Sweet Potato Cupcakes

Blogging twice in one week - look at me :)

Jay, Jaylyn, and I are eating dinner at my dad's tomorrow night and I offered to bring dessert. Being the wanna-be baker that I am, I decided to MAKE desserts instead of buying them...even though it's cheaper to buy.

I love how I can think of something in my head, Google it, and THERE'S A RECIPE! It's like someone else already did all the hard work of figuring how much of what and what degree to bake it on. Of course, I tweak all the recipes myself, but still - all the ground work is complete!

So yesterday I decided I am going to make a caramel pecan pie and sweet potato cupcakes for Thanksgiving at Dad's. One reason for these - I can't eat either ;) Caramel and spacers in my mouth don't mix...and I don't eat cinnamon. Way to save me some calories!!

I mentioned yesterday at work that I was going to try the sweet potato cupcakes and after (not so much) coercing from some co-workers, I made the decision to do a test-run. From the opinion of our staff and my guinea pig husband, SUCCESS!

So here's the basic recipe for my sweet potato cupcakes:
Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup of butter
2 eggs
1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 tsp of vanilla
1 & 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp of baking soda
A pinch of salt
Chopped pecans (I used one pecan half for the top of each cupcake.)


Preparation:
* Place pecans in a single layer and bake at 350 degrees for about ten minutes or
until toasted.


* Beat sugar and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended after each.


*Whisk together mashed sweet potatoes (I cheated and used a can of Yams) and vanilla.

*Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking soda. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture and beat at low until just blended.

*Add flour/sugar mixture to mashed sweet potatoes and blend at low.

*Place baking cups in muffin pans. Spoon batter in to the cups. I ended up being able to make 16 cupcakes out of the batter because I only filled them about 2/3 full. They didn't rise very much and I probably could have filled them all the way and been fine.

*Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Remove immediately from the baking pans (careful, it's hot) and set aside to cool for about 45 minutes. When they come out the oven, they look like a corn muffin, not too orange...more like a yellow color.


Now here comes the fun part! I decide I wanted a marshmallow filling in my cupcakes. So I bought a jar of marshmallow fluff and mixed it with 1/2 a cup of powdered sugar, put it in a Ziploc bag and used it to fill my cupcakes. To create a space for the marshmallow fluff, I cut a piece of the cupcake out the center, leaving "a lid" for the top after filling. (My daughter and husband munched on the centers!)

After filling them all and putting the piece of cupcake back on top, I piped a store-bought cream cheese frosting on top, sprinkled them with cinnamon and sugar, and then put the pecan half in the center. The final product:


And here's a picture of the inside:

Yum, yum! All 12 that I brought to work this morning have been eaten!

Tonight I am going to try them with a brown butter frosting (like a toffee) to take to Dad's tomorrow...and tackle the caramel pecan pie with a homemade graham cracker and pecan crust! Happy Thanksgiving! ~Taryn

Holidays on the MS Gulf Coast

Being a Southern girl - born and raised - I have spent my holidays nowhere else than on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - Biloxi to be exact. My mom makes certain we have lots of delicious foods for Thanksgiving and Christmas - and boy do I love her gumbo! What I love most about being in Biloxi at Thanksgiving, is that the weather is the perfect temperature for me. We can actually sit outsit and eat an early dinner on Thanksgiving! And just being with people I love IS Thanksgiving to me. After Thanksgiving, we start decorating for Christmas. And with that, comes so much fun stuff to do on the Coast for the holiday...

My husband, daughter, and I do not miss the 6th Annual Winter Wonderland Christmas, which is held in Long Beach, on Commission Road. The Balbock Family decorates their property - inside and out - just magically. Over 40,000 lights and decorations, Santa and his elves, and even a snow machine and hot chocolate welcomed us last year. The family that hosts the event is so hospitable and we look forward to going every year. It's held November 26 - January 1 and IS FREE!!! For directions, call (228) 669-2123.

Here's a picture of the village they set-up:

Even though my husband disagrees, one day I'll have a set-up like this!


Another fun event is the CHRISTMAS IN THE PASS & NIGHT BOAT PARADE that's happening December 3rd in Pass Christian. At this event, vendors and businesses offer an evening complete with tree lighting, a visit from the jolly guy himself SANTA, the boat parade, and lots of shopping specials. It goes on from 5:30pm to 9:00pm and you can get more details by calling (228) 604-0014.

The City of Biloxi will host the "Lighting of the Town Green" on December 3. Everyone is asked to bring an ornament so they can participate in the decoration. This is especially fun for out-of-towners, who can have their ornament hung in Biloxi all season! 6pm ~ For more details call (228) 435-6185.

If you haven't been to Beauvoir lately, be sure to make your visit December 3-5 for CHRISTMAS AT BEAUVOIR. The home and grounds of Jefferson Davis will be decorated for touring. For times and admission costs, call (228) 388-4400.

A must-do while you are in town is the 25th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ON THE WATER PARADE in Biloxi. The night boat parade - WITH FIREWORKS - makes it way along the Sound at Highway 90 from the Isle Casino to the Biloxi Lighthouse. Festivities begin at 6pm!

The D'IBERVILLE/ST. MARTIN CHRISTMAS PARADE is held on December 5 at 2pm. If you can't make it to the Gulf Coast for Mardi Gras in March, this is the next best thing! Decorated floats parade through the city and throw goodies!

If you're looking to have "A BLUE CHRISTMAS" then catch "Elvis" performing Christmas hits at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi. He begins at 8pm on December 10 & 11. For tickets, call (877) 877-6256.

