certain I spend nearly up to an hour collectively staring at my fridge, daily.

6. I've never been stung by a bee.  Or wasp.  Or hornet, for that matter.

7. If I could choose which retired T.V. series I'd like to see do a reunion show, it would have to be Dawson's Creek.  Hands down.

8. My first job was working at a movie theatre and my first boss had a wooden hand.

9. When I was 20, I was accepted into hair college just a few weeks before finding out I was pregnant.  And so, I dropped the course and became a mom.  Ironically, just the change I was needing in life.

10. I have no desire whatsoever to visit outer space.  In fact,  I'm scared of space.

11. I have one, and one only, tattoo.  I got it when I was 16 with my dad's consent.  And yes, it's a lame-o butterfly.  Ugh.

Thanks Dad :/

12. I've always considered having my nose pierced, but am convinced I have too many freckles to pull it off.

13. I have a debilitating fear of snakes.

14.  You'll never catch me jumping out of a plane.  Ever.  EVERRRR.

(Unless there's snakes on it)

15. I see 20/15.  Astronaut vision.

16. The first horror movie I ever watched, back when I was in grade 7, seriously traumatized me.  Seriously.

17. I secretly had a crush on Prince William (Wills back then) when I was in grade 8.

18. I am, The. Worst. Video. Gamer. Ever.

19. When it comes to baking, I strive for perfection.  Taste and appearance.  Anything else is unacceptable.

20. I love to vacuum.  I usually do it at least twice a day.  Question is: Do I love it?  Or is it obsessive compulsive disorder.

(I always thought it might be neat to have one of those...)

21. The Office is the only show on earth that can cheer me up, no matter what.  I adore Michael Scott.  Even when he embarrasses me.

22. I am the oldest of 5 children.

23. I wish I knew how to use Photoshop like a champ.

24. I believe in a grey area.  Not everything is black and white.

25. I love the Fillet O' Fish from McDonald's.

26. (*See admission #25) I hope we can still be friends.

I.Like.Loaf.

If you're like me...

Sierra--  She loves loaf, too.

...you may occasionally find yourself asking,

'what-to-do?'

with the leftover half of zucchini

your granny gave you.



The answer-- clearly,

shred that bad boy up
and get your bake on.

Enter: Chocolate Zucchini Bread, loaf, surprise,
thing.

Delectable & moist, I promise you my friends.


Hence, today's recipe compliments of 'Joy of Baking'.


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups shredded raw zucchini from granny
1 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder*, sifted
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/2 cup safflower or canola oil
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

*you may opt to replace 2 tsp of the unsweetened cocoa powder with the 'secret ingredient'
I'll be incorporating further on in the directions below.



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & grease your loaf pan.

Get started grating your zucchini.

Who knew grating could be so much fun?!

Set grated zucchini aside.


In a large bowl, measure out your flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon & allspice and set aside.


Now.

         Here's where I switch things up.

***SECRET INGREDIENT***

You may recall, way back when,
my uncontainable excitement regarding my purchase of McCormick's Cocoa Chili Blend?!

Well, I happened to be feelin' particularly adventurous this day and decided this would be the perfect recipe to add a little heat to.

Baker's Confession: I added way too much heat.

So much so, one bite of my loaf could put hair on your chest.

       .......Or burn it off.

Spicy.  Very spicy.


According to my 'newly revised' calculations, replacing 2 teaspoons of the cocoa chili blend with the unsweetened cocoa powder should make for the perfect subtle hint of warmth.
(so, 115 ml unsweetened cocoa powder & 2 tsp cocoa chili powder)

And there you have it.

Lesson learned.

The hard way.


Carrying on,

get all your dry ingredients blended together in a large bowl and set aside.

In yet another bowl (plenty of dirty dishes leftover after this recipe), use your electric mixer to thoroughly beat the oil, eggs, sugars, and vanilla extract until well blended. About 2 minutes.

Mm'yesss, a good time to get some reading under your belt...


