Amazing Grace

I was raised in a very religious home. My grandparents faithfully go to church three times a week. We pray before every meal no matter how significant or insignifcant. As I got older and moved into my own home I have gotten away from saying grace. Its not apart of my eating ritual anymore.
Lately I got to thinking about what saying grace really means. I think its goes far beyond religion. I think it goes to the core of gratitude and having a grateful spirit. I started to realize saying grace is more than just ritual before dinner, mummbling a few words before you eat. Its really about taking a few seconds to acknolwdege the meal your about to eat. To give thanks for the food on your plate and the people who provided it.
I think its vitual to apprecaiting your meal to say grace. I don't think its about religion, even if you are a non-believer you should take a few seconds to be grateful that you have food. Say thank you to the person who prepared it and to acknowldege all that went into having this meal on your plate. We live in a world where a lot of people have no idea when their next meal will be. It so easy to take our meals for granted.  I think this little act of thanks everyday is a good way to remind ourselves how good our lives are. Because even if you have a bad day the simple act of being able to eat a meal that will sustain you to get up tomorrow and face a new day is something to be thankful for.

Baking with Buddies

I love baking, I find it very relaxing and theraputic during stressful times. When I bake I feel like the world makes sense. Because if I follow a set of instructions I will get a wonderful dessert at the end. Too bad life can't be that straight forward and simple.
Lately I've been baking less at home alone, and started setting baking saturdays with my friends who also enjoy baking. Its so much fun to get in the kitchen with a friend, turn up the music, pour a cocktail and make some cupcakes.

These beauties were baked with my friend Sara right before Valentines Day. They are chocolate cake, with swiss buttercream frosting and mini chocolate chips. Sara found the mini chocolate chips that were the perfect finishing touch for these cupcakes. Funny story about these cupcakes. They were in the oven before we realized we forgot to add sugar to the batter. I blame the cocktails for this oversight. Not to worry we figured out our mistake in time, saved the batter and the cupcakes were perfect! These were perfect Valentines Day treats. Cory took them to work and they were gone before 10 am!

Don't let the simplicity of this cupcake fool you. I baked these chocolate cupcakes with salted carmel buttercream frosting with my friend Katrina, who is my baking mentor! Anytime Katrina and I are in the kitchen you can guarantee there will be a lot of laughter. Katrina is a professonial baker, so when I bake with her I always learn a new trick or technique. Katrina even taught me how to pipe cupcake frosting like a pro!
This chocolate cake is instense, but combine that with a salted carmel buttercream and it is pure decadence! I think is perfect for a cupcake because its the perfect portion size for this rich cupcake. I had to get these out of my house fast. Because I was developing a nightly cupcake habit.

Baking with my buddies has become my new favorite way to spend time with my friends and catch up. I  always learn something new have a good time and go home with great treats!