Today, let the madness that is the Christmas holiday season begin!

Black Friday always marks the first day where Christmas music will fill every potential sound-free aspect of your life. Hope your all ready with stockpiles of Ibuprofen and Excedrin Migraine :-)

The holidays have always been a wierd time for me. Ive always worked in environments where you see the worst of people during one of the supposed happiest times of the year: angry holiday shoppers desperate to save half off that laptop, people scrambling to spend way too much money on material posessions for loved ones, hungover breakfast patrons who want nothing more than to make their waitress more miserable than they feel...and of course, working on holidays.

This year, im taking a whole new approach on the holidays. I work in an environment where I believe attitudes will be unaffected by the gloom of the season, where perhaps I can begin to enjoy the holidays for the first time in a long time. Its kind of wierd, I havent been alone for the holidays...ever. My first Thanksgiving where I only spent a little time with family, but alot of time with friends who I could consider family.  I didnt cook a single thing yesterday (besides cupcakes to bring to my uncles!). I enjoyed myself. I ate things I normally would never eat, like baked mac n cheese, and goat cheese mashed potatoes (which are freaking AMAZING if you have never tried them!).  I watched awesome movies all night with good friends, and even after the credits are done, good times were still to be had. It was a really good day. And its also the first time in a long time that I stayed up till 3 am, then proceeded to sleep as long as I wanted, rather than feeling like I had to be up by 8 and therefore deal with tiredness all day. I woke up at 11:30. It was awesome!

I couldnt ask for better weather today either. Im thinking I will go for a long bike ride today, or tomorrow; it gets dark here around 4 so I wouldnt be able to do my usual 60-80 miles before dark. Maybe just a stroll around Seattle, carefully, though, to avoid sleep deprived, over caffeinated, manic holiday shoppers. Downtown is their breeding ground, Starbucks is their fuel, and they are out there! Beware!

Another joy that I am currently, um, dealing with, is a kitten: I havent had a kitten since my cat Miko was little, and he is currently almost 7 years old. Ive never came home to find so many random things strewn about the room with little teeth marks in them. She also somehow managed to completely lock up my laptop and I couldnt get it to work for a while. I actually had to go into safe mode and figure out what the heck went wrong.

But I love Kiwi so much :-)

As a parting gift, I leave you with a delicious cupcake recipe that I made for my uncles for Thanksgiving.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting
Makes 12 (full) cupcakes
(Note: I make my own baking powder. If you have some on hand, omit cornstarch, cream of tartar and only use 1/4 tsp baking soda instead of 3/4. Add 1 1/4 tsp baking powder)
1 3/4 c all purpose flour
1/2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 c sugar
2 tsps good quality vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste! Amazing stuff!)
3 eggs, room temperature
2 tbsps oil
1/3 c buttermilk (I used 1/3 c 2% milk with a few splashes lemon juice, let sit for 10 minutes before using)

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream butter and sugar together in mixer, or using hand mixer, for about 5-7 minutes until light and fluffy. While thats creaming, mix together other dry ingredients and sift well.  When the butter and sugar is light and fluffy, leave mixer running and add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.  Add vanilla and oil, mixing until incorporated.  With mixer on low, add half the flour mixture. Mix for about 15 seconds, then add buttermilk. When thats all mixed together, add the rest of the flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Portion out batter into muffin cups, filling about 3/4 full, which gives you 12 muffins. For less full muffins, fill halfway and it will give you maybe 15-18.  Cook in preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool in pan.

The frosting I kind of eye-balled, so proportions might be a little off. If its too runny, add more sugar. If its too stuff, add more milk.
Buttercream:
1/2 stick butter softened
about 2 cups powdered sugar, more or less depending on consistency
1/4 c milk
splash of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
dash of salt

Cream butter in mixer. Turn speed to low and add powdered sugar. Mix for a few minutes until sugar wont fly everywhere, then turn the speed to medium. Add milk, vanilla, and salt. Turn speed to medium high and whip until desired consistency is reached. I like a really thick fluffy frosting, so I beat it on medium high for a few minutes. Frost cupcakes when they are cooled down (or for an instant satisfaction, frost while really warm and put in a bowl :-) )

Happy Holidays to everyone, and I hope you all enjoyed spending time with loved ones yesterday.