Thursday, September 29, 2011

Not Enough

I am reminded so often of how short I fall.  I don’t have what it takes. 



Ever feel that way?

I am not enough.

I often say things I wish I could take back but it’s my thought life that’s most disappointing – negative, critical, doubting. 

And then of course there are all the answers I don’t have.

But this place is a good place to be, I know.  It doesn’t feel like it is but it’s the best way to trust God.  I need to realize I really can’t live with any real success without knowing a desperate need for God in me.

He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less.  John 3:30

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Cappuccino Muffins



This is a wonderful fall-ish recipe that combines three of my favorite C's:  coffee, chocolate and carbohydrates.  These are a delicious dessert-type muffin that smell heavenly and taste really good!

CAPPUCCINO MUFFINSPrintable recipe here

2 c all-purpose flour
½ c sugar

½ c brown sugar, packed
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp instant coffee granules
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
1 egg
1 c milk
½ c butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking powder, coffee granules, cinnamon and salt.  Whisk the egg, milk, butter and vanilla.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups.  (Recipe says this yields 15 but I make it fit into 12.)  Bake at 375° for 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.  Yum!

In other culinary news, I finally got around to doing something I've been meaning to do for... well, years.  See?



I am constantly struggling to read the raised numbers on my measuring spoons.  When baking, I hold the spoons up to the light, moving them closer and further from my nose to try to figure out if it says 1/4 or 1/2.  It's very frustrating and I"m sure it looks pretty pitiful too.  So I used a metallic Sharpie and made the sizes BIG.

If you're nodding in empathy, it's because you're reading this post through bifocals or magnifiers.

If you're laughing smugly, don't. One day this will be you.

BTW, do you have at least two sets of measuring spoons and cups?  It also took me years to realize what a time-saver this is so I don't have to wash the 1 cup after measuring wet ingredients to scoop the floor or the 1 tsp after measuring vanilla to dip into the baking powder.  Duh.

*Thanks goes to my very kind and long-suffering husband who does things like take pictures of measuring spoons for me.  This is exactly why I married him.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Why...

...do I like candycorn?
Looking at this picture makes my mouth water.
I KNOW - it should be gross but it's NOT!



I'm not the only one.









Everyone doesn't feel the same way:



Honestly?  I really wish I didn't like it.

What is your favorite gross candy?
Any of these?








Friday, September 16, 2011

Spoiled Rotten

*Warning - long post - lots of pictures.  It may take hours for the page to load! Get your coffee now!

Hi my faithful friends - thanks for checking back here.  You are really nice to even click on "Have A Cup" after so little activity lately. 

Can you guess where I've been?





Do you have a guess?  I'll give you some better clues...




For our 25th anniversary (which was two years ago), we went on a cruise to Alaska! 

I am telling you this with a great deal of hesitation because everyone knows my husband is unemployed and I'm sure is wondering what in the world we think we're doing.  Well, we are spoiled - that's all there is to it.  We'd saved up for several years for this trip and then when our 25th rolled around, we couldn't justify going.  But we finally decided to go now while we can.  I am working on getting over my people-pleasing tendancies and now I'm even sharing our pictures with everyone on the internet.  Yes, everyone.  Can you believe it?  Because clearly everyone on the internet reads this blog.

Anyway, we left Seattle on a typically beautiful sunny summer afternoon.



This was our ship:


It had lots of decks to walk around and watch the scenery from.  No cell phone.  No computer.  (Well, you could use a computer but we chose not to.)  Or you could do what this man did and go swimming between rain storms:




There was a very cool viewing area/lounge with comfy chairs on the top deck:



We visited several ports of call, including Sitka:






Amazing to watch Alaska Airlines jets land here.


Our cabin was great, with a little veranda which we enjoyed a bunch:



Here I am, enjoying the veranda:


You'll notice I'm not wearing a bikini and flip flops.  That's only because our weather wasn't exactly tropical.  In fact, the forecast called for rain every single day of the cruise, even though the temps at home were going to be in the 90's all week.  So I just readjusted my expectations and looked forward to lots of time to read and look out the window.  Oh - and eat.



The day we left was gorgeous but on our Day 2 itinerary (delivered to our room on the evening prior) the rain began.  Now you know why I had time to take pictures of our itinerary.




The view from our veranda - fog and rain:





Visits into the town of Ketchican were drenching jogs from one covered area to the next:



But there were also some spectacular photo ops because of the rain:




We did hit some rough seas.  I have no pictures to document it but picture yourself lying in bed and feeling like you are in a bassinet with springs.  Or walking down your hall bouncing off one wall to the other.  I only 'lost it' once.  Once is enough.

And that leads us directly into the next topic - the food.  So. Much. Food. 

Fancy dining with linen and silver: 



Poolside dining from the buffet (see - it really didn't rain every day!):



And my personal favorite - room service at no extra cost:




Coffee delivered in the morning is such a treat!




Jeff likes to take very funky, artistic photos.



See what I mean?

But he also takes some beauties:






Here we are, the honeymooners, looking like we are surrounded by ice and cold.  For some odd reason, I look like I'm wearing a wig.



One of the spots we found to read and watch, with
comfy chairs and a great view. 



Alaska really is a beautiful place.



Our last stop was Victoria, BC at sunset:



And then back 'home' to Seattle:


 
I am rested and very thankful for this time away with my man. 

Hope to be talking with you again soon!


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