Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Hi!!

It's the start of a new month, so just let me say, "Rabbit!" It's rather traditional in my family, and kind of weird, and yet awesome. My grandmother would say rabbit on the first of a month for good luck. It's rather easy and simple, so I figure, why not say "rabbit" rather than "bah, what's that gonna do?" Additionally, it gives you the mindset that you are going to have an awesome and luck month, which I believe is the first step to actually having an awesome month.

I don't want to delve into it too deeply, because it really doesn't have that much to do with my post today. But I am a strong believer in positive thinking, and the fact that if you believe you can't do something, you probably never will. Whereas if you believe you can do something, you probably will.

Now, what's something that always helps me feel better, and encourages me to think positively? Baking! That's right! There is nothing like making something yourself, and then eating it. Besides, you then get used to it and stuff from the store just isn't the same.

So, here I am going to tell you about some pretty awesome cupcakes that I made. I thought, what if you put cookie inside of a cupcake? So I googled around, and got some ideas for how to do it, and I managed to find an awesome frosting recipe! Here is where I found the frosting! She also has a detailed recipe for the cupcakes as well, but I wanted chocolate, and I didn't have my computer with me when I made it so I just used cake mix, and a simple chocolate chip cookie dough recipe off the back of a chocolate chip bag.

Starting off with the cupcake, there are two things you need to prepare- the cake batter and the cookie dough. Both are relatively simple. The cake batter, to be honest, I've been making from a box. (Oh the horror!! the horror!! and you just talked about making it yourself!! A box is cheating!!). Yep, I know, but I didn't have all the ingredients on hand for cake, and I didn't want to buy them all either. The cookie dough, however, I ALWAYS make myself. Store bought just doesn't taste the same anymore.

I like to start off with the cookie dough. This is important because you can make dough balls and stick them in the fridge or freezer while you prepare the cake batter. This way, when you bake them, the cookie dough won't cook all the way, and you have warm gooey cookie in the center!

Usually, I just prep chocolate cookies using the recipe off of the back of a chocolate chip bag. Easy, right? So if you want a quick recipe, here you go. Now, if you are worried about salmonella, or other food poisoning because the cookie doesn't get cooked all the way, just remove the two eggs from your recipe. Sometimes I keep them, sometimes I don't. I actually like to keep them because I am left with leftover cookie dough recipe that I can use to make cookies. And I don't get sick from food poisoning- at least not yet- but I'm pretty young, soo... Right, just remove the eggs, and if you do, you can also halve the recipe so you don't have excess eggless cookie dough. Or you can eat the excess eggless cookie dough if you don't halve it. Make the dough into whatever sized ball you want in your cupcake, and place on a tray in the fridge or freezer.

Next, just follow your favorite cake recipe or a box recipe. I went with chocolate, but you could go with whatever flavor you like and think would go well with the cookie. White, yellow, red velvet, carrot- wait, maybe not.

Once you've done  that, get out your muffin tin/cupcake tray, whatever you want to call it. Grease it good, or stick little cupcake wrappers in. Pour cake batter until the tin is a little more than halfway full (more if your dough balls are small, less if they are big). Plop a cookie ball into each, and voila! Now, you can choose to sort of cover the dough balls with some more cake batter so they are not peeking out the top, or let them stay peeking. I've found that when they are covered they tend to sink down to the bottom like in the picture above. However, even if I don't cover them, sometimes they still sink.

Well, anyway, I pretty much cover mine like you can see above. Then I stick them in the oven. OK, so normally a human being would tell you how long they baked these suckers for, but I don't really time it. Probably about 20 minutes. (I tell when they are done by smell, that's why, and observation). If you gently poke with a finger, the cupcake should readily spring back when it is done. You can also poke it with a toothpick or a skewer into the middle of the cupcake and if it comes out clean, they're done (although be careful because you might poke a chocolate chip).

I pop them out of the pan quick because I didn't want them to overcook or stick to the pan once they cooled. Next up is frosting!!

I got the recipe from Tidy Mom, and it is really really really good! OK, it is perfect! So, then I made them, and here is what they look like!

So go to Tidy Mom's website and make yourself some!

Until next time,

Sarah

A Fairy Magical Day

Hi, 
Today, I want to show you some pictures of the Tinkerbell I made. 

I know, I know! I finished it for Christmas, and then I didn't even post anything about it! It's been over a month since I finished it! Anyway, at least I remembered to take pictures, right? Well, here they are. I did not record the pattern, and I did some weird things.

 So, this above is the head, about where I started to form the neck. It's pretty normal. I started as a magic circle and did this: 1: SC2 in each SC (10)

2: SC2 in one, SC 1* repeat until end of round (15)

3: SC2 in one, SC2* repeat until end of round (20)

4: SC2 in one, SC3* repeat (25)

5: SC2 in one, SC4* repeat (30)

6: SC2 in one, SC5* repeat (35)

7-12:SC in each stitch around (35)

13: 2tog, SC5 (30)

14: 2tog, SC4 (25)

15: 2tog, SC3 (20)

16: 2tog, SC2 (15)

17: 2tog, SC1 (10)

Next was the hair. To get a head of hair that didn't have the head color showing through the strands of hair, I used the color I was going to use for the hair and did rows 1-11 from the head instructions above. 

