Hot Cupcakes

Knit Wit

This was the perfect timing. On my Knit Wit calendar this was Thursday's entry. On Thursday I went to the yarn shop to pick up sock yarn. I'm determined to make myself a pair. I picked up a recipe (pattern) and sat at home reading it... I'm still reading it. I'll start the first part but am going to need some intervention when I get to the heel. I'll keep ya posted.

Pumpkin Patch 2009

This way everybody!

Hair looks good...

Albino Pumpkin Graveyard

Pumpkin Vagina

Gourds

The perfect pumpkin bum

Decisions decisions

Exhausted

You know you have too many when Farmer Brown brings the wheel barrow.

New Hallowe'en Mug

I love how you think its filigree but its bugs and rats!

Days 27, 28, 29 and 30!! The End

Well I can't remember any of the other days but today. And man alive am I glad it is done. No, I'm not heading over and doing the 60. Maybe next time? Maybe.

Kaitlin ended our 30 day challenge with a chorus of Happy Birthday to Wendy and applause all around for the finishers.

The class just flowed and it wasn't even really that hot, hot yes, sweaty yes but not that gross humid hot it has been.

All I could think about was the lunch Jules and I are having... in less than an hour. We're heading to Pagliacci's and having Roman Holidays. We don't even have to look at the menu.

Bravo to all and I'll see you bitches on Saturday. Yes...that's right, I'm taking 2 days off (bet I bitch the whole time:)

Hmmm... I really don't have much to say. I miss my baking and will be all over that the next couple of days. 100 cupcakes for our end of 30 day challenge potluck at the studio on Friday. Will for sure post them- and a very lovely photo of Jules this morning at 6am, about to enter her last class for the Challenge. Ha.

Day 24, 25 and 26 (Day, Classes...interchangeable)

So close but yet so far... I'm exhausted! Well obviously not clinically exhausted but am looking forward to a guilt free day off. A day where I'll bitch to Jules that I feel stiff and my back is tight and my legs are heavy to carry and my skin isn't glowing, and then I'll feel guilty. What the hell is that?! The studio probably pumps 'guilt serum' into the rooms.

I have to make this 'snappy' (for you Gaye :). I have carpets to clean, I have to go to Michael's craft store for fondant and probably a load of stuff I don't need, groceries, laundry and Maisie needs an hour at the beach and I still have to fit a class in.

Thursday I missed a class due to dog drama. Not my dog- god forbid! My friend's 2 pound Chihuahua got out on them and didn't come home all night! JHC! The next day she told me and another friend and I got on the internet posting ads (Rox Rocks) and within 20 minutes- dog found. Thanks again to the sweet lady that saw her and took her in for the night.
I left work to pick up this sad little dog- who went apeshit when she saw me and brought her back. Everyone was happy blahblahblah... I'd do the same for your pet too. Your kid is on their own.

Friday Jules and I hit the 6am and honestly there was nothing exciting to tell you. I think I was mentally counting minutes in my head for the end. I need (after the Challenge) to start doing some later classes, just to shock my body. Sure I can get up and go through the motions (I do give it... most times) but it might be nice to be fully awake occassionally. And don't you think those lights are brutal at 6am?

Saturday morning I had to do a double, atleast I think I did but then I did those other doubles so I'm probably caught up and confused. Like usual. Sweet Mother of Baby Jesus it was humid! Niecia lead both classes and her mama raised her right- she doesn't like to see people suffering. Though she kept the fans on fully, the sucker turned on, there was nothing she could do with the humidity. It was raining so hard out (for a couple of days- this is winter for us) and I guess that's all it takes.

Both of my classes were good. A couple of classes ago we got precise instructions on a few poses and I've been concentrating on pulling them off. My Standing Bow has improved drastically in one day because of it. Fixed Firm is still a bit of an issue. My foot is still cut over the top but its much better. Thank you Polysporin. Camel = Woot!
Going into the 2nd class (sopping wet and looking like I was outside for an hour) it was a sweat fest. Literally dripping off of my elbows, dripdripdrip sound as it hit the towel. And this was in the 1st breathing exercise.