Once well mixed, fold in the grated zucchini.

Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined.

And lastly, fold in the chocolate chips.

Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 55- 65 minutes.

Once removed from the oven, let the loaf cool on a baker's rack for 10 min and then remove from the pan.

Continue to let the loaf cool completely.

Other than the fact that my loaf was hotter than two goats in a pepper patch, it was deliciously rich and delectably moist.


I do say, it's good to spice things up every once in a while :)

I solemnly swear I've been up to no good.

What say you we ignore the fact that it has nearly been a month & a half since I last posted...

And instead, gaze upon this photo of myself holding a cheeto.

Excuse me while I have a mommy moment....

Aaron, all of two years old

I nearly melted into a warm gooey puddle of mommy-mush
when I stumbled across this photo today.

                                      Those golden curls get me everytime.

Ava's first day at dance

I thank the dear Lord everyday for blessing me with a beautiful, bubbly baby girl.

Who else could I dress up in all-things-pink,

tutus, sparkles & tights?!

            Amen.

Must Like Spice: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Sure Signs & Symptoms It's Fall:

Sunday, I ceremoniously hung my 'Autumn Blessings' placard

just outside the front entrance of our home

& pulled out all the browning overgrown petunias in my garden.

Yesterday, I made like Betty and whipped up

a delightfully spicy batch of Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

(recipe to follow)

And this morning, I was regrettably forced

to turn on the heat for the first time in months;

hauled out me ol' Uggs for the wearing

& enjoyed a toasty warm Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks with my granny.

Warm woollies, obsessive baking & brilliant autumn foliage.

Yes, please.

About that Pumpkin Whoopie Pie recipe...

Did I mention it comes complete with a dreamy cream cheese filling?

We can all thank Matt Lewis from Baked bakery for that perfectly nummy pairing.

Recipe from Matt Lewis of Baked bakery

Ingredients:

For the Pumpkin Whoopie Cookies

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 2 cups firmly packed dark-brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups pumpkin puree, chilled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Cream-Cheese Filling

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

We begin with the making of the whoopie cookie, which essentially is a mini cake.

Generous amounts of warm spices in these beauties

Measure out all your dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl.

Whisk together and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and vegetable oil 'til well combined.

Then add your pumpkin puree and whisk s'more..

Add your eggs & vanilla to the party while you're at it.

Whisk, whisk, whisk..... 

Pumpkin mixture

Gradually sprinkle your spiced-up flour mixture over your pumpkin batter and mix until well incorporated.

Well incorporated.

A well equipped baker comes prepared with a small icecream scoop to dish their batter out with.

I, however, am not one of those.

Therefor, I used a tablespoon to pan-out my cookies.

An icecream scoop would come in tres handy when making your pies

as conformity is key.

~You want them all to be the same nice round shape and equal size~

They are after all named 'whoopie' pies, not 'wonky' pies...

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes

{I made my pies a bit smaller and found that 10 minutes was all they needed}

Carefully, with a spatula, remove cookies from the baking sheet as soon as they're out of the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.

Next, Filling.

In a medium sized bowl, cream the butter with a mixer until smooth and lump-free.

Add your cream cheese and continue to mix, again 'til smooth.

Gradually add the icing sugar to the mix, as well as vanilla.

Mix real' well.

Purrrrdy

Once your cookies have cooled COMPLETELY,

generously dollop filling onto the flat side of the cookie.

I find a piping bag or even a large Ziploc freezer bag with a hole snipped at the tip to be much more tidy with this task as opposed to just spooning it on.

Plus, I think piping is fun.

Sandwich your frosted cookie with another cookie

and there you have yourself a Whoopie Pie!

Recipe found at marthastewart.com

These are seriously delicious.

I kid you not.

Autumn blessings, friends : )

Woe is me

Ava's first full session of Kindergarten today.

I think I might just mayybe kinda sorta possibly

        ....miss her just a wee little bit.