Friday, March 16, 2012

In Honor of St. Patty's Day...


Here is a recipe for Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes.  I found this on Pinterest and I am dying to make them!  Guess it will just have to wait till I'm off on Sunday.

This recipe makes 24 cupcakes

Cupcake:
1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoons salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup sour cream

Whiskey Ganache Filling:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Irish whiskey

Baileys Frosting:
2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream

Cupcakes: 
Preheat oven to 350 F. Bring the Guinness and butter to a simmer in a heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine. Beat the eggs and sour cream until well mixed. Add the Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add the flour mixture and beat briefly. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until completely combined. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick stuck into the center comes out clean, approx 15-17 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and set aside to cool.

Whiskey Ganache Filling:
Finely chop the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for one minute and then, using a rubber spatula, stir it from the center outward until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined. Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough to be piped.

Filling the Cupcakes:
Using a large icing/decorating tip, cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes, going about two-thirds of the way down. Transfer the ganache to a piping bag with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.

Baileys Frosting:
Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Add the Baileys, increase the speed to medium-high and whip until it is fluffy.

Bon Apetite!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Current Obsessions...

Bracelets-
Lots of them... at one time.  What the heck, throw a watch on too!


The Hunger Games-
Seriously, I was never one to get into these trilogy books.  Didn't care to read Harry Potter or the Twilight saga.  I'm SO hooked on these books though!  The Hunger Games is such a great read.




Summer time-
Even though most here in NY are saying this was a mild winter, nonetheless it was winter to me!  I could not be more ready for warm weather, iced coffee, sunglasses, and sandals.



Red Nails-
Something about them is just so chic and classy.



DOUGH donuts-
These are a real unhealthy addiction of mine.  




Cheryl's Cookies-
Fresh-baked gourmet cookies that you can send to people.  They are great as a gift, and yummy too!




iPad-
A few weeks ago I finally joined the rest of the world and got an iPad.  It quickly became one number one accessory.  It's perfect to throw in my bag and take with me everywhere I go.





Foster The People-
Probably most known for their instant hit "Pumped Up Kicks" from the album Torches.  These guys are so talented and I am quite obsessed with the entire album.




The Voice-
AI, your loosing me to the fantastic and highly entertaining show The Voice.   Mmm, Adam Levine.



New Swimsuit-
Just bought this VS swimsuit.  My motivation for hitting the gym harder, and putting down the donuts & cookies :)

Life is a Series of New Beginnings...

First post of 2012!  I don't get it... I go on these blog binges, then disappear for a while.  I love blogging and writing!  Therefore today, March 4th 2012, two months into the new year I am making a resolution to get better with updated posts on my blog.  Phew, glad that's out of the way!

Now back to to new beginnings.  Seeing as though I am just now recognizing it being a new year and I'm on this 'new' kick I would like to begin with the idea that life is a series of new beginnings, especially right now in my life I have come to be more aware of all these new beginnings around me.  They don't have to be huge milestones, or really even that big of a deal that you share them with others.  Weather you start a new job... or your quitting your job... moving to a new city... saying good-bye to a loved one... getting over a heartbreak... discovering a new love... leaving a place you call "home"... celebrating another year on Earth... meeting new friends... getting over disappointment... finding out something new about yourself you didn't know... realizing what you have... doing something you've never done...

Change is scary, but it's essential if you want to grow as a person.  Change always comes bearing gifts, and some we don't want... but in time we realize that it happened for a reason.



CHEERS to new beginnings!

Friday, November 11, 2011

11.11.11 - We Thank Our Hero's

This picture was taken Feb. 5, 2011 in Afganistan.  My brother U.S. Army Capt. Eric Buzzerd (second one on the left) and his fellow soldiers were awarded Purple Heart Medals.

End of January these soldiers were wounded during a suicide bomb attack. Full Story Link


A hero is someone who does something selfless, instantly, as if it is a given.  Today we thank our hero's.  My brother is my hero, he always has been as long as I've known him.  He's a leader, a motivator, and an inspiration.  I'm so thankful for his safety and unbelievably proud to call him my brother!  Thank you all for the sacrifices you make everyday & God Bless you. 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Life is crazy. Remember to...