Did I tell you I really don't enjoy the warm up? I'll get over it one day, hate something else for a while. I just wish I could sit it.

Wonder why (again, for you Gaye)... the 2nd class seems to zing by? It was suffering humid and there was a noise maker in class but yet I didn't notice much of anything. Just doodddeeeddooodeeedooo... I was in my own world just pulling out the poses and voila!

Finis.

Like this post.

Day... 23?

Lord love a duck I'm tired. It's not the amount of classes, its the fact I like to get up at 5:15am to get to the 6am class. And by like I mean- I have to get it over with or I might pass out once I get home and then get nothing done!

Here's my class drama. Peter teaching, great... no drama there. Temperature- ditto. Humidity- zero. Top of foot so dry it split open as soon as I touched it in Half Moon. That's the drama. What the hell!!? I moisturize- a lot! I've been putting Polysporin on it for a week now... and today... one inch gash across top. So not attractive. And it actually hurt enough I had to lay out Fixed Firm and Rabbit. Just laid there mentally picking my ass thinking "doodeedoodeee... oh good... next" I am not a wimp and don't like minor things like this putting me out. But really- its a pretty good tear and as you're aware the skin on the top of the foot is not too thick. And of course I think "And now I'm going to have to get my tattoo redone! GAWD!!"Ever have the top of your foot tattooed? Think knife left in fire pit, point dragging on flesh. Ribs are worse, but they're not cracked open. Oh and not bleeding cause it's too dry. BAH I say.
I thought I could put a bandage on it for tomorrow but Jules reminded me of my sweat fest and said doubtful it would stick :( Am just going to gob on the ointment and shoot for the best.

Wish me luck. And Hey! We're nearly done. And I'm definately sleeping in.

Day 21 (Class 19)

I'm behind!! I'm throwing some doubles in this week, I'll be back in the loop in no time. I hit the 9:30am class today (being Thanksgiving there were only 3 classes to choose from) and it was packed! Shuffling and shifting and peeking around people was the object of the day. I know... pulling is the object of stretching, but today peeking was the object of seeing. Peter was instructing and it was a combo of mellow and auctioneer. It was very much his style. At one point he actually said "Woot Woot" You know, that disco woot woot! Ha. Things like this make the class lighter on your mind when you think you might not make it. Was probably nice for the 1st timers to see its not all grind.

I had an overall really good day. First time ever in Standing Bow that my body was fully level with the floor... and then I fell out. But I got back in and now I just have to get over my glee and just hold it. I was also sooo close to getting my forehead to my knee in Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee, and then my boob moved. Bah!! Boob Blocked.

Hitting the floor after the standing series is always such a treat. You just think "Thank god I don't have to hold my body up anymore" I'm learning the fine art of Savasana. The itchiest itch isn't bothering me anymore, with that said I could easily fall asleep. I need to learn to walk the fine line of awake meditation and nighty night. Though how great would it be if you could just come in and find a corner spot and nap for 90 minutes in the warmth while outside is rainy and cold?! Someone should organize a day like that. Fans left on low, everyone napping.

I'll see what I can do.

Turkey needs a basting. 15 pound bird for 4 people. What was I thinking?

Day 19

Whew...I'm back. I had migraines:( Thank god I had those two doubles and am doing another tomorrow and then another on Tuesday (Jules got ahead of me one day). I missed two days in a row and man alive I felt some guilt- and was getting stiff! Today I had a really good practice. But oh boy, Valley Girl was leading and it was suffering hot. Hmmm... not hot- humid. Combine that with VG's constant droning voice and today was a practice of mental stamina. Fight! Not flight!

I'm making this a quick one. I bought new yarn today and am dying to get my granny square afghan started. Of course I'll post pictures!!

