From "Pinned" It to DID It: Mug Cake

When I first starting hearing the buzz about "Pinterest" about 6 months ago I thought "Great, one more thing to waste my time on." I don't have my FaceBook problem (like as in 12-step program, "Hi, my name is Catharina and I have a problem) under control and I was going to add something else to the mix? (Oh and don't tell Robbie that I confessed I have a FB problem. He doesn't believe in saying "I told you so" but he'd have the 'look.' Oh, yes, he'd have the look.) So, I exercised some self control and just avoided it. Then at New Years, one of my closest friends was here visiting and I got a taste of the goodness that is Pinterest. Let's just say that she decided she wanted to show me something and had to go through her Pinterest boards to find it. That's probably not what happened. Probably, I asked her to show me what it was, but it's more fun to blame her. Being a visual person, I got REALLY excited about being able to organize all of the random things that I had "bookmarked" on my computer into something that would actually be useable for me to find what I wanted when I needed it. Fast forward 3 weeks. I have a newborn and I sent above (convicted without a trial) friend a text message: "Can you send me a Pinterest request?" After some teasing about how much time I obviously (didn't) have with Evangeline less than a week old, she saw my point that I would need something to entertain and keep me awake during middle of the night feedings. 

From the first I have not been the average pinner. I have, in 3 months, only pinned what some folks do doing their afternoon potty break (oh come on, you know you do it too!). I had no goal to amass a giant, unmanageable pile of stuff, just to have a place to organize things that I actually intent to do! So I have been attempting the things I've been pinning and documenting those attempts in photos. So....here is one more thing for you to pin! My reviews! 

Eating a mug cake while writing a blog:

One of the first things that kept popping up on the "boards" were the infamous "mug cakes." Being gluten intolerant, none were appropriate for me. But one night I got the CAKE CRAVING beyond what I could deny. So I went on the hunt. And this is what I pinned.  However, as I didn't have any of the flours listed in that recipe I went back on the hunt and found something different.  I couldn't pinned the new recipe though because it didn't have any "Pinnable images." Whatever that means.

After several attempts and lots of "tweaking" I now have my own recipe and instructions, based on this above that is a bit healthier and a much more reasonable portion!

Place the following into each of TWO regular size coffee mugs and mix:
1 T. Tapioca flour
1 T. Rice flour
1 T. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 T. sugar
1 T. Splenda baking mix
pinch of xanthum gun

In another mug mix:
3 T. milk
2 T. applesauce
1 T. oil
1 egg

Split the wet mix into the two dry mix mugs.  Mix the tar-nation out of it.  Put them both in the microwave and cook on full power for 3 minutes.  Try to be patient before taking a bite in order to not scald the carp (yes, carp) out of your mouth.  (Don't ask how I know this.)

Re-Boot

It was one of those mornings...

Last night I slept with first one and then the other of my girls -- a privilege, but one that doesn't always lead to a well rested Momma. I didn't get out for my run because of the weather. Violet got as far as a shirt on before she decided that she was dressed for the day -- pj pants and uncombed hair for her. Evie has forgotten how to nap since our trip to Cali. Thank goodness she is still a GREAT night time sleeper, but days are one long string of snooze, cry, eat, cry, fight sleep, snooze. Robbie had to leave early for school in order to get caught up on work.

It didn't help that after a trying day yesterday, I had been SOOOO ready for bedtime...which had turned into almost three hours of Momma and Daddy switching off which crying girl they were trying to comfort. The big sister who was all out of sorts for no identifiable reason or the little sister who kept getting woken by the big sister's crying. So. Suffice it to say that even a good morning may not have looked so great through my cloudy colored glasses.

I was already scheduled to spend part of the day down at my Mom's for a visit, but by the time I got Violet and Evie loaded in the car I felt more like I was running away. And nothing could have been better for us! Five hours of forgetting unpacking, skipping spring cleaning and playing unabashedly with each of my girls -- able to give them each my undivided attention while Nana and "How" entertained the other. Ahhhh... Who would have guessed I needed a vacation right after my vacation?

Nothing was different when I left. Still hadn't gotten to run. Still a suitcase full of stuff for me to trip over. Still loads of dirt springing up all over my house, waiting to be cleaned. But my girls are a day older. A good day older. One where the moments may not have been "picture worthy" or that I'll remember in detail forever, but a good day where I got to enjoy them. For who they are. Today. It was like each of our attitudes toward one another got a "Re-Boot." And it was great.

Can you believe that these sweet faces really ever cause any trouble?

Our new gift

Because...

...I got a wonderful camera for my birthday gift.
...I haven't shared these with anyone yet.
...these are too good to sit on the hard drive.
...there are many reasons I intend to begin blogging again regularly.
...our girls are an amazing gift from God.
...I just wanted to share.

Enjoy! :)

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