Chocolate Mug Cake

I had a super bad chocolate cake craving today at lunch. This was super yummy, not like real cake, but still super good!



Chocolate Mug Cake
Serves 2

5 tbsp flour
5 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
Salt- a pinch
1/4 to 1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 egg
4 tbsp milk
4 tbsp oil
Pure vanilla extract- a dash
2 microwave-safe coffee mugs

Mix all the dry ingredients in a coffee mug to make the cake.
Beat the eggs slightly in a small mixing bowl and add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well with a fork. Add in the dry mixture and mix well. Pour out half of the batter into each coffee mug. Microwave the coffee mugs,one at a time, half- filled with the batter, on high, for a minute. If it does not get done in a minute, keep for another 20-30 seconds. Do not overcook, you might end up with a dry cake. (I kept it for 1 minute and 20seconds)
Let it cool and dig in.

Mini Rhubarb Pies

I've been meaning to clean up my rhubarb plants for the past couple days and I finally got around to it last night. I was going to make a Rhubarb Pie for work today, but thats kind of difficult to eat on the job. So I came up with these.

Mini Rhubarb Pies

Serves 20 / 7 Points+

20 pre-made tart shells

1 to 1½ pounds rhubarb (about 5 cups ½-inch diced)
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Sanding sugar or granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Combine the diced rhubarb, both sugars, the cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb releases its liquid and begins to breakdown, creating a thick, chunky sauce, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Spoon rhubarb filling into the center of each dough round (about 2 big spoonfuls), and place on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling bubbles a bit, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Something to think about

I just read a post by one of my favorite bloggers. She is a very inspirational woman, and she has a way of just bringing you in and sharing her life with you. I feel so close to her, even though I don't even know her. Her stories, her journey, had definitely not been the easiest, and today's post is a very touching one.

See post here: http://oscbb.blogspot.com/2011/06/youre-grand-old-flag.html

Please keep in mind this isn't something I like to openly talk about.
I believe in God, even though my faith hasn't always been something I turn to when I need help. Since meeting with the priest for our wedding I think its something I want to start doing.

I have been hurt, I have been told I was a waste of space. I was with an abusive, hurtful man, that lied and cheated and broke my heart over and over again. I struggle daily to get over this. I think about him, how he lied to me. I think of how I feel like I can't open up to anyone, for fear of people hurting me takes over. I trusted someone and loved someone more than they ever deserved!

I agree with Charlie one hundred percent when she says, "this is what hurts for. Its to help you grow past that person you used to be. To learn why things still hurt, and figure out the best way to heal your heart."

My journey over the past year, since we've been engaged, has been a rough one and its not one that I plan on giving up anytime soon. I am constantly looking for ways to better myself. I have taken days off work to basically lay in bed, take down my flag and fix it. I read a book, I watch movies that make me feel better, I think about my past and ways to make my life better. Last time I did this, I decided it was time to find a new job. I signed up for Early Childhood Classes that start in September and I applied for a few different jobs. If my job isn't making me happy, it needs to go.

Daniel and I have been together for over 3 years. We tend to build up walls between each other. We disagree or fight about something, we add a brick to that wall. We have been working lately to bring our walls down, talking about things brick by brick. Its been working out great for us. The last time we had a fight was about a wedding and the people at it. That was about 5 weeks ago. It took us a long time to take those bricks down. Its a touchy subject, but basically his best friends' wives are clicky and don't include me in anything. I ended up crying in the bathroom because he doesn't understand any of it and we had a fight about it. He will probably never understand because he's never been in that situation, but we talked about it and came up with a semi-solution. He can go out with his friends when they are home, but he can't expect me to go out with him everytime. Its OK for me to say no and do something else. We are definitely getting better about fighting and working things out.

I mean, everyone has their own flag, and brick wall. Everyone needs to take the time to work things out, and mend them. When was the last time you took time to do that?