Simplicity

This was supposed to be a normal post, but I just didn't feel like it. I'm sure you'll get the gist of it, though.

Chocolate Cupcake with Orange-Vanilla Frosting


Cupcake Innards

(EoP)

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

I've only been blogging for (whoa!) almost a year, and Wednesday I was given my first blog award from Colette of Colette's Bakery! She awarded me The Smile Award.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times–we are all human)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes
4. Must learn from others
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids

These are the rules:

1. The recipient must link back to the award’s creator (The Babblings of Mere)
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

I'm giving this award to the following bloggers:

1. Emiline from Sugar Plum. Emiline's enthusiasm for baking is quite evident. From the creation of her own recipes to the amazing pictures she takes, it's always a joy to read her blog because we are in for a treat each time. Also, the pictures of her little nephew are adorable!

2. Adam from Baking with Dynamite. Not only are his baking creations wonderful, but he most certainly contributes to the blogging world with his "Fun Fitness Fridays". Anyone who wants to share with others what they know for the better is someone to be admired, and that's why I want to give this award to him.

3. Laurie from Quirky Cupcake. She started two wonderful foodie blogging events, Cupcake Hero and Tuesdays with Dorie. The dedication it takes to run events is something that is appreciated by everyone involved and those who just read the posts.

4. Glamah16 from Coco Cooks. I love how she cooks such unique foods, as well as taking us into her world at times. I often think how the foodie community is like another family, and Glamah's blog definitely is one that gives that feeling.

5. Tina from Carrots 'N' Cake. A healthy balance with food is something we all strive for, and Tina's blog definitely has that. Sometimes we need help to see what a healthy balance looks like, and the pictures of her meals can definitely help you do that.

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The next surprise was when I went to Adam from Baking with Dynamite. He was awarded The Brillante Weblog Award (congrats!), and I was one of the bloggers he passed it along to, and which I will pass along to five more bloggers!

1. Colette from Colette's Bakery. Colette is a young blogger who creates extraordinary things! I'm always impressed by what she makes.

2. Ben from What's Cooking. Ben's recipes are creative, delicious, and the pictures are always great. His website is fun to browse through, and you will always find something interesting to read and learn about.

3. Mary from The Sour Dough. Mary bakes such amazing bread, and her Weekend Cat Blogging posts are hilarious to read!

4. Lisa from Pittsburgh Needs Eated.. The treats and desserts Lisa makes rival anything found at a cafe or 5-star restaurant. Her pictures excellently showcase what she makes and leaves you wishing you could have some of it!

5. Aaron from A Journey in Chocolate, Culture & Food. Aaron knows his chocolate, it's really quite impressive! I don't just mean eating it, but creating his own chocolates. Many of us have made truffles before, just think of that x10 and you've got Aaron.

How Do You Eat Your Oatmeal?

I take showers in Pellegrino. That's why I have that bubbly personality that I just know, *flicks hair*, YOU ALL LOOOVE!

My car runs on used Starbucks coffee grounds. That's all it's good for! *buuuuurn, oooh!*

How do youuu eat your oooatmeal, with brown sugar? BLEEEGH. I use ganaaache. *Hmpf, hmpf, HMPF!*

By this time, you're probably wondering if I'm suffering from multiple personality disorder. You're correct. Starbucks coffee is the bestest evahhhh! You're wrong, I only have ONE personality. Deal with it.

Actually, Kath from Kath Eats Real Food is hosting a contest for the most creative bowl of oatmeal. The prize, awarded to 10 people, is a box of Blueberry Vanilla Crackle Granola Planks and an Apple Ginger Spice Country Square from Honest Foods.

Peach "Mound Bar" Oatmeal

The first step is to peel 3 peaches, chop, place in a pot and add 3 tablespoons sugar, about 1/4 cup of water, and a pinch of salt. Let cook on a medium heat, all bubbly like, until reduced and thickened somewhat (sorry, I didn't time it).

Second step is to add however much water to the ratio of oats (steel cut oats, in my case) that you are using. I probably shouldn't have made so much because I didn't really taste the peach mixture unless I took a bite of the peach. Anyway, cook the oatmeal as you would normally.

Third step is to serve yourself a bowl, add a dollop of ganache (Nutella, chocolate chips, maybe a bit of milk/cream/soy milk, etc.), then sprinkle with toasted coconut.

For my explanation, I don't normally put leftover ganache in my oatmeal, mainly because I never thought of it before. I definitely don't make ganache for the sole purpose of mixing it with oatmeal, either. (Be on the lookout for ganache cupcakes, coming soon to this here blog! *insert a picture of Conan O'Brien with a thumbs up hand gesture*) But as an homage to my all-time favorite candy of my youth, the Mounds bar, here it is, in oatmeal form.

(A shout-out to my younger brother for inspiring the snooty dialogue with his random sketch.)

(EoP)