Stuff and Things 2/28/14

Life as I Know it

I know I've been kind of missing for a while, but that's because I was too busy being an adult and BUYING A HOUSE!!!!

Double Kermit flail!!!!!!

Okay, it's a condo. And okay, it's still under attorney review, so I haven't actually bought it yet. But I've been keeping it on the DL because I was so worried it wouldn't work out and the sellers accepted my offer and AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH.

UPDATE: We are out of attorney review, like 3 days earlier than expected. Pending a home inspection, the house is mine-all-mine. *cue MOAR Kemit flail*

The only pictures I have are from the listing, and they're not mine and I can't link back to the source since that will put an address that's not currently mine but eventually will be out on the internet. So I'll give you a virtual tour once we close (which won't be for a while because one of the reasons I was an attractive buyer was because I was flexible on the closing date). But it's BIG (I mean, not like huge, but for one person-- and a cat-- with a limited budget, it's BIG). The kitchen's BIG (not the actual workspace, but plenty of space to add more), and it has a dining room which I've already decided to use as a library/study because I own a lot of books and it's not like I throw dinner parties. And I've already decided to go vintage glam in the kitchen with a DIY makeover until I have the money to get it redone (laminate countertops and the cabinets are white: livable, but so not pretty)

For now, pretend this is what it looks like

But I had to get an attorney, get mortgage pre-approval, sign about 20,000 papers, had some drama because the HOA fees and property taxes were higher than expected, so I had to get a NEW pre-approval, sign more papers, go through 48 hours of waiting and negotiating, and now I have to find a home inspector and get an actual mortgage and it's very exhausting.

What does this mean for the blog? Well, as you may have noticed, until we get everything sorted, posting may be a bit spotty. Once I move in, I might have to go on a brief sabbatical while I DIY my little heart out. And also, since this is the first time I'll be living on my own since college, I need to buy everything. I mean, I think I still have my dishes and utensils, and I own a couple muffin tins and shaped pans, but I don't have any pots or cooking utensils or cooking spices or cleaning things or power tools, so it's going to take me a while to get back up and running. 

Once I do, however, I'm hoping I'll be able to post a lot more, or at least more consistently. I won't be sharing the kitchen with anyone except Viola and Needy McSnuggles, so I won't have to fight for cooking time. And it will just be me cooking, so I'll probably have more in the way of savory recipes to post (I also really want a slow cooker so dinner will be ready for me when I get home!). I love leftovers, so don't expect me to start doing recipes for two or anything. There might be some of those, but not many.

I'm also hoping to set up a little photo studio area in my library/dining room, so there might be some better photography in the mix as well.

And also, my bestie got engaged and asked me to be her maid of honor! So I will have MOH duties to attend to. I'm not completely sure what those duties are, but I know they exist (her colors are mint and coral. I tried to convince her to go with something else, but this is what she wants. Help me.). If there are experienced MOHs out there with any advice, please let me know!

So that's my life at the moment. What's happening with you?

TV Here there be spoilers

Castle- How did Castle not immediately go to brain washing? I mean, that's the first place I went. And the "video conference" from the suspect conveniently in "Stockholm." I mean, if he was in Stockholm, and he wanted to keep up the appearance that he didn't know those people, how would he know that Beckett was coming in to question him? Especially with the time difference.

This episode kind of failed.

Supernatural- Kevvvvvvinnnnnnnnnn! *sniffle* And Sammy, you listen to the dead prophet. Yeah, Dean made a mistake, but it's not like you're infallible or anything. *Harrumph* But yay Ghostfacers next episode!

Arrow- Okay, I wasn't really interested in the show originally, but I started watching because I have a friend obsessed with the show, and the fact that they have Captain Jack Harkness, River Song, and River Tam among the recurring guest stars is kind of awesome. And of course I started watching right before midseason hiatus. (Curse of the Sherlockian, I did the same thing when I started watching Sherlock. No one told me that there were only three episodes in that first season).

Anyway it's about dang time someone took Laurel to task for blaming everyone for her problems except herself. Ollie and Sara lived in hell the past 5 years, given up for dead, hunted by crazy people, tortured, brain washed, at some point Sara became an international assassin, but Laurel wanted everyone to pity her because her boyfriend cheated on her with her sister when she got overly clingy, and then she got drunk and lost her job, and her dad almost lost his job helping her, and she can't decide which billionaire she wants to sleep with. Yeah, I really feel sorry for you, Laurel.

BUT OMG THE ENDING WITH SLADE IN THE LIVING ROOM WITH MOIRA AND AJHGIJHKBNSDFLHNASK....

Triple Chocolate Cupcakes

I recently had this massive chocolate craving. Like, epic craving. It lasted for days. I had a chocolate bar. Didn't help. I ate chocolate cereal for breakfast and chocolate covered snacks throughout the day, and I'd still be craving chocolate when I got home. I'm not sure where this chocolate craving came from, but it wouldn't leave me alone.

So during one of our myriad snow days, I took the opportunity to bake. And what did I decide to bake? Chocolate cupcakes, of course. But not just any chocolate cupcakes. Dark chocolate cupcakes with milk chocolate chips, topped with a whipped semisweet chocolate ganache.

Let me tell you, these cupcakes solved my chocolate craving but good. And they're super easy to make. The cupcakes themselves don't even take a mixer, just a bowl and a whisk, and you can always skip the whipping part of the ganache, sticking the tops of the cupcakes straight in it. I just like giving myself extra steps.

These chocolate chocolate chocolate cupcakes need to be served with a big glass of ice cold milk, but will satisfy even the biggest of chocolate cravings. Guaranteed*

*Treats & Trinkets cannot actually guarantee anything; however, if these don't solve your chocolate craving, may god have mercy on your soul.

Triple Chocolate Cupcakes
Yield: 18 cupcakes

Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
¾ cup unsalted butter
3 eggs
1¼ cups sugar
¾ cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
¾ cup milk chocolate chips

For the ganache:
12 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
12 oz. heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the bittersweet chocolate and the butter. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until the sugar is completely dissolved and the eggs are lightly colored and fluffy. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Fold in the dry ingredients, then the chocolate chips.

Line a cupcake tin with paper liners, and fill about 3/4 of the way full with batter. Bake about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.

Prepare the ganache: Place the semisweet chocolate in a medium-sized mixing bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the cream over low until boiling, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract, then allow the ganache to come to room temperature (it will seem solid), then whip on high with an electric beater. Pipe on top of the cooled cupcakes.*

*If you don't want to pipe the ganache, you don't have to whip it. Allow it to cool and thicken slightly before dipping the tops of the cupcakes in it. Chill any leftover ganache to make truffles.

Recipe by Kim