Bake-aholic

Hey yall!!!

I'm in a good mood right now...not great, but good.  (maybe because I just took my Managerial Accounting exam!)

So this past weekend I was SO busy!  Saturday I mowed the yard...then I went to Lowe's to get some...stuff!  I'm re-doing my parents bathroom (now I guess it's mine..complicated situation).  I just got new towel racks, light, and mirror for now, but I know it will make a HUGE difference.  Especially considering we still have the ugly contractors stuff in there right now.  I also got some grass seed and weed killer...

OK but the most exciting part was my Sunday.  I baked ALL day Sunday...and loved every minute of it.  I made Strawberry Lemon muffins, Chocolate Chip muffins, and Peanut Butter & Jelly cupcakes...yepp.  You heard right.  Peanut Butter & Jelly.

I decided that every Monday I am going to bake for work and set up my donation jar (this stuff isn't cheap!).  It was a success yesterday!  I also got compliments such as

"OMG that was the BEST cupcakes I've ever had in my life!!! Will you make me an entire batch?!" 

and..

"Ashley that was by far the best cup cake I ever ate, thanks!"

:-)  Makes me happy.   See, I really do love the baking process, but clearly and cannot/don't want to, eat allll of the stuff I make.  I usually don't even have one.  Don't worry, I do taste the batter to make sure everything is coming out just right :)  Here is a pic of the Strawberry Lemon muffins about to bake (this batter, btw, tasted like an amazing ColdStone Creamery creation)

Alright so now for the Peanut Butter & Jelly cupcakes.  They had jelly on the inside (I alternated between strawberry and grape), were topped with a delicious peanut butter frosting, and had a dollop of jelly on top!  Here are the simple steps I took to finish them off :)


1.  I used a fruit 'thingy' (I have no idea what it is supposed to be used for!) to make an imprint on the top of the cupcake since it made a perfect circle.

 

2.  I used a small paring knife to hollow out the center.  Directly following that, I used the same fruit 'thingy' to get any cake I missed.

 

3.  At this point, I used a teaspoon (simply bc of its small size, not to measure) to scoop the jelly/jam into the cupcakes.

 

4.  Almost done!  Last step was frosting the cupcakes which I did on a lazy susan.  The pics after that are of the finished project!

YUMMY YUMMY!!   Well, actually guys I have to get going because I have a dinner thing to go to :)  

Be blessed yall :)

Cupcakes & College

Howdy :)

OK so last time (I know it was a while ago) I said that I was going to make cupcakes for Easter!  Annnnd I did!  I made Hummingbird cupcakes and plain yellow cupcakes in ice creams cones.  If you're from the south you may have heard of and/or had Hummingbird cake...well I made the cupcake version!  They have mashed banana, crushed pineapple, and coconut.  They are DELICIOUS!  Everyone who's had one has loved them.  I have made them about 4 times in a short time span.  They are topped with a cream cheese frosting but they are also SO good without anything on them.  My ice cream cone cupcakes had a vanilla buttercream frosting on them that I made pink and I added little Easter marshmallows on them...here they are :)

 

To transport the cones, I cut holes into the top of the box my new laptop came in.  And isn't my little cupcake carrier awesome!?  It's so useful.  It's kind of big, but I mean it has to be a little big in order to hold cupcakes that have frosting!  it holds 36 too!  I have been making lots of cupcakes and muffins and whatnot for the Marines I work with and the other people in my office and it definitely has gotten expensive.  I didn't bring anything this past Monday (which is the day I usually bring goodies) and the Gunny from Corporal's Course noticed and suggested I bring in a jar to collect donations.  What a good idea! So I bought a glass jar today and I'm going to make a label to stick on it that says "Ashley's Baking Fund".  I'm actually pretty excited about this because I LOVE baking :)

This past weekend was also Lauren's bridal shower!  She got so much awesome stuff to go in her new house!  How exciting!!  We decorated everything very pink by the way :)  I also made my brownies that everyone loves.  Here is a pic of the beautiful bride, Lauren, and her bridesmaids :)

 

 I looked completely awful, but everyone else really looked great!  It was a great time...and Marcy made a Sangria that was pure deliciousness.  And the fruit in it was completely soaked in alcohol! haha...they were also very good though ;)

Classes are finally starting to come to an end.  Finals begin next week!  My first semester of grad school is almost done!  Last night was my last Finance class so my group and I went out to Chico's for drinks :)  I got the huge 46 oz Margarita that they have and it was not strong at all!!  I mean I probably should not have been able to drive after that and I could (and did).  I wasn't looking to get wasted or anything, but that barely did anything! ....I sound like an alcoholic huh?!  OH speaking of that, my friend Chris calls me the alcoholic baker (because it seems like every time we are texting I'm drinking a glass of wine or having a beer) so after I finished my last batch of cupcakes the other night this is the text I sent him and the one I got back:

Me- "The alcoholic baker succeeds again"

Chris- "Does that mean you're drunk or the cupcakes are done?"

