Ok, so funny!!

Maya during her bath, "Back sore...chiropractor fix it?" Upon telling her they were closed for the night, she got really upset and kept repeating "Chiropractor fix it??" Seriously, I think you'll survive Maya!

Nearing the end...

Well, I'm trying to get everything in order for the Christmas season as I have only 2 weeks left until my due date. This photo is taken at 37 weeks, and, for the most part I'm feeling pretty good. It's nice to finally be close to the end (or beginning, depending on how you look at it!) I hope everything goes well and that I have some baby pictures to post soon!

A little Halloween treat!

I decided to bake some Halloween cupcakes, then thought mini ones are always more fun! They turned out delicious! Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Cupcakes:

1/2 cup (50 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1 cup (240 ml) boiling hot water

1 1/3 cups (175 grams) all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Fudge Frosting:

4 ounces (120 grams) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

2/3 cup (150 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/3 cups (160 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter, or line 16 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a small bowl stir until smooth the boiling hot water and the cocoa powder. Let cool to room temperature.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Then in the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat only until incorporated. Then add the cooled cocoa mixture and stir until smooth.

Fill each muffin cup two-thirds full with batter and bake for about 16-20 minutes or until risen, springy to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost with icing. You can either spread the frosting on the cupcakes with a small spatula or if piping, use a large Wilton 1M open star tip to make lovely swirls.

Chocolate Frosting: Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the chocolate and beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until frosting is smooth and glossy (about 2 -3 minutes).

Makes about 16 cupcakes

Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/ChocolateCupcakes.html#ixzz0WHhTePCm

Halloween

Maya had fun this Halloween. I didn't dress her up last year, so this year I did and took her out trick or treating. She really enjoyed ringing doorbells and picking out candy from people at the door!

I took this picture the other day when we were outside playing. She just looked so darn cute!

Maya as of late

I'm pretty lame at adding to my blog, but about a month ago a few friends and I went to the Aquarium and Maya had a pretty good time. We had a little picnic outside afterwards and caught some pictures. I really liked this one of Maya. Funny how grown up she's getting!

Countdown to the excitement!

I'm really excited because in about 2 months we're going on vacation for a couple of weeks. We're going on a cruise to Northern Europe, all to places I've never been and it will be a real vacation. Dave's sister and husband have volunteered to look after Maya for us while we're gone, so we can really enjoy ourselves! Here's a link to the cruise:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=0000dqFAWsonOfWrguXuAUtSqVR:12hdhu93n?packageCode=JW12U031&sailDate=1090821&date=200907&selectedCurrencyCode=&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&hasFireandPolice=&state=

First garden attempt ever!

This year we decided to finish off our deck (i.e. make it slightly safer for our child who can now walk)

Along one edge there is about a two foot drop, so we added a railing. At the back, next to the fence: I'm so pleased to announce that the seeds I planted are growing nicely. Here are: Carrots...I planted lots because I love them!! Here is my oh so helpful daughter And her very cute (yet still little) toes!

Ahh...Spring is in the air!

Here's my lilac tree before it completely bloomed. I just love lilacs and am happy with how this is growing. It was so little when I first planted it a few years ago, but every year produces more blossoms!

My bag...finally some pictures

I finished making the bag some time ago, but never got around to putting up pictures of it, but here it is!

Half Marathon #1 complete!

Well today was wonderful, and sore, and exciting! I completed my first ever half marathon in 2 hours, 2 minutes. I'm very proud of myself! Now to sleep!