Back at it Yoginis. That room needs us! TTYT

Day 15 (Class 17)- Half Way

Or 1/4 of the way to 60 :) Found out today that the 30 day challenge will roll up into a 60 day challenge should we choose to go that route. I think we might. Jules and I both have plans for mid to the end of November but with our double classes we're pretty sure we can do 60 classes straight in the allotted time. Woot! But for now I will suffer through the next couple of days until Mother Nature leaves to go wherever she goes. Probably back to Hell.

I had such a tough time in any pose that required stretching my hips open or laying on my stomach. I just breathed and moved in and out and laid out as needed. I wasn't really feeling the heat today so much as my own frustrations. I'll get over it.

Tomorrow is another day and mentally I feel better. Another day, another chance. And I repeat over and over "Bikram never said it would be easy, he just said it would be worth it". I know.

I ate 3 mini Mars bars while typing this. I see the wrappers but don't remember the action. Oops.

Day 14 (Class 16)

Mother Nature is a whore and she's fucking with my yoga! Stabbing pains in Triangle, laying out or half assing anything on my stomach and a sit up? Not likely. And on a day when the room wasn't too hot, the fans were on and I was barely sweating (well, barely compared to the usual). I had such great hope for the class at the beginning and then poof... gone. Tomorrow is another day, another chance right? RIGHT?!!?

Day 13 (Class 15)

Whew that was a hot room! Not so much temperature but when there are a lot of people practicing the humidity creeps up. Thankfully the instructor kept the fans on, turned on the sucker and occassionally opened a door to let in some air. Now that is a good first impression for the first timers. Who wouldn't want to come back to that?! Just wait... it's not all empathy and good times, no sirreeee...

I was sweating even before standing up for the first breathing exercise. Sweat rolling down my chin sweating. I was a hot mess trying to pull off Eagle Pose. Tilting this way, leaning that way, wobbling everyway. I was able to get it back together for the rest of the class. My hips were actually down in Balancing Stick but I have yet to touch forehead to knee in Standing Head to Knee...which I'm guessing is the point? One day I will. Not for lack of trying as I've said before, but because of the dual obstructions I carry. Bah!

Mother Nature arrived this morning so trying to get into a good Bow Pose was near impossible. Wicked cramps shot through me and I came out early and did a few wicked curses in my head and then picked it up second set. I also noticed "she" bothered me in the sit ups too. Damn her! When does she go away? 55? 60? So I have nearly another 15-20 years of this? GAWD.

I had a bit of a giggle fit today in Savasana. I got it under control fast but OMG did it hit me all of a sudden. Something the Mister said last night when he got into bed and the kitten sat his little ass directly on Mister's eye... LOLOL still making me laugh out loud.

Tomorrow is the half way mark of the 30 day challenge. It has yet to break us, not even one bit.

Good luck trying.

Latte Cupcakes

Most times I forget to start taking photos from the start. Like today! But if you like coffee you should try these. Not too sweet cake with a creamy whipped Buttercream.

Preheat the oven to 35o.

Cream 1 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of butter (works with any substitute)

When the butter/ sugar is fluffy and no longer gritty add one egg. Mix well, scrape down the bowl. Add another egg. Mix. Scrape.

I used a vanilla bean, if you do too add it now. Otherwise add vanilla of your choice. Mix. Scrape

In another bowl combine 1.5 cups of flour with 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder (the magic kind), 1 tablespoon of instant coffee (I used Starbucks VIA in Italian Roast) and one tablespoon of fresh ground beans. If you used unsalted butter add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Use a whisk and blend the dry ingredients.

Have 3/4 cup of milk ready.

Alternate adding the flour mix and the milk. Try and end with the flour mix. Scrape the bowl as you go to ensure everything is where it should be.

Using an ice cream scoop (uniformity is your friend) divide the batter among 12 large cupcake liners.

Pop into the oven for 20 minutes. 18 if your oven runs hot.

Should come out looking like this...

Let them cool on a rack before icing.

Buttercream icing:

1/2 cup of butter

1/3 cup of whipping cream

4 cups of icing sugar

Cream the butter and start adding the icing sugar a bit at a time. Add the cream a bit at a time. Alternate until everything is in the bowl. Give it a scrape. Turn your beaters on high and whip the mix until the icing turns white (that's the air).