And if Elvis isn't enough for you, the 23rd ANNUAL SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE will be happening December 10-12 at the First Baptist Church in Biloxi. This FREE event features a Christmas musical with people singing on a tree shaped platform. For times, call (228) 396-8500.

The holiday MUST SEE, "THE NUTCRACKER" will be performed on December 18 & 19 at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Biloxi. For tickets and times, call (228) 822-0490.

And after Christmas, if you need a break from presents and pie - trade it for a puck...at the Mississippi Surge game at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi on December 26.

As you can see, December is buzzing with holiday festivities for your family to enjoy on the Gulf Coast. No, you won't find any snow, but we have plenty of beautiful white sand for you to enjoy! So come "RELAX...on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!"

THANKSGIVING HAPPY

I need to get better at this blogging thing and remember to post...May? "Seriously Taryn! Get it together. You are on a computer all day at work."

Since I last posted, my husband IS HOME from the not-so-beautiful country of Afghanistan. His entire battalion made it home safely over the summer and for that, I AM THANKFUL.

With this being the week of Thanksgiving, I have sat a lot and thought about all the things I have to be thankful for...for all of that, I AM HAPPY! Hence the title, "Thanksgiving Happy" instead of "Happy Thanksgiving".

My daughter is very healthy, and for that, I AM THANKFUL. Hearing about children with learning disabilities, physical handicaps, cancers, uncurable diseases, unknown diseases....my daughter has a bad attitude some times, is whiney, and doesn't always behave in school, but her health is so much more important than any of that, and for that, I AM THANKFUL. (PS: Also totally thankful that I am not paying for full-time daycare anymore!)

I have a handsome husband, who works hard at his job...a job that I admire and respect. He would rather spend his time working on his truck than be out at the bar. He would rather be home bragging about his Audi on some online forum than searching dating websites looking to fool around. He thanks me for making dinner. He teaches Jaylyn to be respectful to her mother. He sacrifices a lot to stay in Biloxi, where I can keep my job and be near my family. My husband and I may not always get along about everything, but we are together, and for that, I AM THANKFUL.

I have a job, a nice car, a roof over my head...I have clothes on my back that are clean and ironed...I have a pantry and refrigerator full of food that I can cook when I am hungry...and for all that, for the ability to be able to work and provide, I AM THANKFUL.

I have a loving family who supports me, wonderful friends who would do anything for me, compassionate co-workers, and a God that is forgiving and loving. For all of that, I AM THANKFUL.

On the 29th of this month, I am getting braces on my teeth. Sometime I have longed for because I dislike my smile so much. I am finally able to afford them, and for that, I AM THANKFUL.

I need to take the time to count my blessings more often. I need to be grateful for all that I have, instead of all that I want. I need to thank my God more for all that he allows me to have.

So, I say to you, be happy for all that you have to be thankful for...there are many people who would love to have what you have, be where you are...

Happy Thanksgiving, from my family to your's! ~Taryn

Dear Detailer...

Well Jay has been gone almost three months now. We have surpassed the half-way point. It's very hard to not get ansy now because they can be extended at any point and I don't want to be extremely disappointed. I just try to keep telling myself that no matter what happens, I cannot do anything about when they get home.

Here's my handsome husband, giving snacks to the kids in Kandahar City:


Jaylyn and I have been staying busy, since that seems to be everyone's advice on how to make time pass quickly. We have been enjoying free movies at the theater on base and spending lots of time with our family and friends. And I have to say that the FRG for 133 is absolutely amazing. The women have been way more helpful (and FUN) than I expected them to be. Jaylyn and I have really enjoyed the FRG meetings, social events, and sign paintings.

Jay's time in battalion is up in October. So that means it's time to PCS (perm. change of station). Jay is very interested in checking out orders. Although I would like to wait until Jaylyn's a little older so she can enjoy the traveling aspect of seeing the world, I am so anxious for the adventure. I have never lived anywhere except the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I have an amazing support system here with great friends and family and a job I love. I know that it will be a complete change, but I am ready for the challenge. I am just going to look at it as a three year vacation (where I'll have to do my own housekeeping and find a job! Ha!)

So, Dear Detailer...please give us something great :)

Preparing for Deployment

Since this is my first deployment, I am not quite certain what to expect. I think I have done about as much research on the subject as I did the entire nine months I was pregnant. I have looked up statistics, pictures, care package ideas, reasons relationships end, ways to make homecoming better, keeping Jay and Jaylyn's relationship active, etc. It's much more than I thought it would be and is a little overwhelming. I am so glad that we have been going to pre-marital counseling, and I am grateful that Chaplain Jones has helped us work through things our relationship was hung up on. Focusing on the positive is also helping some - we will pay off some debt, have ample time to plan our upcoming wedding, and we will be able to experience "absence makes the heart grow fonder" since we have never been apart more than five days in the last year.

Our "To-Do Before Deployment List" is getting shorter, which feels like such a relief. Our latest accomplishment - trading in my SUV for a "new-to-me" car! I am so glad to be out of that note and having "negative equity" in my vehicle. I feel like now I can finally get ahead on my bills. And the best part - Jay paid for 95% of the warranty - so for the next seven years I do not have to worry about my window motor going out, or my transmission messing up, or my muffler falling off. It's all covered - labor AND parts, with NO out-of-pocket expenses. What a great feeling of "non-stress" that gives me!

Now to tackle the rest of the list, celebrate our upcoming anniversary, and spend some quality time together before deployment!