 I didn't stick the scalp or thread the hair in until I had formed the torso, I didn't want to make the hair one way and then as I continued from the neck, have the hair in the wrong direction. Sorry, I'm not skilled enough to correctly form body parts in the right directions yet. Then, I would grab a really long piece of yarn, and fold it in half. I would thread the folded section into the eye of the needle and pull it through about one inch. Then I would insert it into the head cover, about where I wanted the ponytail/bun to be. I pulled the yarn until I was left with the length of yarn I wanted my ponytail to be. Then I would continue threading the "hair" into the head cover in the direction I wanted the hair to lay. When I near the end of the yarn I pull it through a loop near the front and a little to the right (Where I wanted the roots of the bangs) and I cut the yarn to take out the needle. That way it also gave me two "hairs" for the bangs and two for the pony tail. Once I had the hair that just laid across the scalp done, I used shorter lengths of yarn and simply worked on either fluffing out the ponytail or the bangs.

 Once I decided I had enough hair, I trimmed the bangs until I was satisfied with the way they looked.

After I finished the head, I continued onto the body. At that point I left holes in the left and right sides where I could continue arms from (because I didn't want to sew on the arms). I also switched into green yarn to make the dress. When I thought the torso was long enough, I created two circles (yes, there is a slight hole between the legs, but this is easily sewn up, and again, I didn't want to sew on the legs). At some point I switched back to the skin color, and finished off the feet. Which look weird to me, and don't look the same.

Any way, I didn't like the 'dress' look because it came out kind of lopsided. So, I took the same color green yarn, and a yarn needle, and I sewed over the green. Next I made a skirt by folding yarn in half, threading it into the needle, pulling through a stitch, and then pulling the ends through the loop (created when folding the yarn in half). Finally, I stitched a boarder into the top of the dress using the light green that I used for some of the skirt.

 Ahh, that's right. I also made the wings. I don't really want to even talk about them. They are asymmetrical, and yeah. I just crocheted a chain, went back, and yeah. Maybe I will officially make a bunch of wings and get around to recording the pattern, but right now I don't want to say something and it turns out to be completely different from the wings I made. 

TaDa! Tinkerbell! So, she is larger than how I wanted, but once I did the head, I didn't want to undo all my work (yes, I think we've established that I am lazy). So I went with it to see how it turned out, and I got a doll sized Tinkerbell. Not bad, but next time I'll make it more petite, and maybe not take so many shortcuts. 

If all of this doesn't make sense, I completely understand, and I'm sorry.

Have a nice day!!

Sarah

First Weekly Project

So, I had those three goals, right?

1. No worrying
2. Knit something
3. Post more (I said three more times, that might not happen) But at least I'm posting this!

Anyway, number 1 was an outright failure. I completely FORGOT about that one. And yes, I have been worrying a lot. But I will try to keep it to a minimum.

I have been actually putting some effort into the book I am writing, though! (It's nothing to do with knitting/crocheting BTW).

And I'm a teaching assistant for CHEM 102L this semester. I take care of 24 students in lab!

Alright, now onto the purpose of this post. I felt inspired, and finally designed this amigurumi. One of my graduate student's birthdays was a week ago. I told her I was making her two things, but that I didn't have them done yet. Really, I've been meaning to finish up three Christmas presents and then get this done, but I've been procrastinating so bad. I just need something small to get me back into gear. I always drop projects after Christmas since I had the "Christmas rush" to finish all my presents. :) So, I was inspired to design the birthday present I've been making up in my mind. Anyway, I have access to a scanner at school, so I thought I would record this process! Hopefully it comes out like I want it when I crochet it!

This is in memory of Earl, a contamination (some kind of bacteria or whatnot) in one of our broth bottles. He was a cute little mushroom cloud shape, and had to be exterminated once our PI saw him. We even drew a face on the outside of the bottle for him, which is sort of the face I drew. Anyway, I don't remember if we actually gave him a mustache, but I think it is a nice touch and will be appreciated! I will keep you updated, and as my writing says, I plan to finish him by Feb. 4th (One week). But it'll probably be sooner if I start it right away.

I should stop digging myself into a hole now.

Have a great Monday, and don't let this freezing rain slip you up! Or, whatever other weather you're having...

Sarah

This is me, laughing at myself

Hi!

Although I know no one actually reads this, I like to pretend that I am having a conversation with another person, so... Well, whatever. I am so sorry, that this is just a sad, sad post. However, I hope to overcome this sadness with my next post, which, frankly, shouldn't be too difficult.

I haven't accomplished anything I said that I would do over a week ago. :( That's right, none of those knitting projects I wanted to complete or start got any head way. This is me, laughing at myself. Me, a studious procrastinator, trying to stop.

