Sundays with Joy! Chamomile Cupcakes with Honey Frosting!

Well today's recipe reminds me of Spring! Unlike the weather we have been having this week! It has snowed  twice! It's April!! Like really! Thankfully we have only gotten a little bit, but most of my family live in Thunder Bay and they have gotten dumped with snow twice! It would be really nice if Spring showed up sometime soon! 

This week our Sundays with Joy recipe is Mini Chamomile Cakes with Honey Frosting. Which Joy has posted on her Blog, so click on the link above to get her recipe or you can buy her book Joy the Baker Cookbook and get all her awesome recipes there. I am currently enjoying one with a cup of tea while I write this post for you all.

So if anyone knows me they know I LOVE tea! Some have even said I have an obsession! I have a huge cupboard which I purchased specifically with my tea collection in mind. I have probably close to 50 different types of tea. Anything from orange pekoe to chai to green tea with pineapple and everything in between. Some one at work bought me a teapot cookie cutter this week! I can't wait to make some cookies with it. 

But of course I ran out of chamomile tea. I really wanted to make these as they were and did not feel like experimenting until I at least tried them as they were meant to be. These little beauties are light and not too sweet! The frosting is gooey and delicious! Just see for your self!

I think I will experiment with the flavours in this recipe! Some thoughts are Green tea and citrus or earl grey and lavender(such a good combo) or orange pekoe and maple. I have so many idea running through my head. I will have to wait for an occasion to bake them, so I am not tempted to eat them all. I am trying to cut back on the sweets. I am going to also experiment and see if I can make these healthier and still taste just as good! 

But for anyone interested here is the nutritional information for 1 cupcake

Calories 246
Fat          7.3g
Sat Fat    4.3g
Cholesterol 37mg
Sodium    100mg
Carbs     43.4g
Sugars    33.8g
Protein    2.5g

Hamburger Soup

It has been a while! I apologize for the lack of posts over the last 2 months. Life has been busy, however, I am back.

Today's recipe comes inspired by my future mother in law! She has made this a few times and it is so quick, easy and adaptable. It's hearty and just perfect for a cool day! Although I do also enjoy this on a summer day too.

Hamburger Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 onion diced
3 cloves garlic
2 stalks celery diced
3 carrots sliced
2-4 potatoes (depending in the size) cubed
1 cup corn
3 cups tomato juice
4 cups water
3 bouillon cubes
4 tbsp rice or barley
salt and pepper to taste
** can add any other vegetables you would like (broccoli, cauliflower, peas, peppers, etc..)

In a large pot over medium heat; cook ground beef. Drain beef and set aside.
Add onions, celery and garlic, saute until soft and translucent. Add remaining ingredients and ground beef and stir well. Simmer for 2 hours.

He asked... I said YES!!!

I have been MIA for a while and I do apologize! Things have been very crazy over here. The kids are keeping me busy for sure! But I am back and have lots of good recipes to share! Last post I shared about my trip to Mexico in January, this time I will share a little about Easter weekend. We went up to Manitoulin Island as usual to visit the bf's family. Which I always look forward to, it is so beautiful and quiet... well not in the house with 16+ people. Usually the lake has started to melt and the ice has drifted out when we get there. This year it was different, it was still frozen! So the bf asked if I wanted to go for a walk on the lake. 

As you can see in the picture below it was a beautiful sunny day! This picture was at the beginning of our walk, shortly after the jackets came off.

He reminded me to bring my camera along to take pictures cause I usually forget when we go for walks and always miss something cool. His mom told us to take the girls with us but he didn't want to. Shortly after we started out, his mom and the girls came out for a walk to. That's how we got the nice picture above! They continued on their way while we took more pictures and enjoyed our time alone. Further into our walk I was facing the other direction and when I turned around he was on his knee!!! Up he asked me to marry him!!! and of course I said YES!!! and for all of you who are going to ask to see a picture of the ring!! I have added one for you!

Now begins the fun of planning the wedding!! So excited for that!!! and now I have to remember to call him my FIANCE!! which I keep forgetting...