Be Grateful.
"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation."

Gratitude is under-rated and underutilized.  We tend to get so wrapped up in what we want and what we want to achieve that we loose sight of what we have right in front of us or what we have achieved already.  Appreciation plays a huge part in our happiness as human beings.  Take time to appreciate the things you have and have already accomplished.

Smile.
Just one smile could change a day.  You never know what others are going through.  The power of a smile can make a huge impact on the person on the receiving end.

 Be a Friend.
Help people out, it's the simple act of pay-it-forward that can make this world a better place.  You can never have too many friends.

Stop Talking & Listen.
"We are given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as hard as talking."

Listen to people when they are talking, really hear what they are saying to you.  Be a listener. It's something that's hard to come by these days.


Do things alone.
It makes you more self aware, which can stimulate your parasympathic nervous system.  Result, helps you RELAX.  Enjoy your own company.

I'm Back!

I'm back ya'll!
And so they say; 'you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl'!  So much has changed for me this summer.  I am officially a New Yorker, I live in Brooklyn and I love it!  What took me so long to get here?  It's got something for everyone.  I don't think anyone could not like Brooklyn.  You name it, they've got it.  So, there.  You get it, I love it here.


Favorite Places-


Dumbo, Brooklyn.  The name is actually an acronym that stands for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass".  Located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges you will find old cobblestone streets and lofty industrial buildings.  


Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.  This is where I spend about 90% of my time.  It's most popular streets are Court Street (which I work on) & Smith Street (which I eat, shop, & go out on).  There's restaurant row on Smith Street, Cinema on Court, and so much more to do.


Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Bubby's - Dumbo, Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge

Grand Army Plaza

Prospect Park

Brownstones - Park Slope, Brookyn

Park Slope, Brooklyn

My rooftop night view

The Manhattan Bridge
Dumbo, Brooklyn

View of Manhattan from Long Island City, Queens

Thursday, April 7, 2011

American Idol Top 9 ...

Long lives rock and roll, which was the theme this week on American Idol. I'm confused though, because some of song that were sang last night were not what I would classify as 'rock' songs. Hmm, whatever! The top 9 contestants belted out classics, some were hits and other definitely misses. We'll start with the hits (in my eyes).

HITS-

I must say the past 2 weeks performances alone have pushed Haley way up to my top spot for favorite girl. Haley didn't miss a beat last night with that bluesy growl, she sang a Janis Joplin favorite "Piece of My Heart". Lauren, you’re slipping!! I still love you, but find your confidence girl and bring it next week! Pia finally sang an up-tempo song and it was great, of course. We expected it would, and I'm happy she broke free from the ballads, they are beautiful, but made me want more from her. Julio was super hard on her, and I think it was unnecessary... research? Really, this is a singing competition, why should she be researching people? DUMB!



Paul McDonald, I love you and the fact that you sang Johnny Cash makes me love you even more! You’re on the right path & I don’t think you deserve the bottom 3 again this week…. Let’s hope that America didn’t put you there. Casey did well, I feel like we saw another side to him and I liked it! Scotty your voice is hot; I can’t believe that voice is coming out of that body! Very surprising & he will surely get a record out of this gig. Jacob is my least favorite guy, and I think he’s a diva… besides those two things he did deliver a great performance last night. (Jacob your lucky I love MJ.)

Moving right along to the ‘misses’…

James Durbin, delivered a vulnerable performance, he slowed things down this week with “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison. It just didn't do anything for me. Tears won’t get you points in my book. Sorry, not a fan… he’s too much like my favorite Idol, Adam Lambert. The world only has room for one Adam. Stefano, you’re a cute little kid, but you need to go home. Not a fan, I mute the TV when he comes on.


Overall I think it was an entertaining night & every week it’s enjoyable to watch the talent this year. The judges got it so right this year! My vote for bottom three: Stefano, Lauren, & James. [With all hopes that Stefano will go home!]