Recipe - Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes

Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes (thanks Kraft recipes!)

Ingredients:

1 package (2 layer size) chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
1 egg (*please note that you'll also need further ingredients based on the directions on the cake mix you pick)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 can (20 oz) cherry pie filling
1 tub Cool Whip

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Prepare cake mix as directed on box. Set aside.

Mix cream cheese, egg and sugar until well blended.

Remove 3/4 cup of pie filling for garnish.

Spoon 2 tablespoons of cake batter into each of 24 paper lined medium muffin cups. Top each with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture. Then spoon a bit of pie filling into each (I did about 2 cherries plus the cherry sauce into each). Cover each evening with remaining cake batter.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely.

Top cupcakes with cool whip & remaining pie filling just before serving.

*Also note that these should be eaten with a fork as they are moist and delicate having filling inside them and can get a little messy.*

Baking, Photographing, You Name It, I've Done It.

Just this month I had my first paying photography gig. I've also got another one booked for next month. The one I just did was my cousin, but the next is just more of an online friend/acquaintance and it's a little nerve-wracking. Having the worry that they won't like the photos. I've got about a month to pysch myself up about it.

I've also been busy trying new recipes, and keeping up with the extreme couponing. The amount of freebies I've snagged is incredible!!! It's a total rush to see the savings at the end of a shopping trip. Truly fab! Perfect time of year to be saving money -- I've got Christmas shopping to start!!!

Couponing

I have become slightly addicted to couponing.

Just in the last couple weeks, I've managed to get several fantastic deals.

First, I got 3 containers of Glade Tough Odor Solutions carpet deodorizer -- regular price $1.99 each at Target, used {$1.00 off 1} and {$2.00 off 2} manufacturer coupons, stacked with 3 - {$1.00 off 1} Target store coupons == FREE!

Then, this weekend, I got 5 Tic Tacs -- currently on sale at my local grocery store (Woodman's) for 79-cents, used 5 - {.75cents off 1} manufacturer coupons == a total of .20cents!

Also, grabbed 6 Mentos Gum containers -- currently on sale at my local grocery store (Woodman's) for 99-cents, used 6 - {$1.00 off 1} manufacturer coupons == FREE!

But the best deal is probably the 15 Nivea lip care items -- on sale at Walgreens for $1.00, used 5 - {$1.00 off 1} and 5 - {$2.00 off 2} manufacturer coupons == FREE! (and these had a retail value of over $50!!!)

Fabulous!!!

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It didn't work. My friend's first attempt and it was unsuccessful.

Continued prayers for them, please.

Prayers for them to keep their heads up and their hearts open. I just know there are babies waiting for them.

In the meantime, J, I've got shoulders & ears so if you need them, let me know.

Lift Her Up

I've written before about a friend of mine who is trying to conceive. Her and her husband have embarked on the journey to have a bit of medical intervention to help them along.

Their transfer was done and are now in the 2 week wait. The big day is Monday, when they'll test.

I ask, if you are the praying type .... to lift them in your prayers; calming them over these next few (very anxious) days, and pray that come Monday morning, they'll finally be able to scream the words "WE'RE PREGNANT!!"

(after that, then we'll talk prayers about how many babies are in there!!)

To J & E -- May you find peace & patience these next few days. I think about you on a daily basis. I'll be anxiously awaiting your news & know that if you need anything, I'm here. All my love.

As the leaves change...

I feel like my life is changing....not drastically in which we'd feel our world was being turned upside down, but rather in a way that I feel like I will be a better person; a happier person.

I don't have answers to my medical questions and right now I can't be burdened by them. The rheumatologist was certain there is not auto-immune disease to worry of. So I won't. Unless there's a reason to worry, I just don't have the time in my life to give in to worrying.

I'm not going to let something out of my hands, hold me back. I have a life to live, and I will not let anything -or anyone- stand in my way.

I have recently gotten in touch (thanks to social networking at it's finest) with a dear old friend of mine who, last I knew, was living in California. It had been at least 12 years, more like 15, since we had last been in touch with one another. Imagine my surprise when I found out she's living back here in Illinois! I am thrilled and looking forward to getting together with her. We've got so much to catch up on!

I'm surrounded by wonderful people every day. Ones that take my breath away with their strength and positivity to continue forward when they were dealt an unfair hand; ones that I envy with their patience and good heart; ones that can put me in my place & tell me like it is, even if I don't like it; ones that make me laugh and ones that are there thru thick and thin.

I am a better person because of those amazing people in my life and I thank you.

It's Crunch Time

I've been keeping busy at both home & work, in preparation for our upcoming Disney World trip.

Plus the kids are back in school now (this is their 2nd week) and it's time to make sure all their homework gets done, and that they do their required nightly reading.

I've got some busy days coming up; school orientations & meeting with the teachers, making sure the car goes in for an oil change, and making sure I don't forget to pack anything.

We're super excited about the trip and I am looking forward to spending the time with my husband and kids.

They're Everywhere

I'm sure you've all heard of People of Walmart by now. If you haven't, just go ahead and go have a few laughs.

But here's the thing.... you don't have to be at Walmart to spot these creatures. These same people frequent the mall.

Yes, that's right - the MALL. The huge-people-come-from-all-over-the-country-to-shop-in-this-fabulous-high-end-shopping-mall!

I mean, when I pulled into the MASSIVELY crowded parking lot to try to find a spot, I finally found one after 13 minutes of driving, when a black Lamborghini backed out. It's THAT high end.

But apparently it may also be that LOW end.

My girlfriends and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Cheesecake Factory, and then decided to sit and people watch. We decided it was better than a movie. And - FREE.

You would be amazed at what people think looks good. You'd be amazed at the odd couples. You'd contemplate which is worse; jeans so baggy that your boxers shorts stick out the back or skinny jeans. On a BOY. (the jury is still out on that one)

And while people watching, you may even lucky and see a clip from the next episode of Cops. We witnessed a man that nearly tripped over our feet as he briskly walked by, and approached 2 girls with a booming "EXCUSE ME LADIES", at which point he escorted them back into the store where he searched their bags and pulled out items like eye lash curlers and nail polish.

Yes, that's right .... move over Walmart. Even the shopping mall is crawling with creatures.