Sunday Confessions

At risk of being looked at as the ultimate airhead, I will freely admit that I often wish I had a 4th grade science book available for reference at times. There really are some aspects of the animal kingdom, geology, biology, and how this earth has evolved that I'd like to review.

"Bacon is good for me!"

What a week. Working long hours, night events, and early to bed have made this a rather non-noteworthy week...with the exception of Tuesday jury duty, but that seems like a lifetime ago.

Sometimes, at the end of the day, or even during the middle, I have to look at my own sticky note and hear sweet Curtis' little voice saying, "I am not lisning to your rules."

Yes, I am now the Michael Scott of forwarding this video, but seriously, you have to at least crack a smile and raise an eyebrow. And of course I watched it for the 29th time after finding it on YouTube right now, and following its upload on the blog. That bowl haircut, overalls and Thomas the Tank Engine luggage? He is the real-life Eric Cartman.



"No, I want my bacon, I gotta tell you something. Bacon...is good for me!"
"She's acting like she's the queen, and we're the sorry people!"
And my favorite, "I wrote a sticky note to Joy. 'I am not lisning to your rules."

King Curtis, you are my comedic hero.

Sunday Confessions

I have a problem. I fall in love with houses that are not available, so of course they are the most desirable to me. It's very bad when you are already planning Christmas dinner somewhere you won't be having it.

Vegan Cupcake Week Wrap Up

Our cupcake week had its finale contributions this week, and I think we are all sad to see it go. There might just be a vegan cookie week around the corner we liked doing it so much. Now onto the 'cakes.

Leah's Simple Vanilla & Agave Nectar with Not-Too-Sweet Blueberry Mousse Topping




My very own Hazelnut Cupcakes w/Mocha Hazelnut Mousse Filling
(Recipe can be found here, should you not want to buy Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World.)




Christopher's Maple Cupcakes w/Maple Frosting & Sugared Walnuts

Our office has the usual issues. Stolen cupcakes and other food.

These were pretty tasty even IF they did have nuts. I think I'd replace mine with chocolate chips or bananas.

Blades of Glory

I enjoy watching the Olympics for the reasons of global unity, witnessing the talented athletes in awe, and specifically, men's figure skating.

Now that's a Chad Michael Michael move.

Now, don't get me wrong. I can appreciate the talent these guys have as you will not find me attempting double sow cows and triple lutzes or even spinning for days. However, there was a time of my life where I applied rhinestones to anything I could get my hands on, but that's about all we have in common.

The famous Candadian Pleshenko, or Plinko as I like to think, from The Price is Right. (source)

The figure skating competitions are pure comedy to watch. Scott and I (much to his chagrin) gather 'round the telly and watch these serious guys mentally prepare walking down the arena halls with their ear muff-like head phones, visualizing the routine. You see them stretching out in their J-Lo v-neck costumes that connect to their skates (how do they do that??) and emblazoned in rhinestones. It's an awesomely hot mess.

He is really in the moment. (source)

Now if you happen to be a men's figure skater/dating one/married to one, please don't think I am criticizing, I mean come on, we haven't touched on curling. The routines that are performed truly seem like the same components interspersed with freestyle ice dancing. They start with a triple lutz or some other fancy move (and Scott Hamilton will generally exclaim how amazing it is executed), followed by some wide arm fly-skating past the judges into a second trauma-inducing jump, more skating around freestyle, and ending with a 5 minutes of spinning in the center of rink. It's such a formula-doesn't anyone else (hello, looking at you judges) notice that?

The sheer seriousness and rhinestones are what mostly get me though. I know these men train as much if not more as everyone else at the Olympics. They just get the comedy gold from me.

Abbie's Dirty 30s Party

Scott's cousin and my dear friend Abbie turned 30 earlier this month, and to celebrate, her siblings planned a Dirty 30s themed fete at a local wine bar, and suffice to say, much fun was had by all. It should be noted that this family lives to dress for themed parties too-which is just my cup of tea!

