Storms, Man trip, new friends and cupcakes!

Well, cake class was cancelled this week, boo! We had a BAD storm system pass through, and it was nasty out on Wednesday, so class got pushed back a week.  I was bummed because it felt like forever since the second class, I was looking forward to going to class on Wednesday.  Oh well. 

Eric left on Wednesday on a guys trip to go coyote hunting in Maine.  They flew into Boston, MA and stayed for a night there.  They got to visit the Cheers bar (where everybody knows your name!). On Thursday morning they drove from MA to their destination in Maine.  On the way, they came across this little gem

Moody's Diner in Waldoboro, ME.  He said he got us lots of souvenirs from there, I can't wait to see.  Then then headed up to pick up their friend Jake from the airport, and continued on to the cabin they are staying in for the weekend.  They went out hunting this morning.  I have talked to him a couple of times and he is having a great time. 

I have been holding down the home front here!  It has been crazy with these storms rolling through. Last night I was up ALL night listening to the craziest thunderstorm I have ever heard;  It was literally thundering for 4 hours straight, and there were these SUPER loud booms every so often. Crazy!  Today was the first day we saw the sunshine in 3 days- it was MUCH appreciated.

As many of you know, I have had some trouble adjusting down here.  Louisiana is a huge culture shock for me, I don't know what it is.  Also, I was really bummed because I left all my family and friends in CA, and then left all our family and friends in WV and friends in VA to move down here.  And we came here and there was just no one.  I had been having a hard time getting to know people, and I was having troubles finding people that want to hire someone who is only here a year...I was getting really down.

I started babysitting the sweetest little boy, Noah.  His mom is part of a mommy group on meetup.com, and they plan play dates and such, and she gave me the login in case I ever wanted to take him.  I thought it was a little weird, because I am not a mom, but I was luking for a few weeks checking out the playdates.  I saw one for last friday at the park, and there were only a few people going so I figured I would suck up my nerves and get both Noah and myself out of the house.  I am SO glad I did because I met some amazing girls and their kiddos, Julie, Leigh and Vanessa.

When we were leaving, Vanessa and I exchanged numbers.  Her and her hubby invited Eric and I over for dinner Sunday evening. We went over and grilled out with them and had so much fun! We have already hung out several times since then. Its been amazing to have a friend here, but its so awesome that that friend happens to be someone that is so much like me and who I have clicked with so well.  I am excited that we can be not only someone to hang out with here, but I think we will be lifelong friends no matter where life takes us :o).

Ok and finally, since many of you have been waiting, the Snickerdoodle Cupcake Recipe.  For Wednesday's class I was supposed to bring cupcakes with a filling of my choice.  I wanted to do something unique, and I came across the snickerdoodle cupcakes.  Snickerdoodles are E's favorite, so I knew I had to try it.  I took the easy route and just did vanilla cupcakes with the snicker doodle filling, and they were DELICIOUS just like that, but here is the whole recipe:

Ingredients:

Batter

• 1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon no-color almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk

Filling

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup milk

Icing

• 3 tablespoons Meringue Powder
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

Step 1

Cupcake Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In mixer bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Mix in vanilla and almond flavor.
5. Mix flour with baking powder and salt.
6. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, starting with the flour.
7. Pour into prepared pans.
8. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Cool 10 minutes in pan on rack; remove and cool completely before decorating.

Step 2

Filling Directions
1. In large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon and milk.
2. Beat with mixer until well blended.
3. Refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Fill cupcakes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 3

Icing Directions
1. Beat meringue powder and 1/2 cup cold water until stiff, about 4 minutes.
2. In microwave safe bowl stir sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 cup water.
3. In microwave bring syrup mixture to a boil (approx. 5 minutes).
4. Remove, let mixture cool slightly (1-2 minutes).
5. Slowly add syrup to meringue mixture.
6. Beat on HIGH for 4 minutes.

Happy baking yall!