Of Cupcakes and Sprinkles

I like cupcakes. I like them to be moist and sophisticated, bursting with flavor and fascination, and topped with mounds of gourmet icing and lots of sprinkles.

Basically, I have the ideal cupcake in my head. I've never tasted it before, I've never seen it, but it is real and it is something that I will some day discover.

Today was not that day.

~sigh~

I measured, whisked, and baked. I carefully cut off the tops, and filled them with fluffy strawberry cream. I carefully matched each cupcake top to it's original owner, and carefully sealed in all that strawberry goodness. Vanilla butter-cream icing was carefully swirled on top. Then, because cupcakes no matter how gourmet, are still just cupcakes, I pulled out the bag of sprinkles.

My little sister and I are firm believers that sprinkles are necessary to life. We have a pact: I bake, she sprinkles. It's her domain, her sphere, her outlet of creativity. And she's really good at it.

The cupcakes were good, they were cute, and definitely edible. But my quest must continue. Someday when cupcakes are about as popular as fondue or aspic, I'll discover the perfect recipe.

Until then I'll keep measuring, whisking, and baking. My little sister will keep sprinkling. Because, after all, baking cupcakes is an adventure, and sprinkles are to be enjoyed. Perfection isn't the goal, enjoying creating is. Now go forth and create something! :)

Fine Print:  Anybody know a good cupcake recipe?  Life with Abibliophobia (that's me :)) is hosting a giveaway over at Defective Compositions. Go sign up. :)  Cupcake images not mine. Linking up with Kellie as we share our blessings.  

My Week

It's been a cloudy week. Heavy cloud banks outside, contributing to my brain fog inside. A week of misty ideas and plans, of indecision and thought.

But it's been an interesting week, slow, calm, cozy. A week of taking it all gently. A week of crafting, baking, and turning page after page in the books I'm reading. 

It's been a week of marveling at the changing world. Leaves falling, kittens chasing acorns, flower gardens put to bed for winter. 

It's been a week of chill. Necessitating many layers, chunky afghans, hot chocolate, and ginger cookies. 

It's been a week of music. Wind whipping the wind chimes, pleased kittens purring, Midnight Sonata played slowly. 

It's been a week of poetry, as I (who have always been afraid of poetry) discovered the loveliness of it. Any good suggestions for poets to read? 

It's been an interesting week. Full of ups and downs, of gray mist and sunshine. But it's been a good week. 

How was yours?

                                                     Ginger  Cookies

Cream 3/4 cup butter, with 1 cup sugar. 

Add 1 egg, and 4 Tbs. Molasses (the real stuff, thick dark and bitter)

Mix in 2 Cup Flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp Cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp powdered ginger. 

Chill dough.

  Make balls and roll in sugar.

     
 Press with either a cookie press, the bottom of a glass, or your hands.

Making the cookies a little less than an 1/2 in. thick.                              





 Bake at 375 degrees F. For 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

 Fine print: First image of window and coffee is not mine. The cookie ones are. I only wish I could share the smell of these with you as well. :)