These Cupcakes

keep getting posted and re-posted. Since it is Tasty Tuesday I wanted to share it with you. Its up on Tomkat and pintrest. Look out taste buds! The original recipe came from mybakingaddiction.com.

Last week, Brian came home from work and said that his boss had cheated on me. Say what?

Apparently said boss ate a Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcake from a local bakery and thought it was amazing. I shrugged my shoulders because I didn’t really know that an exclusivity clause came with consuming my cupcakes. Then came the words, We were wondering if you can make a better batch? Seriously, did he just propose a challenge? Game on.

My game face lasted about 2 minutes because I realized that I had no more than 1/4 cup of cocoa powder in the house. I have no idea how this happened because I’m kind of a cocoa powder hoarder – it’s a bit of a problem.

However, after a quick fridge scan, I realized that I did have all the ingredients for my favorite boxed mix recipe. Game back on.

I figured if anything, I could play around with mint-chocolate buttercream to get the recipe just right and then test out a scratch recipe later.

Since I wanted the mint flavor to really shine through in both the cupcakes and the frosting, I took advantage of the bag of Andes Crème de Menthe baking chips that I have been taking up space in my pantry for months.

A quick swirl of two-tone, mint-chocolate frosting and a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips created Mint-Chocolate Chip cupcake perfection.

All this mint chocolate cupcake perfection ended up completely for naught! A huge storm blew through that resulted in downed trees, power lines, no electricity, and Brian’s work being closed for a day and a half. Sorry, Bossman! Better luck next time.

However, I can attest to Brian eating those cupcakes like it was his new career (since the old one was on hold), so I think it’s safe to say I might have given that bakery cupcake a run for its money.

You’ll have to let me know what you think!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

YIELD: 24 cupcakes

PREP TIME: 20 minutes

COOK TIME: 18-23 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

NOTES:

 The Swing at Graysmarsh

When I was young my brother managed this huge farm on the ocean. There were 2 large houses on the farm with a man-made canal that wound its way from one mansion to the other. The story is that the original owner had it put in so he could paddle to see his mistress in the mansion on the hill.

Out back positioned on that tall hill  over looking the bog and bird sanctuary was  a tall skinny pole waving in the breeze. Maybe it was 20 feet up.

When you climb up this pole you must take the flat wood circle with the rope knotted through it. The rope, of course, is attached to a huge tree further out in the bog. As you climb, the rope kind of tugs against  you – so your balance is very unsteady. Did I mention the pole is not stable? yeah- As you climb it moves a little, making it even more shaky to position your feet. Once you get to the top, you get to stand on this tiny 1 ft by 1 ft platform.  Spreading your knees just enough to position the small wood circle with rope between your legs you are ready to jump off the tiny platform.

When you are finally able to take that step off the platform you free fall as your stomach drops for a moment. Then the rope catches you. You are whisked away out over the beautiful bog. If you’re like me you can’t wait to Swing again. The climb isn’t so hard. It gets easier each time you do it.  Like me,  your stomach will drop every time and you will have a rush of excitement no matter how many times you step off.

That Swing was quite the Ride.

I enjoyed that ride! I tried it on a crystal clear night and there is nothing more beautiful and peaceful as you swing away!

More than a Swing

I compare this Swing experience to the risks I have taken in life. The times I took action and did something that scared me. Like the time I walked into the first doctors office as a nutricutical Rep.; Or the very first time I rode the chair lift and skied down hill. Oh wow there was that time I actually called this handsome smart guy to ask him on a date. He said yes.

It just doesn’t get better than this though. A business that I can do from home, connecting with others, blogging about things I love, earning 100% commission, and helping others to change lives.

It was a step ‘off” into a beautiful experience. There will be more climbs, more shaky stands, more jumping and more swinging…… But the view is phenomenal.

I am enjoying the ride.

What are you waiting for SWING AWAY.

Check out Graysmarsh Farm

I had a dream that I could fly

“Oh no you can’t.”

“Oh yes!”, says I, “and you can too!”

“Oh no, not I. I’ve work to do; Maybe when my work is through.”

So toil and labor, sweat and grind

I said, “Let’s fly!”

She said “Ne’ermind! If I don’t get this done right now-I’ll never fly so no, not now.”

So time went by. She dug a hole, “TO WORK & win, that is my goal!”

I said “Come fly;  just for a bit.”

She said “Oh no. I cannot quit. There’s work to do. It must be done. I must work hard; Then I’ll have fun.”

“Oh please come fly; just for a bit. There’s so much beauty; joy in it!”

“Oh no”, said she, ” I’ve work to do-You’ll be sorry if that’s all you do. You need to sweat and work and ache. why flying? you’re goofing off, for heavens sake.”

So one, she pushed against the grain and all her energy she did drain. Thinking  she was doing well. She’d have a hard-luck story to tell. In the end she’d get paid well. Then she’d fly, she’d tell herself, for now that dream sits on a shelf.

Meanwhile the one who chose to soar followed her heart-

Opened each door. Though sometimes fear came creeping in. She took a breath

She chose to WIN

and then she spoke:

“No matter how huge the task may seem,

You can make reality from a dream.

With practice you can learn to fly,  just one small step, give it a try.

Its a leap of faith I know it’s true. But there’s just no telling what’s in store for you.

Greater things are in your heart- Than feelings to do more than your part.

You create the challenge to feel your worth- But you’ve had those wings before your birth

They’re tucked inside where you protect them

You’ve hid them well and now forget them. Its time to trust your heart and fly

Spread your wings. Stretch to the sky.

You’ll see Miracles, feel peace and joy, there’s so much to be found.

Look inside, let go of pride, lay your work load down.

Follow the path that’s there for you- The one God planned, the one you knew.

Just listen close – you’ll even hear

a million voices shout and cheer

When you follow your heart , you can’t go wrong

it feels strange at first – but wings grow strong!”

So she set her tools down, wiped her face and remembered God’s Wisdom and His Grace

“Why, she’s right. I too can fly. I don’t know why I could not try. Perhaps I judged this thing to soon. It takes small steps not leaps to the moon.

Perhaps I made a judgment call that wasn’t right-not right at all.

In my heart I know its true

I can Fly

and SO CAN YOU!”

She took the leap, she just let go, she spread her wings and do you know?

She flew. She soared. She felt the joy. She called back to her friend,

“Thank you for encouraging me. You showed me there’s a way! You’ve changed my life. Now there’s less strife.

My heart has found TODAY!

I can soar on special wings. I’ve had them all along.

And I’ve worked hard all this time -searching for wings to put on!

But oh I was wrong. Work, toil, sweat, and strife- I was working FOR WINGS. yes, all my life!

They were right here, just tucked away-I had too much to do each day

to notice they were right there for me

All I had to do was SEE

Then take the step- that ‘sight unseen’ to fly beyond those dreams I dream!!

In your heart you know its true. I can fly!

and SO CAN YOU!!!

written by Lorisue March 19th 2013

The pears are looking like they are about to let go of their hold on the branch they are clinging to. It reminds me of the children trying to get every minute out of their days of Summer before school starts. So let me take this moment to  wish you the best school year ever. Whether you are learning at home, attending public or private school or are returning to college; Live, Laugh and Love learning!!!