Hahaha that cracked me up!  I thought it was hilarious for some reason....

I'm watching the Flyers v. Penguins game right now and getting angry, so I think it's time to log off!!  GO PENGUINS!!!  they better step it up!!

night yall

Bachelorette #1 weekend

Yesterday was my friend Ashleigh's bachelorette party!!  I say bachelorette number one because my best friend Lauren's is next month! (well in May actually).  Ashleigh's fiance, Colin, is in the Navy and is stationed down in Charleston.  They are tying the knot next Friday, April 6, but not throwing the big 'shindig' until later on.  But anyways, yesterday was the last 'fling before the ring' as Lauren put it :)  We had a great girls night that started at our town's local 'hang out' spot, El Cerro.  If you're from Havelock, you know this is THE place to get the best Margaritas.  They are sooo delicious!!!  We then made our way down to Cabana Club in Morehead.  There were not many people there, but we definitely made the most of it.  A few gals rode the mechanical bull, we drank, and danced the night away. 

I have to say, it is pretty darn entertaining just watching other people though.  I mean the things they were doing in public were just........well, gross.  I'll leave it at that :)

Those are just a few pics from the evening.  After looking at those and feeling the way I did last night, I've REALLY realized how much I need to start doing more cardio and dieting.  I am not happy AT ALL with the way I look.  Ya know, I try to come off all confident and poised, but the truth is, I'm so self-conscious that it consumes my thoughts.  I mean, I may not be the biggest girl out there, but I have high expectations for myself and I know what I can achieve and do with my body.  I just need to do it.  SO today I went to the gym and worked my back and did some HIIT on the elliptical.  Tomorrow is going to be leg day and some straight cardio.  I have also been riding my bike everyday I'm in Greenville and that is a great workout (if you make it one).  I will say though, my knees have been absolutely killing me.  I still have no idea what is wrong with them, but they are in so much pain sometimes.

Tomorrow I am baking lots of cupcakes for everybody I work with.  I'm super excited about it!  I love baking!! I hardly eat what I bake, which is perfect for me.  I just love the process and enjoy giving the goodies to other people.  I went to the commissary today to get some of the items and when I got home I wanted to start then and there!  BUT I will wait until tomorrow so that they are as fresh as possible for Monday :)  I will be sure to take pics of the deliciousness that comes out of my kitchen!

Here's some motivation for myself and hopefully for yall!!  It's not perfect, but it's better than where I'm at now!

 

Be blessed yall!

Food Prep Sunday

Hey y'all!!

Not that anyone is reading thissss, but anyways.... =)

Yesterday Lauren and I went to Raleigh to go shopping!!  We went to Crabtree (of course), but on the way I got a speeding ticket!  It was an honest mistake though!  The speed limit changes from 70 to 55 and I just hadn't noticed the change.  Lauren and I were just talking and I said "I think the speed limit changes around here". I slow down and then look in my rear view mirror.  I see a silver Charger and I'm like crap!!!  He turned on his lights and I immediately pulled over.  The State Trooper didn't even give me a chance to speak!  He just wrote up the ticket.

Last night I went with Lauren and some friends to the bowling alley on base.  We mostly drank :P  it was a good time though :)  I've also been working on a lot of schoolwork-quizzes, case studies, homework, etc... May 1 is my last exam for the semester!  Of course then later that month I will be starting summer classes...never ends!

Ok so today, I prepared for my entire week!

Here's a quick list of what I made-
Grilled porkchops with a light, low-sodium seasoning with a bit of chili powder for a kick.
Steamed broccoli
Steamed red bell peppers
Roasted sweet potatoes
Brown rice
Baked asparagus
Lean turkey burgers

Mmmm =) I have them all set to go in the fridge!  Makes eating healthy so much easier when it's ready to grab!!

OK pretty short post but I've got to go to bed!

Be blessed y'all!

Spring is here!!

I know, I'm a day late stating this, but Spring is finally here!  I mean not that we've had much of a winter, but now it's official!! I love the springtime.  Warm weather, flowers blooming, more motivation to get in the gym!  Okay I have consistently been going to the gym, but I need to do more cardio!  I've gained weight like crazy.  It freaking sucks!  But, this morning, I went on another bike ride and plan to do it tomorrow morning as well...nice and early before the roads get too busy. 