Ice your cupcakes however you want. I topped mine with an organic coffee bean from Oso Negro Roastery in Nelson, BC. (Oso Negro means Black Bear in case you didn't know. We have plenty of those in this province).

Day 12 (Class 14)

I like doing my classes 1st thing (I try most days) in the day. Not just to have them behind me and done but so that I feel alive and awake. My day really whips by when I practice at 6am. Some days I feel a bit tired, but normally it passes after a breakfast, snack, snack, 2nd breakfast and a snack. Jules will agree this is pretty much how we eat at the office. MSN pops up "Hungry" "Always" "K, making snack will let you know when it's ready" "K"
Followed by another MSN of "is there coffee?" "Yes" "good" "K" "You know who is an asshole!" "I'm aware"

I did the 9:30am today and right now I feel like I need to stretch!! What the hell is that?! I'll tell you. I had a shittles of a practice. Right from walking into the hot room to walking out (actually out wasn't so bad, I could see thru the air). It was so humid, no sucker, no fans on, no rest for the wicked. I started feeling myself losing the mind over matter battle at Master Pose. So I let it win. I laid down and just counted my breaths. I needed to shake this old bag that was telling me to give up. I got back up during Tree Pose. The floor series wasn't too bad, I laid out Rabbit, cause contrary to the instructors words, I really did need that water. And a bit of circulating air wouldn't have hurt at this point either. I hope the people on their first day realize that not all classes or instructors are suffering. Most are understanding and remember when they were laying in a very humid room praying for relief and wondering if they too were about to die.

Regardless of my ick day, Jules and I are planning another back to back. Monday or Tuesday morning. We're waiting to see the instructor combo.

We're weird like that.

Friday, Day 11 (Class 13)

As weird as Thursday's class was for me, today was amazing! I honestly don't think I've ever had such an amazing practice.

I was "working" from home (I DID WORK!) and decided to hit the 11:30 class. There was a good mix of students, some experienced and some brand new. I got my favourite spot and away we went. Everything just seemed to flow effortlessly. No wobbly legs, no cursing, breaths coming and going as they should and all of a sudden- the end!! What!? Already? Did I Savasana for too long and no one told me?! 90 minutes. Every class is 90 minutes. I think this one was only half an hour. I'm sure of it.

I think the only people that didn't feel the same way were the 1st class people. I always marvel when I new person does the entire class without once taking a knee or a nap. Impressive.

I love having that "I did great!" feeling all day long. I had it right until 10pm when there I was going to bed on a Friday night, two cats, one chihuahua. I have officially reached nesterhood.

I think my next post of Latte Cupcakes will be more exciting for you than this one.

Day 10 (Class 12) Like, feeeeerrr Surrrrrrreeeee

My 6am class today was lead by a Valley Girl crossed with Charlie Brown's teacher.

Ever have one of those instructors that just does the dialogue and nothing else? Nothing at all!? Not a correction, not a hint, nothing but the exact dialogue.

It's interesting... I've had this instructor many times and really never noticed until today that she is very focused on one thing- getting the words out.

I was a bit of a shit show today. In Bow Pose I was doing Cobra, in Full Lotus I was doing Bow Pose. Did she correct me? Not one time. Me and the gals got a laugh out of it later, but there I was just doing my own thing, mind wandering to wherever it was.

I eventually got back on track but a little direction earlier might have helped.

My practice was sort of like today's weather. Gray and dismal. I know we all have off days, but I like all of my days to be gold stars with sparkles. And it really probably wasn't as bad as I'm making it out to be I'm just a bit tired, thus hard on myself.

My legs are sore too... after I pulled on my Frye boots today I thought "I have to carry 5 pounds of leather around all day long..." Still have them on, too lazy to change them.

I'm sore because I'm giving it full force. The pulling, the stretching, the breaths.

This is my practice and you can't have it.