The birthday girl and me.

My great in-laws.

Audra, Amie, and me...and FDR poking around the appetizers.

One branch of Haselton siblings.

I think she's ready to embrace this decade!

Vegan Cupcake Week: Day 3

Pumpkin is really a flavor and ingredient that should be used all year, and not only brought out October and November. Case in point:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Cinnamon Icing



The baking mistress, Kiera, with her delight.

These remind me of those large, thick pumpkin and chocolate chip cookies you can buy in the grocery store. However, they really are more like cakey discs, so the fact that these would be considered healthy AND are in cupcake form WITH icing. Perfection.

Vegan Cupcake Week: Day 2

This Vegan Cupcake Week is so muy delicioso! I am going to gain five pounds by tomorrow I just know it, though I guess that what Jillian is for at the end of the day.

Today's recipe is Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Frosting. Yes, be jealous. Thank you Andrea for executing utter perfection.

So pretty right?

The baker and her goodies...not quite a baker's dozen. The cupcake tree is flawed.

Up on Friday: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes w/Cinnamon Icing...yep, I can't wait. Pumpkin should really make more appearances year round!

Vegan Cupcake Week: Day 1

My office suitemates are pretty cool. We do potlucks for every holiday and allow each other to sample our baked goods and latest kitchen endeavors

One officemate in particular, Virginia, is the resident vegan. She doesn't always have the opportunity to enjoy our famous potlucks, and that is pretty much a massive bummer. Last week she brought in the book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and we oohed and ahhed over the delicious looking confections. Thus, she decided we would have a Club 444 Vegan Cupcake Week. Today, she brought us these bad boys:

Crimson Velveteen Cupcake with Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

The amazingly delicious cupcake, commonly known as red velvet.

Um, can we say these rivaled their mainstream counterparts? Good lawd, these were tasty!

The artist, @gigihead, and her masterful creation

Up next: Andrea's Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes w/Rich Chocolate Genache Frosting

Sunday Confessions

I have previously blogged about my aversion to serving salads, and while at a work conference this week, I experienced a minor epiphany as to why I believe that is. I am embarrassed to eat salads in front of other people. I feel that the longer leaves of lettuce can splay across one's (my) mouth while eating and then smear my face with dressing. Mind you, I do attempt to cut pieces into managable bites, but sometimes arugula and watercress simply don't lend themselves in their fragile makeup to do that.

Thus, it's no excuse for my lack of salads on the dinner table (though that has significantly improved) it is a reason.

Hello, My Name Is...

I spent the past two days at a work conference near San Francisco sharing ideas with fellow industry professionals and learning a few new things along the way. I was pleasantly surprised to have a few "a-ha" moments, and meet fellow young professionals at the event. My industry is notoriously filled with "seasoned" workers, and I felt like I was able to really come into my own and share with people who are truly my contemporaries. This is not the first conference I have been to with my job, but it does qualify as the first where I am taking away valuable information.

I consider myself a friendly person, but not a go-getter in terms of meeting people. At this conference, I made sure to introduce myself first to others who were sharing my space at meal time, and always offer my famous handshake. Didn't you know I had one? Clearly we don't do business together.

These days away also counted as the first time I stayed in a hotel on my own. I am not too sure if that is normal or not at 26, and I had mixed feelings about the solitude. I enjoyed the lovely hotel room in its perfect splendor, but did have a sense of loneliness, especially because even in just over a year, I have become accustomed to Scott by my side every night. This trip also counted for the second time I have ever flown alone. Call me a dork, but it's oddly empowering to be traveling alone. I feel so, well adult I guess, navigating SFO like a pro.

I am happy to be home now, in my own bed, and able to take a break from the work brain that has been going non-stop all week, and enjoy a chili party this weekend, as well as a trip to Disneyland.

"It's finally Friday, let the good times rolllllll..."