So last week, I went to the website Soldiers' Angels (also listed at the top left of the page) and I 'adopted' a soldier.  He is in the Army and is in Afghanistan right now.  I am going to write a letter a week and send a care package once a month.  I've been meaning to do something for the troops and have been putting it off.  This adds a lot more responsibility to my plate though!  It's going to be hard to follow through with this while I finish this semester of school, but I am going to do my very best to let this fella know we are thinking about him and praying for his safe return.  If you can, take a second to browse the website to see if there is something small you can..or BIG!

This past weekend, Asheley and I went on a trip to Myrtle Beach for her birthday!  It was a reallyy good time!!  The weather was beautiful.  We did a lot of shopping, but didn't find a whole lot :(  I was so disappointed! But we did go out on St. Patrick's Day and met up with a few friends of ours.  Overall, it was just a good weekend :)

 

We didn't really take that many pics :( hehe ...So something that's become pretty popular over the past few weeks is the game DrawSomething.  You can get it on most Smartphones I believe.  It's really similar to Pictionary...you draw something and the other person has to guess what it is!  It is hilarious sometimes... Here is what a buddy of mine sent me yesterday :)

 

Alright folks, I hope you go out and enjoy this amazing spring weather!! I would, but I have a test tomorrow :(  Have a blessed day!!!

 

"If you are going through hell, keep going."

What a great quote from Mister Winston Churchill!  I may not be going through hell (it's not that bad!), but I am super stressed out.  Grad school is consuming most of my time and my mind.  It's hard to think about anything else.  I have several assignments due, quizzes, tests, and case studies.  I just can't wait for it to be over!!  I'm ready to start my career and make some real money.

Aside from school, things have been okay...of course there isn't much going on other than school.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous!  I hadn't got to enjoy it yet this year, but yesterday, I finally took that new bike out that I had told y'all about!  One of my classmates took my brother and I on a bike ride around Greenville.  We went about 14 miles or so.  It was so awesome...first off, I hadn't ridden a bike in what seems like forever!  But it's one of those things you don't forget how to do (thank goodness!).  Secondly, I got a little bit of sun on my face and my arms got a little bit of a tan!  About time...I'm so pale, I probably blind people when I step into the sunlight. 

Tomorrow I am headed to Myrtle Beach with my mom's boyfriends daughter (get that?!).  It is her birthday and we are going to live it up down there!  I need a mini 'vaycay' so this should be fun.  Her name is Asheley...and she is a riot!  we always have a blast together though...she brings out a little bit of my wild side hehehe

 

So don't think I've forgotten about working out, because yes, I still do it at least 5 times a week.  I have been working out with a Corporal who works with me and it's been helping a great deal.  Working out with someone actually motivates me more and he pushes me to do more than I think I can do.  He said he can have me do 10 pushups on my own by April 9...but I don't think he will win that bet.  I did 8 on Monday, but they were on the Assisted Dip/Pull-up machine.  I only had 25 lbs on there, but still.  I'm going to try my best though, so wish me luck!!  I seriously need to get my diet on track though.  I know I keep saying this, but I mean it!  I am completely unhappy with the way my body looks, and I need to do something about it.  I will admit that it is so hard to prepare meals and cook healthy when school is as overwhelming as it is for me.

Can't wait for summer .... :)

Have a blessed day yall!

 

 

Happy February

Well, again, it has been forever and a day since I have written.  I'm not kidding when I say that between school, work, and working out, my time is completely spent.  3 graduate classes are too many for me this semester.  Next semester I am only taking two and working along with that. 

Enough complaining.

So last Wednesday, my best friend Lauren taught her first spinning class!  She is doing her internship at the YMCA in New Bern and after just three weeks, she is teaching.  Her class was really good!  I definitely got a good workout!  It really hurts my knees though :(  the part where you stand and pedal ("jogging") killed me.  I'm not supposed to do stairclimbers or anything because of my knees, and this simulated that.  But that had nothing to do with her teaching or the class overall :)  She did great and I'm so happy for her!  Love ya!

I can't believe it's already Superbowl time!  And it's on my brother's birthday once again!  He is going to be 19 (I can't believe that either!).  Time flies when you're having fun going to school full time!  This Superbowl, I don't really care who wins, but I'd rather it be the Giants.  I just don't care for the Patriots.  My Steelers didn't do so hot this year! 

Whelp, I just wanted to finally get on here and write something, but now I've got to get back to Finance homework!  I hope you all have had a great month!  Y'all be blessed :-)