How Are You Bidding Farewell to 2016?

Here we are at the end of another year. But I don't think I've known of a year so collectively abhorred as 2016.

Why just today, I was reading an article in which a man was citing certain negative comments he received regarding a controversial tweet he posted about the passing of singer, George Micheal. But there was one comment that I think truly captured the essence of what 2016 has felt like to so many. It was the one where one of his disgruntled readers told him that he was "the 2016 of people."

Wow! That was a true LOL moment for me.

I totally get it though. This year was the roughest and most stressful year I've ever had in my life. I won't go into all the messy details, but suffice it to say, 2016 tested me AND my family to the core.

Then there are all the sad and untimely losses of beloved celebrity icons like Prince, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali, and just a few days ago Carrie Fisher (Star Wars' Princess Leia).

Let's not forget about the made-for-reality-TV presidential campaign and the shocking (well, to some it was) outcome.

Yep! There's a lot we may want to forget about 2016. But even if this year is one you can't wait to kick to the curb, what is the one thing you learned? Instead of focusing on what was lost this year, what have you gained?

I can personally say that the hardship I endured this year fortified me mentally and spiritually in ways I didn't know I needed. I now have a much greater appreciation for the simple things in life, like food, shelter, and the use of two good legs. I'd say that's a good thing!

Even if you have to strain to think of ONE GOOD THING you can take with you from 2016, I encourage you to find it and hold on to it. 

Whatever it is, it might be the catalyst to the greater things that 2017 hold for you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR D-VINERS!

Moist & Delicious Homemade Vanilla Cupcakes

Baby, it's cold outside! Well, at least it is in Southeast Texas.

Couple that with the fact that it's my baby girl's 16th birthday, and that's a great reason to try my hand at baking some good ole homemade cupcakes.

I browsed all over the Internet and found several recipes that looked good, but the blend of ingredients in this recipe matched most of what I already had in my pantry (sorry, cake flour is not a regular around here).  

The scent of vanilla was so intoxicating as these little gems of sweet goodness baked, the birthday girl could hardly wait until it was time to pop them out of the oven.

Check out the moist crumb on this! 

I've only seen this kind of fluffy decadence on The Food Network. Who knew I'd be pulling off this kind of baking magic in my own kitchen?!

Here's the recipe I used. I only made a few alterations.

I used four teaspoons of vanilla extract instead of three. This really intensified that yummy vanilla flavor!

Also, I baked my cupcakes longer. Instead of the recommended 15 - 18 minutes, I left them in for about 20 minutes. Made for a delightfully delicate crunch on top while keeping them super moist inside. And since the villagers around here couldn't wait to get their hands on these babies, I decided to skip making homemade frosting and just used store-bought. Then I let the birthday girl add some sprinkles just for fun. 

I guess it's true. You're never too old for sprinkles. :)

Prep time: 45 min

Cook time: 30 min

Ready in: 1 hour 15 min

Yields: 12-24 cupcakes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla (add more for a super-vanilla taste)
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions

1. Prior to starting, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bring the eggs and butter to room temperature. Grease and flour two cupcake/muffin pans or insert cupcake cups.
2. Stir together the salt, baking powder, and flour.
3. Beat butter with an electric mixer on high for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until combined. Continue to beat and add the eggs and vanilla.
4. Add part of the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Then add some of the milk. Beat on low. Continue alternating like this until all of the milk and flour mixture have been added. Mix well. Pour into cupcake pans, filling to about halfway.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cupcakes are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Cool for at least 15 minutes before removing from pans. Frost.

Try this easy recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. I'd also love to know what kind of sweet magic you're creating in your oven this season, so please share!

Happy Holidays!

3 Cool Things About Being Rejected

At 50 years of age, I've had my fair share of rejection. You know - that thing that can put you in an instant cold sweat or make you feel like you've just been sucker-punched. Yeah that.

But over time, I've come to appreciate the galvanizing force that rejection can be. It may not feel good and it's not always fair, but if you let it, rejection can become a game-changer for you. 

I can't tell you how much I've grown emotionally and spiritually just by being willing to face rejection head-on. It's actually been completely liberating, and believe me, I never thought I'd say that.

Here are three cool things I've learned about rejection:

1. Rejection can sting, but it cannot kill. Life goes on even if the answer turns out to be 'No.' Later on, you may find this was the answer you really needed anyway.

2. Once you embrace it, rejection can keep you from wasting valuable time and help you become more purposeful.

3. Rejection can be a powerful motivator. It may be the push you need to finally face your fears and stop allowing opportunities to slip through your fingers. If you take the risk, you'll find that you truly have more going for you than you thought. 

Simba, you are more than what you have become...

So go ahead. Ask the question. Make the pitch. Join the conversation. Submit the proposal. Have the audacity to ask for what you want!

As a friend so aptly reminded me not too long ago, "closed mouths don't get fed."

In the end, TRY counts more than the TRIUMPH. 

As a bonus to your personal revolution, here's an awesome TEDTalk given by author and entrepreneur, Jia Jiang. What he learned from deliberately going through 100 days of rejection (yes, he actually did this) will TOTALLY reframe your thinking. 




Much love,

Tracy

"You are D-Vine!"