Manhattan

Feeling better and better - vertigo is still there, but less and less. I am glad and am very hopeful that I can make it back to work tomorrow!

On another note, here are some more photos from our trip to NY a couple of weekends ago.

We wanted to visit Brooklyn a little more this time on our trip to NY...but we both love Manhattan, so we spent a couple of hours there!


Love all the tall buildings!

Halloween Chocolate Cupcakes

It's almost been a week since I started my labyrinthitis. It is getting better and better - I will be going back to work on Tuesday! As for the gym, I think I will wait another week, to give myself the chance to be less dizzy in the morning!

I have missed baking - and these are perfect for Halloween!!


Didn't have much time to decorate - so decided to use little stencils I had bought. Easy - just dust with some powdered sugar and voilà!!


I brought these at my in-laws and they loved them!


Of course I kept of couple for us so we could try them!! LOL


Hershey's Chocolate Cupcakes

2 cups sugar (I used 1 1/2 cups)

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk (used low-fat)

1/2 cup vegetable oil (used canola oil)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

1. Place rack in center of oven and heat to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with 12 paper liners; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine cocoa, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add butter, milk, egg, and vanilla. Using a hand-held electric mixer on medium speed, beat for two minutes. Add boiling water and beat to combine (batter will be thin). Divide batter evenly between cupcake liners.
3. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Fall in Lachine

Friday!! Yes!! Though I haven't worked at all this week, I am glad I am starting to feel better. The mornings are still a bit rough - still quite dizzy, but in the afternoon, I feel OK.

Managed to go for a short walk this afternoon to go to the bank and was happy to see some Fall colors left!

Times Square in the dark

Can't believe that a week ago I was in the Big Apple again!! I'm so glad my vertigo waited until I got back to town to hit me!!
I don't really like crowds, but for Times Square, I will handle the big crowds!!



Day 4 of vertigo and I am starting to feel a bit better - mornings are still bad, but I get a bit of relief in the afternoon. Hopefully I will be back to work next week! And hopefully, to the gym within a week or two! I miss it!

Peanut Butter Mini Muffins

I made these last week. Wish I had some left - I am sure it would help my vertigo today!

Not really feeling any better, but I managed to go outside and breathe in some fresh air this afternoon. It helped my moral!

These little muffins are dense and tasty. They are filled with peanut butter and chocolate. A perfect match!


Peanut Butter Mini Muffins
Taste of Home
(makes 4 dozen mini muffins) (I managed to make about 40)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup packed brown sugar (used a little less)

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

3/4 cup milk (used low-fat)

2/3 cup chunky peanut butter

1/4 cup vegetable oil (used canola oil)

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. In another bowl, combine the egg, milk, peanut butter, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill greased or paper-lined miniature muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.               

Vertigo still going on strong and ... The Naked Cowboy!!

Thanks for your good wishes. I am not feeling any better today, but I am not feeling any worse!! If I walk slowly and not move to much, I am not too bad. Managed to go outside a few minutes to soak in the sun and breathe some fresh air. I am hoping I will feel better tomorrow!!

Couldn't believe on Saturday that I finally got to see the Naked Cowboy!! I had heard about him but had never seen him. Don't know how he handles the cold - it was cold and he didn't have much on!!

Couldn't tell you what he was playing though!! ;)

New York and the day after...

I am back from a wonderful long weekend in New York. We loved it so much in August, we decided to go back in October!! The weather was wonderful - though a bit cool - but the sun was out most of the time!
Came back yesterday and this morning woke up with vertigo... Went to the clinic and was not surprised that it was a labyrinthitis :(  Not suprised but not happy at all!

I can't do much - I spent most of the day on my sofa or bed - if I don't move to much it's not too bad. The next couple of days will be a repeat of today...

These were taken before vertigo and New York! More photos of New York will follow. These were taken in Old Longueuil.

Pinterest - Baked Chocolate Donuts

I just love pinterest! I pin so many things and I thought it was about time to start trying out the things I pin!!




I had made some baked donuts once before and decided to try this recipe. I found on pinterest. Brought these cute little donuts at my parents and decided to dress them up a bit with some Halloween sprinkles!  They do not taste like regular donuts, but more like cake - and I love cake!! :)


Baked Chocolate Donuts
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup dutch-process cocoa
1/2 cup sugar (used a little less)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk (used low-fat milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons canola oil
Chocolate glaze (recipe follows)
Colored or chocolate sprinkles (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and coat a donut pan liberally with cooking spray.
2. Stir together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the egg, vanilla, and milk and stir together for 1 minute. Add the oil and continue to whisk until just combined. Transfer the batter to a large measuring cup (or a bowl with a spout) for easy pouring.
3. Fill each cavity in the pan 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until the donuts spring back when lightly touched. Cool completely before icing. Yields 10 to 12 donuts.

Chocolate Glaze
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon corn syrup (used maple syrup)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the glaze: combine the chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup and vanilla extract in a double boiler (or in a stainless steel or glass bowl over some simmering water). Stir until the chocolate is melted and everything is incorporated. Use immediately.

Apple Picking

A couple of weekends ago, we went apple picking. One of my favorite activities to do in the Fall!











Don't you just love taking a bite in a fresh apple??!! :)

Refuge faunique Marguerite-d'Youville

I just love this park. It's free and it's so beautiful! We hadn't been in a while and I was glad to walk there again!