chocolate - Wisdom and Faith

Recently we purchased several gluten free mixes online from Williams-Sonoma. We don’t eat a lot of cupcakes around here, so it is a treat when we have fresh GF baked goods!

Cost
Let me start by saying that these mixes are pricey – $12 for a mix that makes 12 cupcakes. Even the mixes that are not gluten-free at Williams-Sonoma are pricey – but they are still more reasonable than buying them from the bakery!

Taste
I was expecting a very chocolatey cupcake! The flavor reminded me of a red velvet cake with a hint of chocolate and in my opinion, did not have a deep chocolate punch.

Texture
Wow! The texture was absolutely perfect! You would not be able to distinguish it from its ‘non’ gluten-free counterpart if you didn’t know any better. Texture is where the mix shined! Texture is so important in a cake. If it’s too heavy or mealy or dense it just is not worth eating. The cupcake held together nicely and was not too crumbly or tough.

Our Frosting
We already had some cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator, so we paired the cupcake with it. Maybe that’s what contributed to it tasting like a red velvet cake. I suspect that the butter-cream frosting suggested on the package would be a better choice to pair with this chocolate cupcake.

Note – we did not frost the cupcakes until we were ready to eat them. Also, we only made half of the mix by splitting the ingredients. I often split a mix to accommodate our small family with a fresh treat so not to be tempted to eat four cupcakes in a day or two. We could freeze them, but I prefer freshly baked.

Wrap up – if we make the cupcakes with Cup4Cup flour from scratch, the process would be only slightly more difficult and would likely yield a similar, and potentially more flavorful cupcake.

These cupcakes are a special treat and probably not your every day choice because of their price…but let a little sweetness for the taste buds remind us to use healthy, sweet words…

Pleasant words are a honeycomb:
sweet to the taste and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 (HCSB)

In case you didn’t notice, it’s been a while since I posted. My plan was a grandiose 50th post giveaway on my 50th birthday so that you could have a chance to win a few nice prizes and celebrate with me. Don’t worry though, we will have a giveaway sometime soon!

Theoretically, my 50th birthday should have been a most delightful experience! It was a great celebration with parties and decorations, cards and presents, cakes and dinners out! It’s just that I did not feel the celebratory nature within myself that I had hoped. I wasn’t quite prepared like my friend, who has a 50th birthday next year, and has already been working on 50 things to do before her 50th year is over. Darn, I should’ve thought to do something to emotionally prepare before hand. Unlike many people, I did not have any issues with turning 30 or 40 or any other age….and then suddenly 50 hit, as if I didn’t know it was on it’s way. What was different? Well, as it turns out nothing is different besides having an extra reason to celebrate – that, even against odds, with my disability, I manage to live a productive and fulfilling life without too many unexpected health glitches for 50 years! Hooray!

Thankfully, I spring back quickly and don’t lollygag in my sorrows, realizing with gratitude the wonderful life I live. Gratitude is my recurring theme and medicine…my husband, my health, my family, my friends, my church, my hope in Jesus…the list goes on and on. Yes, you might be sick of hearing me say it.

Now that the ‘big’ day has actually passed, I am fully excited about the new year and all of the prospects of growth before us. My goals this year include a few that are quite a stretch for me – but that’s for another day’s discussion. Let us get on with our accomplishments and make a 2012 difference wherever we are called.

Have a peek in to my first week of 2012….it’s been a bit ‘me’ focused…

My friends for 35 years and pastors for over 25, John and Beth Fichtner, kicked off the first day of 2012 with an early birthday dinner.
We spent four days taking care of a friend’s golden-doodle, Hooper. Can you tell Brent is the dog whisperer?
We had to leave Hooper at home while went we to our Friday night church where Brent surprised me with a party afterwards! He amazed me with his impressive decorating and food coordination! Usually I lead the way when it comes to entertaining. Thank you Brent and thank you to my ‘seasoned sisters’ and all of the other friends that attended.
Special thanks to Andrea and Hannah who brought a toy for Tahoe who patiently waited in the van during the party.
‘The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.’ Abe Lincoln

After the party, my present was Hooper and Tahoe…
Sweet sleep…

On my ‘actual’ birthday, I was greeted by mooing in the front yard. Maybe I should ‘Eat Mor Chikin’ – I’m glad I’m not among the obese in this nation…I might have taken the cows personally.

Don’t I look excited? Cows via one of my ‘over fifty’ brothers and sister-in-laws (Brian and Ann) and my precious nieces, Leah and Maya.
Topping off the day with flounder from an amazing new restaurant nearby. We had the best table in the house. Believe it or not, that was half a serving!

He is my hero for life. I love him.

Try it if you are in the Atlanta area. I read a review that said, ‘Finally, a real restaurant in Marietta’.

Door decorations…

Homemade brownies and candies in our ‘Christian Believer’ class the next day. One of my bffs, Cynthia, baked. After the food was almost gone I snapped a photo!

Oh yes, flowers and Godiva from my sister-in-law, Linda, arrived the day after, too. Nothing like making a celebration last…I needed the chocolate because I missed Hooper who had just gone home.

By the way, I was made for this year! My maiden name is Pentecost which means 50, and biblically, Pentecost is when the power of the Holy Spirit came to believers of Christ – and the Jews consider the 50th year the year of jubilee!! It’s the year of release and redemption! During this year all debts were canceled back in the day…guess America could use a concept like that about now.