However, I have decided that the best thing for me to do, is just try to post something. That way, I can at least make a start, and somehow, maybe, just maybe, I will be able to smoothly keep it up.

Consistency is key, right? And it is accomplished through many small steps. That being said, I might as well make this space useful. Well, useful to me, maybe not for you.

This me who hasn't really done my knitting or cooking, is sort of disappointing. I've always had problems with consistency. I'm not sure how exactly I can fix this, but I think I can start my setting priorities, and trying to just get up and get stuff done.

I've been rather sluggish and depressed lately. This mostly has to do with grad school, one thing or another, and the perception that some certain people have of me. I want them to have a good impression of me, so I get rather worried when I hand them something for lab, and I freak out. But I saw them today so I feel better. Funny thing, I don't even need them to say good job or bad job, I just need to see them and have them treat me the same as before and I'm suddenly OK. I also realized that I worry a lot. And, frankly, I just said to myself "STOP, right, now breathe. Now, does worrying about something actually accomplish anything? You, know, besides making you feel crummier than a burnt cookie? No? It just makes you feel bad? And suddenly I'm left with the rhetorical question. WHY?

Therefore, here are my goals for the month of January. (Hey, better late than never, right?). And although I've done this once before, I'm hoping that openly putting them here, will aid me in actually accomplishing something. In addition, next time I will be able to talk to you about my goals, and maybe you can take something from seeing me, an inconsistent procrastinator trying to reform, setting these goals.

Goal 1: No worrying!
Goal 2: Knit something before the end of January!
Goal 3: Post at least three more times!

I think I'll keep it to three because then it isn't too overwhelming!

Here's hoping to see you more,

Sarah

Weekly Knits

One of my New Years Resolutions that I just made up (yes, I know that it is already the 11th of January- but aren't you allowed to call resolutions New Years Resolutions as long as they are made in January? ;) OK- it's to knit something every week! Maybe I will have projects that last multiple weeks (OK, knowing me I will DEFINITELY have projects that last more than one week, but the goal is to always have a project that I am working on it, and CONSISTENTLY getting it done.) Without further ado, I present to you: Weekly Knits. A corner of my world where I commence new projects, in hopes that next Christmas, I will not be learning how to crochet, or knitting/crocheting presents the week of Christmas. With this goal, it's possible for me to make 52 things in a year! WOW! O.O That's a lot, OK? For me, I mean.

It's Friday, and, believe it or not, I actually still have presents to finish. That's right. You heard me. One birthday present and three- never mind, four, Christmas presents. So, that is what I am doing this weekend. Posts of my new projects will be a Monday thing. ;) See you on Monday with pictures of finished projects and my next project!

I leave you with the hopefulness that this post actually binds me to getting stuff done. :) I will also be making some chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes, which I will post about the recipe that I follow, and some pictures! You know, when I get around to it- either Saturday or Sunday, though.

Have a nice weekend!

I'm Back

I have some awesome posts to do, but I have been swept away by finals. Being a TA for general genetics, working in a lab, taking a bunch of science classes, and knitting away with fury to make some awesome gifts for Christmas has kept me BUSY!

So I'll leave you with a picture of an amigurumi I made in the past. I followed the lion pattern from the booklet Easy Crochet Critters which was put together by a group of people from Vanna's Choice. It's pretty cool, and only about five bucks off of Amazon, which is where I bought it. For the one below, I think I used some yellow yarn by Red Heart, some orange scrap I had from my Gramma, and Sun catcher eyes (which are also fantastic but SO expensive- but I'm a college student, everything is expensive ;) ) It is also fun to use random colors/yarns to make. I've also made the lion below using some red Red Heart yarn, along with black/grey/white multicolored fun fur yarn for the mane and tail. It had a fuzzy mane! OK, I've digressed, let's all get back to some knitting!

~Sarah

Hand Warmers and Tinker Bell!

Check out these awesome hand warmers! Right? They're nice and cozy, and a quick knit too! I can't remember where I got the pattern from. I'm sure I printed it off, and it is somewhere in my apartment, but I have printed a lot of patterns.I'm thinking of making a little thumb cozy and finger cozies to attach to them, so they fit more snugly. I showed them to the other undergrads in my lab, and now they want me to make them some stuff :)

Next, I want to try to make some like the design here, because I want to try some with a thumb. And once I start looking around for other patterns, I can't stop. Like, look at this pattern here and this one here! I like them all! (Seriously, you should see my bookmarks on my computer. I have too many for knitting/crocheting!)

The next project I am starting is the Tinker bell project! My Sister-in-Law- to be found a person who made a bunch of the disney princesses, and tinker bell, and some other dolls on pinterest. Since I have no money, I decided to make my own version of tinker bell, using the picture from that site, and the one below from as inspiration! Once I am satisfied with it, I'll post the pattern here! It'll be just my second pattern! My goal is to have it down in just a week, preferably less.

So many presents to make!!!

Previously, I used a dragon pattern as inspiration, and created my own "pig" dragon pattern, which I will post on the site eventually.

Yours truly,

Sarah